Fences – Highway guard
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-27
2001-06-12
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Fences
Highway guard
C256S001000, C404S006000, C404S009000, C404S010000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244571
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an impact attenuation device. Specifically, the invention relates to a controlled kinking breakaway cable terminal.
Prior art attenuation systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,434; 4,678,166; 4,928,928; 5,407,298; and 5,775,675.
A purpose of the controlled kinking breakaway cable terminal (CKBCT) is to provide a safe method for treating the ends of open-section guardrails, such as the W-beam guardrail. The new terminal uses a flared configuration to the travelway similar to the existing breakaway cable terminal (BCT) or the modified eccentric loader terminal (MELT). The terminal, when impacted in an end-on configuration, allows the impacting vehicle to penetrate the terminal in a controlled manner and to go behind the guardrail installation. For impacts with the side of the terminal, the terminal will contain and redirect the impacting vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a crash attenuation apparatus or controlled kinking terminal with an improved impact head which slides along the rail element breaking the first rail post prior to the initial buckling of the rail element. The head has a buffer nose portion supported by gusset plates. The head is further provided with two post breaking beams attached to the gusset plates. A guide tube is attached to the side of the head to guide a W-beam guardrail element. An improved strut may be connected to the rail element to control the downstream location of rail buckling upon impact to the terminal. Brackets attach a rigid, elongated strut to two spaced-apart locations along the rail element. The strut spans the curvature of the rail to ensure that the rail buckles downstream of the head after the first rail post is broken by the post breaking beam system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4678166 (1987-07-01), Bronstad et al.
patent: 4722513 (1988-02-01), Gaillard et al.
patent: 5547309 (1996-08-01), Mak et al.
patent: 5775675 (1998-07-01), Sicking et al.
patent: 6022003 (2000-02-01), Sicking et al.
patent: 6173943 (2001-01-01), Welch et al.
patent: 435441 A2 (1991-07-01), None
Reid John D.
Rohde John R.
Sicking Dean L.
Browne Lynne H.
Garcia Ernesto
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Safety by Design, Inc.
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