Patent Publication Number: US-2016236531-A1

Title: Support element

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/706,934, titled SUPPORT ELEMENT, filed on Dec. 6, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference, and which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/619,017, titled SUPPORT ELEMENT, filed Nov. 16, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference, and which claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/116,316, titled WOOD SPLITTER, filed Nov. 20, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Provided is a support element. More specifically, provided is a support element comprising components having pre-stressed elements that relax during loading of the support element. Further provided are machines, mechanisms, and frames comprising a support element. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Machines, mechanisms, and frames are very common. It is also common for the support elements of machines, mechanisms, and frames to be exposed to substantial loads. Exposure to substantial loads militate the support elements of machines, mechanisms, and frames be capable of withstanding substantial loads without mechanical failure. 
     Unless otherwise noted, as it is used herein, “mechanical failure” is any sort of deformation, including but not limited to, breakage, bending, twisting, fracture, yielding, buckling, necking, or cracking, that substantially diminishes the capability of a support element to perform the function desired of it. Not all deformation is mechanical failure; some elastic deformation is unavoidable and some elastic deformation is to be expected during loading of any real support element. 
     For a support element formed of a given material, the capacity to withstand a given load is a function of, among other factors, the cross-sectional area of the load bearing element. 
     One common way to increase the capacity of the loads that a support element can withstand without mechanical failure is to increase the cross-sectional area of the load bearing element by increasing the size of the support element. 
     Increasing the size of a support element often adds cost. It remains desirable to provide relatively inexpensive support element which are capable of withstanding large loads without mechanical failure. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Provided is a wood splitter. A wood splitter may comprise a support element, a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and wood splitting components. A support element may comprise a first elongated element and a second elongated element engaged to said first elongated element. The a first elongated element may be subject to a first pre-stress load. The first pre-stress load may comprise a first moment. The a second elongated element may be engaged to the first elongated element and may be subject to a second pre-stress load. Wood splitting components may be engaged with at least one of a first elongated element or a second elongated element, may be adapted to operate to split wood, and may be adapted to apply an operational load during operation to the first elongated element. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment. 
     Further provided is a vehicle suspension. A vehicle suspension may comprise a support member engaged with a vehicle, a first component engaged to said support member, a second component engaged to said first component, and wherein, during operation of said vehicle, said vehicle is adapted to apply an operational load to the first component, and wherein said operational load at least partially relaxes the first moment. A first component may comprise a first elongated beam adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner, a first engagement element, and a third engagement element. The first component may be subject to a first pre-stress load, wherein the first pre-stress load comprises a first moment and wherein said first moment tends to bend the first elongated beam into an arcuate form. The second component may comprise a second elongated beam adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner, a second engagement element, engaged to the first engagement element by a first connection, and a fourth engagement element, engaged to the third engagement element by a second connection. The second component may be subject to a second pre-stress load. 
     Further provided is a bridge for supporting traffic. The bridge may comprise a first component, and a second component engaged to said first component. The first component may comprise a first elongated beam adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner a first engagement element, and a third engagement element. The first component may be subject to a first pre-stress load, wherein the first pre-stress load comprises a first moment, and wherein the first moment tends to bend the first elongated beam into an arcuate form. The second component may comprise a second elongated beam adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner, a second engagement element, engaged to the first engagement element by a first connection, and a fourth engagement element, engaged to the third engagement element by a second connection. The second component may be subject to a second pre-stress load. During loading of the bridge by traffic, an operational load may be applied to the first component. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       What is disclosed herein may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, and will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a portion of a wood splitter. 
         FIG. 2  shows an end view of a portion of a wood splitter. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side elevation of a wood splitter with an adapter. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of a portion of an adapter. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of a portion of a wood splitter with an adapter. 
         FIG. 6  shows an elongated connecting member. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a cross-section of a portion of an adapter. 
         FIG. 8  shows a front view of one implementation of a support member. 
         FIG. 9  shows a front view of another implementation of a support member. 
         FIG. 10  shows a front view of another implementation of a support member. 
         FIG. 11  shows a front view of another implementation of a support member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices may be shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter. 
