The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 1990
Filed:
Feb. 09, 1990
Jan Ghering, Ginsheim-Gustvsburg, DE;
MAN Gutehoffnungshutte, Oberhausen, DE;
Abstract
A device for opening a pontoon unit to form a pontoon bridge, in which two inner pontoons and two outer pontoons are connected by hinges such that they can be opened in the shape of a W. In the collapsed state, the two inner pontoons are connected to an upper middle hinge and the two outer pontoons are joined to the adjoining inner pontoons by a lower hinge each. The lower hinge is formed by two pins which are arranged in the adjoining corners of the inner pontoon and outer pontoon. The pins are pivotably connected by a projecting lever, and the freedom of movement of the projecting end of the lever can be limited by stops. The end of the lever facing the outer pontoon is attached to a tension spring. The outer pontoons are opened by the tensioned tension springs against the buoyancy acting on them. According to the present invention, a swiveling rocker arm (7) with a stop (8) is arranged at the end of the part (3b) of lever (3) projecting toward the outer pontoon (2), and the tension spring (9) is attached at the end of the rocker arm (7). In the collapsed state of the inner pontoon (1) and the outer pontoon (2), and with the tension spring (9) tensioned, stop (8) comes into contact with the end of the projecting part (3b) of lever (3). Rocker arm (7) forms an extended lever arm of lever (3). In the opened state of the inner pontoon (1) and the outer pontoon (2) and with the tension spring (9) released, the rocker arm (7) forms an angle with the projecting part (3b) of lever (3).