Patent ID: 6530101
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: E01D

Abstract:
A bridge for spanning a distance in a first direction between a first fixed location and a second fixed location, the bridge comprising:an elongated first anchor member having a first length, the first anchor member having a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion along the first length, the first portion of the first anchor member adapted for being fixedly anchored near the first fixed location with the first length extending in a second direction non-parallel with the first direction, the second portion of the first anchor member having a plurality of first engagement elements distributed along the second portion of the first length; an elongated second anchor member having a second length, the second anchor member having a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion along the second length, the first portion of the second anchor member adapted for being fixedly anchored near the second fixed location with the second length extending in a third direction non-parallel with the first direction, the second portion of the second anchor member having a plurality of second engagement elements distributed along the second portion of the second length; a plurality of cables aligned vertically and configured to be independently tensioned between the first and second anchor members prior to further fabrication of the bridge, each cable having first and second ends, the first end of each of the cables being configured to be fixedly coupled to one of the first engagement elements on the first anchor member and the second end of each of the cables being configured to be fixedly coupled to a corresponding one of the second engagement elements on the second anchor member such that each of the plurality of cables will be elastically deformed when tensioned, and the plurality of cables will be substantially parallel to each other within a vertical plane and distributed along a portion of a height of the bridge, the first and second engagement elements being configured to retain the cables in substantial tension such that the entire bridge requires no longitudinal beam or truss; at least one cross member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the cross member having a plurality of fasteners configured to be fixedly coupled to the plurality of cables tensioned between the first and second anchor members at a central location between the first and second fixed locations, the second portion of the cross member being angled with respect to the first portion such that the second portion lies substantially within a horizontal plane and extends transverse to the first direction when the first portion is coupled to the tensioned cables; and a plurality of decking members configured to extend from the first fixed location to the second fixed location, a portion of the decking members being supported by the at least one cross member.