# US 12,215,468 B2 · Transparent or translucent panel systems, related systems, and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,468 B2 - Document ID: US12215468B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/236,109 - Filed: 2021-04-21 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-22 - Assignees: Contech Engineered Solutions LLC - Applicants: Contech Engineered Solutions LLC - Inventors: David M. Brodowski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215468B2 ## CPC - E01D 19/00: Structural or constructional details of bridges - E01D 22/00: Methods or apparatus for repairing or strengthening existing bridges {(electrochemical desalination or re-alkalisation C04B41/00); Methods or apparatus for dismantling bridges} - E01D: CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, {ELEVATED ROADWAYS} OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES (bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers B64F1/305; {tracks for special kinds of railways E01B25/00; culverts E01F5/005}) ## Abstract A system includes one or more panels that are configured to span a frame of bridge beams and be positioned below an existing bridge deck. The one or more panels are transparent or translucent and are configured to catch material that separates from the bridge deck. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transparent or translucent panel system, comprising: one or more transparent or translucent panels, wherein each of the one or more transparent or translucent panels is formed of one or more of glass polymer composites, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and poly (methyl methacrylate); a plurality of angles, wherein each angle is configured to couple the one or more transparent or translucent panels to an upper flange or a lower flange of i-beam bridge beams such that the one or more transparent or translucent panels are spaced away from a bridge deck that is supported by the i-beam bridge beams; and a plurality of anchors, wherein each anchor is configured to couple one of the plurality of anchors to the upper flange or the lower flange of one of the i-beam bridge beams, wherein the transparent or translucent panel system allows for visual inspection of a bridge deck from below the bridge deck, and wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels contain one or more of a rubber modifier or an ultraviolent light modifier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transparent or translucent panel system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of angles is L-shaped and is formed of a steel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transparent or translucent panel system of claim 1, wherein the anchors are mechanical or adhesive anchors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The transparent or translucent panel system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more additional supports configured to be positioned below the transparent or translucent panel, wherein the one or more additional supports includes one or more of joists, bars, tubes, or fabric straps, wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels are flat or corrugated, and wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels have a weight of approximately six pounds for per square foot or less. ### Claim 5 A method of mounting a transparent or translucent panel below an existing bridge deck, wherein the bridge deck is supported by bridge beams below the bridge deck, and wherein each of the bridge beams include a bottom flange and a top flange, the method comprising: positioning the transparent or translucent panel on respective portions of the bottom flanges of adjacent bridge beams, such that the transparent or translucent panel at least partially overlaps with portions of the bottom flanges, and such that the transparent or translucent panel is spaced away from the bridge deck; positioning one or more supports or reinforcements below the transparent or translucent panel and above the flanges on adjacent bridge beams, wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are joists, bars, or tubes formed of steel, and mounting the transparent or translucent panel to the bottom flanges such that the transparent or translucent panel is spaced away from the bridge deck, wherein the mounting of the transparent or translucent panel to the bottom flanges includes coupling the panel to the bottom flanges by a clip connection or only with an adhesive. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising inspecting an underside of the bridge deck from below and through the transparent or translucent panel for one or more deficiencies, while being protected from material separating from the bridge deck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the transparent or translucent panel is formed of one or more of glass polymer composites, polycarbonate, fiber reinforced polymer, fiberglass, and poly (methyl methacrylate). ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the adhesive includes structural VHB tape, and wherein the transparent or translucent panel is coupled to the joists, bars, or tubes via the structural VHB tape. ### Claim 9 A method of mounting a transparent or translucent panel system below a portion of a bridge deck, the method comprising: positioning one or more transparent or translucent panels below the portion of the bridge deck; mounting the one or more transparent or translucent panels to portions of flanges on adjacent bridge beams such that the transparent or translucent panels are spaced away from the bridge deck, wherein mounting the one or more transparent or translucent panels includes attaching an angle to the flanges with one or more anchors; leaving the one or more transparent or translucent panels in place for a time of for at least four years; and inspecting the portion of the bridge deck from below the one or more transparent or translucent panels for one or more cracks or damaged portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein each of the one or more anchors is an adhesive or a mechanical anchor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the flanges of respective adjacent bridge beams are bottom flanges such that the one or more transparent or translucent panels are spaced apart from the bridge deck, and wherein edge portions of the one or more transparent or translucent panels at least partially overlaps with each of the bottom flanges. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the flanges of respective adjacent bridge beams are top flanges, and wherein edge portions of the one or more transparent or translucent panels do not overlap with each of the top flanges. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels each include a height of approximately 2.5 inches, wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels each have a weight of approximately 6 pounds per square foot or less, and wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels are each formed of one or more of a polycarbonate material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: replacing one or more portions of the one or more transparent or translucent panels with a new one or more transparent or translucent panels formed of a polycarbonate material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: temporarily removing one or more portions of the one or more transparent or translucent panels to allow access to a bottom portion of the bridge deck for inspection and/or repair of the bottom portion of the bridge deck. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein mounting one or more transparent or translucent panels includes positioning one or more supports or reinforcements below and spaced apart from the one or more transparent or translucent panels and above the flanges on adjacent bridge beams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more transparent or translucent panels are formed of polycarbonate material, wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are joists, bars, or tubes formed of steel, and wherein the joists, bars, or tubes are coupled to the one or more transparent or translucent panels via structural VHB tape. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more supports or reinforcements are fabric straps. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein each angle is an L-shaped angle that includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, wherein the horizontal portion is approximately two inches in width, wherein the vertical portion is approximately two inches in height, wherein the angle includes a length of approximately eight feet, wherein the horizontal portion supports the one or more transparent or translucent panels, wherein the one or more anchors extend through the vertical portion of the angle, and wherein each anchor is an expansion or epoxy type anchor bolt. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein mounting the one or more transparent or translucent panels to the flanges includes positioning three anchors along the length of each angle.