US3638913A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Highway guardrail devices
Assignee: Christiani and Nielsen Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-01-19
•
Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1990-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A guardrail support comprising a ground anchor with a bracket pivoted at one end thereto, at least two guardrail connectors secured one to the free end of the bracket and the other between the ends of the bracket, and a resilient device between the anchor and bracket to maintain the bracket at rest supporting the rails by the connectors with the upper rail closer to the highway than the lower rail and an impact of a vehicle from the highway permitting upward movement of the bracket and the rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Persicke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:31
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/02; E01F15/04; E01F15/0407; E01F15/0415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A highway crash barrier comprising two substantially horizontal guardrails supported by a series of brackets, an anchor for securing each bracket to the ground, each bracket being pivotally connected at one end to its anchor and in a rest position being upwardly inclined from the ground, two guardrail connectors on each bracket, one at the midlength portion of the bracket and the other at the free end of the bracket for connection of the guardrails to the bracket, and a shockabsorbing device between each anchor and a point on the respective bracket remote from the anchor, the guardrails being supported on said brackets one above the other with the upper guardrail at a greater horizontal distance from the pivotal axes of said brackets than the lower guardrail, each guardrail being composed of at least two sections extensibly connected end to end, so that when a vehicle strikes the rail or rails the bracket adjacent the impact will swing upwardly about its axis to carry the guardrails upwardly against the resistance of the respective shock absorber, while the guardrails temporarily increase in length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A highway crash barrier comprising two substantially horizontal guardrails supported by a series of brackets, an anchor for securing each bracket to the ground, each bracket being pivotally connected at one end to its anchor and in a rest position being upwardly inclined from the ground, two guardrail connectors on each bracket, one at the midlength portion of the bracket and the other at the free end of the bracket for connection of the guardrails to the bracket, and a shockabsorbing device between each anchor and a point on the respective bracket remote from the anchor, the guardrails being supported on said brackets one above the other with the upper guardrail at a greater horizontal distance from the pivotal axes of said brackets than the lower guardrail, each guardrail being composed of at least two sections extensibly connected end to end, so that when a vehicle strikes the rail or rails the bracket adjacent the impact will swing upwardly about its axis to carry the guardrails upwardly against the resistance of the respective shock absorber, while the guardrails temporarily increase in length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing device is a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly acting in compression and normally operating to maintain its respective bracket in a position of rest upwardly inclined towards the highway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 2, wherein the piston rod of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to the upper part of the bracket and the lower end of the cylinder is pivotally connected to the anchor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 3, wherein a liquid flow passage in the form of a slot is formed in the piston and said slot engages with a land disposed longitudinally in the cylinder, the cross section of the land increasing along its length to increase the resistance to movement of the piston as it slides longitudinally in the cylinder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 4, wherein the cylinder is only partially filled with hydraulic liquid so that the initial stage as the piston moves in the cylinder air flows through the flow passage offering little resistance, and after the liquid is displaced to fill the cylinder behind the piston the liquid then begins to flow through the passage increasing the resistance to piston movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 1, wherein the anchor is provided with a mount which has two bores therein, one higher than the other, and the lower bore forms a pivotal axis for the bracket and the upper bore forms a connection to the mount of one part of the shock absorber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 6, wherein the bracket is generally curved in shape and is formed of two spaced elements which are interconnected by bridge elements and which straddle the mount, a pivot pin passing through the lower bore in the mount and through bores in the elements and being of a material which will shear if the impact on the rail is greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 1, wherein each of the guardrail connectors comprises a half-cylindrical cup into which the rails fit snugly, and each rail is formed of a tubular element having longitudinal slots therein, the rail being secured to its cup by a sliding connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A highway crash barrier according to claim 1, wherein the rails are tubular elements and an elongated steel member passes therethrough and is fixed at the bracket to the cup of the connector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |