[0001] The present invention relates to a shock absorption system for absorbing shock, e.g. from a blast, on a structure. For example, a shock absorption device and a cable anchoring device for anchoring a shock absorbable multi-strand cable to the shock absorption device.

Background

[0002] It is common to have a building installed with panels on the fagade. For example, metal cladding, glass panels. The panels may be mounted to the buildings via a mounting system.

[0003] However, a building may be susceptible to explosion, whether intentional or not. In the event of an explosion, the panels may be damaged and may cause injury to occupants in or around the building. For example, a glass panel may shatter under the impact of the explosive force and shards or broken fragments from the glass panel may damage property and even injure or cause death.

[0004] Typically, to counter the high explosive blast intensity, the blast load capacity of the structure has to be increased. However, there are practical limitations to the building structure and therefore limits the capacity of the building to absorb the higher blast load.

[0005] There are systems designed to help the building and panel absorb the energy from the explosion so as to prevent damage of property, injury or loss of lives due to the explosion. However, many of such systems are complicated and difficult to install. At times, such panels may affect the fagade of the building.

[0006] Shock absorption system is used absorb shock, e.g. from a blast, onto structures, e.g. building. Shock absorption system may be installed in addition to a structural mounting system for mounting the structural element, e.g. panels or the like. Shock absorption system may include a shock absorption device for absorbing the shock and cables may be used to connect the structural element to the shock absorption device. Typically, to mount a cable to a structure, a cable end fitting is attached to a cable and the cable end fitting is designed to engage the structure in order to allow the cable to be attached to the structure. One of the most common method of attaching the cable end fitting to the cable is to crimp the cable end fitting to the cable. While the crimping method is easy and fast to attach the cable end fitting, it does not provide a reliable way of attaching the cable end fitting, especially when the cable is subjected to high tensional forces. In such a situation, the cable may slip out from the cable end fitting.

[0007] To overcome the slip out problem, the cable end fitting may be re-designed to increase the surface area or a larger crimping force is applied to the cable end fitting so as to increase the gripping force between the cable end fitting and the cable. However, there are disadvantages to these solutions. By increasing the surface area, the size of the cable end fitting may have to be increased therefor increasing the material and manufacturing cost. By increasing the crimping force, the cable may be damaged and may fail under high tension or sudden tensional force. When the cable end fitting is subject to high crimping force, the cable end fitting, typically made of metal, would harden. When it is hardened, the cable end fitting would not be able to grip the cable as well as when the fitting is not hardened. When the crimping is not carried out properly, the end where the cable is crimped may easily slip out from the cable end fitting or snap at the crimped area.

[0008] The above disadvantages are magnified when the diameter of the cable increases. In order to provide a large crimping force, the cable end fitting has to be attached to the cable in the factory. Therefore, the position of the cable end fitting on the cable and the cable length have to be accurately determined for the installation of the cable on site. Otherwise, the cable has to be brought back to the factory for corrective work which is time consuming and takes up precious resources. If the corrective work cannot be done, the cable cannot be reused and would be wasted.

[0009] In addition, the shock absorption device may be bulky and complex such that it would be costly to manufacture and difficult to install on site. [0010] Therefore, it is necessary to derive a solution to the above limitations and disadvantages.

Summary

[0011] According to various embodiments, a cable anchoring device for anchoring a shock absorbable multi-strand cable to a shock absorption structure is provided. The multi-strand cable includes a centre strand and a plurality of perimeter strands surrounding the centre strand. The cable anchoring device includes an anchor adapted to be anchored to the shock absorption structure, the anchor includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, the anchor includes a bore extending therethrough from the top end to the bottom end, the bore includes a tapered portion having a broader end at the top end and a narrower end opposite the broader end, such that the bore is adapted to receive the multi-strand cable therethrough. The cable anchoring device further includes an insert adapted to be insertable into the tapered portion of the bore, the insert includes an inserting end and a free end opposite the inserting end, the insert includes a through hole extending from the inserting end to the free end, such that the free end is larger than the insert end, such that the through hole is adapted to receive the centre strand therethrough and such that the plurality of perimeter strands are disposable between the insert and the anchor.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the tapered portion may include a frusto-conical profile.

[0013] According to various embodiments, the bore may include a tubular portion connected to the narrower end of the tapered portion.

[0014] According to various embodiments, the anchor may include a head adapted to be engaged to the shock absorption structure and a neck extending from the head, such that the tapered portion may be within the head and spaced from the neck of the anchor.

[0015] According to various embodiments, the insert may include a frusto-conical outer profile and the through hole may be at the centre of the insert. [0016] According to various embodiments, the frusto-conical outer profile of the insert matches the frusto-conical profile of the tapered portion.

[0017] According to various embodiments, the bore may include a textured surface adapted to increase friction between the plurality of perimeter strands and the bore.

[0018] According to various embodiments, the through hole may include a textured surface adapted to increase friction between the centre strand and the through hole.

[0019] According to various embodiments, a shock absorption system for absorbing a shock on a structure may be provided. The shock absorption system includes a shock absorption structure adapted to be mounted to the structure and a cable anchoring device as described above adapted to anchor a shock absorbable cable to the shock absorption structure.

[0020] According to various embodiments, the shock absorption structure may include a fixed portion and a slidable portion attached to the fixed portion, and a clamp adapted to clamp the slidable portion to the fixed portion, such that the cable anchoring device may be anchored to the slidable portion and the slidable portion may be adapted to slide with respect to the fixed portion from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration after receiving the shock.

[0021] According to various embodiments, the fixed portion may include an upper arm attachable to the structure and a lower arm extending from the upper arm, the lower arm may include a slot extending away from the upper arm, the slidable portion may include a slit extending in a parallel direction with and overlaps the slot of the lower arm, such that the clamp extends through the slot and the slit.

[0022] According to various embodiments, the slot may include a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, such that the distal end may be nearer to the upper arm, and the slit may include a front end and a back end opposite the front end, such that the back end may be nearer to the upper arm, such that in the retracted configuration the clamp may be at the distal end of the slot and the front end of the slit, and in the extended configuration, the clamp may be at the proximal end of the slot and back end of the slit. Brief Description of Drawings

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an example of a shock absorption system for absorbing a shock on a structure 110.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows an example of the cable anchoring device for anchoring a shock absorbable multi-strand cable to the shock absorption structure.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows an exploded sectional view of the cable anchoring device. [0026] Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the anchor.

[0027] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the cable anchoring device being installed onto the cable.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a side sectional view of another example of the shock absorption structure.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows the shock absorption structure in an extended configuration.

[0030] Fig. 8 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure in Fig. 3.

[0031] Fig. 9 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure in Fig. 6.

[0032] Fig. 10 shows a side sectional view of another example of the shock absorption structure.

[0033] Fig. 11 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure in Fig. 10. [0034] Fig. 12 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure. [0035] Fig. 13 shows a sectional view of an example of the shock absorption structure.

[0036] Fig. 14 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure in Fig. 13.

[0037] Fig. 15 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure. Detailed Description

[0038] Fig. 1 shows an example of a shock absorption system 100 for absorbing a shock on a structure 110, e.g. a building, a power plant or a ship. Shock absorption system 100 has a shock absorption structure 300 adapted to be mounted to the structure 110 and a cable anchoring device 200 adapted to anchor a shock absorbable cable to the shock absorption structure 300. As shown in Fig. 1, the shock absorption structure 300 may include a support 310 which extends outwardly from the structure 110 where the cable anchoring device 200 is connected to. The cable anchoring device 200 may be connected to the structure 110 via the shock absorption device 300.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows an example of the cable anchoring device 200 for anchoring a shock absorbable multi-strand cable 290 to the shock absorption structure 300. Multi-strand cable 290 has a centre strand 290C and a plurality of perimeter strands 290P surrounding the centre strand 290C. Shock absorption structure 300 may include a receiving portion 302 adapted to receive the cable anchoring device 200. Receiving portion 302 may include an opening adapted to receive the cable anchoring device 200 therethrough.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows an exploded sectional view of the cable anchoring device 200. Cable anchoring device 200 includes an anchor 210 adapted to be anchored to the shock absorption structure 300. Anchor 210 includes a top end 210T and a bottom end 210B opposite the top end 210T. Anchor 210 includes a bore 212 extending therethrough from the top end 210T to the bottom end 210B. Bore 212 includes a tapered portion 212A having a broader end 212AB at the top end 210T and a narrower end 212AN opposite the broader end 212AB. Bore 212 is adapted to receive the multi-strand cable 290 (not shown in Fig. 3) therethrough. Cable anchoring device 200 includes an insert 220 adapted to be insertable into the tapered portion 212A of the bore 212. Insert 220 includes an inserting end 2201 and a free end 220F opposite the inserting end 2201, the insert 220 includes a through hole 222 extending from the inserting end 2201 to the free end 220F, such that the free end 220F is larger than the insert end 2201. Through hole 222 is adapted to receive the centre strand 290C therethrough and the plurality of perimeter strands 290S are disposable between the insert 220 and the anchor 210.

[0041] Cable anchoring device 200 may be adapted to engage the shock absorption device 300 which may be connected to the structure 110. As shown in Fig. 2, the cable anchoring device 200 may be mountable to the shock absorption structure 300. In addition, the cable anchoring device 200 may be attachable to the cable 290 at an end thereof. A mounting system (not shown in Fig. 2) may be used to mount a structural element e.g. a panel or the like, to the structure 110. In addition to the mounting system, the cable 290 may be adapted to be connected to the structural element and the shock absorption device 30. Cable anchoring device 200 may be used to connect the cable 290 that is connected to the structural element to the shock absorption device 290. In other words, the cable anchoring device 200 may be used for shock absorption purposes and not as a primary mounting system to hold up the structural element. When the cable anchoring device 200 is used for shock absorption purposes, the cable 290 may not be in tension. Cable 290 may be slacked and tensioned when the structural element receives a shock.

[0042] Referring to Fig. 3, the cable anchoring device 200 may include the anchor 210 with the bore 212 through the anchor 210 from the top end 210T of the anchor 210 to the bottom end 210B along a longitudinal axis 210A. Cable anchoring device 200 may include the insert 220 insertable into bore 212. Anchor 210 may be adapted to be anchored onto the shock absorption structure and adapted to allow the cable 290 through the bore 212.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 3, the anchor 210 may include a head 214 adapted to be engaged to the shock absorption structure 300 and a neck 216 extending from the head 214 along the longitudinal axis 210A. Bore 212 extends through the head 214 and the neck 216. As shown in Fig. 3, the head 214 may be larger than the neck 216 such that the head 214 has a width that is larger than a width of the neck 216. This configuration allows the anchor 214 to be lodged against the receiving portion 302, e.g. the opening, of the shock absorption structure 300 which has a width larger than the width of the neck 216 but smaller than the width of the head 214.

[0044] Bore 212 may have a tapered portion 212A and a tubular portion 212B connected to the tapered portion 212A. Tapered portion 212A may extend along the longitudinal axis 210A from the top end 210T of the anchor 210 towards the bottom end 210B with the broader end 212AB of the tapered portion 212A at the top end 210T of the anchor 210. Bottom end 210B may be disposed opposite the top end 210T. Narrower end 212AN of the tapered portion 212A may be connected to the tubular portion 212B which extends from the tapered portion 212A to the bottom end 210B of the anchor 210. Tapered portion 212A may have a frusto-conical profile. Narrower end 212AN of the tapered portion 212A may be of the same diameter as the tubular portion 212B. Tapered portion 212A may extend within the head 214 of the anchor 210. Tapered portion 212A may be spaced from the neck 216 of the anchor 210. Alternatively, the tapered portion 212A may extend into the neck 216 of the anchor 210. Alternatively, the bore 212 may be tapered from the top end 210T to the bottom end 210B of the anchor 210 such that the insert 220 may be wedged within the bore 212. Bore 212 may have a textured surface, e.g. threading, protrusion, along the surface of the bore 212 such that the textured surface may be adapted to increase friction between the plurality of perimeter strands 290S and the bore 212.

[0045] Insert 220 may have a frusto-conical outer profile with the inserting end 2201 that first enters into the anchor 210 when the insert 220 is being inserted into the anchor 220 and the free end 220F opposite of the inserting end 2201. Typically, the free end 220F is larger than the inserting end 2201 to facilitate the insertion of the insert 220 into the cable 290 which will be described later. Insert 220 may be of a circular profile (when viewed from its top) where the free end 220F may have a larger outer diameter than the inserting end 2201. Insert 220 may include the through hole 222 extending along its longitudinal axis 220A from the inserting end 2201 to the free end 220F. Through hole 222 may be adapted to receive one of the strands of the cable 290. Cable 290 may be a multi-strand cable with the centre strand 290C such that the through hole 222 may be adapted to receive the centre strand 290C. Through hole 222 may have a textured surface, e.g. threading, protrusion, along the surface of the through hole 222. Textured surface may be adapted to increase friction between the centre strand 290C and the through hole 222 so that the insert 220 may grip onto the centre strand 290C of the cable 290 better when the insert 220 is being pulled into the anchor 210 as will be described later. Through hole 222 may be at the centre of the insert 220. The frusto-conical outer profile of the insert 220 may match the frusto-conical profile of the tapered portion 212A.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, the anchor 210 may be adapted to anchor onto the shock absorption structure 300 where the head 214 of the anchor 210 abuts against the receiving portion 302, e.g. the opening. Referring to Fig. 3, the cable 290, which is attached to the structural element (not shown in Fig. 3), may be anchored to the shock absorption structure 300 by the cable anchoring device 200.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the anchor 210. As shown in Fig. 4, the anchor 210 may have a circular sectional profile where the diameter of the head 214 is larger than the diameter of the neck 216. Similarly, the opening of the shock absorption structure 300 may have a width or diameter that is larger than that of the neck 216 but smaller than that of the head 214.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the cable anchoring device 200 being installed onto the cable 290. As mentioned, the cable 290 may be a multi-strand cable where the cable 290 may be frayed to expose a centre strand 290C of the cable 290 with perimeter strands 290S surrounding the centre strand 290C as shown Fig. 5. Before fraying the cable 290, the cable 290 may be inserted through the bore 212 of the anchor 210 from the bottom end 210B of the anchor 210. After the end of the cable 290 emerges out from the top end 210T of the anchor 210, the cable 290 may be frayed to allow the centre strand 290C to be exposed and remain substantially along the longitudinal axis 210A. Thereafter, the insert 220 may be inserted into the cable 290 where the insert 220 may be inserted between centre strand 290C and the perimeter strands 290S. Centre strand 290C may be inserted into the through hole 222 of the insert 220 from the inserting end 2201 of the insert 220. Centre strand 290C may protrude out of the insert 220 or flush with the free end 220F of the insert 220. Once the insert 220 has been inserted, the cable 290 may be pulled in the opposite direction to the direction of entry into the anchor 210 to secure the insert 220 within the anchor 210. As the cable 290 is being pulled, the insert 220 will be pulled along into the anchor 210 through its top end 210T. Due to the tapered portion 212A, the perimeter strands 290S surrounding will be compressed against the insert 220 and consequently, the insert 220 will be compressed against the centre strand 290C. Tubular portion 212B of the anchor 210 may be adapted to guide and maintain the perimeter strands 290S in a substantially parallel direction to the anchor 210. The end of cable 290 with the insert 290 therein may be choked against the tubular portion 212B of the anchor 210 and the cable 290 will be locked within the anchor 210 when the cable end with the insert 220 may no longer be able to slide along the bore 212. Neck 216 of the anchor 210 may be adapted to protect the cable 290 from external impacts. For the above example where the cable 290 passes through the opening in the shock absorption device 300 (not shown in Fig. 5), the cable 290 may first be pulled through the opening before the cable anchoring device 200 is installed onto the cable 290.