     Machines, mechanisms, and frames may include any sort of machines, mechanisms, and frames. Without limitation, the category of machines, mechanisms, and frames comprises wood splitters, mechanical clocks, vehicle suspensions, and bridges. As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the elements of machines, mechanisms, and frames that are adapted to support loads as part of their function are “support elements”. 
     The support elements of machines, mechanisms, and frames may be subject to substantial loads. Substantial loads to which they are subject militate that the support elements be capable of withstanding substantial loads without mechanical failure. 
     As used herein a load may comprise, a compressive force, a tensile force, a shear force, a positive moment, a negative moment, a twist, and combinations thereof. Support elements may be subject to many kinds of loads including, without limitation, those comprising a compressive force, a tensile force, a shear force, a positive moment, a negative moment, a twist, and combinations thereof. 
     Without limitation, a support element may be comprised of cast components, extruded components, injection molded components, forged components, and combinations thereof. A support element may be comprised of metals, ceramics, polymers, cementitious materials, glasses, or other materials. Metals may comprise iron, iron alloys, steel alloys, stainless steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, bronze alloys, brass alloys, copper, copper alloys, and combinations thereof. 
     In certain implementations support elements comprise members selected from the group comprising I-beams, square beams, rectangular beams, channels, angles, plates, tubes, straps, rods, and combinations thereof. A support element may comprise materials selected from the group comprising metal, wood, concrete, polymers, and combinations thereof. In certain implementations, a support element comprises steel materials. 
     Many common engineering components have no or very little residual stress in their rest state. Unless otherwise noted, as used herein “rest state” will refer to the state of a support element in a machine, mechanism, or frame, such as, without limitation, a wood splitter, bridge or suspension, and its sub-components when the machine, mechanism, or frame is not in operation, use, or under a load. By way of comparison when a machine, mechanism, or frame, such as, without limitation, a wood splitter, bridge or suspension, is in operation, use, or under a load, operational loads or dynamic loads may appear in a support element of the machine, mechanism, or frame that are absent at the rest state. 
     It is possible to pre-stress components such that they bear a substantial amount of stress while in their rest state. This can be done by means including but not limited to, engaging a first stressed component to one or more other components such that the first stressed component is prevented from relaxing by the other components. In first non-limiting example, an arced component, that is, a component which is arcuate when fully relaxed, may be elastically deformed and engaged to a flat component such that at least some of the elastic deformation of the arced component is prevented from relaxing by the engagement. In second non-limiting example, a rod may be engaged with a tube such that the rod is in tension and the tube is in compression. In this second example, both the rod and the tube become pre-stressed components by the described arrangement. 
     Engagement of components may be by any acceptable engineering means. Acceptable means include, but are not limited to, welding, bolting, pinning, and brazing. Acceptable means may also include engagement by means of pre-stress loads as described here below. 
     It is not unusual for pre-stressed components to be engaged with other pre-stressed components or to induce stress in components with which they are engaged. In certain implementations the pre-stress in pre-stressed components are reactions to pre-stress in other pre-stressed components. A pre-stress created by reaction will be of substantially the same magnitude but opposed to pre-stress creating it. In one non-limiting example, a compressive pre-stress of 3 kN in a concrete slab may be created by a tensile pre-stress of 3 kN in a tensioning cable. Because different materials have different material properties, including but not limited to different tensile strengths, different compressive strengths, and different shear strengths, in certain implementations one or more pre-stressed components can provide the desired performance properties more cheaply than one or more non-pre-stressed components. 
     Pre-stressed components may be used in support members to withstand greater loading than would larger and/or more expensive, non-pre-stressed components. In one non-limiting example, given an engineering requirement that an acceptable component not yield during operation and an operational load of 250 kN in tension, a non-pre-stressed component formed of material with a yield strength of 250 MPa would have to have a minimum cross-section of 10 cm 2  to withstand the operational load acceptably. By way of comparison, in a second non-limiting example, given the same engineering requirement that an acceptable component not yield during operation and the same operational load of 250 kN in tension, a pre-stressed component having a compressive preload of 125 kN and formed of the same material, would have to have a minimum cross-section of 5 cm 2 , half the area of the non-pre-stressed component, to withstand the operational load acceptably. 
     As noted above, wood splitters are machines which may comprise a support element. Wood splitters are common tree-product processing machines. A wood splitter is a collection of components that operate to split wood. The wood can comprise logs or tree trunks or branches or other wood to be split for firewood or fence rails or some other purpose. The loads used in wood splitting operations can be quite large. It is not unusual for wood splitters to apply loads in excess of 30 tons. Large loads militate the support elements of a wood splitter be capable of withstanding large loads without mechanical failure. 
     Wood splitters typically have a predetermined limit to the length of the piece to be split. Because rails are typically substantially longer than pieces of firewood, log splitters sometimes have a predetermined limit to the length of the piece to be split which is much shorter than that typical to rail splitters. A wood splitter may include an adapter to allow a reciprocating wood splitter to be used for splitting pieces of wood such as, without limitation, rails which are longer than the existing stroke length. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 ,  FIG. 1  shows a wood splitter  10  engaged with a support element  20 . The wood splitter  10  comprises wood splitting components comprising, without limitation, a wedge  12  and a push plate  14 . The support element  20  comprises a first elongated element  22  and a second elongated element  26 . Without limitation, the wedge  12  may be engaged with the first elongated element  22  by a weld  13 . Other means for engaging components, such as mechanical fasteners, or brazing, may also be acceptable. The push plate  14  is slidably engaged with the first elongated element  22 . The push plate  14  comprises an engagement feature  16  by which loads may be applied by a motion imparting element  50  in order to slide the push plate  14  toward the wedge  12 , optionally, along with wood to be split (not shown) therebetween. A motion imparting element  50  may comprise a static element  55  and a dynamic element  57 , where the dynamic element  57  moves with respect to the static element  55 . A motion imparting element may comprise a member selected from the group consisting of a hydraulic press, a pneumatic press, a screw, a motor, and an engine. In certain implementations, the engagement feature  16  may comprise a hole, a pin, a shaft, a flange, a plate, an abutment, or a key. 
     A support element can support or engage directly or indirectly other elements of the wood splitter. In certain non-limiting implementations, a wood splitter may comprise a support element  20  which holds a wood splitting wedge  12  in a desired position relative to a motion imparting element  50 . In general, a support element  20  such as the one shown in  FIG. 1 , may be designed to withstand compressive, tensile, and/or shear loads equal to or greater than those expected during operation of the wood splitter  10 . 
     A push plate  14  may be any component which can load wood pieces to be split against the wedge  12 . The push plate  14  is not limited to planar or substantially planar components. In certain implementations the push plate  14  may comprise a plate, a wedge, a cone, a pyramid, or combinations thereof. 
     The force required to split the wood (not shown) will deliver equivalent reaction forces to the wedge  12  and to the push plate  14 . That is, whatever force is applied to the wood (not shown) as the push plate  14  and the wedge  12  are forced together, an equivalent opposing force is applied by the wood (not shown) to the wedge  12  and the push plate  14 . Stated another way, in operation, the push plate  14  and the wedge  12  act to do positive work on the wood (not shown) while the wood (not shown) does negative work on the push plate  14  and the wedge  12 . Accordingly, the wedge  12  and the push plate  14  must be engaged to some form of guide or frame or structure or support element  20  capable of holding the wedge  12  and the push plate  14  substantially in place or moving them against the forces applied to them during operation of the wood splitter  10 . In certain implementations the wood splitter  10  comprises a support element  20  adapted to hold some of the components comprising the wood splitter  10  substantially in place relative to one another. In certain implementations the wedge  12  and the push plate  14  are engaged to a support element  20  to hold the wedge  12  and the push plate  14  substantially in place relative to one another against the forces applied to them during operation of the wood splitter  10 . 
     Without limitation, an example of operational forces in a mechanized device are the operational loads which are exerted on the wedge  12  and push plate  14  of a wood splitter  10  during operation. 
