Abstract: A collapsible crash barrier for use as and end treatment for a commonly known “Jersey Barrier” provides a frame assembly having a tubular construction and circular guides to control axial collapse of the barrier. A saddle is provided to rest upon and end section of a “Jersey Barrier” and slides along the top of a barrier when axially impacted by a vehicle in order to further control the collapse of the barrier.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described relating to barrel crash cushions which readily collapse when impacted from a substantially end-on direction, and are more capable than conventional designs of substantially redirecting vehicles impacting from non-end-on directions and reducing the chance of these vehicles tearing through the crash cushion. The described configurations also substantially reduce the harm associated with "coffin corner" impacts through a structurally reinforced portion that increases the ability of the barrel cushion to withstand impacts from directions other than substantially end-on.In some exemplary embodiments, the structural reinforcement is provided by a telescoping bracket assembly which surrounds some of the barrels of the crash cushion. In another embodiment, the reinforcement is provided by a plurality of interconnected cable sleeves which are carried on cables disposed along the longitudinal sides of the crash cushion to form a linear brace.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preventing penetration of vehicles by causing the guardrail extruder terminal to contact and engage the frame or chassis of vehicles in a collision. In preferred embodiments, a guardrail extruder terminal end treatment is adapted for improved operation during impacts by attachment of a frame catcher penetration guard. The frame catcher adaptation extends below the usual lower edge of the impact head of the guardrail extruder terminal design in order to contact portions of the chassis of a vehicle during an impact at the guardrail end. In several embodiments, the impact head of a guardrail extruder terminal includes a substantially rigid downwardly extending portion which presents an expanded contact area, the location of which approximates the location of a portion of the vehicle's chassis. The frame catcher devices may be retrofitted onto existing guardrail extruder terminal impact heads.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for preventing the penetration of vehicles by narrow objects such as guardrail ends or portions of a guardrail end treatment during a collision. In one embodiment, portions of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal are adapted for improved operation during impacts by attachment of a penetration guard. The penetration guard may also be affixed to other guardrail end treatments or even other suitable highway objects to create an improved safety apparatus. The penetration guard includes a frame and is affixed to the impact head of an ET-2000 guardrail extruder terminal. The frame is greatly collapsible when impacted from a substantially end-on direction. However, when impacted from a direction other than substantially end-on, the frame is substantially non-collapsible and maintains its integrity. The frame includes an outer housing which defines a central opening. The housing is preferably formed of a unitary outer of sheet metal which surrounds the central opening.

Abstract: The invention features a new and improved safety treatment for rails, such as a highway guardrail or barrier, which through compression of elongated segments of a telescoping terminal dissipates energy from vehicle impacts approaching from substantially upstream of the rail and reduce the hazard of "spearing." The impact energy is resisted by frictional and, in preferred embodiments, mechanical compression by a smaller segment of a filler disposed within a larger segment. In some embodiments, the invention further provides a nose piece to further reduce the spearing effect.

Abstract: A method of cushioning highway vehicle impacts and an improved end piece for a highway crash cushion or rail end treatment for concrete barriers or for guard rail terminals. The end piece has means to trap the bumper or other forward elements of an impacting vehicle. Additionally, the end piece is slidably mounted to traverse along a linear guide track or curvilinear guard rail during the progress of the collision as the vehicle is decelerated from contact velocity to a stop.

Abstract: An elongated pedestrian safety barrier adapted to be longitudinally disposed between a roadway and an adjoining pedestrian walkway. The safety barrier features a concrete structure up to about 24 inches in height having an outwardly angled sidewall facing the roadway and a concavity on its bottom surface to engage the top and roadside surface of a standard curb.

Abstract: A safety end barrier for use in coordination with roadside barriers. The safety end barrier lies substantially parallel to the direction of traffic flow and increases in height from about natural ground level at its lower end. The end barrier has sidewalls which angle upwardly outward from the barrier base. The taller end of the end barrier is preferably connected to a concrete roadside barrier through apertures extending from a recessed trough to the end of the safety end barrier. Preferably, bolts with two threaded ends, insertable through the apertures and secured by corresponding nuts, are used as connecting devices to connect the end barrier to a concrete roadside barrier.

Abstract: A low profile road barrier that minimizes obstruction to vision and the ramping and rolling of automobiles which may be comprised of one or more interconnected concrete barrier segments stationed along the road or cast in place. The road barrier usually lies substantially parallel to the direction of traffic, may be up to about 24 inches in height and has a sidewall facing toward the road which angles outwardly from the barrier base. Abutting ends of contiguous segments are interconnected by economic, easily installed and removed devices, which preferably comprise bolts with two threaded ends insertable through apertures in the segment ends secured by corresponding nuts.

Abstract: A breakaway system is disclosed for timber utility poles. The breakaway system limits the amount of force and energy imparted to an impacting vehicle and its occupants by incorporating an arrangement of slip plates and bolts to form a shear plane on the utility pole at or near ground level, and by providing a hinge mechanism on an upper section of the utility pole below conducting lines and the like. The material and configuration of the lower shear plates are selected to permit activation for any direction of collision loading. The material and configuration of the upper connection or hinge are selected to allow for adequate resistance to environmental loads while at the same time allowing for precise determination of the magnitude of failure load. In addition, the combination of upper connectors prevents the lower portion of the utility pole from rotating upward into the conducting wires after a vehicle impact.

Abstract: An advanced dynamic impact extension module, used to protect occupants of vehicles from the adverse effects of extremely rapid deacceleration of a vehicle when the vehicle impacts an end of a concrete barrier wall is disclosed. According to the invention, a barrier wall is provided which has a structural concrete base and a channel portion adaptable to receive low strength reinforced concrete modules. The concrete modules are composed of three layers of crushable material of varying strengths. The first or lowest layer is composed of semi-crushable, higher strength concrete and which is adaptable to secure reinforcement and S-beam connectors. The second layer is lower strength material and the top layer is intermediate strength material. The second and top layer keep an impacting vehicle down and prevent ramping. The modules are arranged linearly beginning at a front end closest to the path of an oncoming vehicle and proceeding toward a back end proximate a roadside obstacle.

Abstract: An advanced dynamic impact extension module, used to protect occupants of vehicles from the adverse effects of instantaneous deacceleration of a vehicle when the vehicle impacts an end of a concrete barrier wall is disclosed. According to the invention, a composite barrier is provided which has an upper, low density, crushable component and a lower, substantially non-crushable, base component. The height of the base component will increase from the front of the barrier to the back of the barrier, located proximate the end of the concrete barrier wall, so that a vehicle impacting the barrier will first crush the upper, low-density, crushable material. If a vehicle has sufficient impact force or velocity to crush the upper crushable front component of the barrier, the undercarriage of the vehicle will coact with raised non-crushable base components of the barrier in order to bring the vehicle safely to rest before it impacts the end of a concrete barrier wall.