Vehicle crash cushion
AssigneeEnergy Absorption Systems, Inc.
InventorBarry D. Stephens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle crash cushion is mounted to a wall adjacent to a roadway. The cushion includes an array of panels positioned to overlap one another and oriented parallel to the wall. A mechanical linkage couples the panels to the wall and suspends the panels above grade such that the panels are movable toward the wall. Energy absorbing elastomeric tubes are positioned between the panels and the wall such that movement of the panels toward the wall deforms the energy absorbing elements, thereby retarding movement of the panels toward the wall.
Claims16
A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway and is moving toward a wall, said crash cushion comprising:
- a plurality of panels positioned to overlap one another partially along an anticipated impact direction;
- a mechanical linkage coupled to the panels to suspend the panels above grade adjacent a wall such that the panels are oriented generally parallel to the wall and the panels are movable toward the wall, said linkage comprising a plurality of support struts, each pivoted at a first end adjacent the wall and at a second end adjacent a respective panel;
- and
- a plurality of energy absorbing elements positioned adjacent the panels between the panels and the wall and suspended above grade at least in part by the linkage such that movement of the panels toward the wall deforms the energy absorbing elements, thereby retarding movement of the panels toward the wall.
A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway and is moving toward a wall, said crash cushion comprising:
- a plurality of panels positioned to overlap one another partially along an anticipated impact direction;
- a plurality of support struts, each hinged at a lower end adjacent the wall and at an upper end adjacent a respective panel, said support struts oriented at an acute angle less than 45.degree. with respect to the wall such that movement of the upper ends toward the wall raises the upper ends;
- a plurality of suspension cables anchored at one end and coupled to the struts to limit movement of the support struts away from the wall and thereby to suspend the panels above grade, with the panels oriented generally parallel to the wall and movable toward the wall;
- and
- a plurality of elastomeric energy absorbing elements positioned between the panels and the wall and suspended above grade at least in part by the support struts and the cables, such that movement of the panels toward the wall deforms the energy absorbing elements thereby retarding movement of the panels toward the wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.