Patent classifications
E01F15/143
FLEXIBLE TENSIONED CRASH BARRIER
A roadside crash barrier configured for deflecting errant vehicles towards the road. The barrier comprising at least one tensioned flexible strap comprising a planar face facing the road in use. Compared to prior art systems, the present invention reduces the chances of injury to motorcyclists, as well as being fast and easy to install. A collapsible end anchor for holding the tension of the straps is also described herein, where the end anchor is configured to reduce vehicle rollover should end on impact occur whilst still retaining the effectiveness of the retained road barrier.
GUARDRAIL TERMINAL
Guardrail, guardrail terminal, and support post designs that improve control of a vehicle during collisions are described. The disclosed designs also reduce the likelihood of intrusion into vehicle systems and the occupant compartment(s). Embodiments include folding and/or flattening of the guardrail and controlling the folded and flattened guardrail to avoid intrusion into the vehicle. Other embodiments include containing the guardrail in an impact head of a guardrail terminal, which also avoids vehicle intrusion.
End terminal
An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
Multi-application nose sheeting
A system for displaying a desired reflective sheeting striping pattern on a traffic management device includes providing a portable panel having reflecting sheeting affixed to a face thereof, orienting the portable panel as desired, and affixing the panel to the device using fastener holes disposed about a perimeter of the panel. The displayed striping pattern may be easily changed by removing the panel from the device, turning the panel over to display an opposing side, on which is displayed a different striping pattern, and reattaching the panel to the traffic management device so that the opposing side of the panel is displayed, or by removing the panel from the traffic management device, rotating the panel by 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees, and then reattaching the panel to the traffic management device so that the same particular striping pattern is oriented in a different direction.
Guardrail crash absorbing assembly
A guardrail crash absorbing assembly including overlapping elongated upstream and downstream rail panels, an impact head for sliding an upstream rail panel relative to a downstream panel when impacted by a vehicle, and a cutting tooth with a cutting tooth portion having a cutting surface and a hook structure for cutting and splitting the downstream rail panel upon vehicle impact on the impact head.
END TREATMENTS AND TRANSITIONS FOR WATER-BALLASTED PROTECTION BARRIER ARRAYS
An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
Apparatus for absorbing energy resulting from vehicle impact
Apparatus positioned at a guardrail lead end portion for absorbing energy resulting from vehicle impact includes an impact terminal, a support structure supporting the impact terminal at or adjacent to a lead end portion of the guardrail and a chute. The guardrail is in frictional engagement with inner chute surfaces and the chute applies torquing forces on the guardrail during passage of the guardrail through the chute to cause twisting of the guardrail and absorb vehicle collision impact energy.
CRASH CUSHION
A crash cushion includes overlapping first and second rail sections coupled with a fastener. The first rail section is moveable relative to the second rail section from a pre-impact position to an impact position in response to an axial impact to the guardrail assembly. The first rail section includes an elongated slot aligned with the fastener and having a first length. A support post is releasably connected to the first rail section and is rotatable to a laid over position after the first rail section has moved a first travel distance, wherein the first length is greater than or equal to the first travel distance.
End treatments and transitions for water-ballasted protection barrier arrays
An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
Terminal for road crash barrier
A terminal for an end portion of a road crash barrier, comprising: a plurality of energy absorbing modules arranged in a linear formation along a longitudinal axis, each module defining a hollow section; and at least two anchors for anchoring the one or more energy absorbing modules, wherein at least one of the energy absorbing modules is supported by a flexible linear member between the at least two anchors.