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, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 10, 2005
Michael J. Buehler, Roseville, CA (US);
Bret Eckert, Rocklin, CA (US);
James B. Welch, Placerville, CA (US);
Michael J. Buehler, Roseville, CA (US);
Bret Eckert, Rocklin, CA (US);
James B. Welch, Placerville, CA (US);
Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent the front end. The trailer hitch component is capable of being secured to a mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such that hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one wheel supporting the crash cushion. The wheel is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is spaced rearwardly from the substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one restraint element operable between at least a disengaged condition, wherein the crash cushion is capable of rotating about the substantially vertical axis, and an engaged condition, wherein the at least one restraint element constrains rotation of the crash cushion about the substantially vertical axis.