Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Leonhardt

Patrick A. Leonhardt 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).

  • Publication number: 20250230618
    Abstract: A crash cushion includes first and second diaphragm frames each having first and second laterally spaced sides defining first and second planes sloping inwardly from a top to a bottom of each side of the first and second diaphragm frames. The first diaphragm frame is moveable relative to the second diaphragm frame in response to a head-on impact. The first and second side panels are attached respectively to the first and second sides of the first and second diaphragm frames, wherein the first and second side panels are moveable relative to the second diaphragm frame in response to the head-on impact. In one embodiment, the side panels may have variable cross sectional shapes along a length thereof. In addition, each frame may include a plurality of longitudinally spaced guides for engaging a rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Applicant: Valtir, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Buehler, Jonathan K. Frank, Brent S. Sindorf, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 10047488
    Abstract: A frangible post captures and holds a cable anchor to a guardrail. The post breaks when struck by a vehicle, releasing the cable. The frangible post may include hinge members, which bias the post so that weakened sections are put in tension when the post is struck, thereby ensuring that the post breaks cleanly and the cable is released when the post is struck. A method of releasing a cable anchor includes impacting the post, biasing the weakened sections so that they are in tension, breaking the post, and releasing the cable anchor. The post may be configured with a notch to engage the cable anchor, which is then released from the notch as the post is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 9790653
    Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle barrier includes a frame defining a compartment. In one embodiment, the frame includes a nose. An energy absorbing cartridge is disposed within the compartment. A retaining device is coupled to the frame, with the retaining device disposed above and extending over at least a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge. The retaining device may contact and engage the upper surface of the cartridge when the barrier is impacted by a vehicle. In this way, the retaining device substantially prevents movement of the cartridge in at least a vertical direction during the impact. Methods of using and assembling the barrier are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Thompson, Aaron J. Cox, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 9399845
    Abstract: A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a living hinge when the hinge assembly is in the impact configuration. A method of using the crash attenuator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Buehler, Sean Thompson, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 9200417
    Abstract: A guardrail system includes a guardrail, a support post, and a fastener joining the guardrail and the support post. The support post includes a hole receiving the fastener, a fastener retention mechanism, and a slot for the movement of the fastener during an impact. The fastener retention mechanism retains the fastener in the hole until a predetermined level of force is attained during an impact, after which the fastener is released and moves into the slot. Methods of moving the guardrail relative to the post are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Brian E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150069771
    Abstract: A crash attenuator includes a frame having a first frame member and a second frame member rigidly connected with a hinge assembly in a pre-impact configuration. The first and second frames are hingedly connected with the hinge assembly in an impact configuration, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a living hinge when the hinge assembly is in the impact configuration. A method of using the crash attenuator is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. BUEHLER, SEAN THOMPSON, PATRICK A. LEONHARDT
  • Patent number: 8905382
    Abstract: An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Barry D. Stephens, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Publication number: 20140145132
    Abstract: A guardrail system includes a guardrail, a support post, and a fastener joining the guardrail and the support post. The support post includes a hole receiving the fastener, a fastener retention mechanism, and a slot for the movement of the fastener during an impact. The fastener retention mechanism retains the fastener in the hole until a predetermined level of force is attained during an impact, after which the fastener is released and moves into the slot. Methods of moving the guardrail relative to the post are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Energy Absorpiton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: PATRICK A. LEONHARDT, Brian E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140110652
    Abstract: A frangible post captures and holds a cable anchor to a guardrail. The post breaks when struck by a vehicle, releasing the cable. The frangible post may include hinge members, which bias the post so that weakened sections are put in tension when the post is struck, thereby ensuring that the post breaks cleanly and the cable is released when the post is struck. A method of releasing a cable anchor includes impacting the post, biasing the weakened sections so that they are in tension, breaking the post, and releasing the cable anchor. The post may be configured with a notch to engage the cable anchor, which is then released from the notch as the post is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: PATRICK A. LEONHARDT
  • Publication number: 20130266369
    Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle barrier includes a frame defining a compartment. In one embodiment, the frame includes a nose. An energy absorbing cartridge is disposed within the compartment. A retaining device is coupled to the frame, with the retaining device disposed above and extending over at least a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge. The retaining device may contact and engage the upper surface of the cartridge when the barrier is impacted by a vehicle. In this way, the retaining device substantially prevents movement of the cartridge in at least a vertical direction during the impact. Methods of using and assembling the barrier are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Thompson, Aaron J. Cox, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 8469626
    Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle barrier includes a frame defining a compartment. In one embodiment, the frame includes a nose. An energy absorbing cartridge is disposed within the compartment. A retaining device is coupled to the frame, with the retaining device disposed above and extending over at least a portion of an upper surface of the cartridge. The retaining device may contact and engage the upper surface of the cartridge when the barrier is impacted by a vehicle. In this way, the retaining device substantially prevents movement of the cartridge in at least a vertical direction during the impact. Methods of using and assembling the barrier are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Thompson, Aaron J. Cox, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 8360400
    Abstract: A guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: 8348546
    Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Publication number: 20120217459
    Abstract: An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Barry D. Stephens, Patrick A. Leonhardt
  • Publication number: 20120211710
    Abstract: A guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Patent number: 8215619
    Abstract: A breakaway support post for a guardrail includes an upper post member and a lower post member. The upper and lower post members are overlapping and configured such that the upper and lower post members are non-rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in an axial impact direction. In one embodiment, a tensile fastener extends in the axial impact direction and connects overlapping portions of the upper and lower post members. In another embodiment, a shear fastener extends transversely to the axial impact direction and is the only connection between the upper and lower post members. In another aspect, a guardrail assembly includes first and second rail sections, with a deforming member deforming the first rail section as it moves relative to the second rail section. Methods of using and assembling a guardrail assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Leonhardt, Barry D. Stephens, Michael J. Buehler, Brent S. Sindorf
  • Publication number: 20120128418
    Abstract: A method for transferring a barrier includes providing a barrier having first and second sides and a plurality of barrier modules connected end-to-end, driving a transfer vehicle along a path on the first side of the barrier, wherein the vehicle is supported entirely by a support surface on the first side of the barrier and is free of any engagement with the support surface on the second side of the barrier. The transfer vehicle includes a barrier transfer device with a support disposed above the barrier and a carriage coupled to the support. The method further includes sequentially engaging the plurality of barrier modules with the carriage, sequentially moving the plurality of barrier modules in a lateral direction with the carriage, and sequentially releasing the plurality of barrier modules from the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Patent number: 8182169
    Abstract: A non-lethal energy absorbing vehicle barrier for decelerating an impacting vehicle a gate member disposed between first and second gate receivers that is deformable from a pre-impact configuration to an impact configuration. The gate member may include a first deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the first gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward a center of the gate member; a second deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the second gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward the center of the gate member; and a deforming member connecting the first and second deformable energy absorption members in an overlapping configuration. The deforming member is configured to engage and deform the first and second deformable energy absorption members as the gate member is deformed from the pre-impact configuration to the impact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Thompson, Samuel Ross Stanley, Jr., Patrick A. Leonhardt, Donald C. Pyde
  • Patent number: 8109692
    Abstract: A barrier transfer device includes a cantilevered support arm and a carriage coupled to the support arm. The carriage includes at least a pair of barrier interface members extending downwardly from the support arm. The barrier interface members are configured to engage a barrier on opposite sides thereof when the barrier. A system for transferring a barrier includes a transfer vehicle having an outermost portion on each of first and second opposite sides of the transfer vehicle. The cantilevered support arm is coupled to the transfer vehicle and extends laterally outwardly past the outermost portion of the transfer vehicle on the first side of the transfer vehicle. A moveable barrier system includes at least one barrier having first and second sides and a bottom adapted to be supported by a ground surface and a transfer vehicle having a barrier interface element engaging only a first side of said barrier. Methods for transferring a barrier are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Welch, Douglas E. Wilkinson, Patrick A. Leonhardt, Michael H. Oberth, Barry D. Stephens, Sean Thompson, Donald L. Crothers
  • Patent number: RE47626
    Abstract: An end terminal for a guardrail system includes an elongated guardrail beam and a flattening or reshaping device defining a channel having an inlet and an outlet vertically aligned along a longitudinal axis. The guardrail beam is moveable along the longitudinal axis through the channel from the inlet to the outlet. An anchor is vertically spaced below the outlet, with a tether coupled between the anchor and an end portion of the guardrail beam. The tether is adapted to pull the guardrail beam downwardly from a first height at the outlet to a second height vertically spaced from the first height free of any engagement with any other structure once the guardrail beam exits the outlet, and with a bending of the deformed guardrail beam in only one direction after the deformed guardrail beam leaves the outlet. Methods of assembly and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Barry D. Stephens, Patrick A. Leonhardt