US3690619A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing guardrail
Assignee: Menasco Inc
•
Filing: 1970-12-10
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A railing to be located adjacent a roadway, to lessen the impact force of a land vehicle leaving the roadway, which is assembled in a plurality of sections, each section connected to adjacent sections by means of a telescoping hinge and slip joint. A plurality of compressible solid damped springs to be connected to the railing to absorb forces causing lateral movement of the railing.
Inventors
- 👤 Giles A Kendall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:09
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/02; E01F15/04; E01F15/0407; E01F15/0438; E01F15/0415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a guardrail for absorbing the impact force of a vehicle which has veered from its desired path, a first rail, a second rail, said rails connected to a supporting means, said supporting means comprising a rigidly fixed means and an energy absorption means, said energy absorption means connecting said rigidly fixed means to said rails, either of said rails being able to incur direct contact by the vehicle, one end of said first rail being telescopingly connected within an adjacent end of said second rail, said telescoping connection permitting pivotal and longitudinal movement of said first rail with respect to said second rail, said telescoping connection comprising a shoulder on said one end of said first rail slidably received within said adjacent end of said second rail, a recessed portion within said first rail, said recessed portion being located adjacent said shoulder of said first rail to permit relative movement between said one end and said adjacent end, vehicle impact upon at least one of said rails producing relative pivotal movement of said rails about said shoulder and bodily movement of at least one of said rails toward said rigidly fixed means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a guardrail for absorbing the impact force of a vehicle which has veered from its desired path, a first rail, a second rail, said rails connected to a supporting means, said supporting means comprising a rigidly fixed means and an energy absorption means, said energy absorption means connecting said rigidly fixed means to said rails, either of said rails being able to incur direct contact by the vehicle, one end of said first rail being telescopingly connected within an adjacent end of said second rail, said telescoping connection permitting pivotal and longitudinal movement of said first rail with respect to said second rail, said telescoping connection comprising a shoulder on said one end of said first rail slidably received within said adjacent end of said second rail, a recessed portion within said first rail, said recessed portion being located adjacent said shoulder of said first rail to permit relative movement between said one end and said adjacent end, vehicle impact upon at least one of said rails producing relative pivotal movement of said rails about said shoulder and bodily movement of at least one of said rails toward said rigidly fixed means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said recessed portion extending about the entire periphery of said first rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein: said energy absorption means including a damped spring means connected to each of said rails intermediate its ends, said rails being adapted to directly contact the vehicle, either of said rails being movable from an outward position to an inward position upon impact by the vehicle, said damped spring means causing automatic return movement of said rails after impact from said inward position to said outward position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A guardrail as defined in claim 3 wherein: said damped spring means includes a plurality of separate damped spring units to be spaced apart along said rails and employing a compressible solid as the working medium, and means for connecting each of said damped spring units to one of said rails to permit angular pivotal movement of a said rail relative to said unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A guardrail as defined in claim 4 wherein: each of said damped spring units includes a movable piston connected to a shaft, said piston located within a closed chamber containing said compressible solid, a sealing assembly mounted about said shaft to prevent leakage of said compressible solid from said chamber, the internal pressure of said compressible solid to vary during movement of said piston, and being limited in any one of said units to that which will not result in serious injury to the occupants of said vehicle.
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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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |