Energy absorbing system for fixed roadside hazards

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

• the energy absorbing system having a first end and a second end;
• the second end of the energy absorbing system disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard with the first end extending longitudinally therefrom;
• a sled assembly slidably disposed at the first end of the energy absorbing system;
• a first row of energy absorbing assemblies and a second row of energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally from the roadside hazard, at least one of the energy absorbing assemblies among the first row and the second row of energy absorbing assemblies being disposed between the roadside hazard and the sled assembly, the first row and the second row of energy absorbing assemblies spaced laterally from each other;
• each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element;
• the sled assembly having a cutter plate mounted adjacent to and aligned with each energy absorbing element;
• the sled assembly having a first end facing oncoming traffic whereby a collision of a vehicle with the first end of the sled assembly will cause the cutter plate to slide longitudinally relative to the energy absorbing element and dissipate kinetic energy of the vehicle by separating the energy absorbing element;
• a plurality of panel support frames slidably disposed on the first guide rail and the second guide rail between the sled assembly and the roadside hazard;
• the panel support frames spaced longitudinally from each other;
• and
• a plurality of panels attached to the panel support frames and extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the energy absorbing system.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle traveling on a roadway and an immobile roadside hazard comprising:

• a pair of energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally parallel with each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies spaced laterally from each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies having a first end facing oncoming traffic and a second end disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard;
• a sled assembly slidably coupled to the first end of each energy absorbing assembly;
• each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element;
• and
• a cutter plate attached to the sled assembly adjacent to and aligned respectively with the energy absorbing assemblies whereby a collision of the vehicle with the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate sliding longitudinally relative to the respective energy absorbing elements and separating the respective energy absorbing elements to dissipate kinetic energy from the vehicle.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle traveling on a roadway and an immobile roadside hazard comprising:

• a pair of energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally parallel with each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies spaced laterally from each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies having a first end facing oncoming traffic and a second end disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard;
• each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element;
• a pair of guide rails with each guide rail attached to and extending laterally from one of the energy absorbing assemblies;
• a sled assembly slidably coupled to the first end of each energy absorbing assembly, the sled assembly being disposed on and secured to the guide rails;
• a plurality of panel support frames slidably disposed on the guide rails between the sled assembly and the roadside hazard;
• a plurality of panels attached to the panel support frames;
• and
• a cutter plate attached to the sled assembly adjacent to and aligned respectively with the energy absorbing assemblies whereby a collision of the vehicle with the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate sliding longitudinally relative to the respective energy absorbing elements and separating the respective energy absorbing elements to dissipate kinetic energy from the vehicle.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle traveling on a roadway and an immobile roadside hazard comprising:

• a pair of energy absorbing assemblies extending longitudinally parallel with each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies spaced laterally from each other;
• the energy absorbing assemblies having a first end facing oncoming traffic and a second end disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard;
• each energy absorbing assembly having:
• a pair of supporting beams disposed longitudinally parallel with each other;
• the supporting beams spaced from each other;
• at least two energy absorbing elements attached to opposite sides of each supporting beam;
• the distance between the supporting beams selected to allow the respective cutter plate to separate the respective energy absorbing elements to dissipate energy from the vehicle collision;
• each supporting beam having a generally C-shaped cross section;
• the energy absorbing elements attached to opposite sides of each supporting beam with the generally C-shaped cross sections of the respective supporting beams facing each other to define a generally hollow rectangular cross section for the resulting energy absorbing assembly;
• and
• each energy absorbing element attached to the respective supporting beams by releasable fasteners to allow replacement of the energy absorbing element;
• a sled assembly slidably coupled to the first end of each energy absorbing assembly;
• and
• a cutter plate attached to the sled assembly adjacent to and aligned respectively with the energy absorbing assemblies whereby a collision of the vehicle with the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate sliding longitudinally relative to the respective energy absorbing elements and separating the respective energy absorbing elements to dissipate kinetic energy from the vehicle.

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 the energy absorbing assembly adjacent to the roadway hazard with one end of the energy absorbing assembly facing on-coming traffic;
• forming a sled assembly with a cutter plate attached thereto;
• and
• slidably coupling the sled assembly with the one end of the energy absorbing assembly and the cutter plate disposed adjacent to the energy absorbing element whereby a collision between the motor vehicle and the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate sliding longitudinally relative to the energy absorbing element and separating the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the collision by the motor vehicle.

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, at least one of the support beams having a generally C-shaped cross section;
• attaching at least one energy absorbing element to the supporting beams;
• installing the energy absorbing assembly adjacent to the roadway hazard with one end of the energy absorbing assembly facing on-coming traffic;
• forming a sled assembly with a cutter plate attached thereto;
• slidably coupling the sled assembly with the one end of the energy absorbing assembly and the cutter plate disposed adjacent to the energy absorbing element;
• attaching a guide plate to at least one side of the cutter plate;
• and
• placing the guide plate within the C-shaped cross section to maintain alignment of the cutter plate assembly with the respective energy absorbing assembly, whereby a collision between the motor vehicle and the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate sliding longitudinally relative to the energy absorbing element and separating the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the collision by the motor vehicle.

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

• a first end and a second end, with the second end disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard and the first end positioned a distance away from the roadside hazard, such that the energy absorbing system extends longitudinally from the roadside hazard in a first direction toward oncoming traffic;
• an impact-receiving structure disposed at the first end;
• an energy absorbing element disposed longitudinally in the first direction between the roadside hazard and the impact-receiving structure;
• and
• at least one contact surface on the impact-receiving structure engagable with the energy absorbing element, such that kinetic energy from the collision is dissipated by splitting the energy absorbing element with a tensile force.

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

• a first end and a second end, with the second end disposed adjacent to the roadside hazard and the first end positioned a distance away from the roadside hazard, such that the energy absorbing system extends longitudinally from the roadside hazard in a first direction toward oncoming traffic;
• an impact-receiving structure disposed at the first end;
• an energy absorbing element disposed longitudinally in the first direction between the roadside hazard and the impact-receiving structure;
• and
• a splitter with at least one contact surface that engages the energy absorbing element and dissipates kinetic energy from the collision by splitting the energy absorbing element with a tensile force when the impact-receiving structure is impacted by a vehicle.

A method of installing a crash cushion that minimiizes the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising the steps of:

• providing a track from the obstacle to a position some distance away, the track having a first end at the position and a second end adjacent to the obstacle, the track being oriented so as to be parallel to a direction of vehicle traffic passing near the obstacle;
• mounting a rip medium to ground, the rip medium extending from the first end toward the second end;
• providing a carriage having a cutter mounted thereto;
• mounting the carriage to the track at the first end and aligning the cutter so as to engage the rip medium when the carriage is pushed toward the obstacle;
• positioning plural frames on the track between the first and second ends, the frames being spaced apart from each other;
• and
• coupling panels to the frames, with each panel extending between two or more frames.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising:

• a first and a second end with the second end of the crash cushion disposed adjacent to the fixed obstacle and the first end of the crash cushion extending longitudinally therefrom;
• a failure medium extending in a first direction and having first and second ends, the failure medium having two edge portions and a center portion located between the two edge portions, the two edge portions and the center portion extending in the first direction;
• a support extending in the first direction and being coupled to the failure medium along the two edge portions, with the center portion being free to deform;
• a sled assembly slidably disposed at the first end of the failure medium;
• the failure medium disposed between the fixed obstacle and the sled assembly;
• a cutter mounted the sled assembly;
• a track extending between the first and second ends, the sled assembly being moveably mounted on the track, the track being oriented so as to allow the cutter to move longitudinally through the failure medium center portion between the first and second ends by the cutter deforming the center portion and causing the center portion to fail in tension.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising:

