US4066244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicular energy absorber
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-09-20
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a device for absorbing the energy of a vehicle and protecting the same in the event of a collision with a relatively immovable hazard along a highway such as a bridge abutment or the like. The device includes a network of toroidal members, such as tires, including at least two rows of upright tires and a line of tires between the row of tires. The rows of tires extend in a direction generally transverse to the expected direction of impact with the tires of the line of tires extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact. A plurality of stanchions are preferably located generally between the first row of tires and the hazard. A cable or the like extends from each stanchion and through the tires in the rows of tires to hold them down. The tires in each row are connected to each other and to the tires in the lines of tires to form an integral network of tires to absorb the energy of the impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Leland E. Yoho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:07
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F15/00; E01F15/14; E01F15/145; E01F15/146; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for absorbing the impact of a collision of a moving vehicle with a hazard comprising, at least two rows of upright adjacent toroidal members extending in planes generally transverse to the expected direction of impact, the first of said rows being generally adjacent the hazard and the last of said rows being positioned to receive the contact of the vehicle, means to connect each said toroidal member in a said row to its adjacent toroidal member in said row, a line of toroidal members between each said row of toroidal members, the toroidal members of said line extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact and in planes generally parallel thereto, and additional means to connect each said line of toroidal members to it adjacent rows of toroidal members to form an integral network of permanently connected toroidal members to absorb the impact of a collision with a moving vehicle and with the toroidal members in each line engaging the toroidal members in each row along a chordal plane thru the torus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for absorbing the impact of a collision of a moving vehicle with a hazard comprising, at least two rows of upright adjacent toroidal members extending in planes generally transverse to the expected direction of impact, the first of said rows being generally adjacent the hazard and the last of said rows being positioned to receive the contact of the vehicle, means to connect each said toroidal member in a said row to its adjacent toroidal member in said row, a line of toroidal members between each said row of toroidal members, the toroidal members of said line extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact and in planes generally parallel thereto, and additional means to connect each said line of toroidal members to it adjacent rows of toroidal members to form an integral network of permanently connected toroidal members to absorb the impact of a collision with a moving vehicle and with the toroidal members in each line engaging the toroidal members in each row along a chordal plane thru the torus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means to hold down each said row of toroidal members, and means positioned between said first row of toroidal members and the hazard to support said means to hold down each said row of toroidal members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means positioned between said first row of toroidal members and the hazard includes a plurality of stanchions, and wherein said means to hold down each said row of toroidal members includes means extending from said stanchions and through said toroidal members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Aparatus according to claim 1 wherein said line of toroidal members consists of a plurality of columns of upright toroidal members, said columns positioned generally transverse to adjacent toroidal members of said row of toroidal members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said additional means to connect each said line of toroidal members to its adjacent rows of toroidal members includes band means to connect each said column of one line of toroidal members to an adjacent column in an adjacent line of toroidal members with a toroidal member of the row between said columns therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for absorbing the impact of a collision of a moving vehicle with a hazard comprising, at least two rows of upright adjacent toroidal members extending generally transverse to the expected direction of impact, the first of said rows being generally adjacent the hazard and the last of said rows being positioned to receive the contact of the vehicle, a line of toroidal members between each said row of toroidal members, each said line of toroidal members including at least one column of upright toroidal members positioned generally transverse to adjacent toroidal members of said row of toroidal members and extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact, said column including more than one toroidal member, and means to connect the toroidal members of each said column to each other and to connect each said column to the adjacent toroidal members in adjacent rows of toroidal members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for absorbing the impact of a collision of a moving vehicle with a hazard comprising, at least two rows of upright adjacent toroidal members extending generally transverse to the expected direction of impact, the first of said rows being generally adjacent the hazard and the last of said rows being positioned to receive the contact of the vehicle, a line of toroidal members between each said row of toroidal members, each said line of toroidal members including at least one column of upright toroidal members positioned generally transverse to adjacent toroidal members of said row of toroidal members and extending in a direction generally longitudinally of the expected direction of impact, said column including more than one toroidal member, and means to connect the toroidal members of each said column to each other and to connect each said column to the adjacent toroidal members in adjacent rows of toroidal members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means to connect each said toroidal member in a said row to its adjacent toroidal member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means to connect also connects each said column of one line of toroidal members to an adjacent column in an adjacent line of toroidal members with a toroidal member of the row between said columns therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means to anchor the end toroidal member of each row of toroidal members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising means connecting the columns in said line of toroidal members adjacent said first row of toroidal members to said first row of toroidal members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising means connecting the columns in said line of toroidal members adjacent said last row of toroidal members to said last row of toroidal members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising stanchion means positioned between said first row of toroidal members and the hazard, and means connected to said stanchion means to hold down each said row of toroidal members.
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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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |