Crash cushion
AssigneeValtir LLC
InventorsSean Thompson, Patrick Leonhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A crash cushion includes overlapping first and second rail sections coupled with a fastener. The first rail section is moveable relative to the second rail section from a pre-impact position to an impact position in response to an axial impact to the guardrail assembly. The first rail section includes an elongated slot aligned with the fastener and having a first length. A support post is releasably connected to the first rail section and is rotatable to a laid over position after the first rail section has moved a first travel distance, wherein the first length is greater than or equal to the first travel distance.
Claims20
A support past assembly comprising:
- a ground anchor;
- and
- a support post having a front, a rear and opposite sides, wherein at least the rear side comprises a pair of vertical slots and a hinge portion defined between the slots, wherein the hinge portion and at least one of the front and/or sides are connected to the ground anchor with welds, wherein when the support is subjected to an impact, the welds connecting the at least one of the front and/or opposite sides are configured to break as the support post rotates towards the ground anchor about the hinge portion from an upright position to a laid over position.
A support post comprising:
- a ground anchor;
- a front side;
- opposite sides;
- and
- a rear side comprising a pair of vertical slots and a flange defined between the slots, wherein the flange comprises a living hinge, wherein the living hinge and at least one of the front and/or opposite sides are connected to the ground anchor with welds, wherein when a remainder of the support post is subjected to an impact, the welds are configured to break as the support post rotates relative to the living hinge toward the ground anchor from a first position to a second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.