[0049] Cable anchoring device 200 is adapted to withstand high and sudden tension in the cable 290 due to a shock received by the structure element. In this way, the cable anchoring device 200 allows the cable 290 to be anchored to the shock absorption structure 300 during and after the shock. Cable anchoring device 200 provides maximal surface to provide maximal frictional force to prevent the cable 290 from being dislodged from the cable anchoring device 200 and therefore from the shock absorption structure 300. By inserting the insert 220 between the cable 290, the contact area between the cable anchoring device 200 and the cable 290 is increased. For example, the perimeter strands 290S are in contact with the surface of the bore 212 and the outer surface of the insert 220 and the centre strand 290C is being surrounded and in contact with the surface of the through hole 222. In an example where there is more than one layer of perimeter strands 290S, the cable anchoring device 200 may include a nested set of inserts 220 where one insert may be inserted into another insert so that each layer of perimeter strands 290C may be disposed between two adjacent inserts to provide more contact between the perimeter strands 290S and the cable anchoring device 200.

[0050] While it is shown that the insert 220 is formed as a single piece construction, it is possible for the insert 220 to be formed by two or more pieces. For example, the insert 220 may be halved such that each half of the insert 220 may be of a semi-circular sectional profile and the two halves may be combined to form a single insert 220. Each half of the insert 220 may have engaging portions, e.g. slots and protrusions, along the surfaces where the halves contact each other. In this way, it may be easier to install the insert 220 by fixing two or more pieces onto the centre strand 290C of the cable 290 than sliding the centre strand 290C through the single tubular insert 220 at certain installation sites. Further, for large inserts, it is easier to handle smaller pieces of the insert 220 than a single insert 220.

[0051] Cable anchoring device 200 may be made from a deformable material. Insert 220 may be a softer material than the anchor 210. However, the materials used may be strong enough to withstand the tensional force due to the shock. By being deformable, the cable 290 may be pressed into the cable anchoring device 200 so that the cable anchoring device 200 may conform to the shape of the cable 290 when the cable 290 is tensioned so that the cable anchoring device 200 may provide maximal contact area between the anchor 210, the insert 220 and the cable 290. Hence, there is a maximum gripping force by the cable anchoring device 200 onto the cable 290. In addition, the cable anchoring device 200 enables the gripping force to be evenly distributed along the section of the cable 290 within the cable anchoring device 200. In this way, the cable 290 does not experience localised stress, e.g. due to crimping, and therefore the cable 290 may not snap easily due to stress fracture during a shock. Further, while the normal crimping method may result in slippage of the cable, the cable anchoring device 200 prevents slippage from happening as the gripping force by the cable anchoring device 200 onto the cable is increased when the tension on the cable is increased. As the cable has not been hardened, for example, due to crimping, the cable anchoring device 200 and the cable 290 would be able to engage each other and moulded to fit each other better thereby increasing the friction and grip between each other. In addition, as the insert 220 is surrounded by the side cable strands 290S, the insert 220 may be self-aligned to the centre of the anchor 210 as the cable 290 is being tensioned.

[0052] As shown, the cable anchoring device 200 may be installed easily and quickly. Due to the simplicity of the cable anchoring device 200, where it comprises only the anchor 210 and the insert 220, the cable anchoring device 200 may be installed more easily and quickly as compared to a conventional system with multiple components which is more complicated to be installed and requires a considerable amount of time to be assembled. In the first instance, the cable anchoring device 200 does not require crimping of the insert 220 while the conventional cable end fitting requires crimping to be carried out. [0053] Due to its simple design, the cable anchoring device 200 is easy to manufacture and therefore the manufacturing cost and time would correspondingly be lower when compared to a more complex system. In addition, the material cost for the cable anchoring device 200 may be lower than the conventional systems.

[0054] Cable anchoring device 200 may be installed onto the cable on or off site. Typically, a conventional system requires the cable end fitting to be installed onto the cable in the factory before transporting the cable to the installation site. For example, the machine for crimping the cable end fitting may require a large machine if the cable size is large and it is not possible to transport such a heavy machinery to the installation site. Therefore, the cable end fitting has to be installed in the factory. However, the cable anchoring device 200 of the present invention may be installed onto the cable on site therefore allowing the installation to be suited to site condition. Foreseeably, a cable with the cable end fitting installed off site would have to be returned to the factory to be reworked if alteration is required to the cable end fitting or cable. In this way, there would be considerable loss of time and resources and delay and losses would be inevitable.

[0055] Due to the simplicity of the cable anchoring device 200, the cable anchoring device 200 is able to be installed onto a cable with small diameter, e.g. 30mm and below. For a complex system, due to the larger number of parts, it can only be installed onto a cable of considerably larger diameter but not a cable with small diameter.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows a side sectional view of another example of the shock absorption structure 300. Shock absorption structure 300 may include a fixed portion 340 and a slidable portion 350 attached to the fixed portion 340, and a clamp 370 adapted to clamp the slidable portion 350 to the fixed portion 340, such that the cable anchoring device 200 may be anchored to the slidable portion 350 and the slidable portion 350 may be adapted to slide with respect to the fixed portion 340 from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration after receiving the shock.

[0057] Shock absorption structure 300 may have a support 310 adapted to be mounted to the structure 110. Structural element (not shown in Fig. 6) may be attached to the support 310. Support 310 may include the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350 slidably attached to the fixed portion 340. Slidable portion 350 may be frictionally restricted from sliding from the fixed portion 340. For example, the slidable portion 350 may be clamped by or to the fixed portion 340 therefore movement of the slidable portion 350 is restricted by the clamp 370 and the fixed portion 340. Fig. 6 shows the shock absorption structure 300 in a retracted configuration where the slidable portion 350 is retracted into the fixed portion 340. As shown in Fig. 6, the slidable portion 350 may overlap the fixed portion 340 substantially, e.g. more than half the length of the slidable portion 350. The surfaces of the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350 may be textured to increase the friction between both portions.

[0058] Fig. 7 shows the shock absorption structure 300 in an extended configuration where the slidable portion 350 extends further away from the structure 110 than in the retracted configuration as shown in Fig 6. As shown in Fig. 7, the overlapped portion between the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350 is reduced. Cable absorption system 200 may be attached to the slidable portion 350.

[0059] When a blast force is exerted onto the structural element (not shown in Fig. 6) in a direction away from the structure 110, the structural element would exert a pull force (away from the structure 110) on the shock absorption structure 300 via the cable anchoring device 200 which is attached to the structural element. Due to the pull force, the slidable portion 350 may be pulled away from the fixed portion 340 such that the shock absorption structure 300 may change from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration or somewhere between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 6, the fixed portion 340 may be mounted to the structure 110. As shown in Fig. 6, the fixed portion 340 may include an upper arm 342 attachable to the structure 110 and a lower arm 344 extending from the upper arm 342. Lower arm 344 may include a slot 348 extending away from the upper arm 342. Slidable portion 350 may include a slit 354 extending in a parallel direction with and overlaps the slot 348 of the lower arm 344, such that the clamp 370 may extend through the slot 348 and the slit 354. Fixed portion 340 may be an L-shaped bracket having the upper arm 342 attachable to the structure 110 and the lower arm 344 extending perpendicularly from the upper arm 342. Upper arm 342 may include an opening 346, e.g. a slot, a through hole, adapted to allow a fastener 360, e.g. a bolt, through in order to allow the fastener 360 to fasten the upper arm 342 to the structure 110. Opening 346 may be elongated to allow the support 310 to be adjustable along the structure 110 to accommodate deviations during installation of the fixed portion 340. Lower arm 344 may include the slot 348 having a proximal end 348P and a distal end 348D opposite the proximal end 348P such that the distal end 348D is nearer to the upper arm 342. Slot 348 may extend in a direction perpendicularly to the upper arm 342. As will be explained later, the slot 348 is designed to allow the sliding of the slidable portion 350.

[0061] Slidable portion 350 may be an elongated element having a first end 350F and a second end 350S opposite the first end 350F. Cable anchoring device 200 may be attached to the shock absorption structure 300 at about the first end 350F of the slidable portion 350. Slidable portion 350 may be in contact to the fixed portion 340 at about the second end 350S or from the second end 350S towards the first end 350F. Slidable portion 350 may include a through hole 352 at about the first end 350F such that the cable anchoring device 200 may be anchored to the shock absorption structure 300 at the through hole 352. Slidable portion 350 may include a slit 354 with a front end 354F and a back end 354B opposite the front end 354F such that the back end 354B may be nearer to the upper arm 342. Slit 354 may extend in a direction parallel to the slit 348 of the fixed portion 340.

