US 5,248,129 A · Energy absorbing roadside crash barrier

Abstract

An energy absorbing roadside crash barrier includes a scissors linkage having first and second ends. The scissors linkage is movable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A mounting element is coupled to the first end of the scissors linkage to mount the scissors linkage to a roadside obstacle. Deformable energy absorbing elements are mounted to the scissors linkage and positioned such that movement of the scissors linkage from the extended to the collapsed positions deforms the energy absorbing elements, and the energy absorbing elements thereby progressively resist collapse of the scissors linkage. A tension member is secured to the scissors linkage to apply a restraining force to hold the scissors linkage in the extended position, until forces tending to collapse the linkage exceed a pre-set range of values.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An energy absorbing roadside crash barrier comprising:

a scissors linkage having first and second ends, said scissors linkage movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein the ends are closer together in the collapsed than in the extended position, said scissors linkage comprising a plurality of links pivotably mounted at respective pivot axes;
a mounting element coupled to the first end to mount the scissors linkage to a roadside obstacle;
a plurality of deformable energy absorbing elements mounted to the scissors linkage and positioned to contact at least some of the links intermediate the respective pivot axes as the scissors linkage moves to the collapsed position and thereby to apply resisting forces to the links intermediate the pivot axes as the scissors linkage moves to the collapsed position, such that movement of the scissors linkage from the extended to the collapsed positions deforms the energy absorbing elements and the energy absorbing elements thereby progressively resist collapse of the scissors linkage.

An energy absorbing roadside crash barrier comprising:

first and second end brackets;
first and second crossbars;
a plurality of first links, each having a first end pivotably connected to the first end bracket and a second end connected to a respective one of the crossbars;
a plurality of second links, each having a first end connected to a respective one of the crossbars and a second end pivotably connected to the second end bracket;
said first links arranged in a crossing configuration, said second links arranged in a crossing configuration, and said first and second links movable between an extended position and a collapsed position about respective pivot axes;
a plurality of deformable energy absorbing elements mounted between respective ones of the links and at least one of the end brackets and positioned to contact at least some of the links intermediate the respective pivot axes as the first and second links move to the collapsed position and thereby to apply resisting forces to the links intermediate the pivot axes as the first and second links move to the collapsed position such that movement of the links to the collapsed position deforms the energy absorbing elements, and the energy absorbing elements thereby provide a decelerating force tending to resist movement of the links to the collapsed position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Energy absorbing roadside crash barrier

Life of this patent

Energy absorbing roadside crash barrier

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15