Robotic bridging system

A method for bridging an obstacle with an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) bridging system, comprising:

• supporting a first end of a first elongated span of a hinged bridge structure on a deployment support bracket which is secured to a UGV;
• at a second end of the first elongated span opposed from the first end, hingedly supporting a second elongated span on a hinge system having a hinge axis aligned transverse to an elongated length of the first and second elongated spans;
• using a tension element to apply a tension force to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends to secure the first elongated span in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket;
• using a retention element disposed on the deployment support bracket to prevent a spring bias force acting on the second elongated span from causing the second elongated span from rotating about the hinge axis from a closed configuration in which the second elongated span is adjacent to the first elongated span to an open configuration in which the second elongated span forms an obtuse angle with the first elongated span;
• and
• deploying the hinged bridge structure by extending a length of the tension element, where the deploying comprises (i) pivoting the first elongated span about the first end, (ii) concurrently releasing the second elongated span from the retention element in response to the extending, and (iii) using a travel limiting element to limit a maximum rotation of the second elongated span about the hinge axis relative to the first elongated span;
• and
• selectively setting the travel limiting element in accordance with a user selectable magnitude of the obtuse angle.

A robotic bridging system for a UGV, comprising;

• a hinged bridge structure comprising
• a first elongated span which extends from a first end to a second end opposed from the first end;
• a second elongated span attached to the second end of the first elongated span by a hinge system which defines a hinge axis aligned transverse to an elongated length of the first and second elongated spans;
• a spring bias assembly configured to urge rotation of the second elongated span about the hinge axis from a closed configuration in which the second elongated span is adjacent to the first elongated span to an open configuration in which the second elongated span forms an obtuse angle with the first elongated span;
• and
• a deployment support bracket configured for attachment to a UGV, the deployment support bracket including
• a pivot member configured to pivotally support the first end of the first elongated span;
• a tension element deployment device configured to selectively control a variable length of an extended portion of an elongated tension element which is releasably secured at an end thereof to the first elongated span at a location intermediate the first and second ends when the first elongates span is in a stowed position adjacent the deployment support bracket;
• and
• a retention element configured to selectively prevent transition of the second elongated span from closed configuration to the open configuration when the first elongated span is in the stowed position.