Abstract: An energy absorbing terminal is described that is made up of a plurality of cells partially defined by cambered panels made of thermoplastic or another suitable material. The panels are supported upon rectangular frames. The cambered portion of the panels provides a predetermined point of flexure for each panel and, thus, allows for energy dissipation during a collision. The stiffness of the crash cushion may be varied by altering material thicknesses and diaphragm spacing. In operation, a vehicle colliding in an end-on manner with the upstream end of the energy absorbing terminal will cause each of the cambered panels to bend angularly at its point of flexure and, thus, cause the cells to collapse axially. The use of thermoplastic, such as polyethylene results in a reversible, self-restoring collapse for the terminal, meaning that the terminal is reusable after most collisions.

Abstract: An energy absorbing terminal is described that is made up of a plurality of cells partially defined by cambered panels made of thermoplastic or another suitable material. The panels are supported upon rectangular frames. The cambered portion of the panels provides a predetermined point of flexure for each panel and, thus, allows for energy dissipation during a collision. The stiffness of the crash cushion may be varied by altering material thicknesses and diaphragm spacing. In operation, a vehicle colliding in an end-on manner with the upstream end of the energy absorbing terminal will cause each of the cambered panels to bend angularly at its point of flexure and, thus, cause the cells to collapse axially. The use of thermoplastic, such as polyethylene results in a reversible, self-restoring collapse for the terminal, meaning that the terminal is reusable after most collisions.

Abstract: An energy absorbing terminal is described that is made up of a plurality of cells partially defined by cambered panels made of thermoplastic or another suitable material. The panels are supported upon rectangular frames. The cambered portion of the panels provides a predetermined point of flexure for each panel and, thus, allows for energy dissipation during a collision. The stiffness of the crash cushion may be varied by altering material thicknesses and diaphragm spacing. In operation, a vehicle colliding in an end-on manner with the upstream end of the energy absorbing terminal will cause each of the cambered panels to bend angularly at its point of flexure and, thus, cause the cells to collapse axially. The use of thermoplastic, such as polyethylene results in a reversible, self-restoring collapse for the terminal, meaning that the terminal is reusable after most collisions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reusable high molecular weight, high density polyethylene guardrail designed for economical construction and rapid replacement of the elements comprising the guardrail system. This guardrail system is energy absorbing and comprises a plurality of stanchions, a plurality of connector sleeves, a horizontal barrier engaging the connector sleeves, and a plurality of location devices containing a contact surface used to support the connector sleeves. In the guardrail system, the stanchions engage the ground while the connector sleeves encompass a portion of the stanchion protruding from the ground. The horizontal barrier traverses consecutive connector sleeves by passing through from the exterior to the interior and back to the exterior of a connector sleeve.

Abstract: An impact attenuating barrier well extending longitudinally along a roadway and adapted to intercept an errant vehicle leaving the roadway and redirect the vehicle back onto the roadway. The wall comprises a fixed obstacle such as a concrete wall or a standard W-beam guardrail extending along the roadway. A plurality of first resilient energy absorbing HMW/HD polyethylene cylinders are arranged in side-by-side relationship between the obstacle and the roadway, the inner halves of adjacent cylinders defining gaps therebetween. A plurality of second resilient energy absorbing HMW/HD cylinders having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first cylinders are located within the gaps to prevent snagging of an errant vehicle upon impact.

Abstract: A crash impact attenuator designed to be mounted on a service truck or other vehicle including a perimeter band, preferably with an elongated profile having generally arcuate ends spaced from each other and interconnected by opposing links of side walls. At substantially the center of the side walls, a loop of cable or similar high tension material is provided to limit any separation of the side walls from each other. Considering one of the two arcuate ends of the perimeter band as constituting the front of the crash impact attenuator and the other of the two arcuate ends of the perimeter band as constituting the back of the crash impact attenuator, the front of the attenuator is bolted or otherwise connected to the service vehicle to be protected it from impact and the rear of the impact attenuator cantilevers out from the rear of the service vehicle and spaced above the surface over which the service vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A crash impact attenuator including one or more cylinders, each bolted or otherwise connected to the adjacent cylinder and such cylinders being connected to the platform of a service vehicle or to an abutment adjacent a highway wherein the cylinders are constructed from a high molecular weight/high density polyethylene material.

Abstract: A narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) for reducing the severity of vehicular collisions occasioned by an errant vehicle striking an immovable object at narrow hazard sites. The subject narrow stationary impact attenuation system (10) includes crash cushion means (12), lateral stability means (14), backup means (16), support means (18), lateral deflection means (20), vehicle anti-vaulting means (22), redirection means (24), and base means (26). The lateral stability means (14) extends the length of the crash cushion means (12) on either side thereof. The backup means (16) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the rear thereof. The support means (18) is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the crash cushion means (12) at the front thereof. The lateral deflection means (20), the vehicle anti-vaulting means (22) and the redirection means (24) are each mounted in supported relation at selected positions relative to the crash cushion means (12).

Abstract: A stationary impact attenuation system (10) for reducing the severity of vehicular collisions occasioned by an errant vehicle striking an immovable object. The subject stationary impact attenuation system (10) includes support means (14), impact attenuating means (12) and protective means (16). The support means (14) is located in juxtaposed relation to an immovable object and so as to lie between the immovable object and an oncoming errant vehicle. The impact attenuating means (12) is positioned in supported relation on the support means (14) and is selectively operative to entrap an errant vehicle striking the stationary impact attenuation system (10) at a first location and to redirect an errant vehicle striking the stationary impact attenuation system (10) at a second location.

Abstract: An energy absorbing system, operable as an impact attenuation device for reducing the severity of vehicular collisions, comprising guidance frame means, energy absorbing means and impacting plate means. The guidance frame means, which is operable to secure one end of the energy absorbing system in fixed relation to an object, includes an attachment plate through which the guidance frame means is fastened at one end to the aforesaid object, structural tubing members having one end thereof secured to the attachment plate, first support means operable for supporting the structural tubing members and for securing the other end of the structural tubing members to the aforesaid object, and reinforcing means mounted on the structural tubing members operable to provide additional structural strength to the structural tubing members.