Patents by Inventor Hayes E. Ross, Jr.
Hayes E. Ross, Jr. 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: 7516945Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, TRN Business TrustInventors: Dean C. Alberson, Roger P. Bligh, D. Lance Bullard, Jr., C. Eugene Buth, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Stephen L. Brown
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Patent number: 7325789Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: C. Eugene Buth, Roger P. Bligh, Dean C. Alberson, D. Lance Bullard, Jr., Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Akram Abu-Odeh
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Patent number: 7243908Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cable anchor system for an end terminal includes a cable anchor bracket configured to couple to a guardrail, in which the cable anchor bracket includes a flat plate having an aperture formed therein and a plurality of protrusions extending from a plane containing the aperture. The protrusions are configured to releasably engage the guardrail.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignees: The Texas A&M Univeristy System, TRN Business TrustInventors: Dean C. Alberson, Roger P. Bligh, D. Lance Bullard, Jr., C. Eugene Buth, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Stephen L. Brown
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Patent number: 7185882Abstract: Guardrail installation designs are described that incorporate a box beam rail as the structural rail member. The box beam rail member may have an open cross-section or a closed cross-section. An impact head is provided to bend and deflect the rail member during an end-on collision, allowing the rail member to be deflected away from the roadway and out of the path of an end-on impacting vehicle. The impact head includes a striking face and a chute portion that receives the box beam rail member therewithin. In addition to bending and deflecting the rail member, the impact head may also include a flattening section for flattening the rail member.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: C. Eugene Buth, Roger P. Bligh, Dean C. Alberson, Lance D. Bullard, Jr., Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Akram Abu-Odeh
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Patent number: 6575434Abstract: Devices and methods for strengthening the upper portions of the support posts for guardrails and guardrail end treatments against the forces that are imparted to the post during an impact. The upper portions of support posts, particularly the areas proximate the bolt connection, are reinforced. Preferably, a compressive force is applied to those areas as well by the reinforcements. In one embodiment, reinforcement for the upper portion of the post is provided by metal banding that is disposed around the periphery of the post. Alternative exemplary embodiments are also described in which reinforcement to the upper portion of the post is provided by plates that are secured into place on a location proximate the connection bolt and by a metal cap that sits atop the post. In another embodiment, the drilled hole and connection bolt are eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Roger P. Bligh, King K. Mak, Hayes E. Ross, Jr.
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Patent number: 6435761Abstract: Slot guards for a slotted rail terminals are described having a central section and a pair of wing portions that are angularly disposed with respect to the central portion. The wing portions are folded away from the plane of the central section along lines that are angularly oriented with respect to one another so that the wing portions are wider at one end of the slot guard than at the other end. As a result, the slot guard provides a greater height at one of its ends than at the other end. Apertures for connectors are disposed through each of the wing portions, but not through the central portion. The slot guard preferably provides an asymmetrical aperture pattern and/or conspicuous markings so that the slot guard is not inadvertently installed in a reversed configuration on a guardrail. Methods for forming the slot guard are also described wherein a blank for a slot guard is cut or stamped out of a sheet of metal.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Roger P. Bligh, King K. Mak, Hayes E. Ross, Jr.
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Publication number: 20010048101Abstract: Devices and methods for strengthening the upper portions of the support posts for guardrails and guardrail end treatments against the forces that are imparted to the post during an impact. The upper portions of support posts, particularly the areas proximate the bolt connection, are reinforced. Preferably, a compressive force is applied to those areas as well by the reinforcements. In one embodiment, reinforcement for the upper portion of the post is provided by metal banding that is disposed around the periphery of the post. Alternative exemplary embodiments are also described in which reinforcement to the upper portion of the post is provided by plates that are secured into place on a location proximate the connection bolt and by a metal cap that sits atop the post. In another embodiment, the drilled hole and connection bolt are eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 1999Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: ROGER P. BLIGH, KING K. MAK, HAYES E. ROSS, JR.
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Patent number: 5547309Abstract: An end treatment for a thrie-beam type guardrail and safety device specifically oriented toward trucks, vans and other utility vehicles having high profiles and centers of gravity. A slotted thrie-beam terminal is featured for use with highway guardrail systems. At least one reinforced slotted section is provided within the thrie-beam terminal to reduce the ability of the thrie beam to resist buckling in response to an axial type loading from end-on impacts. The terminal also provides for gating of laterally impacting vehicles. The terminal incorporates a break-away support post cable release mechanism which lessens risk to impacting vehicles which impact the lead post.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: King K. Mak, Roger P. Bligh, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Dean L. Sicking
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Patent number: 5503495Abstract: An end treatment for a thrie-beam type guardrail and a safety device specifically oriented toward trucks, vans and other utility vehicles having high profiles and centers of gravity. A slotted thrie-beam terminal is featured for use with highway guardrail systems. At least one reinforced slotted section is provided within the thrie-beam terminal to reduce the ability of the thrie beam to resist buckling in response to an axial type loading from end-on impacts. The terminal also provides for gating of laterally impacting vehicles. The terminal incorporates a break-away support post cable release mechanism which lessens risk to impacting vehicles which impact the lead post.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: The Texas A & M University SystemInventors: King K. Mak, Roger P. Bligh, Dean L. Sicking, Hayes E. Ross, Jr.
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Patent number: 5407298Abstract: A slotted rail terminal for highway guardrails. The rail of the terminal contains at least one slotted section extending along the rail and having at least one longitudinal slot of a size sufficient to reduce the ability of the rail to resist bending in response to a loading from one end or the side of the rail. A slot guard is provided which is adapted to be attached to the rail on the side facing away from the highway and downstream of each slotted section relative to expected longitudinal loadings on the rail. The slot guard is configured to abut the rail and span its respective slotted section so as to resist enlargement of each slot. The slot guard enables the slotted section to resist and oppose lateral impacting forces such that the slotted section of the guardrail will act to substantially redirect laterally impacting vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Dean I. Sicking, Roger P. Bligh, King K. Mak, Hayes E. Ross, Jr.
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Patent number: 5295757Abstract: A safety end barrier for use in coordination with roadside barriers. The safety end barrier lies substantially parallel to the direction of traffic flow and increases in height from about natural ground level at its lower end. The end barrier has sidewalls which angle upwardly outward from the barrier base. The taller end of the end barrier is preferably connected to a concrete roadside barrier through apertures extending from a recessed trough to the end of the safety end barrier. Preferably, bolts with two threaded ends, insertable through the apertures and secured by corresponding nuts, are used as connecting devices to connect the end barrier to a concrete roadside barrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Don L. Ivey, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., W. Lynn Beason
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Patent number: 5078366Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal for flattening a folded or W-beam guardrail and bending the guardrail to dissipate the energy of a vehicle impacting the end of the guardrail includes a feeder chute. The feeder chute is provided with an inlet in which the guardrail is positioned. The feeder chute extends into a terminal housing, and is in communication with an extruder or flattening throat. The flattening throat is of a smaller width than the feeder chute to flatten the guardrail. A bending member is also provided in the terminal to bend the guardrail in an curvilinear arc away from the impacting vehicle. Also included is a cable anchor releasably mounted on the guardrail. A cable extends from the cable anchor to a first post located at the end of the guardrail. The cable anchor includes lugs that release from the guardrail upon engagement of the extruder terminal with the cable anchor.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1990Date of Patent: January 7, 1992Assignee: Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Dean L. Sicking, Asif Qureshy, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., C. Eugene Buth
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Patent number: 4928928Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal for flattening a W-beam guardrail and bending the guardrail to dissipate the energy of a vehicle impacting the end of the guardrail includes a feeder chute. The feeder chute is provided with an inlet in which the guardrail is positioned. The feeder chute extends into a terminal housing, and is in communication with a flattening throat. The fattening throat is of a smaller width than the feeder chute to flatten the W-beam. A bending member is also provided in the terminal to bend the guardrail in an curvilinear arc away from the impacting vehicle. Also included is a cable anchor releasably mounted on the guardrail. A cable extends from the cable anchor to a first post located at the end of the guardrail. The cable anchor includes lugs that release from the guardrail upon engagement of the extruder terminal with the cable anchor.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: C. Eugene Buth, Asif Qureshy, Hayes E. Ross, Jr., Dean L. Sicking
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Patent number: 4815565Abstract: A crash cushion end treatment, comprising a reusable barrier apparatus to protect vehicles traveling along the roadway from fixed roadside obstructions is disclosed. The apparatus is attached to the fixed obstruction and comprises a linear array of deformable cylinders or vented bodies which are designed to attenuate the force of vehicle impact. A single cylindrical member is disposed at the front, or leading edge, of the barrier. The cylindrical member prevents vehicles impacting the barrier "head-on" from being launched over the barrier. Further, a plurality of overlapping fender panels are disposed along each side of the linear array of deformable cylinders. These fender panels are hinged to the barrier so that when the barrier is collapsed, or telescoped inwardly, by an impacting vehicle, the panels may hinge outwardly without being damaged or destroyed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1986Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Inventors: Dean L. Sicking, Hayes E. Ross, Jr.