Abstract: An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

Abstract: A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via cable restraint assemblies with an energy-absorbing inner impact wall, and energy-absorbing cartridges strategically positioned between the impact wall and containment wall. The impact wall is constructed of a number of rectangular tubes coupled with one another to presents a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a number of foam sheets which compress and crush between the containment wall and impact wall to absorb energy from an errant vehicle striking the face of the impact wall, while the deflection and deformation of the impact wall tubes dissipates additional energy to reduce peak decelerations and mitigate the severity of high-energy vehicular impacts.

Abstract: A portable crash attenuation system having a trailer frame and an energy absorption mechanism attached thereto. The absorption mechanism has a first stage pivotably connected to a second stage and the second stage is pivotably connected to the frame. By pivoting the stages about hinges the attenuation system may be folded from an extended, deployed position or mode to a shortened transit mode for easy relocation of the entire attenuation system.

Abstract: A portable crash attenuation system having a trailer frame and an energy absorption mechanism attached thereto. The absorption mechanism has a first stage pivotably connected to a second stage and the second stage is pivotably connected to the frame. By pivoting the stages about hinges the attenuation system may be folded from an extended, deployed position or mode to a shortened transit mode for easy relocation of the entire attenuation system.

Abstract: A single-sided crash attenuation cushion system having an impact head and three stage energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for deforming thin-walled tubes in a controlled collapse to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. The third stage of the absorption mechanism includes an additional deformable compressible tube between the fixed-object hazard and the thin walled tubes.

Abstract: A bursting energy absorber system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a generally rectangular mandrel for rupturing cooperating thin-walled generally rectangular tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces for a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators such as saw cuts or scoring may be incorporated into the absorption tubes to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation. The mandrels may be tapered, rectangularly shaped with beveled edges to reduce frictional forces along the interior comers of the tubes. Lubricants may be applied to further control frictional influences.

Abstract: A bursting energy absorber system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a generally rectangular mandrel for rupturing cooperating thin-wall generally rectangular tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces for a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators such as saw cuts or scoring may be incorporated into the absorption tubes to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation. The mandrels may be tapered, rectangularly shaped with beveled edges to reduce frictional forces along the interior corners of the tubes. Lubricants may be applied to further control frictional influences.

Abstract: A crash attenuation system having an impact head, and energy absorption mechanism. The energy absorbing mechanism has a mandrel for rupturing thin-walled tubes in a controlled rupture to absorb impact forces from a colliding vehicle. A frame may be used to mount the system to a truck, trailer, guardrail, median barrier end treatment, or a crash cushion. Stress concentrators may be incorporated into the tubes and the mandrels to selectively control rupturing and energy dissipation.

Abstract: An improved breakaway steel guardrail post for use in dissipation of impact energy upon impact of the post having an upper post member and a lower post member, a connecting joint, and a mechanism connected to the upper and lower post members for controlling the energy dissipation of the guardrail post about the connecting joint at a predetermined rate. A first embodiment utilizes a cable restraint lopped through openings in the guardrail posts. Other embodiments included straps and fasteners designed to distort or fail at predetermined rates or strengths and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A crash attenuation apparatus for use with a guardrail system having rail posts and rail elements. An impact head has a buffer nose section and a rail post breaking beam system. The post breaking beam system has upper and lower breaking beams attached to the head. A guide tube is attached to the side of the head. A strut member extends from a first attachment point on the rail element to a second point downstream. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head breaks the first rail post, before impacting the strut and buckling the rail element downstream.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. An anchor cable release bracket attached to a rail element by sleeved mounting bolts has an arrangement of slots and openings to quickly release an anchor cable system from the guardrail.

Abstract: A breakaway guardrail post includes upper and lower post sections spaced apart but connected by a breakaway joint. The joint is attached at one end to the upper post by a first fastener set and connected at a second end by a second fastener set. The first fastener set has a failure strength less than that of the second fastener set. Upon impact forces being applied to the upper post section, the first fastener fails and the upper post section rotates downwardly.

Abstract: A turned-down terminal for a guardrail system has a drop-down section and a turned-down section formed by twisting the guardrail clockwise to be at an angle causing sufficient force and torque to pull at least a portion of the drop-down section of the guardrail barrier free upon being impacted with a vehicle. Back-up plates are bolted to the posts and to the guardrail.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. Foundation sleeves having an elongated slit along one side retain and support appropriate guardrail posts. A plurality of stiffing ribs extend across the slit at a distal portion of the tube. The sleeves enable a safer and faster removal of broken guardrail posts after vehicular impact.

Abstract: A breakaway mounting system for mounting a structure to a fixed support surface has a plurality of elongated mounting members extending generally perpendicular to the support surface. An attachment plate is coupled with the structure to be mounted. The attachment plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and each of the mounting members extends through one of the apertures. A plurality of shearing plates are provided. Each shearing plate generally surrounds one of the mounting members and is positioned between the support surface and the attachment plate. Each shearing plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The area of the shearing plate upper surface is substantially smaller than the area of a lower surface of the attachment plate, and the area of the shearing plate lower surface is substantially smaller than the area of the support surface. A fastener is attached to the mounting member for securing the attachment plate to the support surface.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. An impact head is positioned over the upstream end of the guardrail. A kinker beam is attached to an inlet of head and a kinking deflector plate is affixed inside the head. The deflector plate extends transversely across the head from the inlet to the outlet and has a multiplicity of discrete, intersecting angular faces. Upon impact of a vehicle with the head, the head is horizontally displaced along the rail elements of the guardrail. As the rail elements impact the deflector plate, kinks or plastic hinges are created in the elements. The impact energy is dissipated by the controlled kinking of the guardrail beams. An anchor cable release bracket attached to a rail element by sleeved mounting bolts has an arrangement of slots and openings to quickly release an anchor cable system from the guardrail.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for distinguishing events which require air bag deployment from those which do not and in particular for detecting a high speed pole impact early in a crash event in order to optimize the benefit of an air bag in such an event.

Abstract: A method of detecting inflammation of a nerve root adjacent to a spine of a patient using an ultrasound apparatus. The present method includes the steps of providing an ultrasound apparatus including an ultrasonic transducer interconnected with a source of electrical energy and with a receiver having amplification means, positioning the ultrasonic transducer on the patient's back in a location lateral to the spine, angling the ultrasonic transducer such that ultrasonic energy can be directed medialad to the spine, transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the nerve root at a power level and a frequency effective to create a reflection from an inflamed nerve root that is detectable by the ultrasound apparatus, and processing ultrasonic energy reflected from the nerve root. Ultrasound apparatus including ultrasonic transducers are also disclosed.

Abstract: 1. A fuze for detonating a projectile in proximity to a target comprising, irst normally effective transceiver channel means for effecting radiation of a first electromagnetic signal into space and for receiving electromagnetic signals therefrom, including any portion of said first radiated signal reflected from a target, second transceiver channel means initially ineffective to radiate and receive a signal adapted to being rendered effective for effecting radiation of a second electromagnetic signal into space and for receiving electromagnetic signals therefrom, including any portion of said second radiated signal reflected from a target, control circuit means for rendering said second channel means effective, and normally non-operating electroresponsive detonating circuit means adapted to being rendered operating by said channel means for detonating said projectile.