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:
Jan. 25, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2003
Thomas S. Payne, Union City, CA (US);
James M. Payne, Rosamond, CA (US);
Thomas S. Payne, Union City, CA (US);
James M. Payne, Rosamond, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A collision attenuator for a vehicle including an energy absorbing cylinder, a mounting assembly adapted to secure the energy absorbing cylinder to an end of the vehicle, a contact plate mounted to the energy absorbing cylinder, a control valve for extending and retracting the energy absorbing cylinder in order to move the contact plate with respect to the end of the vehicle. A comparator is operably coupled with the control valve, wherein the comparator is configured to adjust the energy absorbing cylinder based upon a speed signal indicative of the speed of the moving vehicle. A coupler detector is operably coupled with the control valve, wherein the coupler detector inhibits the extension of the energy absorbing cylinder unless the coupler detector determines that the coupler is open. A pivot assembly pivotally secures the contact plate to the energy absorbing cylinder allowing the contact plate to pivot laterally about an upright axis with respect to the energy absorbing cylinder. A quick-release mechanism detachably secures the energy absorbing assembly to the end of the vehicle. A vehicle support portion extends horizontally forward adjacent a bottom edge of the contact plate.