Deployable platforms

Abstract

A platform panel is disclosed. The panel includes a core having a top surface and a bottom surface. The core has a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the core. Further, recessed pockets having a fastener port. Moreover, the panel includes a first hinge member disposed on a first side of the core, and a second hinge member disposed on an opposing side of the core in relation to the first hinge member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A platform panel comprising:
 a core having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the core;   a recessed pocket disposed on the top surface of the core, wherein the recessed pocket comprises a fastener port;   a first hinge member disposed on a first side of the core; and   a second hinge member disposed on an opposing side of the core in relation to the first hinge member.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composite skin on the top surface of the core has a thickness greater than the composite skin on the bottom surface of the core.   
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the composite skin on the top surface of the core has a non-uniform thickness.   
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a receiving port for attachment to an adjacent panel. 
 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a rigid frame disposed around a periphery of the core. 
 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the rigid frame further comprises embedded hard points for mechanical attachments.   
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a positioner coupled to the bottom surface of the core. 
 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first hinge member further comprises a spacer; and   the second hinge member does not have a spacer.   
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first hinge member further comprises a cut-out portion.   
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 9 , wherein the second hinge member further comprises a cut-out portion. 
     
     
         11 . A panel comprising:
 a core having a top surface and a bottom surface;   a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the core;   a connection edge coupled to the core, wherein the connection edge comprises a member that fastens to an adjacent panel; and   a beveled edge that opposes the connection edge, wherein when in use, the beveled edge rests on a ground surface.   
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the composite skin on the top surface of the core has a thickness greater than the composite skin on the bottom surface of the core.   
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 11  further comprising:
 the composite skin on the top surface of the core has a non-uniform thickness. 
 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the connection edge is selectively removable from the core.   
     
     
         15 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the member is a pin.   
     
     
         16 . A deployable bridge assembly comprising:
 a first panel comprising:
 a first core having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the first core; 
 a connection edge coupled to the core, wherein the connection edge comprises a member that fastens to an adjacent panel; and 
 a beveled edge that opposes the connection edge, wherein when in use, the beveled edge rests on a surface; 
   a second panel comprising:
 a second core having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the second core; 
 a connection edge coupled to the second core, wherein the connection edge comprises a member that fastens to an adjacent panel; and 
 a beveled edge that opposes the connection edge, wherein when in use, the beveled edge rests on a ground surface; 
   a platform panel disposed between the first panel and the second panel, the platform panel comprising:
 a third core having a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the third core; 
 a recessed pocket disposed on the top surface of the core, wherein the recessed pocket comprises a fastener port; 
 a first set of ports that receive the member from the first panel; and 
 a second set of ports that receive the member from the second panel. 
   
     
     
         17 . The deployable bridge assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 The first platform panel further comprises:
 a first hinge member disposed on a first side of the first platform panel, wherein the first hinge member comprises a first spacer; and 
 a second hinge member disposed on an opposing side of the first platform panel in relation to the first hinge member, wherein the second hinge member does not have a spacer; 
   further comprising:
 a second platform panel disposed between the first panel and the second panel, the second platform panel comprising:
 a third hinge member disposed on a first side of the second platform, wherein the third hinge member does not have a spacer; and 
 a fourth hinge member disposed on an opposing side of the second platform panel in relation to the third hinge member, wherein the fourth hinge member comprises a second spacer; 
 wherein when in use:
 the first hinge member is adjacent to the third hinge member; and 
 the second hinge member is adjacent to the fourth hinge member, thereby positioning the first spacer on an opposing side of the bridge assembly in relation to the second spacer. 
 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The deployable bridge assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first platform panel and/or the second platform panel further comprise a positioner.   
     
     
         19 . The deployable bridge assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the bridge assembly couples to a spanning member that spans a spatial gap.   
     
     
         20 . The deployable bridge assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 wherein the composite skin on the top surface of the first core has a thickness greater than the composite skin on the bottom surface of the first core; and   wherein the composite skin on the top surface of the second core has a thickness greater than the composite skin on the bottom surface of the second core.