US3674115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid shock absorbing buffer
Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A reuseable impact attenuation construction designed to protect fixed objects near highways or vehicular traffic routes from damage due to high velocity impact. The invention comprises a plurality of collapsible, incompressible fluid filled energy absorbing and dissipating buffer elements separated by collapsible panel and diaphragm means whereby the force of impact of a colliding vehicle compresses the aforesaid structure, causing a pressure build-up in the fluid filled buffer elements which are sandwiched between the panel and diaphragm means. The energy of impact is dissipated in said buffer elements by the controlled escape of fluid therefrom through a series of sharp edged orifices. The internal pressure in the buffer elements creates a resisting force which dissipates the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle and brings it to a safe, controlled stop without damage to said fixed object and without injuring the occupants of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce O Young
- 👤 Grant W Walker
- 👤 Duane B Ford
- 👤 Wan Seegmiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:54
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145; E01F15/146; F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/02; F16F15/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An impacting absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be positioned adjacent said fixed structure; collapsible, energy absorbing and dissipating means comprising a plurality of individual elements positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of said backing member; diaphragm means comprising a plurality of individual diaphragm members interposed in said array at spaced intervals and with the opposed ends of at least preselected ones of said diaphragm members extending laterally outward of said array of individual elements; fender means comprising panel members pivotally coupled to the opposed ends of said selected diaphragm members, said panel members extending rearwardly from their associateD diaphragm member and partially overlapping the panel members associated with the succeeding diaphragm member; and non-rigid means interconnecting said backing member and said diaphragm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
An impacting absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be positioned adjacent said fixed structure; collapsible, energy absorbing and dissipating means comprising a plurality of individual elements positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of said backing member; diaphragm means comprising a plurality of individual diaphragm members interposed in said array at spaced intervals and with the opposed ends of at least preselected ones of said diaphragm members extending laterally outward of said array of individual elements; fender means comprising panel members pivotally coupled to the opposed ends of said selected diaphragm members, said panel members extending rearwardly from their associateD diaphragm member and partially overlapping the panel members associated with the succeeding diaphragm member; and non-rigid means interconnecting said backing member and said diaphragm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 1 wherein: said diaphragm means and said fender means are constructed to telescope into each other upon impact; and said panel members of said fender means are normally biased into engagement with the panel members of the succeeding diaphragm member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 1 wherein: said individual elements of said energy absorbing and dissipating means are arrayed in a series of adjacent rows between at least preselected ones of said diaphragm panels; and said diaphragm means further includes interior panels interposed between adjacent rows of said individual elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 3 wherein: said individual elements of said energy absorbing and dissipating means each comprise a fluid filled cavity, and orifice means positioned above said cavity to permit discharge of said fluid from said fluid filled cavity through said orifice means only at a rate commensurate with an impact force applied thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 1 including: additional collapsible energy absorbing and dissipating means located in front of the forward most diaphragm member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 1 wherein: said non-rigid means includes a restraining cable structure rigidly anchored at one end in advance of the forwardmost one of said diaphragm members and at its opposite end to said rigid backing member and passing through apertures in said diaphragm means to guide and control the movement of said diaphragm means during impact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 6 wherein: said restraining cable means comprises at least two laterally spaced cables which diverge from each other from the front to the rear of said device to compensate for any slack that may develop due to position changes of said diaphragm means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 6 wherein: said non-rigid means further includes a pull-out cable structure attached to said diaphragm means to prevent said diaphragm means from moving in a direction to enlarge said chamber means, said non-rigid means constituting the substantially exclusive means for interconnecting said diaphragm means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 7 wherein: each succeeding diaphragm member is laterally wider than the preceding diaphragm member disposed toward said backing member, and said diaphragm members and said clusters of energy absorbing and dissipating means are positioned to form a generally frustro-conical configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
An impact absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be secured adjacent said fixed structure; a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed diaphragm members with laterally disposed fender members pivotally attached to two vertical sides of said diaphragm members; said diaphragm members being positioned in spaced relation to one another and with said fender members associated with each diaphragm member partially overlapping respective fender members associated with a successive diaphragm member for forming a plurality of chambers spacially disposed in front of said backing member when said fender means are in a longitudinally extensive position; energy absorbing and dissipating means disposed in said chambers; and means for interconnecting and partially restraining movement of said diaphragm means consisting essentially of flexible cables.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
An impact absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be secured adjacent said fixed structure; a plurality of spaced, substantially vertically disposed diaphragm members with laterally disposed fender members pivotally attached to two vertical sides of said diaphragm members; said diaphragm members being positioned in spaced relation to one another and with said fender members associated with each diaphragm member partially overlapping respective fender members associated with a successive diaphragm member for forming a plurality of chambers spacially disposed in front of said backing member when said fender means are in a longitudinally extensive position; energy absorbing and dissipating means disposed in said chambers; and means for interconnecting and partially restraining movement of said diaphragm means consisting essentially of flexible cables.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 10 wherein: said fender means when disposed in said longitudinally extensive position forms a barrier means wHich effectively deflects a vehicle impacting laterally with said safety buffer device at a substantially low angle measured along the longitudinal extent of said safety buffer device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 10 wherein: the sides of said fender means facing the direction of impact have a surface composed of a material having a relatively low coefficient of friction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 10 wherein: said interconnecting and restraining means comprises cables rigidly anchored at one end at a location in advance of the forwardmost of said diaphragm members and at its opposite end to said rigid backing member and passing through apertures in each of said diaphragm members, for resisting lateral deformation of said safety buffer device during lateral impact along said fender members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
An impact absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be secured adjacent said fixed structure; a plurality of spaced apart diaphragm members with laterally disposed fender members attached thereto forming a plurality of chambers sequentially aligned chambers disposed intermediate respective adjacent pairs of said diaphragm members and spacially disposed in front of said backing member; and collapsible energy absorbing and dissipating means disposed in only preselected ones and less than all of said plurality of chambers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
84 words
An impact absorbing safety buffer device for a fixed structure comprising: a rigid backing member adapted to be secured adjacent said fixed structure; a plurality of spaced apart diaphragm members with laterally disposed fender members attached thereto forming a plurality of chambers sequentially aligned chambers disposed intermediate respective adjacent pairs of said diaphragm members and spacially disposed in front of said backing member; and collapsible energy absorbing and dissipating means disposed in only preselected ones and less than all of said plurality of chambers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 14 wherein: said device includes eight chambers and said energy absorbing and dissipating means is disposed in all but the third chamber from the front of said device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The impact absorbing safety buffer device of claim 14 wherein: said energy absorbing and dissipating means includes a cluster of flexible housing members each comprising a fluid filled cavity therein and orifice means positioned above said cavity to permit discharge of said fluid from said fluid filled cavity through said orifice means only at a rate commensurate with an impact force applied thereto.
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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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |