Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Wilkinson
Douglas E. Wilkinson 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).
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Patent number: 8647012Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Douglas E. Wilkinson, Anthony R. Van Brocklin, Barry D. Stephens
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Patent number: 8348546Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
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Publication number: 20120128418Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
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Patent number: 8109692Abstract: A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
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Publication number: 20110271597Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Douglas E. Wilkinson, Anthony R. Van Brocklin, Barry D. Stephens
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Patent number: 7758277Abstract: A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle includes first, second and third bays. The first bay is positioned forwardly of the second bay and the second bay is positioned forwardly of the third bay. The first, second and third bays each have energy absorbing structures with first, second and third impact strengths respectively. The first impact strength is greater than the third impact strength, which is greater than the second impact strength.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20090129860Abstract: A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle includes first, second and third bays. The first bay is positioned forwardly of the second bay and the second bay is positioned forwardly of the third bay. The first, second and third bays each have energy absorbing structures with first, second and third impact strengths respectively. The first impact strength is greater than the third impact strength, which is greater than the second impact strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: JOHN F. LATURNER, MICHAEL H. OBERTH, DOUGLAS E. WILKINSON
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Publication number: 20090074507Abstract: A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
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Patent number: 7484906Abstract: A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle includes first, second and third bays. The first bay is positioned forwardly of the second bay and the second bay is positioned forwardly of the third bay. The first, second and third bays each have energy absorbing structures with first, second and third impact strengths respectively. The first impact strength is greater than the third impact strength, which is greater than the second impact strength. In another aspect, a deformable tube is at least partially filled with a secondary component, which filled portion has a greater deformation strength than unfilled portions of the tube. In another aspect, a vehicle crash cushion includes first and second side panels. A connector includes a first strap portion disposed in a valley of and connected to the first side panel and a second strap portion disposed adjacent to and connected to a ridge of the second side panel.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson
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Patent number: 7396184Abstract: A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle includes front and rear anchors spaced along a longitudinal direction and at least one deformable attenuator member extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first end coupled to the front anchor and a second end coupled to the rear anchor. A support member is positioned adjacent the attenuator member and is moveable in the longitudinal direction relative thereto between at least an initial position and an impact position toward the rear anchor and away from the front anchor. At least one deforming member is mounted on the support member and is engaged with at least a portion of the attenuator member. In another aspect, a vehicle crash cushion includes first and second side panels each having at least one longitudinally extending ridge and at least one longitudinally extending valley. The first side panel is moveable relative to the second side panel in response to an axial force being applied to the elongated frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson