Bridge platform

Abstract

A bridge platform and method of erecting the same wherein a plurality of cables extend longitudinally of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by the spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the cables, extend laterally of the bridge, are arranged side-by-side along the length of the bridge between the piers and are removably secured to the cables. The cables are attached to the bridge piers by compression clamp structures. The platform flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking panels and are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the bridge, side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally along the bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables. The corrugations maximize the strength-to-weight ratio of the platform flooring and provide recesses or receptacles to contain debris and facilitate its collection and removal. Each of the platform flooring sections is releasably connected at spaced locations to the supporting cables on which it rests. This is provided by connector assemblies each comprising a first part which engages the upper surface of the flooring section and the cable and a second part which engages the upper surface of the flooring section, the two parts being removably connected together through a small opening in the flooring. As a result, individual flooring sections can be removed to provide access through the flooring in emergency or critical situations while at the same time allowing the remainder of the flooring to retain collected debris.

1 . A platform for installation below the deck of a bridge and extending along a section of the bridge for supporting persons performing work an the bridge and for collecting debris resulting from the work, said platform comprising: 
 a) a plurality of cables extending along the bridge and in spaced relation to each other and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the deck;    b) means at each end of said cables for securing said cables to the bridge so that the plane of the cables is at a desired distance below the portion of the bridge upon which work is to be performed;    c) a plurality of flooring sections each extending transversely of the cables and resting on said cables, said flooring sections being arranged in side-by-side relation longitudinally of the cables; and    d) means for releasably securing said flooring sections to said cables.    
     
     
         2 . A bridge platform according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for securing said cables to the bridge secures said cables to spaced-apart piers of the bridge.  
     
     
         3 . A bridge platform according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for securing said cables to the bridge piers comprises a pair of compression clamp structures, one on each of the piers, and said cables are connected at opposite ends thereof to said clamp structures.  
     
     
         4 . A bridge platform according to  claim 1 , wherein said flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular decking panels arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the cables and in side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally of the cables.  
     
     
         5 . A bridge platform according to  claim 4 , wherein said decking panels are corrugated with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.  
     
     
         6 . A bridge platform according to  claim 1 , wherein said flooring sections comprise corrugated elongated rectangular decking panels with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.  
     
     
         7 . A bridge platform according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for releasably securing said flooring sections to said cables comprises a plurality of connector assemblies each comprising a first part which engages the upper surface of the flooring section and the cable, a second part which engages the upper surface of the flooring section and means extending through the flooring section for releasably connecting the two parts together.  
     
     
         8 . A bridge platform according to  claim 7 , wherein said first part comprises a plate-like body and a substantially U-shaped hook formation extending from said body for engaging the cable and having a threaded free end and wherein said second part comprises a plate-like body having an opening therethrough for receiving therethrough said threaded end of said hook formation of said first part so that a nut can be threaded or said free end to fasten said first and second parts together.  
     
     
         9 . A bridge platform according to  claim 7 , wherein some of said connector assemblies further include means for connection to one end of an auxiliary supporting cable, the other end of which is secured to the bridge to provide additional support for said platform.  
     
     
         10 . A bridge platform according to  claim 1 , further including tarpaulin enclosures extending between said platform and the bridge for defining a region between said platform and the bridge which enhances containment of the debris.  
     
     
         11 . A method for installing a platform below the deck of a bridge for supporting persons performing work on the bridge and for collecting debris resulting from the work, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a plurality of cables and securing the cables to the bridge so that they extend along the bridge and in spaced relation to each other and in a plane substantially parallel to the deck at a distance below the portion of the bridge upon which work is to be performed;    b) providing a plurality of flooring sections each comprising corrugated elongated rectangular decking panels wherein the corrugations extend along the length of the panel;    c) placing the flooring sections on the cables with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables and with the sections in end-to-end and side-to-side contacting relation to each other; and    d) fastening the flooring sections to the cables by means of releasable connector assemblies each engaging the flooring sections and a corresponding one of the cables.    
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the cables are secured to neighboring piers of the bridge so that the platform extends between the neighboring piers.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said flooring sections are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the cables and in side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally of the cables.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said flooring sections are fastened to the cables by placing a first part of a connector assembly so that a portion thereof is in engagement with the upper surface of the flooring section and another portion thereof is in engagement with the cable through an opening in the flooring section, placing a second part of the connector assembly in engagement with the upper surface of the flooring section and releasably connecting the first and second parts together.