Patents by Inventor Brent S. Sindorf

Brent S. Sindorf 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).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 8464825
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: 8360400
    Abstract: A guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20120211710
    Abstract: A guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: 8215619
    Abstract: A breakaway support post for a guardrail includes an upper post member and a lower post member. The upper and lower post members are overlapping and configured such that the upper and lower post members are non-rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in an axial impact direction. In one embodiment, a tensile fastener extends in the axial impact direction and connects overlapping portions of the upper and lower post members. In another embodiment, a shear fastener extends transversely to the axial impact direction and is the only connection between the upper and lower post members. In another aspect, a guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20120074721
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: 8074761
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of deformable attenuator members are spaced laterally and extend longitudinally between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the attenuators are bent in a non-outboard direction when the impact member moves from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20100243978
    Abstract: A breakaway support post for a guardrail includes an upper post member and a lower post member. The upper and lower post members are overlapping and configured such that the upper and lower post members are non-rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in an axial impact direction. In one embodiment, a tensile fastener extends in the axial impact direction and connects overlapping portions of the upper and lower post members. In another embodiment, a shear fastener extends transversely to the axial impact direction and is the only connection between the upper and lower post members. In another aspect, a guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: PATRICK A. LEONHARDT, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20090174200
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of deformable attenuator members are spaced laterally and extend longitudinally between the first and second ends. At least a portion of the attenuators are bent in a non-outboard direction when the impact member moves from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: RE46861
    Abstract: A crash attenuator for decelerating an impacting vehicle includes a first end that can be releasably secured to a vehicle, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The second end includes an impact member that is movable in the longitudinal direction from a pre-impact position to an impact position. At least a pair of spaced deformable attenuator members extend in a longitudinal direction and have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are staggered downstream from the impact member in the pre-impact position. At least a portion of the deformable attenuator members are bent in a non-outboard direction as the impact member is moved from the pre-impact position to the impact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. LaTurner, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf