US4008915A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact barrier for vehicles
Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-04
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1995-06-04
Abstract
Abstract An impact barrier designed specially to be installed at the rear of a vehicle such as a truck, has a generally rectangular, stiff enclosure open at the bottom. There is a support connected between the enclosure and the back of the vehicle so that the enclosure projects rearwardly behind the vehicle at about the expected area of impact of a following collision. Within the enclosure is a plurality of energy dissipating elements or cells arranged within the enclosure in substantial abutment with each other and with the enclosure sides. The dissipating elements are individually made of a frangible or powdering material. The enclosure support preferably includes a snubber for damping out vertical oscillations in the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Grant W. Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:55
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145; E01F15/148; B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R2019/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An impact barrier for vehicles comprising a generally rectangular enclosure open at the bottom and including side walls relatively movable toward each other, means for securing said enclosure to the back of a vehicle in a position projecting rearwardly therefrom, a plurality of substantially solid energy dissipating elements arranged within said enclosure, and means engaging said side walls for forcing said side walls toward each other and into substantial compressive supporting abutment with said elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An impact barrier for vehicles comprising a generally rectangular enclosure open at the bottom and including side walls relatively movable toward each other, means for securing said enclosure to the back of a vehicle in a position projecting rearwardly therefrom, a plurality of substantially solid energy dissipating elements arranged within said enclosure, and means engaging said side walls for forcing said side walls toward each other and into substantial compressive supporting abutment with said elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An impact barrier as in claim 1 in which said enclosure side walls are generally planar, upright and horizontally movable relative to each other; and said engaging means is a surrounding tension strap urging said side walls horizontally toward each other and against said elements and urging said elements against each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An impact barrier as in claim 1 in which said elements are of circular-cylindrical shape having a central axis, and said elements are disposed with the axes thereof arranged horizontally and extending in a fore-and-aft direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An impact barrier as in claim 3 in which at least some of said elements are arranged with said axes in alignment, and transverse diaphragm walls disposed between said elements so arranged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An impact barrier as in claim 1 including a motion snubber interconnected between said securing means and said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An impact barrier as in claim 2 in which said side walls are provided with grooves.
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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) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |