Patents by Inventor John F. La Turner

John F. La Turner 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).

  • Patent number: 7758277
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7484906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7396184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. La Turner, Michael H. Oberth, Douglas E. Wilkinson