FORM-2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE
Specification
(See Section 10; rule 13)
MODULAR BRIDGE ASSEMBLY
DIRECTOR GENERAL, DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
an Indian National
of Ministry of Defence, Government of India,
Room No. 348, B-Wing,
DRDO Bhavan, Rajaji Marg,
DHQ, P.O. New Delhi-110011, India
Inventors:
1. NARAYANANILAYAM BHASKARAKURUP VIJAYKUMAR 2.NARESH KUMAR
3. SINGH AWADHESH KUMAR
4. PATIL DATTATRAYA MADHUKAR
5. SONAWANE VILAS RAGHUNATH
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner
in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure generally relates to a bridge.
Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a modular bridge assembly.
BACKGROUND
A bridge is a structure that spans and provides passage over a gap or a barrier, such as a river, a roadway, a valley and the like. The type of bridge construction may vary depending upon the function of the bridge, the nature of the terrain where the bridge is to be constructed, the material used to make it, the funds available and the like. Bridges are classified as beam bridges, truss bridges, cantilever bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges and the like.
Most of the above-mentioned bridges are permanent structures providing a passage over a gap or a barrier that is in constant use. However, sometimes it is required to construct a bridge over a gap or a barrier in emergency, for some specific purpose or for temporary use. Accordingly, in such situations there is no need of constructing a permanent bridge structure.
However, most of the prior art bridges have permanent structures. Further, the prior art bridges require comparatively more time for installation. Furthermore, the prior art bridges are comparatively difficult to install.
Accordingly, there is need of a bridge assembly that has a modular structure. Further, there is need of a bridge assembly that can be installed and un-installed easily. Furthermore, there is need of a bridge assembly that requires

comparatively less time for installation and un-installation. Moreover, there is need of a bridge assembly that is reliable in operation.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:
It is an object of the system of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that has a modular structure.
Another object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that can be installed and un-install easily.
Yet another object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that is reliable in operation.
Further, an object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that has a rigid structure.
Moreover, an object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that requires comparatively less time for installation and un-installation.

Additionally, an object of the system of the present disclosure is to provide a bridge assembly that can be transported easily.
Other objects and advantages of the system of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a modular bridge assembly
is disclosed. The modular bridge assembly includes a plurality of nose modules, at
least a pair of bank seat beams and a plurality of bridge modules. The plurality of
nose modules is adapted to form a nose frame structure. The pair of bank seat
beams is connected to the operative ends of the nose frame structure for facilitating
support to the modular bridge assembly on the ground. The plurality of bridge
modules is adapted to be disposed on the nose frame structure for facilitating
passage.

Typically, the plurality of nose modules includes a plurality of nose center modules and a pair of nose end modules.
Typically, the plurality of bridge modules includes a plurality of bridge center modules and a pair of bridge end modules.
In one embodiment, a pair of guide rollers is disposed on an operative bottom side of each of the plurality of bridge modules for guiding each of the plurality of bridge modules over the nose frame structure.

Further, in another embodiment, a pair of sliding rollers is disposed on an operative bottom side of each of the plurality of bridge modules for facilitating sliding of each of said plurality of bridge modules over the nose frame structure.
Each of the pair of bank seat beams includes a base, a sliding arrangement, a hydraulic actuator, a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links.
Further, the base may include a plurality of bridge resting pads.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a modular bridge assembly is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: mounting a first nose end module on a material handling equipment in a way such that one end of the nose end module is secured on the material handling equipment and another end is free; connecting a first bank seat beam on the free end of the first nose end module; connecting step by step a plurality of nose center modules to the first nose end module in a way such that one end of the nose center module is secured on the material handling equipment and another end is connected to one of a nose center module of said plurality of nose center modules and the nose end module for forming a nose frame structure; connecting a second nose end module at another operative end of the nose frame structure; connecting a second bank seat beam to the second nose end module of the nose frame structure; lowering the free end of the nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of the first bank seat beam; lowering the secured end of the nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of the second bank seat beam; and disposing a plurality of bridge modules on the nose frame structure for forming the modular bridge assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The modular bridge assembly of the present disclosure will now be explained in relation to the non-limiting accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a nose center module of a modular bridge assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a nose end module of a modular bridge assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a nose center module of a modular bridge assembly connected to another nose center module;
Figure 3b illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a joint portion of a nose center module with another nose center module;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a bank seat beam, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a base of the bank seat beam of Figure 4;
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding mechanism of the bank seat beam of Figure 4;
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate perspective views of the bank seat beam connected to the nose end module;

Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of a bridge center module, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 0 illustrates a perspective view of a bridge end module, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 11 illustrates a front view of a bridge module of Figures 9 and 10 depicting its connecting arrangement;
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate perspective views of the bridge end module of Figure 10 connected with the bank seat beam; and
Figure 14 illustrates a front view depicting a material handling equipment for configuring the bridge module assembly of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The modular bridge assembly of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and

to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The description hereinafter, of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Referring to Figures 1 to 14, a modular bridge assembly is illustrated. The modular bridge assembly includes a plurality of nose center modules 102 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 3), a pair of nose end modules 104 (illustrated in Figures 2, 7 and 8), a plurality of bridge center modules 106 (illustrated in Figures 9 and 11), a pair of bridge end modules 108 (illustrated in Figures 10, 11,12 and 13) and a pair of bank seat beams 110 (illustrated in Figures 4 to 8, 12 and 13).
Referring to Figures 1 to 3b, 7 and 8, a nose center module 102 and a nose end module 104 are illustrated. The pair of nose end modules 104 is positioned at the operative ends of the plurality of nose center modules 102. In other words,

the plurality of nose center modules 102 is disposed in between the pair of nose end modules 104. The plurality of nose center modules 102 and the pair of nose end modules 104 in combination are adapted to configure a nose frame structure of the modular bridge assembly. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of nose center modules 102 and the pair of nose end modules 104 includes a nose pushing pin 202 for facilitating the movement of the each of the plurality of nose center modules 102 and the pair of nose end modules 104 on the material handling equipment 500 (illustrated in Figure 14).
Referring to Figures 4 to 8, 12 and 13, a bank seat beam arrangement 110 is illustrated. Each of the the bank seat arrangement 110 includes a base 302, a plurality of bridge resting pads 304, a sliding arrangement 306, a hydraulic actuator 308, a plurality of first links 310 and a plurality of second links 312. The plurality of bridge resting pads 304 is disposed over the base 302. The sliding arrangement 306 is disposed over the base 302. The sliding arrangement 306 is adapted to configure the sliding movement over the base 302. The sliding arrangement 306 is adapted to lower the height of the modular bridge assembly once the modular bridge assembly is completely assembled. The hydraulic actuator 308 is adapted to facilitate the movement of the plurality of first links 310 and the plurality of second links 312.
Each of the pair of the bank seat arrangement 110 is connected to the pair of nose end modules 104. The pair of bank seat arrangements 110 is adapted to provide support to the modular bridge assembly over the ground. Also, the pair of the bank seat arrangements 110 is adapted to provide stability to the modular bridge assembly.

Referring to Figures 9 to 13, a bridge center module 106 and a bridge end module 108 are illustrated. The pair of bridge end modules 108 is disposed over the pair of nose end modules 104 and the plurality of bridge center modules 106 is disposed over the plurality of nose center modules 102. Referring to Figure 11, each of the plurality bridge center modules 106 and the pair of bridge end modules 108 includes a pair of guide rollers 602, a pair of sliding rollers 604 and a pair of bridge to bridge locking mechanism 606.
The pair of guide rollers 602 is adapted to guide the bridge modules 106 and 108 over the nose modules 102 and 104. The pair of sliding rollers 604 is adapted to facilitate sliding of the bridge modules 106 and 108 over the nose modules 102 and 104. The pair of bridge to bridge locking mechanisms 606 is adapted to facilitate the locking of one bridge module to another bridge module, i.e. locking of the bridge end module 108 to the bridge center module 106 and locking of one bridge center module 106 to another bridge center module 106. In one embodiment, Weldox 1100 plates are used for making male and female jaws and to connect the modules to each other. An 80mm diameter pins made of EN 26 material may connect each girder at the bottom flange through the jaws. Two types of forged sections, tongue and groove may be welded to either side of the stiffened deck, so that the compressive force is properly transferred through the butting.
Further, each bridge module of the plurality of bridge center modules 106 and the pair of bridge end modules 108 is about 3.2m long, 4m wide and 1.17m deep and weigh about 3 tons. In one embodiment, each bridge module is fabricated out of very high strength steel plates having yield strength up to 1100 MPa. The modules have a fixed cross section and are carried transversely.

