CNC impact load deflector sleeve and removable collar for cable and post protection

Abstract

This patent application is submitted for a CNC / ILDS sleeve and RC removable collar designed to provide a means of protecting fence cables and posts. Without such protection a conventional rock fall protection fence frequently fails upon impact from large falling rocks spinning at a high angular velocity and with an immense momentum, as demonstrated in many rock fall-induced fence failures. CNC / ILDS sleeves embrace a cable or post to deflect falling rocks spinning at a high angular velocity and associated impact forces and, thereby, protect them by avoiding detrimental blows from the falling rocks. The RC (removable collar) is used when two different-size CNC / ILDS sleeves are used. This is to avoid a smaller sleeve from slipping into a larger one and to assure the protection that CNC / ILDS sleeve is designed for. Additionally, the RC collar also enhances the constructability and eases the maintenance of a rock fall mitigation fence system. In summary, the CNC / ILDS sleeve together with the RC removable collar embraces the fence cable and post, provides a means of their protection, and enhances the safety of traveling motorists.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention provides the protection for cables and posts (or columns) against the dynamic loads from rolling stones, vehicular impact, ice impact or other forms of transient loads. For instance, a rock fall mitigation fence (RFMF) is an ideal situation for the installation of CNC IMPACT LOAD DEFLECTOR SLEEVES (CNC / ILDS) and ROMOVABLE COLLAR (RC). The CNC / ILDS sleeves and RC collar can be installed on the cable holding the fence post, which, in turn, stretches rock fall drape net. The drape net, fence post, and cable constitute the rock fall mitigation fence system (RFMFS). [0003] 2. Description of Prior Art [0004] A rock fall mitigation fence (RFMF) is frequently used to protect the traveling vehicles against potential hazards of falling rocks. The fence system is composed of the fence cable, fence posts, and rock fall drape net resting on the cable, which, in turn, is stretched and supported on the fence posts a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention, CNC IMPACT LOAD DEFLECTOR SLEEVE (CNC / ILDS), and Removable Collars (RC), reduces the impact load effect on both cables and fence posts by deflecting the falling rocks upon contact. FIGS. 1.a and b show the plan and side views of a CNC / ILDS and a RC. FIG. 2 shows a CNC / ILDS and a RC installed on a cable. The CNC / ILDS sleeve is a cylinder made of an appropriate material (usually steel) and has an appropriate diameter, length, and thickness for embracing a cable or post with a clearance for near frictionless rotation. The thickness and material type should be selected to provide sufficient strength to prevent the puncture by the rolling rocks. Upon contacting any high-speed rolling rock, the CNC / ILDS rotates nearly frictionless about the cable and, thereby, avoid cable cut. The sleeve and collar can be made of any materials deemed corrosion resistant, and sufficiently strong against the destructive force of rolling stones, wind, vehicular impact, or any other forms of impact force.

Problems solved by technology

When it comes in contact with a RFMFS, the rock rotates at an extremely high angular velocity, can sever fence-supporting cables, and knocks out or severely bends fence posts, cuts anything it touches.

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