Vehicle crash barrier

Claim 2

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle, said crash barrier comprising: an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction, said frame configured to collapse axially when struck axially on the front section by a vehicle; a tension member positioned generally parallel to the frame and having a forward end portion anchored independently of the frame and rearward end portion; brake means for resiliently biasing a brake member against the tension member, said brake means mounted in the frame and frictionally engaged with the tension member such that, following an impart of the vehicle against the front section that causes the frame to collapse axially, the vehicle causes the brake means to move along the tension member and to generate a frictional retarding force to decelerate the vehicle.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein the brake member comprises a pair of brake sleeves positioned around the tension member.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 wherein the brake means comprises a spring coupled to the brake member to bias the brake member against the tension member.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3 wherein the spring comprises a spring plate having a central portion and a peripheral portion, and means for flexing the spring plate central portion with respect to the peripheral portion to bias the brake member against the tension member.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 2 wherein the brake sleeve is formed of an aluminum alloy.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5 wherein the aluminum alloy is 6061-T6.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for mounting the brake means in the front section such that the brake means is free to slide in the front section along a selected stroke oriented in the axial direction to reduce initial vehicle deceleration.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 1 wherein the brake means engages a selected segment of the tension member prior to impact of the vehicle, and wherein the selected segment is covered with a friction reducing material to reduce initial vehicle deceleration.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 8 wherein the friction reducing material comprises zinc.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 wherein friction reducing material comprises a plastic.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 8 wherein the friction reducing material comprises a lubricant.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 1 further comprising: means for anchoring the rearward end portion of the tension member; and means for coupling the frame to the tension member at a plurality of spaced locations along the frame such that the tension member braces the frame in a lateral impact.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 1 further comprising: an anchor; a fastener coupled to the front section to releasably secure the front section to the anchor; a release member having a first end positioned to be moved axially by an axially impacting vehicle and a second end coupled to the fastener to release the fastener when the first end is moved axially, the said release member positioned and configured to avoid releasing the fastener when struck by a laterally impacting vehicle.

Claim 15

The invention of 13 wherein the release member defines a fulcrum that bears against a reaction surface, wherein the fulcrum is positioned closer to the second end than the first end, and wherein the release member is positioned such that an axially impacting vehicle pivots the release member about the fulcrum to part the fastener, thereby releasing the front section.

Claim 16

The invention of 13 wherein the release member defines a fulcrum that bears against a reaction surface, wherein the fulcrum is positioned closer to the second end than the first end, and wherein the release member is positioned such that an axially impacting vehicle pivots the release member about the fulcrum to part the fastener, thereby releasing the front section.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 1 wherein each section of the frame comprises a pair of spaced side panels, one on each side of the tension member; and wherein the frame further comprises: a plurality of straps; and a plurality of fasteners secured to the straps and the side panels such that each strap interconnects a respective pair of axially adjacent side panels; said side panels and straps configured to pull the fasteners sequentially out of at least one of the side panels and the straps in response to axial movement of the frame when a vehicle axially impacts the front section, thereby disconnecting the respective axially adjacent segments to allow the frame to collapse axially.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 15 wherein each of the straps comprises a plurality of parallel plates lying one over the other.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 1 wherein the brake means comprises means for transmitting axial forces from the frame to the brake member immediately adjacent to the tension member to enhance alignment of the brake member on the tension member.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 1 wherein the brake means is mounted to the frame to allow the brake means limited movement with respect to the frame to enhance alignment of the brake means on the tension member.

Claim 21

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: spaced front and rear ground anchors; a tension member stretched between the ground anchors; an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and a plurality of additional sections arranged end to end along the tension member; each of said sections comprising two side panels disposed on respective sides of the tension member and a ground support leg, at least some of the legs defining openings through which the tension member passes such that the legs are slidable along the tension member; a plurality of straps, each connected between axially adjacent side panels by a plurality of fasteners, wherein each axially adjacent pair of the side panels overlap, wherein the fasteners connect a first portion of each strap to one of the respective pair of overlapping side panels and a second portion of each strap to the other of the respective pair of side panels, and wherein the straps and side panels are configured to peel the fasteners sequentially out of at least one of the side panels and the straps in response to axial movement of the frame when a vehicle axially impacts the front section; directionally sensitive means for fastening the front section to the front ground anchor and for preferentially releasing the front section from the front ground anchor in response to an axial vehicle impact; and brake means slidably mounted in the front section to slide along the tension member and generate a frictional retarding force tending to decelerate the vehicle, said brake means comprising a plurality of brake sleeves shaped to grip the tension member and means for resiliently biasing the brake sleeves against the tension member.

Claim 22

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: spaced front and rear ground anchors; a tension member stretched between the ground anchors; an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and a plurality of additional sections arranged end to end along the tension member; each of said sections comprising two side panels disposed on respective sides of the tension member and a ground support leg, at least some of the legs defining openings through which the tension member passes such that the legs are slidable along the tension member; a plurality of straps, each connected between axially adjacent side panels by a plurality of fasteners, wherein each axially adjacent pair of the side panels overlap, wherein the fasteners connect a first portion of each strap to one of the respective pair of overlapping side panels and a second portion of each strap to the other of the respective pair of side panels, and wherein the straps and side panels are configured to peel the fasteners sequentially out of at least one of the side panels and the straps in response to axial movement of the frame when a vehicle axially impacts the front section; directionally sensitive means for fastening the front section to the front ground anchor and for preferentially releasing the front section from the front ground anchor in response to an axial vehicle impact; and brake means slidably mounted in the front section to slide along the tension member and generate a frictional retarding force tending to decelerate the vehicle, said brake means comprising a plurality of brake sleeves shaped to grip the tension member and means for resiliently biasing the brake sleeves against the tension member.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 19 wherein the brake means engages a selected segment of the tension member prior to impact of the vehicle, and wherein the selected segment is covered with a friction reducing material to reduce initial vehicle deceleration.

Claim 24

The invention of claim 20 wherein the friction reducing material comprises zinc.

Claim 25

The invention of claim 20 wherein friction reducing material comprises a plastic.

Claim 26

The invention of claim 20 wherein the friction reducing material comprises a lubricant.

Claim 27

The invention of claim 19 wherein the fastening means comprises: a bolt interconnecting the front section and the front ground anchor; and a release lever having a lower end coupled to the bolt, an upper end coupled to a forward portion of the front section, and a fulcrum supported by a reaction surface on the ground anchor such that an axial impact on the front section pivots the release lever about the fulcrum in an axial direction and parts the bolt.

Claim 28

The invention of claim 19 wherein the brake means comprises means for transmitting axial forces from the frame to the brake sleeves immediately adjacent to the tension member to enhance alignment of the brake member on the tension member.

Claim 29

The invention of claim 19 wherein the brake means is mounted to the frame to allow the brake means limited movement with respect to the frame to enhance alignment of the brake means on the tension member.

Claim 30

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction, said frame configured to collapse axially when struck axially on the front section by a vehicle; at least some of said frame sections each comprising at least one side panel, at least first and second of said side panels axially aligned with and partially overlapping one another, and a strap defining first and second sets of axially spaced openings; a plurality of fasteners positioned in the openings and securing the first and second side panels such that the fasteners in the first set of openings are secured to the first side panel and the fasteners in the second set of openings are secured to the second side panel; said side panels, straps and fasteners configured such that axial collapse of the frame causes the first and second side panels to bend the strap into an S shape and to peel the fasteners sequentially out of one of the first panel and the strap, thereby disconnecting the first panel from the strap.

Claim 31

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction, said frame configured to collapse axially when struck axially on the front section by a vehicle; at least some of said frame sections each comprising at least one side panel, at least first and second of said side panels axially aligned with and partially overlapping one another, and a strap defining first and second sets of axially spaced openings; a plurality of fasteners positioned in the openings and securing the first and second side panels such that the fasteners in the first set of openings are secured to the first side panel and the fasteners in the second set of openings are secured to the second side panel; said side panels, straps and fasteners configured such that axial collapse of the frame causes the first and second side panels to bend the strap into an S shape and to peel the fasteners sequentially out of one of the first panel and the strap, thereby disconnecting the first panel from the strap.

Claim 32

The invention of claim 27 wherein the first side panel is positioned nearer the front section than the second side panel.

Claim 33

The invention of claim 28 wherein each of the frame sections comprises two side panels, each axially aligned with and laterally spaced from the other.

Claim 34

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction, said frame configured to collapse axially when struck axially on the front section by a vehicle; a ground anchor; a fastener secured between the front section and the ground anchor; and a release lever having a lower end coupled to the fastener, an upper end positioned at a forward portion of the front section, and a fulcrum supported by a reaction surface such that an axial impact on the front section pivots the release lever about the fulcrum in an axial direction and parts the fastener to release the front section from the ground anchor.

Claim 35

A vehicle crash barrier for decelerating a vehicle that has left a roadway, said crash barrier comprising: an elongated frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section and at least one additional section arranged end to end along an axial direction, said frame configured to collapse axially when struck axially on the front section by a vehicle; a ground anchor; a fastener secured between the front section and the ground anchor; and a release lever having a lower end coupled to the fastener, an upper end positioned at a forward portion of the front section, and a fulcrum supported by a reaction surface such that an axial impact on the front section pivots the release lever about the fulcrum in an axial direction and parts the fastener to release the front section from the ground anchor.

Claim 36

The invention of claim 30 wherein the reaction surface is positioned on the ground anchor.

Claim 37

The invention of claim 30 wherein the upper end of the release lever extends forwardly of the lower end of the release lever.

Claim 38

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and a rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein one of the sections of the frame is braced against axial collapse such that the braced section is more resistant to axial collapse during axial collapse of the frame than at least some other of the sections to protect an impacting vehicle from being speared by the side panels on the second side of the frame.

Claim 39

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and a rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein one of the sections of the frame is braced against axial collapse such that the braced section is more resistant to axial collapse during axial collapse of the frame than at least some other of the sections to protect an impacting vehicle from being speared by the side panels on the second side of the frame.

Claim 40

The invention of claim 33 wherein the braced section is the front section.

Claim 41

The invention of claim 34 wherein the braced front section is sufficiently resistant to axial collapse so as not to collapse in operation.

Claim 42

The invention of claim 33 wherein the retarding means comprises a tension member and a friction brake coupled between the frame and the tension member to retard axial collapse of the frame as the brake moves along the tension member.

Claim 43

The invention of claim 36 wherein the brake comprises a braking member and means for resiliently biasing the braking member against the tension member.

Claim 44

The invention of claim 33 wherein the retarding means comprises a plurality of energy absorbing members positioned in the frame to retard axial collapse of the frame as a result of compressive deformation of the energy absorbing members.

Claim 45

The invention of claim 33 wherein the rear section side panel of the first side is secured to a first side of a guardrail in a manner to facilitate telescoping therebetween, and wherein the rear section side panel of the second side is fixedly secured to a second side of the guardrail.

Claim 46

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein the retarding means comprises a tension member and a friction brake coupled between the frame and the tension member to retard axial collapse of the frame as the brake moves along the tension member.

Claim 47

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein the retarding means comprises a tension member and a friction brake coupled between the frame and the tension member to retard axial collapse of the frame as the brake moves along the tension member.

Claim 48

The invention of claim 40 wherein the brake comprises a braking member and means for resiliently biasing the braking member against the tension member.

Claim 49

The invention of claim 40 wherein the retarding means comprises a plurality of energy absorbing members positioned in the frame to retard axial collapse of the frame as a result of compressive deformation of the energy absorbing members.

Claim 50

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and a rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein the rear section side panel of the first side is secured to a first side of a guardrail in a manner to facilitate telescoping therebetween, and wherein the rear section side panel of the second side is fixedly secured to a second side of the guardrail.

Claim 51

A bidirectional vehicle crash barrier adapted for use between two adjacent roadways, one carrying vehicles in a first direction and the other carrying vehicles in a second direction, oriented opposite the first direction, said barrier comprising: a collapsible frame comprising a plurality of sections including a front section, at least one middle section, and a rear section, each of said sections comprising two side panels, each on a respective side of the frame, each side panel having a forward end nearer the front section and a rearward end nearer the rear section; the side panels on a first side of the frame overlapping with the rearward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the rear section from contact with the forward ends of the side panels on the first side; the side panels on a second side of the frame overlapping with the forward ends of the side panels disposed outwardly to protect a vehicle moving toward the front section from contact with the rearward ends of the side panels on the second side; and means in the frame for retarding axial collapse of the frame when the frame is struck by a vehicle axially on the front section to provide a decelerating force to the vehicle; wherein the rear section side panel of the first side is secured to a first side of a guardrail in a manner to facilitate telescoping therebetween, and wherein the rear section side panel of the second side is fixedly secured to a second side of the guardrail.