# US 8,769,882 B2 · Protection system for structural members such as cables

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- Number: US 8,769,882 B2
- Document ID: US8769882B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/154,930
- Filed: 2011-06-07
- Published: 2011-12-15
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-06-07
- Assignees: Hardwire, LLC
- Applicants: Irvin Ebaugh; Timothy Keller; Iravis Speicher
- Inventors: Irvin Ebaugh; Timothy Keller; Iravis Speicher
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769882B2

## CPC

- E01D 11/00: Suspension or cable-stayed bridges
- E01D 19/16: Suspension cables; Cable clamps for suspension cables {; Pre- or post-stressed cables}
- E01D 19/00: Structural or constructional details of bridges
- E04H 9/00: Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate (foundation aspects E02D)
- 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})
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)

## Abstract

A protection system for a structural element is provided. The protection system employs a shield assembly comprising two parts formed of one or more materials configured to provide protection from a threat, such as a blast, projectiles, cutting, or a fire. At least one bracket assembly attaches to the structural element. The shield assembly is hingedly attached to the bracket assembly, so that the two parts of the shield assembly can be moved away from the structural element while remaining attached to the structural element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A protection system for a structural element comprising a cable for a bridge, the protection system comprising:
a shield assembly comprising two parts, the shield assembly comprised of one or more materials configured to provide protection from a threat;
at least one bracket assembly comprising:
an attachment mechanism configured for attachment to the cable of the structural element, the attachment mechanism comprising a band device configured to wrap about a periphery of the structural element, and
a hinge mechanism comprising a further band device comprising two band parts each attached to an inner surface of each of the two parts of the shield assembly, each band part including a hinge element, each hinge element hingedly attached to the band device wrapped about the periphery of the structural element, wherein the two parts of the shield assembly can be pivoted away from the structural element while remaining attached to the structural element via the band device wrapped about the periphery of the structural element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism further comprises a clamp mechanism configured to tighten the band device about the structural element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a closure mechanism configured to hold the two parts of the shield assembly in a closed position about the structural element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly is configured for attachment to a structural element having an asymmetrical or irregular cross-section.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shield assembly further includes a walking surface formed thereon.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shield assembly is configured for attachment to a structural element having an asymmetrical or irregular cross-section.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the two parts of the shield assembly comprise a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part each elongated in an axial direction and comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, the first part and the second part configured to enclose a periphery of the structural element with the axial direction of elongation in alignment with an axis of the structural element.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the two parts are comprised of an outer strike face and inner composite material laminates.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shield assembly includes material configured to protect against blasts, ballistic projectiles, mechanical cutting, torch cutting, fire, vandalism threats, and terrorist threats.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the material is discretely disposed within a portion of the shield assembly.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the material is disposed to circumferentially surround the structural element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A protected structural system comprising:
a structural element; and
the protection system of claim 1, wherein the bracket assembly is attached to the structural element.