Energy absorbing pneumatic crash cushion

Claim 2

An energy absorbing apparatus comprising: at least one air chamber for partially compressing upon the application of an axial impact force, the air chamber comprising valve means for sealing the air chamber upon the application of the axial force to trap air within the air chamber and for automatically releasing a portion of the air within the air chamber after the air chamber has reached the end of its compressive stroke.

Claim 3

The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the valve means comprises a pressure activated valve and an inertially activated valve seat configured to seal against the valve.

Claim 4

3; The apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the air chamber comprises a bellowed wall.

Claim 5

A reusable energy absorbing apparatus comprising: a plurality of air chambers for partially compressing upon the application of an axial impact force; each of the air chambers comprising valve means for sealing the air chamber upon the application of the axial impact force to trap air within the air chamber and for automatically releasing a portion of the air within the air chamber after the air chamber has reached the end of its compressive stroke; and the valve means being so constructed and arranged that they release sequentially.

Claim 6

A reusable energy absorbing apparatus comprising: a plurality of air chambers for partially compressing upon the application of an axial impact force; each of the air chambers comprising valve means for sealing the air chamber upon the application of the axial impact force to trap air within the air chamber and for automatically releasing a portion of the air within the air chamber after the air chamber has reached the end of its compressive stroke; and the valve means being so constructed and arranged that they release sequentially.

Claim 7

The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein each of the valve means comprises a respective pressure actuated valve and a respective inertially activated valve seat configured to seal against the valve.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein each of the air chambers comprises a respective bellowed wall.

Claim 9

The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the bellowed walls are constructed from vinyl wrapped in nylon..

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the bellowed walls are constructed to withstand a sufficient internal pressure to prevent a heavy automobile traveling at highway speeds from impacting a stationary object.

Claim 11

An energy absorbing apparatus for preventing a vehicle from impacting a stationary object comprising: a first air chamber, a second air chamber and at least one additional air chamber, for partially compressing upon the application of an axial impact force; the first air chamber being located farthest from the stationary object and including means for sealing air within the first air chamber upon the application of the axial impact force and for venting a portion of the air from the first air chamber after the energy absorbing apparatus has reached the end of its compressive stroke; the second air chamber.including means for sealing air within the second air chamber after the first chamber has been sealed and for venting a portion of the air from the second air chamber after the first air chamber has begun to vent air; and each of the additional air chambers including means for sealing air within the respective air chamber after the first and second air chambers have been sealed and for venting air from the respective additional air chambers after the first air chamber has begun to vent air.

Claim 12

An energy absorbing apparatus for preventing a vehicle from impacting a stationary object comprising: a first air chamber, a second air chamber and at least one additional air chamber, for partially compressing upon the application of an axial impact force; the first air chamber being located farthest from the stationary object and including means for sealing air within the first air chamber upon the application of the axial impact force and for venting a portion of the air from the first air chamber after the energy absorbing apparatus has reached the end of its compressive stroke; the second air chamber.including means for sealing air within the second air chamber after the first chamber has been sealed and for venting a portion of the air from the second air chamber after the first air chamber has begun to vent air; and each of the additional air chambers including means for sealing air within the respective air chamber after the first and second air chambers have been sealed and for venting air from the respective additional air chambers after the first air chamber has begun to vent air.

Claim 13

The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein each of the means for sealing and venting comprises a respective pressure activated valve and a respective inertially activated valve seat configured to seal against the valve.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10.wherein the valves are activated sequentially.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bellowed walls are constructed from vinyl wrapped in nylon.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the bellowed walls have a sufficient tensile strength to withstand an internal pressure of at least 40 pounds per square inch.