US3876185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle energy absorbing device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-02
•
Granted: 1975-04-08
•
Expires: 1993-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Highway safety devices placed adjacent a highway obstacle comprising a number of discrete resilient units which interconnect to form a continuous resilient energy absorbing highway barrier capable of safely decelerating a colliding motor vehicle are disclosed. Shaped, resilient, foamed plastic units are assembled to form a highway obstacle barrier capable of absorbing a vehicle''s momentum with minimum damage to the vehicle and little injury to its occupants.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lynn Welch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:27
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145; E01F15/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A reuseable resilient highway safety barrier comprised of a mass of discrete independent resilient plastic blocks having interconnecting means to connect said blocks with one another and in contact with a highway obstacle for decelerating motor vehicles which would collide with the obstacle except for the presence of said barrier, said plastic blocks being stacked and having interconnecting means to connect said barrier to the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A reuseable resilient highway safety barrier comprised of a mass of discrete independent resilient plastic blocks having interconnecting means to connect said blocks with one another and in contact with a highway obstacle for decelerating motor vehicles which would collide with the obstacle except for the presence of said barrier, said plastic blocks being stacked and having interconnecting means to connect said barrier to the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The barrier of claim 1 wherein the discrete independent resilient blocks are square framed plastic blocks weighting about 30 to 70 pounds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The barrier of claim 1 wherein the independent resilient blocks are comprised of a flexible, weather-resistant, polymeric foam material having a density of about 10 to about 40 pounds per cubic foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The barrier of claim 1 wherein the resilient blocks form a continuous resilient barrier about three to about eight feet high.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The barrier of claim 4 wherein the connecting means is an intergral part of the resilient unit; said means being shaped into the unit in the form of interlocking tongue and groove means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The barrier of claim 1 wherein the connecting means are lines placed through holes in the resilient unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The barrier of claim 1 wherein the connecting means for connecting the barrier to the ground are lines drawn through holes in the resilient units, said lines being secured to hook means secured to the ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A barrier of claim 1 wherein the barrier is supported to the rear and sides by an earthen embankment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The barrier of claim 4 wherein the total barrier weight is from about 10 thousand to about 50 thousand pounds.
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |