Highway Guard Patents (Class 256/13.1)
  • Publication number: 20150129822
    Abstract: A barrier system including a guardrail, a support to hold the guardrail in position and a fastener to attach the guardrail to the support, wherein the support has a weakened zone to facilitate the fastener releasing from the support when the support is subject to impact forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Hayden Wallace
  • Patent number: 9016668
    Abstract: A barrier includes a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the exterior surface having a front face and an opposing back face each extending between a top face and an opposing bottom face and also between a first side face and an opposing second side face, the interior surface bounding a chamber that is adapted to receive a ballast. An elongated first locking groove is recessed on the front face and extends between the top face and the opposing bottom face, the first locking groove including an elongated channel extending between the top face and the bottom face and a constricted mouth through which the channel can be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Off the Wall Products LLC
    Inventors: Marc E. Christensen, David J. Lipniarski, Joseph C. Mecham
  • Patent number: 8992116
    Abstract: A vehicle barrier fence for arresting an impacting vehicle of substantial mass within a selected distance of the fence. The fence having, in part: a retaining structure, at least one cable having a first end comprising a cable terminator, a post having an orifice defined there through sized to receive the cable terminator into the post, and a cable retainer for retaining the cable terminator within the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sloan Security Group, Inc
    Inventors: Gregory Jack Sloan, Collin Ray Sloan
  • Patent number: 8985891
    Abstract: A road safety barrier having a plurality of ropes supported by posts rigidly mounted on or in the ground is described. Each rope is held in tension against the posts and supported in a notch or groove in a side of the posts. The ropes are released from a post and the post is not pulled from the ground when a vertical force is exerted on the rope. The ropes when weaved are tensioned against the posts and this gives use to a combined frictional resistance to displacement of the ropes relative to each post along the length of the safety barrier. The structure of at least some of the posts and/or their mounting with respect to the ground defines a minimum bending yield strength in a direction along the length of the barrier. This minimum bending yield strength is greater than the bending moment resulting from the combined frictional resistance forces acting on the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hill & Smith Limited
    Inventors: Graham T. Sharp, Sean Billingham, John M. Walton
  • Patent number: 8973903
    Abstract: Bendable wire pole (1) intended to fixate the wires in a wire-rope safety fence, comprising at least two curved elongated pole sections (2) connected to each other so that at least an intermediate cavity (4) is formed between the sections (2), whose sections (2) are held together by at least one cohesive body (12). The unique feature of the present bendable wire pole (1) is that it includes at least one intermediate elongated pole section (3) positioned between the curved sections (2), whose sections (2) and (3) in their upper are provided with at least one groove (5) in which wires are designed to be inserted. The pole (1) further comprises at least one spacer unit (6), intended to be connected to the wires and the pole (1), with which the wires are positioned in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to the pole (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Arjepole Systems AB
    Inventor: Berndt Akerstrom
  • Patent number: 8960647
    Abstract: A barrier system including a guardrail, a support to hold the guardrail in position and a fastener to attach the guardrail to the support, wherein the support has a weakened zone to facilitate the fastener releasing from the support when the support is subject to impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Safe Direction Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Hayden Wallace
  • Patent number: 8939675
    Abstract: A barrier assembly includes a barrier having a chamber adapted to hold a ballast, an inlet being formed on the barrier in communication with the chamber. A flag assembly includes a post having a first end and an opposing second end with a flag disposed on the first end. A retainer is disposed on the post and includes a catch radially outwardly projecting from the post, the catch being movable between an outwardly extended position and an inwardly retracted position, the catch resiliently urging toward the extended position when in the retracted position, the first end of the post being received within the inlet on the barrier so that the catch is disposed within the chamber in the extended position, the catch being configured so that the first end of the post cannot be pulled out through the inlet without moving the catch to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Off the Wall Products, LLC
    Inventors: Marc E. Christensen, James Schaffner
  • Publication number: 20150014617
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roadway barrier or guard rail system which has a post (12) which passes through the carriage (20) with the carriage (20) being free to move up along the post (12). The carriage (20) is prevented from moving down the post (12) by means of a stop or restraint (12.60,12.50,12.40,12.30) which is separate from and underneath the carriage (20) and which the carriage (20) abuts, with the stop or restraint (12.60,12.50,12.40,12.30) being located on the post (12). The carriage (20) is not otherwise restrained from moving up the post except by the curved channels through the carriage (20) which engage the extremities of the post, and the friction this may produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hayden Wallace, Terry Colquhoun, Henry John Hare, Mark Whiteside
  • Patent number: 8925902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system (1) for delimiting roadways, including base bodies (3) that can be detachably coupled to each other, wherein the base bodies (3) can be placed on a road surface (4) and have at least one weighting body (5). The weighting bodies (5) are formed by a outer casing (6), which is filled with a curable filler (7). Provided on the weighting bodies (5) are fasteners (8) which project out in relation to the weighting body (5), wherein the weighting bodies (5) can be fastened in the base body (3) by means of the fasteners. The vehicle restraint system (1) stands on the road surface (4) by means of support feet (19). The support feet (19) include a main body (20) and an elastomer body (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Heintzmann Sicherheitssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Barbara Von Linsingen-Heintzmann, Horst Lass, Walter Klein, Werner Heimann
  • Publication number: 20150001454
    Abstract: An improved cable-barrier system that includes an anchor-body and terminal post which receive and retain one or more anchor-cables and are anchored to counter balance the force applied to the anchor body by one or more barrier-cables. The system also allows for the release of the anchor-cables during a collision with a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Dallas James
  • Patent number: 8920065
    Abstract: A vehicle barrier system, comprising, a support member having a first side disposed toward an area used by vehicles, a splice plate including a support aperture and a stress concentrator associated with to the support aperture, and a rail assembly including, in one embodiment, a wood rail and a first side, wherein the first side of the rail assembly is coupled to the splice plate and the splice plate is coupled to the support member at the support aperture. In another embodiment the rail assembly includes one or more weakened areas serving as stress concentrators in the rail assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: S. I. Storey Lumber Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lewis Storey, Charles R. Coleman, Chad Garrett Heimbecker
  • Patent number: 8915486
    Abstract: A cable-barrier system that includes an anchor-body and terminal post which receive and retain one or more anchor-cables and are anchored to counter balance the force applied to the anchor body by one or more barrier-cables. The system also allows for the release of the anchor-cables during a collision with a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Valmont Highway Technology Limited
    Inventor: Dallas James
  • Patent number: 8915487
    Abstract: A barrier is provided, including opposed longitudinal side members separated by a gap, supports which hold the side members above the ground; and at least one U-shaped member when viewed in transverse cross section which is/are connected to the opposed members to span between the gap and wherein the at least one U-shaped member does not contact the supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Valmont Highway Technology Limited
    Inventor: Dallas Rex James
  • Patent number: 8905382
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Barry D. Stephens, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 8905671
    Abstract: A barrier alongside a raceway or track providing safety to spectators when a racecar tends to leave the raceway. The barrier has a rigid base wall for deflecting racecars that may contact it. Secured to the base and extending upwardly are spaced apart rigid posts. Each post is covered by a deflector. Horizontally extensive steel cables are secured to the posts and deflector; the cables being arranged in mutually parallel vertically spaced apart positions one above the next. The deflector provides stand-off legs to which a spectator safety screen is attached. Racecars may strike the base at high speed and may leave the raceway and contact the cables which will restrain them. The deflector provides angled surfaces for deflecting vehicles and flying parts back toward the raceway. Flying debris is prevented from reaching spectators by the safety screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: John Weatherwax
  • Patent number: 8888399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a restraint system for vehicles in the region of roads, which is combined with substantially panel-shaped screening and/or noise protection elements (1), wherein deflecting elements (2), which are made of concrete for example, are connected to supports (4) via connecting webs (3), and the screening and/or noise protection elements (1) are held between the lateral surfaces which extend in the longitudinal direction of the deflecting elements (2) and which face the screening and/or noise protection elements (1) and the lateral surfaces of the supports (4) which face the screening and/or noise protection elements (1). The screening and/or noise protection elements (1) are provided at their lower edge with open slots (6, 6?) in which the connecting webs (3, 3?) of the deflecting elements (2) engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rebloc GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Redlberger
  • Publication number: 20140332740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a guard cable for a road, and more specifically, to a guard cable for a road, wherein a plurality of wire ropes are provided in the horizontal direction with respect to a plurality of supports provided on the side of the road at intervals, and are shifted to a predetermined width from the supports to the roadway by a wire rope protrusion installation unit, and the plurality of wire ropes provided between the supports are maintained at constant intervals by an interval maintenance plate to minimize the concentration of loads on only one or more wire ropes among the plurality of wire ropes when a vehicle hits the guard cable, and to minimize the falling of the vehicle toward the outside of the road of the guard cable when the vehicle hits the guard cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: KUMDONG STEEL CONSTRUCTION CO.,LTD
    Inventors: Joong Suk Park, Seung Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8882082
    Abstract: A terminal portion of a guardrail safety system includes a terminal portion of a guardrail beam having a downstream end and upstream end. The terminal portion of the guardrail beam slopes from a height appropriate for redirecting an errant vehicle to a height proximate the surface of the ground at an upstream end of the terminal portion. Support posts are installed adjacent a roadway in spaced apart relation to one another and are coupled to the terminal portion of the guardrail beam. A terminal support post is installed adjacent the roadway at an upstream end of the terminal portion of the guardrail beam. The terminal support post couples to an upstream end of the terminal portion of the guardrail beam by a resistive, tensile coupling that maintains tension in the terminal portion of the guardrail beam. The resistive, tensile coupling is maintained between the terminal support post and the guardrail beam during an end-on or re-directive impact by a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Akram Y. Abu-Odeh, Dean C. Alberson, Roger P. Bligh, D. Lance Bullard, Jr., C. Eugene Buth
  • Publication number: 20140319441
    Abstract: A roadway guardrail system including a rail and plurality of support posts assembled such that upon impact from a vehicle the rail moves upwardly with respect to the post. Fasteners may be used in the operative coupling of the rail to the support posts, such that upon impact the fasteners move upwardly with respect to the support posts and the rail moves upwardly along with the fasteners. The guardrail system may further include a reinforcing member that is slidable along the post and operatively coupled to the rail with the fasteners, such that the rail and fasteners slide along with the reinforcing member with respect to the support posts. The reinforcing member may be a spacer of various shapes, a washer, an additional rail section, or other type of member that allows the rail to slide upwardly with respect to the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Steven J. Conway, Frederick Mauer, IV, Dallas James
  • Publication number: 20140312289
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle safety catch fence system, the system comprising: two or more posts; two or more longitudinal cables operatively coupled between the two or more posts; a transverse cable, wherein the transverse cable is operatively coupled to the two or more longitudinal cables; and two or more cable clamps, wherein the two or more cable clamps operatively couple the transverse cable to the two or more longitudinal cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Speedway Motorsports, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wesley Harris, Stephen Dail Swift
  • Patent number: 8857796
    Abstract: A post-cable connection for releasably connecting a cable to a post, for example in a roadway cable barrier system. A hairpin shaped post-cable connector is hung from the top end of a post whereby when the post is impacted and urged toward ground level the cable is released from the post. The hairpin shaped post-cable connector has an elongated section forming a loop disposing a cable and a top section extending between the elongated section and a hook end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Neusch Innovations, LP
    Inventor: William Neusch
  • Patent number: 8858112
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roadway barrier or guard rail system which has a post (12) which passes through the carriage (20) with the carriage (20) being free to move up along the post (12). The carriage (20) is prevented from moving down the post (12) by means of a stop or restraint (12.60,12.50,12.40,12.30) which is separate from and underneath the carriage (20) and which the carriage (20) abuts, with the stop or restraint (12.60,12.50,12.40,12.30) being located on the post (12). The carriage (20) is not otherwise restrained from moving up the post except by the curved channels through the carriage (20) which engage the extremities of the post, and the friction this may produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Galvanizers Corporation Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Hayden Wallace, Terry Colquhoun, Henry John Hare, Mark Whiteside
  • Publication number: 20140291595
    Abstract: A portable barrier wall used for preventing the passage of people, vehicles, projectiles, blast debris, liquids, wind or waves through the wall. The wall is constructed of one or more x-shaped freestanding support structures arranged in parallel orientation to form a frame for holding retaining members that attach to the support structures. The retaining members form U-shaped containment structures within each segment of the wall. Fill material is added to the containment structures which are then sealed. Connecting means attach the two support structures together to prevent movement. Wall used to contain liquids may additionally include a liquid impervious layer that is placed external to the retaining member on the side of the barrier wall that will be in contact with liquid and the layer is anchored under the feet of one of the support structures. The wall may additionally hold absorptive or adsorptive materials to contain spills and contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ArdenX LLC
    Inventors: DENNIS ARDEN, H. Baird LOBREE
  • Publication number: 20140252289
    Abstract: A barrier alongside a raceway or track providing safety to spectators when a racecar tends to leave the raceway. The barrier has a rigid base wall for deflecting racecars that may contact it. Secured to the base and extending upwardly are spaced apart rigid posts. Each post is covered by a deflector. Horizontally extensive steel cables are secured to the posts and deflector; the cables being arranged in mutually parallel vertically spaced apart positions one above the next. The deflector provides stand-off legs to which a spectator safety screen is attached. Racecars may strike the base at high speed and may leave the raceway and contact the cables which will restrain them. The deflector provides angled surfaces for deflecting vehicles and flying parts back toward the raceway. Flying debris is prevented from reaching spectators by the safety screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: John Weatherwax
  • Publication number: 20140231736
    Abstract: A road safety barrier having a plurality of ropes supported by posts rigidly mounted on or in the ground is described. Each rope is held in tension against the posts and supported in a notch or groove in a side of the posts. The ropes are released from a post and the post is not pulled from the ground when a vertical force is exerted on the rope. The ropes when weaved are tensioned against the posts and this gives rise to a combined frictional resistance to displacement of the ropes relative to each post along the length of the safety barrier. The structure of at least some of the posts and/or their mounting with respect to the ground defines a minimum bending yield strength in a direction along the length of the barrier. This minimum bending yield strength is greater than the bending moment resulting from the combined frictional resistance forces acting on the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Hill & Smith Limited
    Inventors: Graham T. Sharp, Sean Billingham, John M. Walton
  • Publication number: 20140231735
    Abstract: A guardrail extruder head includes: top and bottom feeder channels; an impact plate; a top plate connecting the impact plate to the top feeder channel; a bottom plate connecting the impact plate to the bottom feeder channel; a front extruder plate coupled between the top and bottom plates; a curved deflector plate attached to the front extruder plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates; a front brace on the front extruder plate near the curved deflector plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates; a back extruder plate opposite to the front extruder plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates; a front side plate and a back side plate positioned between the top and bottom feeder channels; a back brace on the back extruder plate near the feeder channels and coupled between the top and bottom plates; and an impact force transfer brace coupled to the front brace and the impact plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua HARMAN, Donald Leo Monin, JR.
  • Patent number: 8807536
    Abstract: A roadway guardrail system including a rail and plurality of support posts assembled such that upon impact from a vehicle the rail moves upwardly with respect to the post. Fasteners may be used in the operative coupling of the rail to the support posts, such that upon impact the fasteners move upwardly with respect to the support posts and the rail moves upwardly along with the fasteners. The guardrail system may further include a reinforcing member that is slidable along the post and operatively coupled to the rail with the fasteners, such that the rail and fasteners slide along with the reinforcing member with respect to the support posts. The reinforcing member may be a spacer of various shapes, a washer, an additional rail section, or other type of member that allows the rail to slide upwardly with respect to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Conway, Frederick Mauer, IV, Dallas James
  • Publication number: 20140217344
    Abstract: A terminal post for a barrier includes an upright portion having an aperture positioned, so that in use: the aperture is located in a region of the upright portion above a ground engaging portion of the upright portion; and wherein located on one side of the aperture is a transverse reinforcing member which includes a slot for receiving a cable. At least one groove, or pair of notches is provided located beneath the aperture, and form(s) a predetermined fail line, along which the post will deform, upon receiving a substantially inline impact, which causes the transverse member to move to release the cable, and wherein the aperture is dimensioned to allow the terminal end of the cable formally retained by the slot to pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: VALMONT HIGHWAY TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Dallas Rex James
  • Publication number: 20140209845
    Abstract: A roadway, guard rail or safety barrier having a post and beam construction wherein the beam is mounted to the post by means of a carriage, the beam being secured to the carriage by a securement means, the carriage being adapted to travel longitudinally relative to the post in the event of a collision, the post further including at least one carriage support means, and one or more engagement means on an outer face of the post, the engagement means being adapted to be engaged by the securement means to provide resistance to movement of the carriage with respect to the post, wherein the carriage is sized and shaped so as to not engage or to minimise engagement with the engagement means during the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL GALVANIZERS CORPORATION PTY LTD
    Inventors: Terry Colquhoun, Hayden Wallace, Andrew Karl Diehl, Christopher James Allington, Chris Williamson, Mark Whiteside, Henry John Hare, Wouter Von Toor, Ryan Ayers, John Rafferty
  • Publication number: 20140203229
    Abstract: A pedestrian and vehicle barrier system is provided for attaching handrails onto vehicle guardrail barriers. The handrail attachment does not to unduly interfere with energy absorbing and/or dissipating features of vehicle guardrail barriers. The system comprises an elongate support post member with a slot at a bottom end, to be slid telescopically over a guardrail support post, and sleeved such that it is substantially restricted from moving laterally and/or rotating relative to the guardrail support post. Movement may be further restricted by fasteners. Handrails or other auxiliary barriers may be attached to a top end of the support post member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FLETCHER BUILDING HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Ian Philip Rowland
  • Patent number: 8783999
    Abstract: A water-ballasted molded plastic barrier system incorporates barrier segments wherein each segment employs a sawtooth reflective design, designed to prevent the tire of a vehicle, impacting the barrier, from climbing up the side of the barrier segment. Adjacent barrier segments are attached together using an interlocking knuckle design, having a lug pin connection system. Wire rope cable assemblies are internally molded into each barrier segment to create an impenetrable cable fence. The wire rope cable assemblies include steel bushings which are molded into the interlocking knuckles to further strengthen the barrier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TrafFix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Kulp, Felipe Almanza, Geoffrey B. Maus, Paul Burlingham
  • Patent number: 8777510
    Abstract: An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Traffix Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Jeremy W. Smith
  • Patent number: 8770551
    Abstract: A waveform beam guardrail plate and a waveform beam steel guardrail are provided. In which, the guardrail plate includes a main body (15) and two rings (16, 17) with a same structure installed axial symmetrically on an upper and a lower edges of the main body; furthermore, a transverse section of the main body has an arc shape, and the upper and lower edges of the main body of the guardrail plate are curled inwardly and helically toward a protruding direction of the main body of the guardrail plate for forming the two rings (16, 17). The waveform beam steel guardrail includes numbers of guardrail plate units (1, 11), upright posts (2) and preventing blocks (3), and the guardrail plate units (1, 11) are connected with the upright posts (2) by the preventing blocks (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: China Communications Safe Road (Beijing) Technology Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Jianwei Li
  • Patent number: 8757596
