Frame structured bridge
OwnerHiroyuki Minakami, Motoyuki Minakamiinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension bridge structure is disclosed which uses horizontal cables, tensioned between anchorages, and frame lateral girder/node members connected between the horizontal cables to form frames. A tower section protrudes between the horizontal cables and is attached to the horizontal cables. A main cable is extended between the anchorages and over the top of the tower section. The frame lateral girder/node members are suspended from the main cable. A roadway or other transportation system can be supported on the frame lateral girder/node members.
Claims8
In a cable-stayed bridge structure positioned between anchorages, especially of the type having a bridge floor for a transportation system and a bridge pier positioned beneath the bridge floor, comprised of
- a first plurality of generally horizontally oriented cables which extend between and are coupled under tension to the anchorages;
- a tower section which protrudes from said bridge pier and between the horizontal cables, and to which the horizontal cables are attached;
- a first frame lateral girder/node member, which is spaced apart from said tower section and positioned between and in a connecting relationship with said horizontal cables to form a frame;
- and
- an upper stayed cable connecting an upper portion of said tower to said first frame lateral girder/node member;
- wherein tension applied by said upper stayed cable to said first frame lateral girder/node member is opposed by tension applied by the first plurality of horizontal cables, and said bridge floor can be supported by said first frame lateral girder/node member.
A cable-stayed bridge structure positioned between anchorages, especially of the type having a bridge floor for a transportation system and a bridge pier positioned beneath the bridge floor, comprising
- a plurality of generally horizontally oriented cables which extend between and are coupled under tension to the anchorages;
- a tower section which protrudes from said bridge pier and between the horizontal cables, and to which the horizontal cables are attached;
- a plurality of frame lateral girder/node members, which are spaced apart from said tower section and positioned between and in a connecting relationship with said plurality of horizontal cables, wherein each of the plurality of frame lateral girder/node members is spaced apart from one another and positioned along the horizontal cables to form frames with the horizontal cables;
- a plurality of upper stayed cables connecting upper portions of said tower to said plurality of frame lateral girder/node members;
- and
- a plurality of lower stayed cables connecting lower portions of said tower to said plurality of frame lateral girder/node members;
- wherein tension applied by said upper and lower stayed cables to said first frame lateral girder/node member is opposed by tension applied by the first plurality of horizontal cables, and said bridge floor can be supported by said first frame lateral girder/node member.
A method of constructing a cable-stayed bridge structure of the type which is positioned between anchorages, especially of the type having a bridge floor for a transportation system and a bridge pier positioned beneath the bridge floor, comprising the steps of
- (a) installing a plurality of horizontal cables between the anchorages so that the plurality of horizontal cables are under tension;
- (b) positioning a tower on the bridge pier and between the plurality of horizontal cables;
- (c) positioning a frame lateral girder/node member between and in a connecting relationship with the plurality of horizontal cables;
- (d) connecting an upper portion of said tower to said frame lateral girder/node member with an upper stayed cable to apply an upward tension on said lateral girders/node member;
- (e) further tensioning said horizontally oriented cables and said upper stayed cable so that the tension applied to the frame lateral girder/node member by the horizontal cables is balanced against the tension applied by the upper stayed cable;
- and
- (f) installing said transportation system onto said frame lateral girder/node member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.