Friction hinges for lift bridge ??? - anyone try these ?

Also - this is the bridge I’d like to use - I know I will need to do some “creative” fabricating on both the hinge and resting side of the bridge when installed

Look at this thread.  

https://ogrforum.com/...inating-a-duck-under

@dorfj2 posted:

Starting to plan my next layout in my head - I'm considering a lift bridge to access inside of the layout - I've never done this before

Lots of videos on YouTube showing friction hinges and different uses - I would post some of the videos but not sure if you need permission etc  ( If you Google friction hinge you will find many types and uses )  - they are not expensive and this seems like a good idea - lots of "little people" in my life again so the new train room will probably be a busy place and I don't want little fingers getting hurt

I have a two track Atlas O truss bridge that I want to use for this - any thoughts ???

Thanks in advance

Joe S

Go look on you tube

Joe S, see my article and how to instructions for my Atlas 3-Rail Pratt Truss Bridges with Lift Assist.  My husband designed mine with an air spring for "lift assist" and special hinges.

Thank you so much everyone - really impressive stuff 👍🏼

One last question - Do you think the Atlas truss bridge is strong / stable enough to be used as a lift bridge ??? - wasn’t sure if the delicate plastic would hold up to lifting and lowering

Thx again

Check out the discussion on @Mark Boyce 's Blackwater Canyon topic about the Atlas bridges.

https://ogrforum.com/...-square-feet?page=72

@dorfj2 posted:

Thank you so much everyone - really impressive stuff 👍🏼

One last question - Do you think the Atlas truss bridge is strong / stable enough to be used as a lift bridge ??? - wasn’t sure if the delicate plastic would hold up to lifting and lowering

I'm pretty sure you will need some bracing under/around the Atlas bridge to make it strong enough to survive this use.  Our modular club has an Atlas bridge on a lift-bridge module, we put 1/2" plexiglass under it for structure.  The 1/2" plexi was simply because it was available.

On the construction page of my website you will see how the hinges and air spring are connected to the 4 steel reinforcing bars Atlas included in the bridge.   

@RSJB18 posted:

Check out the discussion on @Mark Boyce 's Blackwater Canyon topic about the Atlas bridges.

https://ogrforum.com/...-square-feet?page=72

I started with the single track Atlas bridge over a year ago, but when a double track one became available, I bought it and am in the process of deciding how to approach the project.  Page 72 is the link Bob @RSJB18 gave, which is where I was getting ideas for the same thing you want to do. 

The existing setup with the single track truss bridge is similar to what @Susan Deats did.  Mine was closely based on what @mike g. did a few years ago.  @gunrunnerjohn and @Tom Tee shared some excellent ideas of what they did on my page 72 that Bob cited.  Do you notice how we are all coming together on this project @dorfj2 ??

The single track truss bridge works great with a much simpler approach than we have to use with the double track version.  I had to look up the term 'friction hinges' and see they are ones that 'resist the downward pull of gravity' as McMaster-Carr put it on their page.  I hadn't thought about that since the non hinged end of the bridge seats onto a pier with some sort of track centering connection.  Maybe I am missing something.  Can someone give a little more insight into the benefits for our use?

@Mark Boyce posted:

I started with the single track Atlas bridge over a year ago, but when a double track one became available, I bought it and am in the process of deciding how to approach the project.  Page 72 is the link Bob @RSJB18 gave, which is where I was getting ideas for the same thing you want to do.

The existing setup with the single track truss bridge is similar to what @Susan Deats did.  Mine was closely based on what @mike g. did a few years ago.  @gunrunnerjohn and @Tom Tee shared some excellent ideas of what they did on my page 72 that Bob cited.  Do you notice how we are all coming together on this project @dorfj2 ??

The single track truss bridge works great with a much simpler approach than we have to use with the double track version.  I had to look up the term 'friction hinges' and see they are ones that 'resist the downward pull of gravity' as McMaster-Carr put it on their page.  I hadn't thought about that since the non hinged end of the bridge seats onto a pier with some sort of track centering connection.  Maybe I am missing something.  Can someone give a little more insight into the benefits for our use?

Mark- the resistance on the hinge will prevent the bridge from dropping quickly and prevent little fingers from getting pinched as the OP mentioned.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Mark- the resistance on the hinge will prevent the bridge from dropping quickly and prevent little fingers from getting pinched as the OP mentioned.

Bob

Bob, I thought maybe that’s the case.  In my case, and Mike’s and Susan’s the linear actuator prevents the bridge from dropping quickly.  I liked the idea since Mike had 2 bridges at different heights side by side.  Originally I was going to operate the bridges by hand.