Abstract: An impact protection system is disclosed. A plurality of anchor posts is provided with at least one transverse support member between at least two of the plurality of anchor posts. The at least one transverse support member attaches rigidly between the anchor posts to transfer impact force from one anchor post to the next as a compressive force along an axis of the transverse support member.

Abstract: A dart-assembly for piercing open a blockage in the opening of a ladle for holding and transporting molten steel is mounted in the outlet bore of a slide-gate associated with the ladle opening. The assembly has an outer steel housing; mounted within the housing is a dart-member having an elongated rod, which rod has a lower threaded end for receiving a threaded nut. The upper end of the rod is provided with a dart-like head-portion which actually contacts and pierces through the blockage in the opening of the ladle when the dart-member is fired. A compression spring is telescopingly mounted about most of the length of the elongated rod of the dart-member, between the enlarged dart-like head-portion and the upper, flat-surface of a stop member.