Energy-absorbing assembly for roadside impact attenuator
AssigneeEnergy Absorption Systems, Inc.
InventorsBarry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy absorbing assembly for a roadside crash cushion includes a resilient, self-restoring tube and a compression element positioned inside the tube to brace the tube against compression along a compression axis while allowing compression of the tube in other directions. The compression element is mounted to the tube by a hinge having a first portion secured to the tube, a second portion secured to the compression element, and a hinge portion interconnecting the first and second portions. The hinge reduces bending forces on the fasteners that secure the hinge to the tube and to the compression element in an axial impact.
Claims20
An energy absorbing assembly for a roadside crash cushion, said assembly comprising:
- a resilient, self-restoring tube;
- a compression element positioned inside the tube to brace the tube against compression along a compression axis defined by the compression element while allowing compression of the tube in at least some other directions;
- and
- a hinge comprising a first portion secured to the tube, a second portion secured to the compression element, and a hinge portion interconnecting the first and second portions, wherein said first and second portions are moveable relative to each other about said hinge portion when said tube is compressed in said at least some other directions.
A method for absorbing the impact of a vehicle with a crash cushion comprising:
- providing an energy absorbing assembly comprising a resilient, self-restoring tube, a compression element positioned inside the tube and defining a compression axis, and a hinge connecting said compression element and said tube;
- impacting said energy absorbing assembly along a crush axis, wherein said crush axis is substantially non-parallel to said compression axis;
- compressing said tube along said crush axis;
- and
- pivoting said compression element about said hinge.
The method of claims wherein said hinge comprises a hinge pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.