Patents by Inventor Karla A. Polivka

Karla A. Polivka has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Cable release lever
    Patent number: 7913981
    Abstract: A system and method for a device for releasing a cable of a safety system is disclosed. The system and method disclose various features of the cable system as it applies to a roadway barrier system and other applications in the event that the cables are impacted generally longitudinally proximate the region they are secured to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventors: John Rohde, Ronald Faller, Dean Sicking, Jim Holloway, John Reid, Robert Bielenberg, Karla Polivka
  • High-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system
    Patent number: 7410320
    Abstract: A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via strap 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 tubes coupled with one another to present a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a foam member or 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Regents of University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, John D. Reid, Robert W. Bielenberg, James C. Holloway, Karla A. Polivka
  • Cable release lever
    Publication number: 20060102884
    Abstract: A system and method for a device for releasing a cable of a safety system is disclosed. The system and method disclose various features of the cable system as it applies to a roadway barrier system and other applications in the event that the cables are impacted generally longitudinally proximate the region they are secured to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: John Rohde, Ronald Faller, Dean Sicking, Jim Holloway, John Reid, Robert Bielenberg, Karla Polivka
  • High-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system
    Publication number: 20060045617
    Abstract: A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via strap 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 tubes coupled with one another to present a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a foam member or 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Board of Regents of University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Ronald Faller, Dean Sicking, John Rohde, John Reid, Robert Bielenberg, James Holloway, Karla Polivka
  • High-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system
    Patent number: 6926461
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents of University of Nebraska
    Inventors: Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, John D. Reid, Eric A. Keller, Robert W. Bielenberg, James C. Holloway, Kenneth H. Addink, Karla A. Polivka