       FIG. 2  shows a wood splitter  10  engaged with a support element  20 . The support element  20  comprises a first elongated element  22  and a second elongated element  26 . Without limitation, first elongated element  22  and a second elongated element  26  may be engaged by a weld  24 . A corresponding weld (not shown) may engage the other ends of the first elongated element  22  and a second elongated element  26 . As noted above, other engagement means in the alternative to or in combination with welds may be equally acceptable. In certain implementations, a first elongated element may be subject to a substantial pre-stress load. In the implementations shown, without limitation, the first elongated element  22  is arcuate when full relaxed but is pulled into a flatter, pre-stressed state by engagement with second elongated element  26 . In the orientation in which it is shown, the relaxed state of the first elongated element  22  is concave downward. In certain implementations, without limitation, the first elongated element  22  may be subject to a pre-stress load comprising a moment. In certain implementations, without limitation, the first elongated element  22  may be subject to a pre-stress load comprising a moment in excess of 1 kN-m, in excess of 5 kN-m, in excess of 10 kN-m, or in excess of 20 kN-m. 
     During operation, the first elongated element  22  will be subjected to operational loading opposite that of its pre-stress loading. That is, the wedge  12  and the push plate  14 , being above the support element  20  will be subject to forces which will apply a negative moment to the support element  20 . The negative moment will tend to bend the support element  20  in a downward concave curve. That is, the addition of the operational loading to the support element  20  will cause the first elongated element  22  to relax into a shape more similar to that of its fully relaxed arcuate concave downward shape. That is, during conventional operation, as the other elements of the wood splitter assembly such as, without limitation, second elongated element  26  are subjected to operational loads during operation, the net stress in the first elongated element  22  will be reduced. 
       FIGS. 3-7  show a wood splitter adapter  30 . The wood splitter adapter comprises an elongated mounting bracket  36 , a deck  34 , an elongated connecting member  40 , discrete connection points  44 , and a secondary push plate  32 . In certain implementations, the elongated mounting bracket  36  may be engageable to a support element  20  of a wood splitter. In certain implementations, the elongated mounting bracket  36  may be engaged to the support member  20  such that the axis of elongation of the elongated mounting bracket  36  is parallel to one or more of the axes of elongation of the first elongated element  22  and a second elongated element  26  comprising support member  20 . In certain implementations, deck  34  may be engaged to a secondary push plate  32  by welding, bolting, brazing, or any other acceptable engagement method. In certain implementations, deck  34  may be slidably engaged with the elongated mounting bracket  36 . In certain implementations, deck  34  may be adapted to slide along an axis parallel to the axis of elongation of the elongated mounting bracket  36 . In certain implementations, the elongated connecting member  40  may comprise a first end  40   a  adapted for engagement with the primary push plate  14  and a plurality of discrete connection points  44 . In certain implementations, the elongated connecting member  40  may be slidably engaged with deck  34 . In certain implementations the plurality of discrete connection points  44  are each adapted to engage with an engagement feature  33  of deck  34 . In certain implementations, the engagement of elongated connecting member  40  with deck  34  may be selectable between a slidably engaged state or a releaseably fixed state by the selective engagement of any of a plurality of discrete connection points  44  with the engagement feature  33 . Selective engagement of any of a plurality of discrete connection points  44  with the engagement feature  33 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 3-7 , in one implementation, without limitation, a wood splitter adapter  30  allows a wood splitter  10  to be used to fully split elongated pieces of wood (not shown) that are longer than the stroke length of the wood splitter  10  along the elongated axis (not shown) of the wood piece (not shown). In one implementation, without limitation, a wood splitter adapter  30  comprises an adjustable secondary push plate  32  engageable to the existing or primary push plate  14 . The secondary push plate  32  may be engaged to the existing or primary push plate  14  with an elongated connecting member  40 . The elongated connecting member  40  may comprise a first end  40   a  adapted for engagement with the primary push plate  14 . The elongated connecting member  40  has a plurality of discrete connection points  44  that allow adjustable engagement between the elongated connecting member  40  and the engagement feature  33 . In certain implementations adjustable engagement between the elongated connecting member  40  and the engagement feature  33  may allow the distance between the first end  40   a  of the elongated connecting member  40  and the secondary push plate  32  to be selected among a plurality of discrete distances. In certain implementations the discrete connection points  44  comprise adaptations for engagement with mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners may comprise pins, bolts, keys, nuts, clips, clamps, and other mechanical fasteners. The adaptations for engagement with mechanical fasteners may comprise holes for accepting pins, holes for accepting bolts, keyways, shafts, threads, or other adaptations. The discrete connection points  44  may be spaced apart by a distance  46  equal to or less than that of the existing stroke length of the wood splitter  10  making at least some of the above-referenced plurality of discrete distances differ by amounts equal to or less than that of the existing stroke length of the wood splitter  10 . 
     Selection of a first discrete connection point  44  allows the adjustable secondary push plate  32  to be located a sufficient distance from the wedge  12  to accommodate pieces of wood of the desired length. In operation the wood splitter  10  drives the primary push plate  14 , and, by engagement, the secondary push plate  32  some distance closer to the wedge  12  where the distance is equal to or shorter than the existing stroke length of the wood splitter  10 . The apparatus described in this implementation can be operated so that there are a plurality of discrete connection points  44  in the region defined by the stroke length. This apparatus may be adapted to perform a cycle comprising the steps of 1) moving primary push plate  14  and, thereby, moving the engaged adapter, secondary push plate  32 , and the associated wood piece closer to the wedge  12 , 2) breaking the connection at a discrete connection point  44  between the elongated connecting member  40  and the primary push plate  14 , 3) moving the primary push plate  14  to a location further from the wedge  12  and closer to the secondary push plate  32 , 4) establishing a connection at another discrete connection point  44  between the elongated connecting member  40  and the primary push plate  14 . 
     As noted above, it is also possible to engage components by means of pre-stress forces. In certain non-limiting implementations, at least one capturable component and at least one captured component are engaged in such a way that at least one of the components must be stretched, stressed, deformed, loaded, or have further energy of deformation somehow added to the component in order to disengage the components. In some implementations at least one of the components is stretched, stressed, deformed, or otherwise loaded such that it contains energy of deformation and is held in the stretched, stressed, deformed, or otherwise loaded state by one or more other components. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9 , in certain implementations, and without limitation, a support member  80 ,  90  may comprise a first component  81 ,  91  and a second component  82 ,  92 . First component  81 ,  91  may be elastically deflectable such that it has some of the properties of a spring. In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , first component  81 ,  91  comprises a first beam  84 ,  94  adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner and a first engagement element  85 ,  95 . Second component  82 ,  92  is adapted to hold first component  81 ,  91  in a deflected position. In certain implementations, first component  81 ,  91  is adapted to hold second component  82 ,  92  in a deflected position. Engagement is made by deflecting the first component  81 ,  91  to produce a reaction force and capturing the first component  81 ,  91  with a second component  82 ,  92  such that either the first component  81 ,  91  or the second component  82 ,  92  must be further loaded or otherwise acted upon in order to disengage the first component  81 ,  91  from the second component  82 ,  92 . 
     In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , second component  82 ,  92  comprises a second beam  83 ,  93  and a second engagement element  86 ,  96 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , and without limitation, the first engagement element  85  may comprise a pin or a shaft and second engagement element  86  may comprise a socket, opening, or other geometry adapted to accept the first engagement element  85 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , and without limitation, the first engagement element  85  may comprise socket, opening, or other geometry adapted to accept a pin, shaft or other mechanical fastener (not shown) and second engagement element  86  may comprise a socket, opening, or other geometry adapted to accept a pin, shaft or other mechanical fastener (not shown). 
     In certain implementations, the second engagement element  86  may comprise a flange or other geometry  861  to produce a counter-force in response to the reaction force from  81  and thereby to resist the release or relaxation of the first component  81 . In certain implementations, a flange or other geometry  861  is adapted to produce a counter-force only up to some limit and thereby to resist the release or relaxation of the first component  81  only up to that limit and, in the event that the forces from  81  exceed the limit, to allow  81  to become loose, escape capture, or spring free. 
     In certain implementations, without limitation, the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  may be engaged to one another by one or more connection methods. Connection methods may comprise pinned connections, fixed connections, roller connections, and other form of connection. A pinned connection provides reaction forces to substantially resist translation of the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  with respect to one another, but allow or produce small resistance to the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  to rotate with respect to one another. A fixed connection provides reaction forces to substantially resist translation of the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  with respect to one another, and also provides reaction forces to substantially resist rotation of the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  with respect to one another. A roller connection may provide reaction forces to substantially resist translation in one or more constrained directions of the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  with respect to one another, but allows or produce small resistance to the first engagement element  85  and the second engagement element  86  to rotate with respect to one another and to translate with respect to one another in one or more non-constrained directions. 
