Inertial barrier system
AssigneeEnergy Absorption Systems, Inc.
InventorsBruce O. Young, Wan Seegmiller
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Abstract
An inertial barrier system for attenuating the energy of errant vehicles. The system includes module means defining a frangible container having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an opened and enlarged upper portion and a closed lower portion. The upper and lower container portions receive a continuous mass of dispersible energy-attenuating material, and maintain the center of gravity of the mass above the lower portion of the container. This lower portion also defines a central void of substantial volume, for receiving a portion of the dispersible mass during the initial impact of the module means by an errant vehicle. Cover means are provided to close the module.
Claims13
An inertial barrier system for attenuating the energy of errant vehicles comprising:
- module means defining a frangible container having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an opened and enlarged upper portion having a selected relatively large volume and a closed lower portion having a relatively small volume, said upper and lower container portions adapted for receiving a continuous mass of dispersible energy-attentuating material within the module means and for maintaining said material so that the center of gravity of said mass is above said lower portion, said lower portion of said container defining a central void of substantial volume for receiving a portion of the dispersible mass during the initial impact of said module means by an errant vehicle;
- and
- means to cover said upper opened portion of said module means.
An inertial barrier system for attenuating the energy of errant vehicles comprising:
- a plurality of module means arranged in a selected array adjacent a hazard in the path of travel of a vehicle, each of said module means including a frangible container having a generally inverted U-shaped configuration with an opened and enlarged upper portion having a relatively large volume and a lower portion having a relatively small volume so that each container is adapted to receive a continuous mass of dispersible energy-attenuating material and to maintain the center of gravity of said mass above said lower portion, the lower portion of each of said containers further defining a central void of substantial volume for receiving a portion of the dispersing energy-attenuating material upon the initial impact of the errant vehicle against the frangible containers;
- and
- means to cover said opened portion of each container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.