Abstract: A highway crash attenuation system having an improved breakaway guardrail post. An improved upper section of Post 1 has an anchor bearing plate with a cooperating stabilizing bolt engaging with the upstream face of the upper post section. The downstream side of the upper post section is provided with split, spaced-apart strut sections which do not obstruct the rear cable pass through notch.

Abstract: A highway crash attenuation system having W-beam rail elements attached to a plurality of vertical posts. An impact terminal with a feeder chute guides one or more of the W-beam rail elements through the impact terminal. The feeder chute has an impact shield extending along a traffic-facing side of the chute from an upstream-most end to a downstream-most end of the chute closing the traffic-facing side of the chute. The system also has an anchor cable release mechanism for releasing the cable downstream of the first vertical post and an improved first breakaway post.

Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-out device is disclosed, the lock-out device including a U-shaped channel member with a plurality of closed slots paired opposite one another in the side walls of the channel. The device includes lock-out bars comprising a notched stem transversely aligned with the channel member to immobilize a circuit breaker switch in either the “OFF” or “ON” position as desired. The bars are “locked” in position with a padlock or closed-door padlockable bar, immobilizing the circuit breaker switch.

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 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 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: A method and apparatus for warning boats in the proximity of a towing water craft that a water skier is down or the person being towed is in a vulnerable position via an electrically activated, high intensity signal visual to boats in the vicinity which is connected to the electrical system for energizing the craft and to a pressure sensitive speedometer including an inlet tube, the speedometer being responsive to fluid pressure in the tube created by movement of the craft through the water, and there being a pressure switch which is closed when the movement of the craft is below a predetermined value connected to energize the signal when the pressure switch is closed. The steps comprise measuring the speed of the craft through the water via the pressure conditions of the fluid in the inlet tube and visually warning boats in the vicinity by energizing the visual signal responsive to the speed of the craft being less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: In combination with a water craft (10) having an engine compartment (12), a blower (14) for purging the compartment of noxious vapors, an electrical system (16) for energizing the water craft, a manual blower switch (18), and a speedometer (20) including a tube (22) which provides fluid pressure thereto for sensing the speed of the water craft (10) through ambient water, an improvement comprising a normally closed pressure switch (24) connected to the tube (22). The pressure switch (24) is openable in response to fluid pressure in the tube (22) at speeds above a pre-determined speed of the water craft (10). Electrical connections (26, 28) are provided between the pressure switch (24), the electrical system (16) and the blower (14). The pressure switch (24) bypasses the manual blower switch (18) so that the blower (14) is operated pressure-responsively, irrespective of the manual blower switch (18) when the speed of the water craft (10) is below the predetermined speed, thereby enhancing boating safety.

Abstract: A portable warning device in the form of a stanchion which is to be readily movable and locatable at any desired location. The portable warning device includes a movable light assembly to attract attention to the warning device to any human being which passes nearby. Once the human being reaches within a certain number of feet in distance from the warning device, a prerecorded message is emitted to audibly warn the human being. Any unauthorized removal of the warning device will immediately activate an antitheft alarm which will produce some form of an audible signal calling attention to the fact that thievery of the device is occurring.