     Each of these connection methods can have performance characteristics, like all elements permitted to move with respect to one another, defined by the materials and/or by appropriate selection of bearing components. Bearing components may include, without limitation, frictionless bearings, journal bearings, slide bearings, or other friction modifying components or materials. 
     In certain implementations, the first component  81  comprises more than one of the first engagement elements  85 ,  87 . In certain implementations, the second component  82  comprises more than one of the second engagement elements  86 ,  88 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , in certain implementations, a support member  101  may be used as part of a suspension  100  in a vehicle  109 . Without limitation, a suspension  100  may be connected to a vehicle  109  by saddle  102  providing compliant engagement geometry between the support member  101  and the vehicle  109 . In certain implementations, a saddle  102  comprises hard rubber, synthetic rubber, other polymers, leather, or other materials selected to provide the desired engagement between the vehicle  109  and the support member  101 . 
     A support member  101  may comprise a first component  104  and a second component  105 . First component  104  may be elastically deflectable such that it has some of the properties of a spring. In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIG. 10 , first component  104  comprises a first elongated beam  104   a  adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner and a first engagement element  104   b.  Second component  105  is adapted to subject said first component  104  to a pre-stress load and to hold said first component  104  in a deflected position. In certain implementations, the pre-stress load to which the first component  104  is subjected to comprises a first moment. In certain implementations, first component  104  is adapted to subject said second component  105  to a pre-stress and to hold said second component  105  in a deflected position. Engagement is made by deflecting the first component  104  to produce a reaction force and capturing the first component  104  with a second component  105  such that either the first component  104  or the second component  105  must be further loaded or otherwise acted upon in order to disengage the first component  104  from the second component  105 . In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIG. 10 , second component  105  comprises a second elongated beam  105   a  and a second engagement element  105   b.  Without limitation, the first engagement element  104   b  and the second engagement element  105   b  may engage one another to comprise a pinned connection, a fixed connection, or other form of connection. In some implementations, in certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIG. 10 , first component  104  further comprises a third engagement element  104   c  and second component  105  comprises a fourth engagement element  105   c.  Without limitation, the third engagement element  104   c  and fourth engagement element  105   c  may engage one another to comprise a pinned connection, a fixed connection, or other form of connection. 
     Without limitation, a suspension  100  may comprise one or more dampers  103 . A damper  103  may comprise a conventional shock absorber, a visco-elastic damper, a hysteretic damper, or any other sort of device that acts to dampen vibratory motion. As shown in  FIG. 10 , a damper  103 , may by an elongated damper engaged with the support member  101  and one or more of first component  104  and a second component  105 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , in certain implementations, a support member  111  may be used as part of a bridge  110 . Without limitation, a bridge  110  may be engaged to a foundation  112 . In certain implementations, a bridge  110  may be engaged to a foundation  112  by a fixed connection, a pinned connection, a roller connection, or by another connection. 
     A support member  111  may comprise a first component  113  and a second component  114 . First component  113  may be elastically deflectable such that it has some of the properties of a spring, where elasticity has the traditional engineering meaning of having an ability to resist applied stress and return to an original shape or size when stress is removed; and where deflection has the traditional engineering meaning of the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a stress or load. Therefore, in this example, the first component  113  being elastically deflectable may mean that it has the ability to resist applied stress or load in the amount and direction of the deflection, and return to its original shape and/or size when the stress or load is removed in the amount and direction of deflection. In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that as shown in  FIG. 11 , first component  113  comprises a first elongated beam  113   a  adapted to undergo substantial deflection in a substantially elastic manner and a first engagement element  113   b.  Second component  114  is adapted to hold first component  113  in a deflected position. In certain implementations, first component  113  is adapted to hold second component  114  in a deflected position. In this way, in one implementation, as described above, an appropriate load, that will overcome the elasticity of the beam  113   a,  can be applied to the first elongated beam  113   a,  causing the beam  113   a  to deflect (e.g., resulting in a reduced clear span of the arc). Engagement is made by deflecting the first component  113  to produce a reaction force (e.g., stress against the elasticity of the first component  113 , or pre-stress once engaged) and capturing the first component  113  with a second component  114  such that either the first component  113  or the second component  114  must be further loaded or otherwise acted upon in order to disengage the first component  113  from the second component  114 . In certain implementations, such as, without limitation, that shown in  FIG. 11 , second component  114  comprises a second elongated beam  114   a  and a second engagement element  114   b.  Without limitation, the first engagement element  113   b  and the second engagement element  114   b  may engage one another to comprise a pinned connection, a fixed connection, or other form of connection. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first component  113  is subjected to pre-stressing negative moment by engagement with second component  114 . That is, for example, with continued reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first elongated beam  113   a  may be subjected to a negative load (e.g., stress in an opposite direction of expected load during use/operation), where the negative load is sufficient to overcome the elasticity of the beam  113   a.  In this example, application of the negative loaded can result in deflection of the arcuate beam  113   a  in the direction of the applied negative load. As described above, when negative load is applied to an arcuate beam, the length of the clear span (e.g., the distance between the end points of the arc) is reduced. In this example, the reduced clear span allows the end points, comprising the first engagement element  113   b,  to be engaged with the second engagement element(s)  114   b  disposed on the second component  114 . Further, in this example, the distance between the second engagement element(s)  114   b  is less than the distance between the first engagement element(s)  113   b  of the first component  113 . Therefore, when a sufficient negative load is applied to the first elongated beam  113   a,  and the first engagement element(s)  113   b  of the first component  113  are engaged (e.g., as described above in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) with the second engagement element(s)  114   b,  disposed on the second component  114 , the first elongated beam  113   a  should remain under the stress of the negative load, thereby creating a pre-stressed condition for the first component. Similarly, in this example, once the first component is engaged with the second component  114 , the second component will be disposed in a pre-stressed condition, resulting from the stress applied from the first component, attempting to elastically return to its restful state (e.g., arcuate beam). It will be appreciated that the dimensions of, and/or materials used for, the first and second components  113 ,  114  can be determined by sound engineering principles, based on the intended use. For example, as described above, an amount of pre-stress force applied to the first component  113  may reduce a size (e.g., cross-section surface area) of the first elongated beam  113   a.  Further, a steel beam may be able to sustain a greater expected load than a wood beam of similar size. Additionally, a length of the span of a bridge utilizing the systems described herein will dictate the dimensions of and/or material used for the bridge. That is, for example, a short span may merely utilize a single set of first and second components  113 ,  144  so engaged, as in  FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 ; while a larger span may utilize a plurality of such sets of components  113 ,  114  so engaged. Such determinations should be made by use of sound engineering skills applied to respective uses. 
     Without limitation, a bridge  110  may further comprise a deck  115  adapted to support traffic thereupon. A deck  115  may be adapted to support pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic, animal traffic or other sorts of traffic. In some implementations, the deck  115  may comprise meshwork. A deck  115  may be engaged to a bridge by engaging it with the first component  113 . In certain implementations, the deck is engaged to first component  113  by suspending or hanging the deck  115  therefrom with one or more suspension elements  116 . Suspension elements  116  may comprise cables, wires, rods, straps, ropes, links, bars, or other components. By engaging deck  115  to the first component  113 , a downward load on the deck, such as from traffic borne thereupon, may subject the first component  113  to a positive moment. A positive moment will counteract, at least partially, the above noted pre-stress in first component  113 . Accordingly, a downward load on the deck may reduce the stress in first component  113 . 
     While the support element has been described above in connection with certain implementations, it is to be understood that other implementations may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described implementations for performing the same function of the support element without deviating therefrom. Further, all implementations disclosed are not necessarily in the alternative, as various implementations may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Variations can be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the support element. Therefore, the support element should not be limited to any single implementation, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the attached claims. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Further, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B or both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Reference throughout this specification to “one implementation” or “an implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one implementation” or “in an implementation” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter. 
     Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. 
     In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”