Restorable fender panel

A reusable impact attenuation device comprising:

• a rigid backing member;
• a plurality of buffer elements positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of said backing member;
• a plurality of diaphragm members interposed in said array at spaced intervals with the opposed ends of at least preselected ones of said diaphragm members extending laterally outward of said array;
• a plurality of fender panel members pivotally coupled to opposed ends of selected diaphragm members, the panel members extending rearwardly from their associated diaphragm member and partially overlapping the panel member associated with the succeeding diaphragm member;
• non-rigid means interconnecting said backing member and said diaphragm members;
• said diaphragm members being constructed to telescope in response to an axial impact force;
• said fender panel members being designed so that said overlapping portion of said fender panel member moves outwardly away from said overlapped panel member associated with said diaphragm member in response to an axial impact force;
• and
• biasing means for biasing said fender panels laterally inward to a pre-impact position abutting an associated fender panel and for causing said fender panels to move inwardly after an axial impact force to said pre-impact position, said biasing means interconnecting each of the fender panels to a diaphragm member.