In one embodiment, the modular bridge assembly includes fourteen bridge modules that make a length of 46m when assembled. In one embodiment, each bridge module has provisions for attaching railing(s) along its longitudinal edges.
In one embodiment, the top deck is made from a 3mm plate, stiffened with the help of formed trough sections along the length and an inverted 'T' section as a cross girder. The modular bridge assembly includes four fixed plate girders connected to a single stiffened deck plate. In one embodiment, a corrugated section formed out of a 2.0 mm thick sheet is used as a web.
In use, for assembling the modular bridge assembly, first mount a first nose end module 104 on a material handling equipment 500 in a way such that one end of the nose end module 104 is secured on the material handling equipment 500 and another end is free. Later, connect the first bank seat beam 110 on the free end of the first nose end module 104. Further, connect step by step the plurality of nose center modules 102 to the first nose end module 104 in a way such that one end of the nose center modules 102 is secured on the material handling equipment 500 and another end is connected to one of a nose center module of the plurality of nose center modules 102 and the nose end module 104 for forming a nose frame structure.
Further, connect the second nose end module 104 at another operative end of the nose frame structure. Further, connect a second bank seat beam 110 to the second nose end module 104 of the nose frame structure. Furthermore, lower the free end of the nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of the first bank seat beam 110. After lowering the free end of the nose frame structure on the ground, the first bank seat beam 110 spreads out by

means of the sliding arrangement 306 for facilitating enhanced support to the modular bridge assembly. Afterwards, lower the secured end of the nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of the second bank seat beam 110. After lowering the secured end of the nose frame structure on the ground, the second bank seat beam 110 spreads out by means of the sliding arrangement 306 for facilitating enhanced support to the modular bridge assembly. Later, dispose a plurality of bridge modules, such as the plurality of bridge center modules 106 and the pair of bridge end modules 108, on the nose frame structure for forming the modular bridge assembly.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
The technical advancements offered by the system of the present disclosure which add to the economic significance of the disclosure include the realization of:
• a modular bridge assembly that can be installed and un-install easily;
• a modular bridge assembly that has a comparatively rigid structure;
• a modular bridge assembly that is reliable in operation;
• a modular bridge assembly that requires comparatively less time for installation and un-installation; and
• a modular bridge assembly that can be transported easily.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

I claim:
1. A modular bridge assembly comprising:
• a plurality of nose modules adapted to form a nose frame structure;
• at least a pair of bank seat beams connected to the operative ends of said nose frame structure for facilitating support to said modular bridge assembly on the ground; and
• a plurality of bridge modules adapted to be disposed on said nose frame structure for facilitating passage.

2. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of nose modules comprises a plurality of nose center modules and a pair of nose end modules.
3. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of bridge modules comprises a plurality of bridge center modules and a pair of bridge end modules.
4. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of guide rollers disposed on an operative bottom side of each of said plurality of bridge modules for guiding each of said plurality of bridge modules over said nose frame structure.
5. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of sliding rollers disposed on an operative bottom side of each of said plurality of bridge modules for facilitating sliding of each of said plurality of bridge modules over said nose frame structure.
6. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said pair of bank seat beams comprises a base, a sliding arrangement, a hydraulic actuator, a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links.
7. The modular bridge assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base
comprises a plurality of bridge resting pads.
8. A method for assembling a modular bridge assembly, said method comprising
the steps of:

• mounting a first nose end module on a material handling equipment in a way such that one end of said nose end module being secured on said material handling equipment and another end being free;
• connecting a first bank seat beam on said free end of said first nose end module;
• connecting step by step a plurality of nose center modules to said first nose end module in a way such that one end of said nose center module being secured on said material handling equipment and another end being connected to one of a nose center module of said plurality of nose center modules and said nose end module for forming a nose frame structure;
• connecting a second nose end module at another operative end of said nose frame structure;
• connecting a second bank seat beam to said second nose end module of said nose frame structure;
• lowering the free end of said nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of said first bank seat beam;
• lowering the secured end of said nose frame structure on the ground for facilitating support by means of said second bank seat beam; and
• disposing a plurality of bridge modules on said nose frame structure for forming said modular bridge assembly.