[0062] Shock absorption structure 300 may include a clamp 370 adapted to clamp the slidable portion 350 against the fixed portion 340. Clamp 370 may include a top portion 370T and a bottom portion 370B opposite the top portion 370T such that the clamp 370 is adapted to exert a clamping force between the top portion 370T and the bottom portion 370B. Clamp 370 may include a biasing element 372 adapted to bias the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350 towards each other. Top portion 370T may be disposed onto the slidable portion 350 and the bottom portion 370B may be disposed onto the fixed portion 340 or vice versa. When the clamp 370 is installed onto the support 310, the clamp 370 clamps the slidable portion 350 to the fixed portion 340 to enable the slidable portion 350 to be frictionally engaged to the fixed portion 340. While it is shown that the fixed portion 340 is below the slidable portion 350, it is possible that the slidable portion 350 is below the fixed portion 340. [0063] Referring to Fig. 6, the clamp 370 may extend through the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350. Clamp 370 may include a bolt and nut and spring configuration. Bottom portion 370B may be a bolt or a nut and the top portion 370T may correspondingly be a nut or a bolt with a spring. For example, the bottom portion 370B may be the bolt where the bolt may be inserted through the slot 348 of the fixed portion 340, the slot 354 of the slidable portion 350 to engage the top portion 370T. The bolt may be inserted through the biasing element 372, i.e. the spring, before being locked by the nut. Washers may be placed between the spring and the fixed portion 340 and/or between the spring and the nut. The nut may be tightened to provide a biasing force to force the slidable portion 350 and the fixed portion 340 together. Bolt and nut may be tightened as desired to achieve the required biasing force. As shown in the example, the top portion 370T may include the washer and the nut and the bottom portion 370B may be the bolt (or head of the bolt). Biasing element 372 may be the spring. If no washers are installed, the spring and the nut may be the top portion 370T as it exerts a force directly onto the slidable portion 350.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 6, when the shock absorption structure 300 is in the retracted configuration, the clamp e.g. the bolt, may be at the distal end 348B of the slot and the front end 354F of the slit 354. Clamp 370 may be disposed at about the distal end 348D of the slot 348 in the fixed portion 340 and at about the front end 354F of the slot 354 in the slidable portion 350. In this retracted configuration, it would be clear that when a blast occurs, the slidable portion 350 would be able to slide a distance of approximately the length of the slot 348 and the slit 354. As mentioned, referring to Fig. 7, in the extended configuration (after the blast), the clamp 370 may be at the proximal end 348P of the slot 348 and back end 354B of the slit 354. Clamp 370 may be disposed at the proximal end 348P of the slot 348 in the fixed portion 340 and at the back end 354B of the slot 354 in the slidable portion 350. It would be clear that the clamp 370 may be disposed between the proximal end 348P and the distal end 348D of the slot 348 in the fixed portion 348 and/or between the front end 354F and back end 354B of the slit 354 of the slidable portion 350 as the slidable portion 350 may not be fully extended from the fixed portion 340. It would clear that the distance the slidable portion 350 slides would depend on the magnitude of the shock and the clamping force exerted on the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350. [0065] Fig. 8 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure 300 in Fig. 3 which is in the retracted configuration. As shown in Fig. 8, the slidable portion 350 may include a plurality of slots 354. Correspondingly, the fixed portion 340 may include a plurality of slots 348 (not shown in Fig. 8). Comparatively, a configuration with more than one slot, and correspondingly more than one clamping device 370, would provide a more stable sliding of the slidable portion 350. In addition, the clamping force, therefore the frictional force, between the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350, would be more evenly distributed more evenly across the width of the support 310 than if there is only one clamping device 370.

[0066] Fig. 9 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure 300 in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 9, the opening 346 may be elongated to allow adjustment of the fixed portion 340 along the surface of the structure 110 (not shown in Fig. 9). Typically, the direction of adjustment may be substantially perpendicular to the direction the cable anchoring device 200 extends.

[0067] In other examples, the clamping device 370 may be a biasing clamp adapted to clamp both the fixed portion 340 and the slidable portion 350 together. In another example, the fixed portion 340 may include a slot extending in a direction perpendicular to the upper arm 342 where the slot may be adapted to receive the slidable portion 350 therein such that the slot may be adjusted to be tightened radially or laterally to grip onto the slidable portion 350. It is also possible to have fixed portion 340 be inserted into the slidable portion 350 such that the slidable portion 350 grips onto the fixed portion 340 to restrict the movement of the slidable portion 350.

[0068] Cable anchoring device 200 may be mounted directly to the structure 110. For example, the support 310 may be mounted directly and extend from the structure 110 without the shock absorption structure 300 such that the cable anchoring device 200 may be mounted to the support 310.

[0069] Similarly, the shock absorption structure 300 may be mounted to the structure 110 and adapted to be connected to a structural element, e.g. the panel, display, that is attached to the shock absorption structure 300 directly via conventional types of fastening means, e.g. bolt and nuts.

