대표
청구항
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1. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact fr...
1. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; wherein the impact frame is constructed in a continuous tube configuration having uniform thickness and width and being free from gaps. 2. The mechanical damping system of claim 1, and further comprising:dampening material secured within the impact frame. 3. The mechanical damping system of claim 1, and further comprising:dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the impact mass. 4. The mechanical damping system of claim 1 wherein the impact frame has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, round, and oval.5. The mechanical damping system of claim 1 and further comprising:a plurality of impact masses secured to and selectively adjustably movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 6. The mechanical damping system of claim 1, and further comprising:a casing surrounding the impact frame and the support frame. 7. The mechanical damping system of claim 1 wherein the combined elongated member and impact mass are tunable to substantially the same natural frequency of the structure.8. The mechanical damping system of claim 1 and further comprising:at least one stabilizing bar secured between the impact frame and the support frame. 9. The mechanical damping system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is a strand member.10. The mechanical damping system of claim 9 wherein the strand member is a multi-wire prestressing strand.11. A damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; and a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure; wherein the impact frame in constructed in a continuous tube configuration having uniform thickness and width and being free from gaps. 12. The damping device of claim 11 wherein the impact frame is tubular having a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, round, and oval.13. The damping device of claim 11 wherein the damping mechanism includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame.14. The damping device of claim 13 wherein the elongated member is a strand member.15. The damping device of claim 14 wherein the strand member is a multi-wire prestressing strand.16. The damping device of claim 13, and further comprising:a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; wherein the first end of the elongated member is secured within the support frame and the second end being free from securement and extending into the impact frame. 17. The damping device of claim 13 and further comprising:a plurality of impact masses secured to and movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 18. The damping device of claim 11, and further comprising:dampening material secured within the impact frame. 19. The damping device of claim 11, and further comprising:dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the dampening mechanism. 20. The damping device of claim 11, and further comprising:a casing surrounding the impact frame and the dampening mechanism. 21. The damping device of claim 11 wherein the damping mechanism is tunable to substantially the same natural frequency of structure.22. A method for damping the movement of a structure in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, the method comprising:securing an impact frame to the structure, the impact frame having substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; constructing the impact frame in a continuous tube configuration having uniform thickness and width and being free from gaps; providing a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the damping mechanism to the structure; allowing the second end of the damping mechanism to move into and out of contact with the impact frame; and countering movement of the structure with movement of the damping mechanism, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame. 23. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:contacting the impact frame with the damping mechanism upon movement of the structure. 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the damping mechanism includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame.25. The method of claim 24 wherein the elongated member is a strand member.26. The method of claim 25 wherein the strand member is a multi-wire prestressing strand.27. The method of claim 24, and further comprising:securing a support frame to the structure spaced from the impact frame; securing the first end of the elongated member within the support frame; and extending the second end of the elongated member into the impact frame. 28. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:securing dampening material within the impact frame. 29. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:surrounding at least a portion of the dampening mechanism with dampening material. 30. The method of claim 22, and further comprising:surrounding the impact frame and the dampening mechanism with a casing. 31. The method of clam 22, and further comprising:tuning the combined elongated member and impact mass to substantially the same natural frequency of structure. 32. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; wherein the impact frame is constructed in a continuous tube configuration having uniform thickness and width and being free from gaps. 33. The combination of claim 32, and further comprising:dampening material secured within the impact frame. 34. The combination of claim 32, and further comprising:dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the impact mass. 35. The combination of claim 32 wherein the impact frame has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of square, rectangular, round, and oval.36. The combination of claim 32 and further comprising:a plurality of impact masses secured to and selectively adjustably movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 37. The combination of claim 32, and further comprising:a casing surrounding the impact frame and the support frame. 38. The combination of claim 37 wherein the casing is positioned on a far side of the mast arm so that the casing is substantially hidden from an approaching driver.39. The combination of claim 32 wherein the combined elongated member and impact mass are tunable to substantially the same natural frequency of the structure.40. The combination of claim 32 and further comprising:at least one stabilizing bar secured between the impact frame and the support frame. 41. The combination of claim 32 wherein the elongated member is a strand member.42. The combination of claim 41 wherein the strand member is a multi-wire prestressing strand.43. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; and dampening material secured within the impact frame. 44. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; and dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the impact mass. 45. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; and a plurality of impact masses secured to and selectively adjustably movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 46. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; and a casing surrounding the impact frame and the support frame. 47. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; and at least one stabilizing bar secured between the impact frame and the support frame. 48. A damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure, the damping mechanism includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and an elongated member, a plurality of impact masses secured to and movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 49. A mechanical damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure; and dampening material secured within the impact frame. 50. A mechanical damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure; and dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the dampening mechanism. 51. A mechanical damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure; and a casing surrounding the impact frame and the dampening mechanism. 52. A method for mechanically damping the movement of a structure in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, the method comprising:securing an impact frame to the structure, the impact frame having substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; providing a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the damping mechanism to the structure; allowing the second end of the damping mechanism to move into and out of contact with the impact frame; countering movement of the structure with movement of the damping mechanism, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame; and securing dampening material within the impact frame. 53. A method for mechanically damping the movement of a structure in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, the method comprising:securing an impact frame to the structure, the impact frame having substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; providing a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the damping mechanism to the structure; allowing the second end of the damping mechanism to move into and out of contact with the impact frame; countering movement of the structure with movement of the damping mechanism, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame; and surrounding at least a portion of the dampening mechanism with dampening material. 54. A method for mechanically damping the movement of a structure in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions, the method comprising:securing an impact frame to the structure, the impact frame having substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; providing a damping mechanism, the damping mechanism having a first end and a second end; securing the first end of the damping mechanism to the structure; allowing the second end of the damping mechanism to move into and out of contact with the impact frame; countering movement of the structure with movement of the damping mechanism, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame; and surrounding the impact frame and the dampening mechanism with a casing. 55. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and dampening material secured within the impact frame. 56. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and dampening material surrounding at least a portion of the impact mass. 57. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and a plurality of impact masses secured to and selectively adjustably movable along the second free end of the elongated member. 58. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and a casing surrounding the impact frame and the support frame. 59. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; and at least one stabilizing bar secured between the impact frame and the support frame. 60. A mechanical damping system for a structure, the mechanical damping system comprising:a tubular impact frame secured to the structure; a support frame secured to the structure, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured within the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass movable within and contactable with the impact frame; wherein the impact frame has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of round and oval. 61. A damping device for omni directional damping of movement of a structure, the damping device comprising:an impact frame secured to the structure and providing substantially uniform stiffness characteristics and impact properties in in-plane and out-of-plane directions; a damping mechanism for countering movement of the structure, the damping mechanism being secured on a first end and free from contact on a second end, the second end of the damping mechanism contactable with the impact frame upon movement of the structure, the damping mechanism includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; wherein the impact frame is tubular having a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of round and oval. 62. In combination:a vertical pole member; a mast arm secured to and extending laterally from the pole member for supporting traffic signals and the like; a tubular impact frame secured to the mast arm; a support frame secured to the mast arm, the support frame spaced from the impact frame; an elongated member having a first end and a second end, the first end secured to the support frame and the second end being free from connection and extending into the impact frame; and at least one impact mass secured to the second end of the elongated member, the impact mass contactable with the impact frame; wherein the impact frame has a cross-sectional configuration selected from the group consisting of round and oval.
