Patents by Inventor John M. Rhatigan

John M. Rhatigan 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: 5823705
    Abstract: A restraining barrier is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position by first and second transport components. Opposite ends of the barrier are coupled to the first and second transport components, respectively, and also couple the barrier to first and second energy absorbers of differing restraintive force in order stop vehicles of varying weight. A support cable is coupled to an indicator for providing a signal indicating vehicle impact. Additionally, a series of restraining barriers and energy absorbers may provide a series of sequentially differing restraintive forces to stop lightweight and heavier vehicles. The barrier may be a net and include a lower wire below the net assuring effective trapping of autos and trucks of a variety of heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: The Entwistle Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Jackson, John M. Rhatigan
  • Patent number: 5634738
    Abstract: A restraining barrier assembly is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position. The barrier may be a rectangular net with wires (or cable) (21, 22, 23) spanning the net and a lower wire 24 below the net assuring effective trapping of autos and trucks of a variety of heights (of the vehicles and of their forward bumpers, hood and driver compartment sections) and a variety of spans between their bumpers and their forward wheels. Vertical strips (25, 26) are provided at intervals along the span of the barrier to maintain spacing of the wires from each other and relative to ground level. The lowest wire (24) is set back from the plane of the barrier that includes the mid-height and upper wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventors: Martin A. Jackson, John M. Rhatigan
  • Patent number: 5624203
    Abstract: A restraining barrier (30) is positionable across a roadway in a deployed position to define a restraining zone and may be moved vertically to a passive position by first and second transport members (13, 14) slideably mounted to first and second towers (3, 4) on either side of the roadway. The barrier may be a rectangular net. First and second cables (34, 35) each support an opposite end of the barrier to the said first and second transport means respectively and also couple the barrier to an energy absorber (known per se). The cable includes a support cable which also responds to the impact of a vehicle as by breaking. The cable is coupled to an operate indicator for producing a signal indicating the vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: The Entwistle Company
    Inventors: Martin A. Jackson, Gerald L. Gorham, John M. Rhatigan