Patents by Inventor John V. Machado
John V. Machado 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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Publication number: 20030215285Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a novel system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames is outwardly bowed and includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Lincoln C. Cobb, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 6481920Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames is outwardly bowed and includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Lincoln C. Cobb, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 6315490Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames is outwardly bowed and includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Lincoln C. Cobb, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 6244637Abstract: A truck mounted attenuator includes an adjustable tailgate mount having a frame, and a hanger adjustably mounted to the frame such that the hanger is movable to any of a plurality of vertical positions with respect to the frame to adjust the tailgate mount for a specific truck. The hanger is shaped and configured to support the frame at the rear of the truck. A crash cushion is secured to the frame, and the crash cushion includes at least first and second bays containing respective first and second energy absorbing elements. The first and second energy absorbing elements are shorter than the respective bays by differing amounts.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Lincoln C. Cobb, John V. Machado, Michael J. Buehler
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Patent number: 6092959Abstract: A highway crash cushion provides a system response profile that reduces the stopping distance of an impact event. This crash cushion includes a frame that forms at least two bays arranged one behind another in an anticipated impact direction. The frame includes at least three transverse frames and side frames extending between adjacent transverse frames. Each of the side frames includes first and second side frame elements coupled to the respective transverse frames, and a hinge coupled between the first and second side frame elements. At least one energy absorbing element is disposed in one of the bays, and at least first and second restraints are coupled to the side frames to resist movement of the hinges at an early stage in an impact event. The crash cushion is partially collapsed automatically as the crash cushion is raised from a horizontal to a vertical position, and then extended automatically to its operational position as the crash cushion is lowered from the vertical to the horizontal position.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Lincoln C. Cobb, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 5868521Abstract: A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide rail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1997Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Oberth, David C. Gertz, John V. Machado, Barry D. Stephens
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Patent number: 5797592Abstract: A roadside energy absorbing barrier includes energy absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms, with fender panels mounted by hinges to the diaphragms. The fender panels define longitudinally extending slots, and a fastener is mounted between adjacent fender panels. This fastener includes a bolt passing through an enlarged washer, a slot in one fender panel and an adjacent fender panel. A nut is positioned on the bolt inwardly of the fender panels, and a coil spring is mounted on the bolt and reacts against the nut and the fender panels to bias the first fender panel toward the second fender panel while permitting a selected separation therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventor: John V. Machado
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Patent number: 5733062Abstract: A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide rail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1995Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Oberth, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 5577861Abstract: A crash attenuator for an exposed end of a concrete highway barrier includes a light weight array of sheet metal energy-absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms. The crash attenuator is cantilevered from one end of the barrier by a mounting arrangement that includes mounting tubes on the barrier and the attenuator that can be quickly secured together by removable pins. The energy-absorbing elements define a single row of tubular columns in forward portions of the crash attenuator and two rows of tubular columns in rearward portions of the crash attenuator. Vehicle deflecting members extend between the barrier and the crash attenuator and can fold against the barrier for storage.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Oberth, John V. Machado
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Patent number: 5494371Abstract: A crash attenuator for an exposed end of a concrete highway barrier includes a light weight array of sheet metal energy-absorbing elements interposed between diaphragms. The crash attenuator is cantilevered from one end of the barrier by a mounting arrangement that includes mounting tubes on the barrier and the attenuator that can be quickly secured together by removable pins. The energy-absorbing elements define a single row of tubular columns in forward portions of the crash attenuator and two rows of tubular columns in rearward portions of the crash attenuator. Vehicle deflecting members extend between the barrier and the crash attenuator and can fold against the barrier for storage.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Oberth, John V. Machado
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Patent number: RE41988Abstract: A highway crash cushion includes a single, central, rigid, guide tail that guides the crash cushion in axial collapse. Diaphragm assemblies are each provided with recessed legs, and a central guide that slides along the rail while locking against the rail in a lateral collision. The diaphragm assemblies support fender panels that include four longitudinally extending ridges, a central slot, and a tapered trailing edge that reduces vehicle snagging. Energy absorbing elements are disposed between the diaphragm assemblies, and each includes an indicator that clearly indicates when the element has been compressed and possibly damaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael H. Oberth, John V. Machado