[0070] Shock absorption structure 300 is adapted to absorb a shock transmitted to the structure 110. At the same time, the shock absorption structure 300 is adapted to provide the structural element a buffer to disperse the energy from the shock so that the structural element would be able to withstand the shock without failing or dislodged from the structure 110. By absorbing the shock to the structure 110, the shock absorption structure 300 would reduce load transfer to the structure 110 thus reducing or preventing potential damage to the structure 110.

[0071] Fig. 10 shows a side sectional view of another example of the shock absorption structure 400. Shock absorption structure 400 may include the shock absorption structure 300 as shown in Fig. 6 with a shock absorber 420. Shock absorber 420 may be disposed between the fastener 460 and the upper arm 442 such that the shock absorber 420 is being compressed by the fastener 460 and the structure 110. As shown in Fig. 10, the fastener 460 may be inserted through the shock absorber 420 and the upper arm 442 before being fastened to the structure 110. Shock absorber 420 may be a hollow section extending across the width of the upper arm 442 as shown in Fig. 11.

[0072] Fig. 11 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure 400 in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the shock absorber 420 may extend across the width of the fixed portion 440 and may be fastened by two or more fasteners 460.

[0073] Fig. 12 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure 400. Referring to Fig. 10, when a blast happens, in addition to the sliding of the slidable portion 450 from the fixed portion 440, the shock absorber 420 may further absorb the blast force. During the blast, the structural element, e.g. panel, may receive the blast and cause the support 410 to be pulled from the structure 110. At this instance, the shock absorber 420 may deform and absorb the energy from the blast. After the blast, the fixed portion 440 may be disposed further away from to the structure due to the blast. Depending on the design of the shock absorption structure 400, the shock absorber 420 may deform before the sliding of the slidable portion 450 or the slidable portion 450 may slide before the deformation of the shock absorber 420. [0074] Fig. 13 shows a sectional view of an example of the shock absorption structure 500. Shock absorption structure 500 is similar to the example of the shock absorption structure 600 in Fig. 6. While the shock absorption structure 600 may be adapted to be attached to a vertical surface of the structure, e.g. a wall, the shock absorption structure 500 may be adapted to be attached to a horizontal surface of the structure, e.g. a soffit, a floor.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 13, the shock absorption structure 500 may include the support 510 adapted to be mounted to the structure 110. Structural element (not shown in Fig. 13) may be attached to the support 510. Support 510 may have a fixed portion 540 and a slidable portion 550 slidably attached to the fixed portion 540. Slidable portion 550 may be frictionally restricted from sliding from the fixed portion 540. For example, the slidable portion 550 may be clamped by or to the fixed portion 540 therefore movement of the slidable portion 550 is restricted by the fixed portion 540. Fig. 13 shows the shock absorption structure 500 in a retracted configuration where the slidable portion 550 is retracted into the fixed portion 540. As mentioned previously, the shock absorption structure 500 may extend into an extended configuration where the slidable portion 550 extends further away from the structure 110 than in the retracted configuration as shown in Fig 13.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 13, the fixed portion 540 may be mounted to the structure 110. As shown in Fig. 13, the fixed portion 540 may be an L- shaped bracket having an upper arm 542 attachable to the structure 110 and a lower arm 544 extending perpendicularly from Upper arm 542. Upper arm 542 may include an opening 546, e.g. a slot, adapted to allow a fastener 560, e.g. a bolt, through in order to allow the fastener 560 to fasten the upper arm 542 to the structure 110. Opening 546 may be elongated to allow the support 510 to be adjustable along the structure 110 to accommodate deviations during installation of the fixed portion 540. Lower arm 544 may include a slot 548 having a proximal end 548P and a distal end 548D opposite the proximal end 548P. Slot 548 may extend in a direction perpendicularly to the upper arm 542.

[0077] Slidable portion 550 may be an L-shaped bracket having an upper arm 550U and a lower arm 550L extending perpendicularly from the upper arm 550U. Upper arm 550U may include a slot 556 adapted to allow the clamp 570 through in order to allow the clamp 570 to fasten the upper arm 550U to the lower arm 544 of the fixed portion 540. Slot 556 may have a proximal end 556P and a distal end 556D opposite the proximal end 556P. Slot 556 may extend in a direction parallel to the slot 548 of the lower arm 544 of the fixed portion 540. Lower arm 550L may include an opening 552. Cable anchoring device 200 may be attached to the shock absorption structure 500 at the opening 552 of the slidable portion 550.

