Energy absorbing crash cushion

An impact attenuator for minimizing the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadway hazard comprising:

• a pair of energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally parallel with each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies spaced from each other;
• a bracket assembly slidably coupled to one end of each energy absorbing assembly and the energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally therefrom;
• an impact fence attached to the other end of each energy absorbing assembly opposite from the bracket assembly;
• each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element;
• and
• a pair of cutter plates attached to the bracket assembly adjacent to and aligned respectively with the energy absorbing assemblies whereby a collision between the vehicle and the impact fence will result in the cutter plates shearing the respective energy absorbing elements to dissipate energy from the vehicle collision.

A method to minimize the effects of a collision between a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway and a roadway hazard comprising the steps of:

• forming at least one energy absorbing assembly from a pair of supporting beams;
• attaching at least one energy absorbing element to the supporting beams;
• installing a cutter plate in a bracket assembly and mounting the bracket assembly adjacent to the roadway hazard;
• slidably coupling the energy absorbing assembly to the bracket assembly with the cutter plate disposed adjacent to one end of the energy absorbing element and the energy absorbing element extending longitudinally from the bracket assembly;
• and
• attaching an impact fence with one end of the energy absorbing assembly opposite from the bracket assembly whereby a collision between the motor vehicle and the impact fence will result in the cutter plate shearing the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the impact by the motor vehicle.

A truck mounted attenuator for mounting on the rear portion of a highway service vehicle to minimize the results of a collision between a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway and the highway service vehicle comprising:

• a bracket assembly rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the highway service vehicle;
• an impact attenuator with one end slidably coupled to the bracket assembly;
• an impact fence attached to the other end of the impact attenuator opposite from the bracket assembly;
• the bracket assembly having a first position with the impact attenuator extending horizontally from the rear portion of the highway service vehicle at a first distance above the roadway;
• the bracket assembly having a second position with the impact attenuator at a second, lower distance above the roadway to allow at least one portion of the impact attenuator to slide longitudinally under the highway service vehicle as a result of a collision by the motor vehicle with the impact fence;
• the impact attenuator having at least two energy absorbing assemblies and the bracket assembly having at least two cutter plates with each cutter plate respectively aligned with one end of each energy absorbing assembly;
• and
• a hold down strut mounted on the bracket assembly adjacent to each cutter plate whereby a portion of the hold down strut contacts the respective energy absorbing assembly to maintain alignment with the respective cutter plate as the impact attenuator slides through the bracket assembly when the bracket assembly is in its second position.

An energy absorbing system to minimize the results of a collision between a moving vehicle and a roadway hazard comprising:

• a bracket assembly and an impact attenuator having a first end coupled with the bracket assembly and a second end extending longitudinally from the bracket assembly;
• the bracket assembly and the impact attenuator disposed adjacent to the roadway hazard with the second end of the impact attenuator facing oncoming traffic;
• the impact attenuator having at least one replaceable energy absorbing element with an elongated slot formed therein;
• the bracket assembly having at least one cutter plate with the cutter plate and the energy absorbing element slidably mounted relative to each other;
• a first end of the energy absorbing element disposed adjacent to the cutter plate;
• an impact fence mounted adjacent to the second end of the impact attenuator;
• and
• the size of the impact fence selected to allow a collision between the moving vehicle and the impact fence to result in the cutter plate ripping the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the vehicle collision.

A method to minimize the effects of a collision between a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway and a roadway hazard, comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongated energy absorbing element with first and second ends between the roadway hazard and oncoming traffic on the roadway such that the first end is mounted to the roadway hazard, with the energy absorbing element being oriented so as to have the second end extending therefrom;
• providing a cutter blade near the first end;
• impacting the second end of the energy absorbing element;
• dissipating the energy from the impact by allowing the energy absorbing element to slide relative to the cutter blade while the cutter blade divides the energy absorbing element, the cutter blade dividing the energy absorbing element by stretching the energy absorbing element and causing the energy absorbing element to fail in tension.