The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 17, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2001
James B. Welch, Placerville, CA (US);
Lincoln C. Cobb, Auburn, CA (US);
Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A highway crash attenuator frame includes transverse elements that are interconnected by side elements. Each side element is disposed entirely on a respective side of a central longitudinal axis of the frame, and one or more tension elements are secured to the side elements to extend between the side elements across the longitudinal axis. Each tension element includes a mechanical fuse operative to fail in tension when the first and second side elements supply an excessive tensile load to the tension element. When the mechanical fuse fails in tension in an impact, the side elements are simultaneously released to move outwardly, away from the longitudinal axis, and thereby to collapse in a way which is coordinated between the left and the right sides of the frame.