Fascines

Abstract

A fascine is formed by an assembly of inflatable elongate members ( 10, 11 ). There may be some members that are tubes ( 11 ) and others that are pipes ( 10 ) with the tubes ( 11 ) being of smaller diameter than the pipes ( 10 ) and forming a trackway above the pipes ( 10 ) when the fascine is deployed. The members have inflatable chambers and an inflation system ( 20 ) for inflating the chamber. The inflation system ( 20 ) is located within the chamber.

1 . A fascine comprising an assembly of elongate members, at least one member including an inflatable chamber and an inflation system for inflating said chamber said inflation system being located within said chamber. 
   
   
       2 . A fascine according to  claim 1  wherein said chamber when inflated, defines a cylindrical tube. 
   
   
       3 . A fascine according to  claims 1  including switch means activatable to operate said inflation system. 
   
   
       4 . A fascine according to  claim 3  wherein said switch means is manually actuated. 
   
   
       5 . A fascine according to  claim 3  wherein the switch means is electrically actuated. 
   
   
       6 . A fascine according to  claim 5  wherein said switch means is remotely actuated. 
   
   
       7 . A fascine according to  claim 6  wherein said remote actuation is via a wire. 
   
   
       8 . A fascine according to  claim 6  wherein said remote actuation is wireless. 
   
   
       9 . A fascine according to  claim 3  wherein said inflation system includes a rupturable components, activation of said switch means rupturing said component to inflate said at least one member. 
   
   
       10 . A fascine according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one member includes a second inflation means. 
   
   
       11 . A fascine according to  claim 10  wherein said second inflation means includes aspiration means operative to draw into said at least one member air from outside said at least one member. 
   
   
       12 . A fascine according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one member has an outside cover of wear resistant material. 
   
   
       13 . A fascine according to  claim 1  wherein said least one member is one of a plurality of such members. 
   
   
       14 . A fascine comprising an assembly of first and second elongate members with each member having a generally circular cross-section, at least one first member and at least one second member having respective cross-sections with respective first and second diameters, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter. 
   
   
       15 . A fascine according to  claim 14  wherein said first diameter of said at least one second member is between about 0.5 and 1.0 meters. 
   
   
       16 . A fascine according  claim 14  wherein said second diameter of said at least one second member is between about 0.2 and about 0.5 meters. 
   
   
       17 . A fascine according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one of said members is formed by an inflatable chamber. 
   
   
       18 . A fascine according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one first member is formed by an inflatable chamber which, when inflated, defines a hollow tube. 
   
   
       19 . A fascine according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one second member is formed by an inflatable chamber which, when inflated, is generally cylindrical. 
   
   
       20 . A fascine according to  claim 19  wherein said at least one second member is formed by a double skinned material to resist puncturing. 
   
   
       21 . A fascine according to  claim 14  and comprising a plurality of first members and a plurality of second members, such that where the fascine is deployed to fill a trench having a base and open top, the plurality of first members fill the base of the trench and the plurality of second members overlie the plurality of first members to form a track for the passage of a vehicle over the trench. 
   
   
       22 . A fascine according to  claim 1  and including at least one second member having respective cross-sections with respective first and second diameters, said first diameter being greater than said second diameter. 
   
   
       23 . A vehicle including a fascine according to a  claim 1  mounted thereon. 
   
   
       24 . A vehicle including a fascine according to a  claim 14  mounted thereon. 
   
   
       25 . A vehicle including a fascine according to a  claim 22  mounted thereon.