Vehicle impact attenuating device
AssigneeEnergy Absorption Systems, Inc.
InventorsWilliam G. Krage, Barry D. Stephens, Owen S. Denman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle mounted crash attenuator includes an array of parallel diaphragms. A set of cell assemblies is interposed between adjacent diaphragms, and each cell assembly is formed of two L-shaped sheet metal components which are riveted together to form a rectangular column extending between the adjacent diaphragms. These columns are cross braced by ribbed braces which extend diagonally between adjacent columns. These cross braces stabilize the columns against long column buckling and promote short column buckling, thereby increasing the energy absorbing capability of the columns.
Claims26
An energy absorbing device adapted to decelerate an impacting vehicle, said device comprising:
- a first diaphragm;
- a second diaphragm, spaced from the first diaphragm along an axial direction;
- at least one pair of spaced apart, collapsible columns, each aligned with the axial direction and interposed between the first and second diaphragms such that forces applied to the first diaphragm during deceleration of an impacting vehicle cause the columns to buckle;
- and
- means for bracing the columns diagonally with respect to the axial direction to stabilize the columns against long column buckling and to promote short column buckling of the columns, thereby enhancing energy adsorption efficiency of the device.
A vehicle impact attenuating device comprising:
- an array of spaced, parallel diaphragms, each oriented transversely to an axial direction;
- an array of sets of laterally spaced apart, energy absorbing columns, each column secured between an adjacent pair of diaphragms and aligned with the axial direction such that forces applied to the diaphragms during deceleration of an impacting vehicle cause the columns to buckle;
- and
- means for bracing the columns diangonally with respect to the axial direction to stabilize the columns against long column buckling and to promote short column buckling of the columns, thereby enhancing energy absorption efficiency of the device.
A vehicle impact attenuating device comprising:
- an array of spaced, parallel diaphragms, each oriented transversely to an anticipated impact direction;
- an array of energy absorbing elements, each secured between an adjacent pair of diaphragms, each of said energy absorbing elements comprising a set of separately formed planar panels secured together to form a tubular column extending between the adjacent pair of diaphragms, said columns oriented transverse to the diaphragms to buckle in response to an impact of a first vehicle traveling along the impact direction in order to decelerate the first vehicle;
- means, separate from the planar panels, for covering the diaphragms and the columns;
- and
- means for supporting the diaphragms and the energy absorbing elements as a unit from a second vehicle to protect the second vehicle from impact with the first vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.