    Abstract: A guard rail is provided with noise-reducing measures and includes a plurality of substantially vertical posts supporting a longitudinal guard rail beam. Furthermore the guard rail is provided with plate-shaped noise-reducing modules attached to the supporting, substantially vertical posts. Advantageously, the guard rail may be perforated so that the sound is allowed to pass into the noise-reducing modules at the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Willum Jensen
  • Patent number: 8757597
    Abstract: A terminal post for a barrier includes an upright portion having an aperture positioned, so that in use: the aperture is located in a region of the upright portion above a ground engaging portion of the upright portion; and wherein located on one side of the aperture is a transverse reinforcing member which includes a slot for receiving a cable. At least one groove, or pair of notches is provided located beneath the aperture, and form(s) a predetermined fail line, along which the post will deform, upon receiving a substantially inline impact, which causes the transverse member to move to release the cable, and wherein the aperture is dimensioned to allow the terminal end of the cable formally retained by the slot to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Valmont Highway Technology Limited
    Inventor: Dallas Rex James
  • Patent number: 8740495
    Abstract: Systems and methods described herein provide for a flush-mounted vehicle control barrier having a shallow foundation. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a vehicle control barrier includes a sub-frame, a wedge plate, and an actuator mechanism that is coupled to the sub-frame and disposed within an interior space of the sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SecureUSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bevan M. Clark, Mathew Sexton
  • Publication number: 20140145132
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Energy Absorpiton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: PATRICK A. LEONHARDT, Brian E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140110652
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: PATRICK A. LEONHARDT
  • Publication number: 20140110651
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: AARON JAMES COX, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20140103278
    Abstract: The present invention involves a kind of guardrail device used for a highway, wherein, said guardrail plate is formed by PVC resin and has reinforcing bands fixed therein; a bracket is set between a small vertical column and the guardrail plate, the bracket being fixed to the small vertical column, the guardrail plate being fixed to the bracket by frame bolts; a middle large vertical column mechanism is comprised of a middle connecting plate, a connecting ring and a guardrail plates having end portions; two guardrail plates wind reversely within the connecting ring; an end large vertical column mechanism comprises a sheath, an end connecting plate and guardrail plates having end portions, the sheath is fixed to the end large vertical column, the outer sheath is wound around by guardrail plates which are fixed to the end connecting plate by frame bolts. The whole design of the invention is reasonable in structure, have good performance of collision resistance, low cost and long life performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Wenxue Cai
  • Patent number: 8678701
    Abstract: The system for remote control of retractable, ground-based vehicle barriers increases control of the emergency lane of the road by mounting ground signboards in the emergency lane to prevent any vehicle to pass through this lane and so the police vehicle or the ambulance can easily and quickly approach the site of accident through the emergency lane. The signboards include a U-shaped frame permanently mounted in the emergency lane and a panel pivotally attached to the frame. Servo motors are provided to rotate the panels between a vertical position providing a barrier to traffic and a horizontal position permitting an emergency response vehicle to travel through the emergency lane. The emergency response vehicle is provided with a remote control unit having a short-range transmitter that transmits a trigger signal that is received by a unit at the barrier sign to activate a motor controller to lower the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Farraj J. A. Aldasem
  • Publication number: 20140042379
    Abstract: A barrier system including a guardrail, a support to hold the guardrail in position and a fastener to attach the guardrail to the support, wherein the support has a weakened zone to facilitate the fastener releasing from the support when the support is subject to impact forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Safe Direction Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Hayden Wallace
  • Patent number: 8647012
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Wilkinson, Anthony R. Van Brocklin, Barry D. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8640370
    Abstract: A signpost system includes a signpost system includes a signpost having a lower-most base end and an opposite upper end opposite the base end, a bore clamp including at least a traffic-side clamp member and a shoulder-side clamp member wherein the traffic-side clamp member is adapted to substantially mount flush into the traffic-side of the bore in the barrier and wherein the shoulder-side clamp member is adapted to mount onto the shoulder-side of the bore, and an elongate selectively adjustable tensioner extending from and between the clamp members for mounting the clamp members in the traffic-side and in the shoulder-side of the bore respectively, and wherein the shoulder-side clamp member is adapted for mounting to the base end of the signpost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Adapt-Eze Safety Products Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Anton Mandl, Clinton Bradely Merslack
