Vehicle barrier system
AssigneeMalibu Entertainment Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsCharles T. Haga, Bryan J. Kudela
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A barrier vehicle system for an amusement race track is formed from a chain of pivotally coupled barrier modules. Each barrier module has a top and a bottom link separated by a spacer structurally joined with the top and bottom links to create a rigid structure when assembled. A pin extends through the top and bottom links, to one side of the spacer. An resilient, deformable barrel is journalled on the pin. To assist in attenuating high energy impacts, an extendable, energy-absorbing mechanism is attached to one end of the barrier, and the other end of the barrier is anchored to the ground.
Claims15
A barrier system comprising:
- a first barrier module pivotally coupled to a second barrier module, each barrier module including:
- a pin;
- a substantially hollow barrel comprised of a resilient, deformable material and rotatably journalled on the pin;
- an elongated, relatively flat first link having a first and second ends, the first end having defined through it a first opening and the second end having defined through it a second opening, the first link disposed on a first end of the barrel, with the pin extending through the first opening;
- an elongated, relatively flat second link having first and second ends, the first end having defined through it a first opening and the second end having defined through it a second opening, the second link disposed on a second end the barrel opposite the first link, with the pin extending through the first opening;
- and
- a spacer extending between the first and second links and joining each of the first and second links substantially midway between the respective first and second openings of each such link;
- wherein the second end of the first link of the first barrier module overlaps the first end of the first link of the second barrier module, and the pin of the second barrier module extends through the second opening of the first link of the first barrier module;
- and the second end of the second link of the first barrier module overlaps the first end of the second link of the second barrier module, and the pin of the second barrier module extends through the second opening of the second link of the first barrier module.
An amusement racing track comprising:
- a motor vehicle track;
- a barrier chain disposed along at least a portion of the track, the barrier chain including first and second pivotally coupled barrier modules, each barrier module including:
- a pin;
- a substantially hollow barrel comprised of a resilient, deformable material and rotatably journalled on the pin;
- an elongated, relatively flat first link having a first and second ends, the first end having defined through it a first opening and the second end having defined through it a second opening, the first link disposed on a first end of the barrel, with the pin extending through the first opening;
- an elongated, relatively flat second link having first and second ends, the first end having defined through it a first opening and the second end having defined through it a second opening, the second link disposed on a second end the barrel opposite the first link, with the pin extending through the first opening;
- and
- a spacer extending between the first and second links and joining each of the first and second links substantially midway between the respective first and second openings of each such link;
- wherein the second end of the first link of the first barrier module overlaps the first end of the first link of the second barrier module, and the pin of the second barrier module extends through the second opening of the first link of the first barrier module, and the second end of the second link of the first barrier module overlaps the first end of the second link of the second barrier module, and the pin of the second barrier module extends through the second opening of the second link of the first barrier module.
The amusement racing track claim 16 wherein the energy absorbing components include springs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.