A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a living hinge when the hinge assembly is in the impact configuration. A method of using the crash attenuator is also provided.
B62D 21/00 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
B62D 21/15 - Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
A pavement marker includes a plastic base having an exposed upper surface, a reflector supported by the plastic base, and a metal rub rail coupled to the plastic base. The rub rail has an exposed rub surface positioned above the exposed upper surface of the plastic base. Methods of making and installing a pavement marker are also provided.
A guardrail system includes a guardrail, a support post, and a fastener joining the guardrail and the support post. The support post includes a hole receiving the fastener, a fastener retention mechanism, and a slot for the movement of the fastener during an impact. The fastener retention mechanism retains the fastener in the hole until a predetermined level of force is attained during an impact, after which the fastener is released and moves into the slot. Methods of moving the guardrail relative to the post are also provided.
E01F 15/00 - Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
A frangible post captures and holds a cable anchor to a guardrail. The post breaks when struck by a vehicle, releasing the cable. The frangible post may include hinge members, which bias the post so that weakened sections are put in tension when the post is struck, thereby ensuring that the post breaks cleanly and the cable is released when the post is struck. A method of releasing a cable anchor includes impacting the post, biasing the weakened sections so that they are in tension, breaking the post, and releasing the cable anchor. The post may be configured with a notch to engage the cable anchor, which is then released from the notch as the post is broken.
A guardrail system includes a plurality of posts spaced apart along a longitudinal direction and a plurality of rail sections extending between and coupled to the spaced apart posts. Each of the rail sections includes an uppermost surface. A cable extends along the longitudinal direction and is coupled to the rail sections and/or posts. The cable is vertically spaced above the uppermost surface of the rail sections. A guardrail retrofit kit includes a front anchor bracket, a rear anchor bracket, an intermediate bracket and a cable having end portions adapted to be coupled to the front and rear anchor brackets. The intermediate bracket is configured to releasably capture the cable. Methods of retrofitting a guardrail system and arresting a vehicle impacting a guardrail system are also provided.
E01F 15/00 - Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
A barrier system includes at least a pair of adjacent barriers each having opposite exterior sides and opposite end portions, with adjacent end portions of the adjacent barriers being coupled at a connection joint. At least a pair of coupler assemblies is connected to the exterior sides of the adjacent barriers, each positioned at an intermediate location between the end portions of the respective barrier. A unitary deflector member extends continuously between the pair of coupler assemblies across the connection joint and has opposite ends secured to the coupler assemblies. In another aspect, adjacent barriers are connected with an asymmetric exterior reinforcement structure. The deflector member may be provided with a unique hole pattern to accommodate various length and assembly variations. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
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.
A crash cushion includes a plurality of resilient, self-restoring tubes each having a center axis and an interior surface. At least some of the tubes are positioned such that respective ones of the center axes are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction. The center axis of at least one tube is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, with the tube defining a diametral plane intersecting and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The center axis of the tube lies in the diametral plane. One or more segments are positioned in the tube, with the segments, or portions thereof, disposed on opposite sides of the interior surface of the tube. Each of the segments or portions is symmetrically secured to the tube relative to the diametral plane, with the tube being substantially open between the opposing segments.
E01F 15/00 - Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
9.
GATE FOR BARRIER SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR THE ASSEMBLY AND USE THEREOF
A gate for providing an opening in a barrier system includes a gate barrier segment and a connector having first and second connector segments. The first connector segment is coupled to the gate barrier segment. The first and second connector segments are releasably coupled, and may be hingedly connected on at least one of a first and second side thereof. The second connector segment is configured to be coupled to a stationary barrier segment.
An energy absorbing vehicle barrier includes a frame defining a compartment. In one embodiment, the frame includes a nose. An energy absorbing cartridge is disposed within the compartment. A retaining device is coupled to the frame, with the retaining device disposed above and extending over at least a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge. The retaining device may contact and engage the upper surface of the cartridge when the barrier is impacted by a vehicle. In this way, the retaining device substantially prevents movement of the cartridge in at least a vertical direction during the impact. Methods of using and assembling the barrier are also provided.
