Bridge apparatus

A bridge apparatus mounted on a support structure and configured to span a gap between the support structure and a second structure, the bridge apparatus comprising:

• a platform supported by at least one line;
• at least a portion of the platform being moveable in a vertical plane by movement of said at least one line;
• and
• wherein the at least one line extends from the platform to a capstan disposed above the platform, and from the capstan to a counterweight, wherein the counterweight balances less than a weight of the platform, wherein the platform has an axis and is extendable along the axis such that it may extend and retract in length, and wherein the capstan is motorised and pays out and recovers the at least one line to drive the movement of the platform in the vertical plane.

A method of operating bridge apparatus, the bridge apparatus comprising:

• a platform supported by at least one line extending from the platform to a motorised mechanism disposed above the platform and from the motorised mechanism to a counterweight, the platform being moveable in a vertical plane;
• wherein the platform comprises an axis and is extendable along the axis, such that the platform may extend and retract in length;
• the method comprising:
• moving the platform in the vertical plane between a first structure and a second structure, by action of the motorised mechanism in an active mode, the first and second structures being movable relative to one another;
• adjusting the length of the platform along the axis;
• allowing the platform to move passively relative to the second structure to accommodate relative movement between the first and second structures;
• and
• wherein the motorised mechanism comprises a motorised capstan and wherein the method includes driving the movement of the platform in the active mode in the vertical plane by paying out and recovering the line with the motorised capstan.

A bridge apparatus mounted on a support structure and spanning between the support structure and a second structure, the bridge comprising:

• a platform having an inboard end and an outboard end, wherein the inboard end of the platform is pivotally connected to the support structure, and wherein the outboard end of the platform is connected to the second structure, wherein the platform is supported by at least one line extending between the support structure and the platform, the platform being moveable in at least one dimension;
• a capstan connected to the support structure and disposed above the platform, and wherein the at least one line extends from the platform to the capstan, and from the capstan to a counterweight, wherein the platform comprises an axis and is extendable along the axis such that the platform may extend and retract in length, wherein at least a portion of the platform is moveable relative to the support structure in a vertical plane by movement of said at least one line, and wherein the capstan is a motorised capstan and pays out and recovers the line to raise and lower the platform toward and away from the second structure in a vertical plane around a pivot axis of the connection between the platform and the support structure;
• and
• the motorised capstan being operable in an active mode when moving the platform, and in a passive mode when power is reduced to the motorised capstan and it reacts more to movement caused in use than when in the active mode.