Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.

Trinity Highway Products LLC

Barry D Stephens

Patrick A Leonhardt

Michael J Buehler

James B Welch

Michael H Oberth

Douglas E Wilkinson

Sean Thompson

Brian Smith

Brent S Sindorf

Donald L Crothers

Peter B Morehead

David C Gertz

Owen S Denman

John V Machado

William G Krage

Jeffrey M Thompson

David L June

Anthony R Van Brocklin

An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.

End terminal

A barrier system includes a plurality of elongated barriers each having longitudinally spaced ends, each configured with a connector having a pair of laterally spaced openings. The barriers are arranged in an end-to-end configuration, wherein at least two adjacent barriers are arranged with both of the pairs of openings of adjacent connectors being aligned. In one embodiment, at least two other adjacent barriers may be arranged with only one of the openings in each pair of adjacent connectors being aligned. A barrier and methods of assembling a barrier system are also provided.

Barrier system and connector

A gate for providing an opening in a barrier system includes a gate barrier segment and a connector having first and second connector segments. The first connector segment is coupled to the gate barrier segment. The first and second connector segments are releasably coupled, and may be hingedly connected on at least one of a first and second side thereof. The second connector segment is configured to be coupled to a stationary barrier segment.

Gate for barrier system and methods for the assembly and use thereof

A guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.

Guardrail assembly, breakaway support post for a guardrail and methods for the assembly and use thereof

A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.

Method for transferring a barrier

A breakaway support post for a guardrail includes an upper post member and a lower post member. The upper and lower post members are overlapping and configured such that the upper and lower post members are non-rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in an axial impact direction. In one embodiment, a tensile fastener extends in the axial impact direction and connects overlapping portions of the upper and lower post members. In another embodiment, a shear fastener extends transversely to the axial impact direction and is the only connection between the upper and lower post members. In another aspect, a guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.

A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.

Barrier transfer device, system and method for the use thereof

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.

Energy-absorbing assembly for roadside impact attenuator

A vehicle impact attenuator includes an array of resilient, self-restoring tubes arranged along a longitudinal axis. This array includes two or more tubes per row. The tubes each include a respective compression element oriented at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the array, and an elongated structure such as a set of cables or rails is positioned between the tubes and in alignment with the longitudinal axis. The tubes are guided for sliding movement along the rail or cables in an axial impact, and the tubes, compression elements, guides, and rail cooperate to redirect a laterally impacting vehicle.

Vehicle impact attenuator

A roadway deicing system uses a pressurized gas stored in a high pressure tank to dispense a solid or liquid deicer onto a roadway. An electrically powered controller responds to control inputs to control valves, such as solenoid valves, to cause the deicer to be dispensed at appropriate times. Since electrical power is not used for propelling the deicer onto the roadway, conventional storage batteries can provide long service life for the system between maintenance intervals.

Roadway deicing system

A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide rail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.

Highway crash cushion and components thereof

A vehicle crash cushion is mounted to a wall adjacent to a roadway. The cushion includes an array of panels positioned to overlap one another and oriented parallel to the wall. A mechanical linkage couples the panels to the wall and suspends the panels above grade such that the panels are movable toward the wall. Energy absorbing elastomeric tubes are positioned between the panels and the wall such that movement of the panels toward the wall deforms the energy absorbing elements, thereby retarding movement of the panels toward the wall.

Vehicle crash cushion

A vehicle mounted crash attenuator includes an array of parallel diaphragms. A set of cell assemblies is interposed between adjacent diaphragms, and each cell assembly is formed of two L-shaped sheet metal components which are riveted together to form a rectangular column extending between the adjacent diaphragms. These columns are cross braced by ribbed braces which extend diagonally between adjacent columns. These cross braces stabilize the columns against long column buckling and promote short column buckling, thereby increasing the energy absorbing capability of the columns.

Vehicle impact attenuating device

A universal front anchoring system for reusable impact attenuation devices is provided. Buffer elements are positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of a rigid backing member adjacent to a fixed structure. Diaphragm members are interposed in the array and extend laterally outward of the array at fixed intervals. Fender panels are pivotally coupled to laterally extending ends of the diaphragm members and extend rearwardly from their associated diaphragm members and partially overlap the fender panels coupled to the succeeding diaphragm members. Nonrigid means such as restraining cables and secondary cables interconnects the backing member and the diaphragm members. A pair of laterally spaced anchor assemblies is connected to the nonrigid means at the forward end of the impact attenuation device. The anchor assemblies are adapted for fixing to the ground and are symmetrical, identical and interchangeable with each other. Preferably, the anchor assemblies have a large central mounting bracket for securing one of the restraining cables and two smaller mounting brackets laterally spaced on opposite sides of the central mounting bracket, one of which is used to secure one of the secondary cables.

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Roseville, CA, United States of America

Barry D Stephens