Energy-absorption system
AssigneeKothmann Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsDean L. Sicking, Brian G. Pfeifer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
To reduce the danger of bodily harm to occupants of vehicles that leave a roadway, a guardrail system includes an energy-absorption system is provided. The energy-absorption system including a cutting mechanism positioned to cut a guardrail section upon impact by a vehicle to decelerate the vehicle.
Claims39
A guardrail terminal adapted to cooperate with a guardrail comprising:
- an impact head;
- and
- a cutting section;
- said impact head and cutting section being mounted for movement together;
- and
- said cutting section including means for cutting the guardrail when the guardrail terminal and the guardrail are moved with respect to each other.
A method of manufacturing a guardrail terminal comprising the steps of:
- selecting a predetermined number of cutters;
- and
- positioning the cutters in a cutting section adapted to receive a guardrail;
- said step of selecting a predetermined number of cutters including the step of shaping a cutter in accordance with the amount of energy absorbed when the cutter cuts a predetermined rail.
A method of avoiding bodily damage to an occupant of a vehicle colliding with a guardrail system, comprising the steps of:
- causing a guardrail terminal to move with respect to a guardrail and to cut the guardrail when impacted by a vehicle;
- causing the guardrail to release a cable holder when impacted by a vehicle;
- and
- causing a vehicle hitting the guardrail to be redirected to a safer direction.
A method in accordance with further including the steps of:
- cutting a fiber reinforced guardrail to form guardrail sections;
- and
- fragmenting the fiber reinforced guardrail sections against a deflecting surface, wherein the sections are sufficiently small to form points of fracture near the deflecting surface.
A method of manufacturing a guardrail terminal comprising the steps of:
- selecting a predetermined number of cutters;
- and
- positioning the cutters in a cutting section adapted to receive a guardrail;
- said step of selecting a predetermined number of cutters including the substep of selecting the number of cutters in accordance with the amount of energy intended to be absorbed upon impact with vehicles with an expected momentum and desired deceleration.
A method of avoiding bodily damage to an occupant of a vehicle colliding with a guardrail system, comprising the steps of:
- causing a guardrail terminal to move with respect to a guardrail upon being impacted by a vehicle;
- causing the terminal to cut the guardrail as the terminal moves with respect to the guardrail whereby energy is absorbed by the cutting of the guardrail and the movement of the vehicle is decelerated;
- and
- causing the terminal to bend the guardrail as the terminal and guardrail move with respect to each other whereby further energy is absorbed.
An energy-absorption system for positioning along a roadway to absorb the energy of an errant vehicle, the energy-absorption system comprising:
- an impact head;
- a cutter;
- and
- a cuttable member;
- wherein the impact head is positionable along a roadway to cooperate with the upstream portion of a roadside hazard;
- and
- wherein the impact head is in operational connection with the cutter and the cuttable member such that the impact of an errant vehicle with the impact head will cause the cutter to cut at least a portion of the cuttable member to absorb the impact energy of the errant vehicle.
An energy-absorption system for positioning along a roadway to absorb the energy of an errant vehicle, the energy-absorption system comprising:
- an impact head;
- an angled cutter;
- and
- an elongated cuttable member horizontally mounted between (when viewed from above) two parallel guardrails;
- wherein the energy-absorption system is positionable along a roadway to cooperate with the upstream portion of a roadside hazard;
- and
- wherein the impact head is in operational with the cutter and the cuttable member such that the impact of an errant vehicle with the impact head will cause the cutter to cut at least a portion of the cuttable member to absorb the impact energy of the errant vehicle.
An energy-absorption system for positioning along a roadway to absorb the energy of an errant vehicle, the energy-absorption system comprising:
- an impact head;
- an angled cutter;
- two parallel guardrails, each of which is constructed of overlapping guardrail sections;
- and
- an elongated cuttable member mounted horizontally between (when viewed from above) the two parallel guardrails;
- wherein the energy-absorption system is positionable along a roadway to cooperate with the upstream portion of a roadside hazard;
- and
- wherein the impact head is in operational connection with the cutter and the cuttable member such that the impact of an errant vehicle with the impact head will cause the cutter to cut at least a portion of the cuttable member to absorb the impact energy of the errant vehicle.
An energy-absorption system for positioning along a roadway to absorb the energy of an errant vehicle, the energy-absorption system comprising:
- an impact head;
- an angled cutter;
- two parallels guardrails, each of which is constructed of overlapping guardrail sections;
- at least one break-away post supporting at least one of the two parallel guardrails;
- an elongated cuttable member formed of a structural pipe mounted horizontally between (when viewed form above) the two parallel guardrails;
- wherein the energy-absorption system is positionable along a roadway to cooperate with the upstream portion of a roadside hazard;
- and wherein the impact head is in operational connection with the cutter and the cuttable member such that the impact of an errant vehicle with the impact head will cause the cutter to cut at least a portion of the cuttable member to absorb the impact energy of the errant vehicle;
- and
- a deflector positioned to bend at least a portion of the cuttable member away from the path of the errant vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.