Road structure – process – or apparatus – Traffic steering device or barrier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-03
2001-01-30
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Traffic steering device or barrier
C404S009000, C256S013100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179516
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to crash cushions of the type used to arrest or slow vehicle impacts.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are some crash cushion systems that are designed to cushion vehicular impacts with the ends of portable concrete median barriers, or roadway dividers, as well as similar fixed objects. These systems include the REACT, ADIEM, Quad Guard and self-restoring Quad Guard systems. Portable concrete median dividers are placed temporarily in construction areas and the like to divide traffic. Occasionally, the dividers are left in place for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, the ends of the dividers present a deadly serious roadway hazard to vehicles which impact them.
If any crash protection is provided at all, it is typically provided by setting a group of plastic barrels out around the end of the divider. Sometimes the barrels are grouped together with metal banding.
Barrel-type barriers do not provide optimum cushioning. First, the number of barrels used is sometimes varied. As a result, too few barrels may be used to provide an effective cushion. Further, no matter how many barrels are used, this type of barrier does not provide a significant resilient redirective force against glancing impacts by vehicles.
Further, there continues to be a need for a low cost, reliable crash cushion which can be easily constructed from readily-available materials. Further, it is desirable to have a crash cushion which uses readily replaceable crushable portions so that the cushion can be quickly rebuilt following a collision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A collapsible divider end treatment or crash cushion is described herein. The crash cushion is formed by a pipe rack frame that retains a number of axially disposed barrels, each of which contains crushable modules. The frame further features a slidable guide or guides which constrain the barrels and provide additional strength to the end treatment during an impact that does not proceed directly along the longitudinal axis of the barrels This allows the end treatment to substantially redirect impacting vehicles in a desirable manner.
In a preferred embodiment, the crash cushion employs barrels containing an energy-absorbent module that is useful for absorbing energy during a vehicular crash. The energy absorbent module provides a relatively constant and predictable level of crush resistance which makes it particularly suitable for such applications as an insert for a concrete divider or guardrail end treatment or other crash barrier.
The pipe rack crash cushion of the present invention provides a low cost alternative to conventional crash cushion. In addition, the pipe rack crash cushion allows the deceleration force provided by the crash cushion to be easily adjusted. Therefore, if a crash cushion is needed in special situations where the crash resistance force must be greater or lesser than that afforded by a conventional cushion, the adjustment may be easily made. The pipe rack of the present invention is also advantageous in that it can be rebuilt easily and inexpensively following a collision.
Thus, the present invention comprises a combination of features and advantages that enable it to overcome various problems of prior devices. The various characteristics described above, as well as other features, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
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Ivey Don L.
Zimmer Richard A.
Addie Raymond W
Felsman, Bradley, Vaden, Gunter & Dillon L.L.P.
Hunter Shawn
Lillis Eileen D.
The Texas A&M University System
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