[0078] Shock absorption structure 500 may include the clamp 570 adapted to clamp the slidable portion 550 against the fixed portion 540. Clamp 570 may be identical to the clamp 370 as described in the shock absorption structure 300. When the clamp 570 is installed, the clamp 570 clamps the slidable portion 550 to the fixed portion 540 to enable the slidable portion 550 to be frictionally engaged to the fixed portion 540.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 13, the clamp 570 may extend through the fixed portion 540 and the slidable portion 550. As shown in Fig. 13, when the shock absorption structure 500 is in the retracted configuration, the clamp 570 may be disposed at about the proximal end 548P of the slot 548 in the fixed portion 540 and at about the distal end 556D of the slot 556 in the slidable portion 550. In this retracted configuration, it would be clear that when a shock is received, the slidable portion 650 would be able to slide a distance of approximately the length of the slot 548 and the slot 556. Similar to Fig. 7, in the extended configuration (after the blast), the clamp 570 may be disposed at the distal end 548D of the slot 548 in the fixed portion 540 and at the proximal end 556P of the slot 556 in the slidable portion 550. It would be clear that the clamp 570 may be disposed between the proximal end 548P and the distal end 548D of the slot 548 in the fixed portion 648 and/or between the proximal end 556P and back end 556D of the slot 556 of the slidable portion 550 as the slidable portion 550 may not be fully extended from the fixed portion 540. It would clear that the distance the slidable portion 550 slides would depend on the force of the blast and the clamping force exerted on the fixed portion 540 and the slidable portion 550.

[0080] Shock absorption structure 500 may include a shock absorber 520. Shock absorber 520 is similar to the shock absorbers as shown in the previous examples. Shock absorber 520 may be disposed between the fastener 560 and the fixed portion 540 such that the shock absorber 520 may be compressed by the fastener 560 and the structure 110. As shown in Fig. 13, the fastener 560 may be inserted through the shock absorber 520 and the upper arm 542 of the fixed portion 540 before being fastened to the structure 110.

[0081] Fig. 14 shows a top view of the shock absorption structure 500 in Fig. 13. From this view, the clamping device 570 is supposed to be concealed by the slidable portion 550 but it has been shown to better illustrate the explanation of the example. As shown in Fig. 14, the shock absorber 520 may extend across the width of the fixed portion 540 and may be fastened by two or more fasteners 560. Shock absorber 520 may include a pair of C-shaped channels. As shown in Fig. 14, when the shock absorption structure 300 is mounted to the structure 110, the structure 110 contacts the other side of the fixed portion 540, which is behind the side in contact with shock absorber 520. It is also foreseeable that there can be a plurality of shock absorbers 520 may be mounted onto the fixed portion 540 and the plurality of shock absorbers 520 may be mounted at any part of the one side as long as the fixed portion 540 is adequately supported when an explosion occurs.

[0082] Shock absorber 520 may be deformable or elastic. For the shock absorber 520 to be deformable, it may be made from a deformable material, e.g. copper, aluminium, steel, etc. For the shock absorber 520 to be elastic, it may be made of elastomer, it may be a spring, etc. Shock absorber 520 may have other sectional shape, e.g. I-shaped, S-shaped, quadrilateral, etc. Shock absorber 520 may not have a biasing property, e.g. like a spring, where the fixed portion 540 is pushed back towards the structure 110 after the blast. If the fixed portion 540 is pushed back towards the structure 110 after the blast, the structure 110 may be impacted and may be damaged. However, it is possible to use a biasing element, e.g. a spring, as the shock absorber 520.

[0083] Fig. 15 shows a front sectional view of the shock absorption structure 500. As shown in Fig. 15, the fixed portion 540 may be wider than the slidable portion 550. However, the fixed portion 540 may be of the same width or narrower than the slidable portion 550. Referring to Fig. 15, when a blast happens, unlike the example in Fig. 6 where the slidable portion 550 slides in a horizontal direction, i.e. perpendicular to the structure 110 or parallel to the ground, the slidable portion 550 in Fig. 15 may slide in a vertical direction, i.e. parallel to the structure 110 or perpendicular to the ground. Similarly, in addition to the absorption of the slidable portion 550 from the fixed portion 540, the shock absorber 820 may further absorb the blast force. During the blast, which is usually in a horizontal direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the ground, the structural element, e.g. panel, may receive the blast and cause the support 510 to be pulled from the structure 110. Due to the blast, the fixed portion 540 may be deformed and bent in the direction of the blast as the slidable portion 550 slides from the fixed portion 540. At this instance, the shock absorber 520 may deform and absorb the energy from the blast.

[0084] While the shock absorption structures as shown in Fig. 6 and 13 are mounted singly on the structure, it would be clear that the same shock absorption structure may be mounted at a location of the structure that is opposite and facing the shown shock absorption structures such that the cable of the cable anchoring device may be anchored to both the shock absorption structures at the opposite ends of the cable. Structure element may be attached to the cable and between the cable anchoring devices.

[0085] Shock absorption structure 300 provides an easy to install and effective system to absorb shocks from explosions. As the components in the shock absorption structure 300 is simple and relatively easy to manufacture, the cost and time required to manufacture the shock absorption structure 300 is relatively low.

[0086] A skilled person would appreciate that the features described in one example may not be restricted to that example and may be combined with any one of the other examples.

[0087] In the following examples, reference will be made to the figures, in which identical features are designated with like numerals.

[0088] The present invention relates to a shock absorption system, a cable anchoring device and a shock absorption structure generally as herein described, with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.