Flared energy absorbing system and method
OwnerJames Albrittoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy absorbing system with one or more energy absorbing assemblies is provided to reduce or eliminate the severity of a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a roadside hazard. The energy absorbing system may be installed adjacent to a gore area and other relatively wide roadside hazards. One end of the system facing oncoming traffic is relatively narrow. The width at an opposite end of the system may be varied to accommodate relatively wide or large roadside hazards. A sled assembly may be provided with a cutter plate such that a collision by the motor vehicle with the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate tearing or ripping the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the motor vehicle collision.
Claims34
1-54. (canceled)
A crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion;
- a sled assembly located proximate the first end and operable to move in the first direction to absorb energy from a vehicle impacting the first end of the crash cushion;
- a first group of panels extending generally in the first direction from the first end of the crash cushion;
- a second group of panels extending generally in the first direction from the first end of the crash cushion;
- the first group of panels and the second group of panels spaced from each other and disposed on opposite sides of the energy absorbing assembly;
- and
- at least a first portion of the panels and a second portion of the panels intersecting with each other at an angle extending from the first direction whereby the distance between the first portion of the panels and the second portion of the panels increases in the first direction.
An energy absorbing system operable to minimize results of a collision between a moving vehicle and a roadside hazard, the energy absorbing system comprising:
- a first end and a second end with the second end disposed adjacent to a roadside hazard and the first end extending longitudinally from the roadside hazard in a first direction toward oncoming traffic;
- a first side and a second side spaced from each other and extending between the first end and the second end of the system;
- at least portions of the first side and the second side disposed at angles relative to each other whereby the spacing between the first side and the second side at the second end is greater than the spacing between the first side and the second side at the first end;
- and
- at least one energy absorbing assembly disposed at the first end of the energy absorbing system such that collision of a vehicle with the first end will dissipate kinetic energy of the vehicle.
A crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion;
- a portion of the energy absorbing assembly operable to move in the first direction to dissipate energy from a vehicle collision with the first end of the crash cushion;
- a first group of panels located on one side of the energy absorbing assembly and extending generally in the first direction from the first end;
- a second group of panels located on an opposite side of the energy absorbing assembly and extending generally in the first direction from the first end;
- the second group of panels having a movable subsection operable to move generally in the first direction when the portion of the energy absorbing assembly moves in the first direction;
- the second group of panels having a fixed subsection;
- and
- the movable subsection of the second group of panels disposed between the first end of the crash cushion and the fixed subsection.
An energy absorbing system operable to minimize results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the system;
- a first side located on one side of the energy absorbing assembly;
- a second side located on another side of the energy absorbing assembly;
- the first side and the second side having respective panels;
- the first side and the second side operable to resist an impact by a vehicle to the respective first side and second side;
- portions of the first side and portions of the second side operable to move generally in the first direction when a vehicle impacts the first end of the system;
- and
- at least one portion of the first side being uncoupled from the second side with the at least one uncoupled portion of the first side oriented with respect to the first direction independently of the second side.
A crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion;
- portions of the energy absorbing assembly operable to move in the first direction when a vehicle impacts the first end;
- a plurality of panel support frames operable to move in the first direction;
- a plurality of panels attached to the panel support frames;
- a portion of the panels diverging from the first direction as the panels extend from the first end;
- selected panels having channels attached thereto;
- a cable extending through at least one of the channels associated with the diverging panels;
- and
- the cable anchored at a location toward the first end and also at a location away from the first end.
A crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion, the energy absorbing assembly moveable in the first direction when a vehicle impacts the first end;
- panel support frames moveable in the first direction;
- panels attached to the panel support frames, the panels diverging from the first direction as the panels extend from the first end;
- and
- the panel support frames slidably coupled to anchors operable to resist rotation when a vehicle impacts the panels.
A crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard, comprising:
- an energy absorbing assembly extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion;
- a sled assembly located proximate the first end and operable to move in the first direction to absorb energy from a vehicle impacting the first end of the crash cushion;
- a first group of panels extending generally in the first direction from the first end of the crash cushion;
- a second group of panels extending generally in the first direction from the first end of the crash cushion;
- the first group of panels and the second group of panels spaced from each other and disposed on opposite sides of the energy absorbing assembly;
- first group of panels defining in part a first side of the crash cushion;
- the second group of panels defining in part a second side of the crash cushion;
- at least a first portion of the panels of the first side and a first portion of the panels of the second side extending generally parallel with each other in the first direction;
- a second portion of the panels of the second side intersecting with the first portion of the panels of the second side at an angle extending from the first direction;
- and
- the second portion of the panels of the second side spaced from a second portion of the panels of the first side by an increasing distance in the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.