Flared Energy Absorbing System and Method

Abstract

An energy absorbing system with one or more energy absorbing assemblies is provided to reduce or eliminate the severity of a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a roadside hazard. The energy absorbing system may be installed adjacent to a gore area and other relatively wide roadside hazards. One end of the system facing oncoming traffic is relatively narrow. The width at an opposite end of the system may be varied to accommodate relatively wide or large roadside hazards. A sled assembly may be provided with a cutter plate such that a collision by the motor vehicle with the sled assembly will result in the cutter plate tearing or ripping the energy absorbing element to dissipate energy from the motor vehicle collision.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 10 / 379,748 filed Mar. 5, 2003 entitled “Flared Energy Absorbing System and Method” now U.S. Pat. No. ______. [0002] This application is related to Divisional patent application Ser. No. 11 / 185,255 filed Jul. 20, 2005 entitled “Flared Energy Absorbing System and Method” now U.S. Pat. No. ______.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates in general to energy absorbing systems, and more particularly to an energy absorbing system used to reduce severity of a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a hazard located adjacent to a roadway. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Various impact attenuation devices and energy absorbing systems have been used to prevent or reduce damage resulting from a collision between a moving motor vehicle and a fixed roadside hazard or obstacle. Examples of prior impact attenuation devices and energy abso...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] Still another aspect of the present invention include a crash cushion operable to minimize the results of a collision between a vehicle and a roadside hazard. The crash cushion may have an energy absorbing assembly and panel support frames extending in a first direction from a first end of the crash cushion. The energy absorbing assembly may also be moveable in the first direction when a vehicle impacts the first end. The panel support frames may also be moveable in the first direction. Multiple panels may be attached to the panel support frames extending generally in the first direction. The panels may diverge from the first direction as the panels extend from the first end. Selected panels may have channels attached thereto. A cable may extend through at least one of the channels along the selected panels. The cable may be anchored at a location toward the first end of the crash cushion and also at a location away from the first end of the crash cushion. The cables may also be coupled to the panel support frames. The energy absorbing assembly may include a moveable sled disposed at the first end of the crash cushion. The cable anchored at a location toward the first end may be anchored to the sled.

[0021] Technical benefits of the present invention

Problems solved by technology

When a vehicle collides with one end of the energy absorbing system facing oncoming traffic, the

Images