A post assembly includes a post having a bottom and defining a longitudinal axis and a mounting member extending from the bottom of the post along the longitudinal axis. A securing member is moveable between an engaged position, wherein the securing member couples the mounting member to the post in a non-rotatable relationship, and a disengaged position, wherein the mounting member is decoupled and removable from the post. A method of assembling a post assembly is also provided.
A breakaway support post for a guardrail includes an upper post member and a lower post member. The upper and lower post members are overlapping and configured such that the upper and lower post members are non-rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in an axial impact direction. In one embodiment, a tensile fastener extends in the axial impact direction and connects overlapping portions of the upper and lower post members. In another embodiment, a shear fastener extends transversely to the axial impact direction and is the only connection between the upper and lower post members. In another aspect, a guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
E01F 15/00 - Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
13.
BARRIER TRANSFER DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF
A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carnage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barner interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transfernng a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier.
B66C 23/00 - Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory or swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib cranes, derricks or tower cranes
A crash attenuator includes a crash cushion having a front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent the front end. The trailer hitch component is capable of being secured to a mating hitch component located on the towing vehicle, such that hitch components are capable of being rotated relative to each other about a substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one wheel supporting the crash cushion. The wheel is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and is spaced rearwardly from the substantially vertical axis. The crash attenuator further includes at least one restraint element operable between at least a disengaged condition, wherein the crash cushion is capable of rotating about the substantially vertical axis, and an engaged condition, wherein the at least one restraint element constrains rotation of the crash cushion about the substantially vertical axis.
A method of applying an anti-icing solution to a roadway includes providing a plurality of spaced apart spray nozzles defining a system length. The plurality of spray nozzles are coupled to a plurality of spray valves. The method further includes supplying a pressurized anti-icing solution to each of the plurality of spray valves from a source of the anti-icing solution positioned upstream of the plurality of said spray valves. The method also includes opening the plurality of spray valves for a plurality of predetermined time periods, wherein the predetermined time periods at least some other of the plurality of spray valves positioned upstream therefrom. In another aspect, an anti-icing assembly includes an anti-icing solution source, a valve in fluid communication with the anti-icing solution source, a nozzle connected to the valve, and a pressure detecting device coupled between the nozzle and the valve.
A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle includes front and rear anchors spaced along a longitudinal direction and at least one deformable attenuator member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first end coupled to the front anchor and a second end coupled to the rear anchor. A support member is positioned adjacent the attenuator member and is moveable in the longitudinal direction relative thereto between at least an initial position and an impact position toward the rear anchor and away from the front anchor. At least one deforming member is mounted on the support member and is engaged with at least a portion of the attenuator member. In another aspect, a vehicle crash cushion includes first and second side panels each having at least one longitudinally extending ridge and at least one longitudinally extending valley. The first side panel is moveable relative to the second side panel in response to an axial force being applied to the elongated frame. A connector includes at least one first strap portion disposed in the valley of and connected to the first. side panel and at least one second strap portion disposed adjacent to and connected to at least one ridge of the second side panel.
E01F 9/018 - specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanent deformation upon deflection or displacement, e.g. upon vehicle impact
17.
REMOVABLE DELINEATOR POST AND METHOD FOR THE USE THEREOF
A delineator includes a post having a bottom portion and a stem extending from the bottom portion. At least a portion of the post is moveable in a lateral direction between an at-rest position and an impact position. An anchor includes a top and an elongated receptacle. In one aspect, the stem is removably inserted in the receptacle and is moveable in a longitudinal direction between at least a first position and a second position relative to the receptacle as the flexible post is moved between the at-rest position and the impact position respectively. A first portion of the length of the stem is disposed in the receptacle when the stem is in the first position and a second portion of the length of the stem remains disposed in the receptacle when the stem is in the second position, wherein the first portion is greater than the second portion. Methods of removably retaining a boundary in a pathway and of installing a boundary in a pathway are also provided.
E01F 9/011 - Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs (posts or poles in general E04H 12/00; means for attaching signs to a supporting structure in general G09F 7/18)
patents