  • Publication number: 20140008594
    Abstract: A highway guardrail post comprises an elongated one-piece roll-formed metal body including a front wall defining an attachment face, a pair of opposing side walls orthogonal to the front wall, a first pair of inverted corners respectively connecting the pair of side walls to the front wall, and a second pair of inverted corners respectively extending from the pair of side walls and terminating in a pair of spaced rear edges to define a rear access opening opposite the front wall. The guardrail posts may be manufactured by roll-forming a metal sheet or coil and cutting the roll-formed metal sheet or coil into lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Samuel, Son & Co., Limited
    Inventor: Tamo P. Bianchi
  • Patent number: 8616802
    Abstract: An security barrier underground footing (12), and a security barrier post (10) are provided. The footing (12) comprises a substantially vertical shaft (16) having a back plate (14) and a foot plate (18) both arranged substantially perpendicular to the shaft (16) and extending to at least one side thereof. In use, the footing (12) is at least partially buried. The back plate (14) is attached to the rear facing side of the shaft (16) away from which an impact will occur and is located at a position that, in use, is flush with or slightly below a surface in which the footing (12) is buried, and the foot plate (18) is towards the lower end of the shaft (16), at a position spaced from the back plate (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Gerrard, Marcus Gerrard
  • Patent number: 8607488
    Abstract: An advertising system for a bollard includes a bollard shield that can be installed over a conventional bollard. The bollard shield includes a shield inner diameter greater than the bollard outer diameter, forming a shield gap between the bollard and the bollard shield. One or more compressible foam pads are positioned in the shield gap between the bollard and the bollard shield. A resilient bollard sheath can be rolled onto the bollard shield. The bollard sheath includes advertising or graphical materials disposed thereon. The bollard sheath is generally replaceable without replacing the entire bollard shield. A removable sheath panel may be detachably secured on the bollard sheath to provide additional advertising or graphical material. The sheath panel may be interchangeably and replaced with additional sheath panels having different advertising information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Screen Trans Development Corp.
    Inventor: Brandon Steele Johnston
  • Patent number: 8596617
    Abstract: A guardrail includes a cable routing device providing a tortuous path for at least one tensioned cable, the cable routing device includes a bar having a rotational axis and including a cable entry port having a circumference slightly larger than the cable which passes directly therethrough when the bar is in a first non-cable gripping orientation in which the diameter of the port (diametric width) is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cable, and wherein rotation of the bar about the axis effectively decreases the width of the port relative to the width of the cable to create a second cable-gripping orientation which provides the tortuous path, wherein the tortuous path through the bar is due to the relative decrease in the effective diametric width of the port and this provides sufficient frictional resistance to movement in relation to the cable during impact to facilitate impact energy dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Axip Limited
    Inventor: Dallas James
  • Patent number: 8596903
    Abstract: A method for absorbing vehicle's impact includes primarily absorbing impact energy of the vehicle by dragging action of a front barrier and a first dragging kinetic frictional rolling force inducing member that are sequentially inserted and installed in a front end portion of a rolled tube made of a soft material, so that a maximum deceleration of the vehicle slows to 20 g or less. The method further includes dragging a second dragging kinetic frictional rolling force inducing member having a kinetic friction coefficient larger than that of the first dragging kinetic frictional rolling force inducing member and installed at an intermediate portion of the rolled tube to secondarily absorb and reduce kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Impact Blackhole Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang Yong Hur
  • Patent number: 8591137
    Abstract: A barricade is provided for crowd control. The barricade includes a first frame support member having an upper end, a lower end, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a first upper beam therein and a lower opening. A second frame support member is positioned at an acute angle to the first support frame member and has an upper end, a lower end adjacent the lower end of the first frame support member, an upper opening adapted for receiving an end of a second upper beam therein and a lower opening. A lower beam has a first end receivable in the lower opening of the first frame support member and a second end receivable in the lower opening of the second frame support member to interconnect the first and second frame support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Thompson, Mark A. Hanson