Coiled containment guardrail system and terminal

Abstract

Various embodiments for a coiled containment guardrail system and terminal are described. A guardrail system can include a terminal head configured for placement at a distal end of a guardrail beam, where the terminal head includes a canister having a hollow interior and an impact surface. A chute can be coupled to the terminal head, where the chute is configured to guide a guardrail beam into the terminal head in response to an impact being experienced at the impact surface. The terminal head may further include a flattening device coupled to the chute configured to flatten the guardrail beam in response to the impact being experienced at the terminal head. The canister can be configured to coil and store the guardrail beam as flattened by the flattening device in the hollow interior of the canister.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 678,432 entitled “Coiled Containment Guardrail System and Terminal,” filed May 31, 2018, the contents of which being incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.BACKGROUND[0002]Guardrail terminals have evolved from blunt-end spears to complex energy-absorbing devices. However, guardrail panels are essentially metallic beams that, when subjected to compressive loads, bend or buckle at points of failure. The bending or buckling of a guardrail beam may create a steel elbow that can be very sharp and destructive when in the path of an errant vehicle. Many crashes involving guardrails result in a guardrail beam spearing the vehicle and potentially injuring its occupants. The spearing is usually caused by large compressive forces induced when a guardrail terminal, or a front of a guardrail, is hit by a vehicle.[0003]Some guardrail terminals a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new kind of guardrail system that can protect against impacts. The system includes a terminal head that can be attached to a guardrail beam. The terminal head has a canister inside with an impact surface. When the guardrail beam is impacted, a chute can direct a portion of the beam into the canister. The canister can also contain a device that can flatten or deform the guardrail beam in response to the impact. This allows for a safer and more effective guardrail system.

Problems solved by technology

However, guardrail panels are essentially metallic beams that, when subjected to compressive loads, bend or buckle at points of failure.

The bending or buckling of a guardrail beam may create a steel elbow that can be very sharp and destructive when in the path of an errant vehicle.

Many crashes involving guardrails result in a guardrail beam spearing the vehicle and potentially injuring its occupants.

When installed in large quantities, this additional section of rail can increase construction costs, which is an important issue for state and federal governments.

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