• a failure medium extending in a first direction and having first and second ends, the failure medium having two edge portions and a center portion located between the two edge portions, the two edge portions and the center portion extending in the first direction;
• a support extending in the first direction and coupled to the failure medium along the two edge portions, with the center portion being free to deform;
• a cutter mounted on a carriage located adjacent to the first end of the failure medium;
• a track extending between the first and second ends, the carriage being moveably mounted on the track, the track being oriented so as to allow the cutter to move longitudinally through the failure medium center portion between the first and second ends by the cutter deforming the center portion and causing the center portion to fail in tension;
• and
• panels that extend along the first direction, the panels being supported by a framework that is movable in the first direction, the framework being structured and arranged to maintain its position along the first direction when the panels are impacted in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising:

• a failure medium extending in a first direction and having first and second ends, the failure medium having two edge portions and a center portion located between the two edge portions, the two edge portions and the center portion extending in the first direction;
• a support extending in the first direction and being coupled to the failure medium along the two edge portions, with the center portion being free to deform, the failure medium and the support structured and arranged to be located adjacent to ground so as to pass beneath an impacting vehicle;
• a cutter mounted on a carriage, the carriage being located adjacent to the first end of the failure medium;
• and
• a track extending between the first and second ends, the carriage being moveably mounted on the track, the track being oriented so as to allow the cutter to move longitudinally through the failure medium center portion between the first and second ends by the cutter deforming the center portion and causing the center portion to fail in tension.

A crash cushion to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising:

• a failure medium extending in a first direction and having first and second ends, the failure medium having two edge portions and a center portion located between the two edge portions, the failure medium comprising one or more metal plates;
• a support extending in the first direction and being coupled to the failure medium along the two edge portions, with the center portion being free to deform;
• a cutter mounted on a carriage, the carriage being located adjacent to the first end of the failure medium, the cutter having an edge that engages the failure medium plate, the edge being oriented at an angle relative to the first direction;
• a track extending between the first and second ends, the carriage being moveably mounted on the track, the track being oriented so as to allow the cutter to move through the failure medium center portion between the first and second ends by the cutter deforming the center portion and causing the center portion to fail in tension;
• the support forming a channel extending in the first direction, the failure medium center portion spanning at least a portion of the channel, the channel receiving the cutter;
• the failure medium having a first section adjacent to the first end and a second section located between the first section and the second end, one of the first or second sections requiring less force to fail than the other of the first or second sections;
• and
• panels that extend along the first direction, the panels being supported by a framework that is movable in the first direction, the framework being structured and arranged to maintain its position along the first direction when the panels are impacted in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the framework is movable along the track.

A method of installing a crash cushion that minimizes the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising the steps of:

• providing a track from the obstacle to a position some distance away, the track having a first end at the position and a second end adjacent to the obstacle, the track being oriented so as to be parallel to a direction of vehicle traffic passing near the obstacle;
• mounting a rip medium to ground, the rip medium extending from the first end toward the second end;
• providing a carriage having a cutter mounted thereto;
• and
• mounting the carriage to the track at the first end and aligning the cutter so as to engage the rip medium when the carriage is pushed toward the obstacle.

A method of installing a crash cushion that minimizes the results of a collision between a vehicle and a fixed obstacle, comprising the steps of:

• providing a track from the obstacle to a position some distance away, the track having a first end at the position and a second end adjacent to the obstacle, the track being oriented so as to be parallel to a direction of vehicle traffic passing near the obstacle;
• mounting a rip medium to ground, the rip medium extending from the first end toward the second end;
• providing a carriage having a cutter mounted thereto;
• mounting the carriage to the track at the first end and aligning the cutter so as to engage the rip medium when the carriage is pushed toward the obstacle;
• and
• providing a channel that extends adjacent to the rip medium from the first end toward the second end;
• and wherein
• the step of aligning the cutter so as to engage the rip medium filter comprising the step of positioning the cutter within the channel.