Method and Apparatus for Bridge Construction

An apparatus for use in constructing a bridge comprised of a substructure having two or more piers and a superstructure that is supported by the substructure, the apparatus comprising:

• a truss structure that extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end;
• a support structure for, in operation, supporting said truss structure such that a portion of said truss structure is above and substantially parallel to a portion or planned portion of a superstructure of a bridge;
• a trolley that, in operation, is operatively attached to said truss structure, capable of hoisting an object associated with the construction of a bridge, and movable between said first and second terminal ends of said truss structure;
• a lead assembly that, in operation, is operatively attached to said truss assembly, said lead assembly comprising:
• a lead;
• a two-axis pivot joint for connecting said lead to said truss structure and allowing said lead to be rotated about a first axis and a second axis that is different than said first axis;
• an actuator system for causing said lead to rotate about said first axis to a first desired rotational position relative to said first axis and causing said lead to rotate about said second axis to a second desired rotational position relative to said second axis;
• wherein, when said lead is in predetermined position, said lead assembly is capable of receiving an object from said trolley.

An apparatus for use in constructing a bridge comprised of a substructure having two or more piers and a superstructure that is supported by the substructure, the apparatus comprising:

• a truss structure that extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end;
• a support structure for, in operation, supporting said truss structure such that a portion of said truss structure is above and substantially parallel to a portion or planned portion of a superstructure of a bridge;
• a trolley that, in operation, is operatively attached to said truss structure, capable of hoisting an object associated with the construction of a bridge, and movable between said first and second terminal ends of said truss structure;
• a lead assembly that, in operation, is operatively attached to said truss assembly and comprises a lead, a pivot joint for pivotally connecting said lead to said truss structure, an actuator system for causing said lead to pivot to a desired rotational position, and a tool that is operatively attached to said lead;
• wherein, when said lead assembly is in a first position, said lead is capable of receiving an object from said trolley.

A method for constructing a bridge comprised of a substructure having two or more piers and a superstructure that is supported by the substructure, the method comprising:

• providing a bridge building apparatus comprising:
• truss structure that extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end;
• a trolley that is operatively attached to said truss structure, capable of hoisting an object, and movable between said first and second terminal ends of said truss structure;
• a lead that is operatively attached to said truss assembly and capable of being rotated between a first position and a second position;
• wherein when said lead assembly is in said first position, said lead is capable of receiving an object from a trolley;
• positioning said bridge building apparatus so that a portion of said truss structure is above and substantially parallel to a portion or planned portion of a superstructure and said lead is positioned substantially adjacent to a location at which a pier is to be established;
• placing said lead in said first position;
• using, following said step of placing, said trolley to move a substructure related element so that said substructure related element is received by said lead;
• and
• rotating, following said step of using, said lead and said substructure related element to an orientation suitable for positioning said substructure related element to aid in the construction of a bridge.

A method for constructing a bridge comprised of a substructure having two or more piers and a superstructure that is supported by the substructure, the method comprising:

• providing a bridge building apparatus comprising:
• truss structure that extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end;
• a trolley that is operatively attached to said truss structure, capable of hoisting an object, and movable between said first and second terminal ends of said truss structure;
• a lead that is operatively attached to said truss assembly and capable of being rotated between a first position and a second position;
• wherein when said lead assembly is in said first position, said lead assembly is capable of receiving an object from a trolley;
• positioning said bridge building apparatus so that a portion of said truss structure is above and substantially parallel to a portion or planned portion of a superstructure;
• positioning, if needed, said bridge building apparatus so that said trolley and said lead can be used to position a substructure related element;
• using said trolley and said lead to position a substructure related element;
• positioning, if needed, said bridge building apparatus so that said trolley can be used to position a substructure related element or a superstructure related element;
• using said trolley without using said lead to position a substructure related element or a superstructure related element.