US3880404A - Energy absorbing impact attenuating highway safety systems - Google Patents

Energy absorbing impact attenuating highway safety systems Download PDF

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US3880404A
US3880404A US392502A US39250273A US3880404A US 3880404 A US3880404 A US 3880404A US 392502 A US392502 A US 392502A US 39250273 A US39250273 A US 39250273A US 3880404 A US3880404 A US 3880404A
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cells
vehicle
barrier
impact
cell
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US392502A
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John C Fitch
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FIBCO Inc
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FIBCO Inc
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F15/00—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact
    • E01F15/14—Safety arrangements for slowing, redirecting or stopping errant vehicles, e.g. guard posts or bollards; Arrangements for reducing damage to roadside structures due to vehicular impact specially adapted for local protection, e.g. for bridge piers, for traffic islands
    • E01F15/145—Means for vehicle stopping using impact energy absorbers
    • E01F15/146—Means for vehicle stopping using impact energy absorbers fixed arrangements

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  • the present invention includes an array of cells, preferably of cylindrical form, fabricated from rupture-resistant but flexible plastic.
  • the lower portions of the individual cells are provided with a flexible lightweight plastic spacer structure and the upper portion of each of the cells is filled with a dispersable mass such as sand.
  • the array of cells in a typical case eight such cells, are encircled and confined by a flexible belt or band structure strong enough to withstand normal impact but sufficiently flexible to yield under impact.
  • the cells Upon impact, the cells are deflected, the sand mass within the cells is dispersed or displaced and the energy exchange between the vehicle and the sand mass decelerates the vehicle in the desired controlled manner.
  • the belt or band encircling the array of cells is pulled back to its original shape, thus restoring the cells to their original configuration. After the cells are refilled with sand, the barrier is again ready to perform its intended function.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical installation of the impact attenuator system of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical central section through one of the cells of the barrier of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the impact attenuator system as it appears after a normal impact.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a typical application of the invention in which the barrier system indicated generally 10, is positioned in front of-a fixed object 12, the barrier extending away from the fixed object in a direction opposite to the travel of vehicles on the adjacent roadway 14.
  • the barrier assembly comprises a series of identical cells or container units 16 shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.
  • the cells are of cylindrical configuration and are fabricated from tough flexible plastic material, having sufficient strength to resist rupture upon impact. Special vinyl and polyethylene materials have been found suitable for this purpose.
  • the lower portion of each of the cells is provided with a lightweight flexible plastic foam spacer l8 and the space within the cell above the core is filled with a dispersable mass such as sand indicated at 20.
  • the spacer 18 is bonded to the inner wall of the cell 16 to assure retention of the sand in the upper portion of the cell.
  • the cell is completed by a lightweight flexible plastic cover 22 which is provided to prevent the entry of moisture into the sand mass, to improve the appearance of the unit, and to inhibit tampering.
  • the cells are 18 inches in diameter, 32 inches in height, and the spacer is 12 inches in height so that the space within the cell above the spacer may accommodate approximately 300 pounds of sand. Because of the high density of the sand and low density of the spacer, the center of gravity of the overall unit is located approximately 22 inches above ground level, which closely approximates the level of the center of gravity of the average passenger vehicle. Accordingly, upon impact, the nose of the vehicle is neither depressed nor raised, and the barrier exerts no overturning moment on the vehicle.
  • Another important purpose of the spacer is to prevent the presence of large masses of sand below the bumper, the strong cross-member structure and the wheel center elevation of typical passenger cars, which are all at approximately the same elevation. Because the cells will tend to fold at this level and eject sand from either end, the flexible foam spacer effectively replaces the sand below this hinging point" of the cell, thus little or no sand is ejected to the ground level, which would lift the vehicle as its wheels rode up upon the sand.
  • the barrier unit is installed by placing the individual cells 16 in a tight grouping in front of the fixed object 12 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. After the cells are in place, they are filled with sand and the covers are installed. Thereafter, the array or group of cells is encircled with a flexible plastic woven mesh belt 26 which is preferably of essentially the same vertical height as the cells. The ends of the belt are joined together by any suitable means not shown.
  • the belt is a tough, stiff material to resist tearing upon oblique impacts and to contribute to the lateral stability of the cluster of cells prior to impact.
  • the belt is preferably attached to the fixed object to stabilize the barrier alignment and to prevent it from being displaced in case of impact from an unexpected angle, which conceivably could force it into a travelled lane. Attachment of the belt to the fixed object also would facilitate relocation and reshaping of the barrier when it is pulled back into position following an impact.
  • the cells 16 Upon impact, the cells 16 will be progressively flattened as the vehicle progresses through the barrier. A portion of the sand will be expelled out of the tops of the containers and the remainder of the sand will be laterally displaced toward the fixed object 12. The dispersement and displacement of the sand mass results in a momentum exchange between the vehicle and the sand, resulting in a smooth controlled deceleration of the vehicle at a rate which will minimize damage to the vehicle and injury to the occupants.
  • the barrier will assume the configuration in FIG. 3.
  • a truck attached to suitable hooks 28 on the belt 26 may be used to pull the barrier and the cells back into their original configuration.
  • the cells are then refilled with sand, the covers installed, and the,
  • a reusable impact attenuating barrier system for decelerating an errant vehicle as it approaches a fixed object comprising an array of individual hollow cells positioned adjacent said object, each cell being formed of a flexible rupture-resistant sheet material, a lightweight flexible spacer filling the lower portion of each cell, the upper portion of each cell containing a high density dispersable mass, said spacers being of sufficient height to dispose the center of gravity of the cells substantially at the center of gravity of said vehicle, and a flexible belt encircling said cell array, whereby upon normal impact by a vehicle, said cells are deformed without rupture to expel and displace said mass to decelerate said vehicle by momentum exchange, and said barrier may be readied for reuse by restoring said cells to their original configuration and replacing said mass.
  • a barrier according to claim 1 wherein said cells, said spacers, and said belt are each fabricated from flexible material, such as plastic.

Abstract

An energy-absorbing impact attenuating system particularly adapted for use in urban locations, where vehicle speeds are moderate. The system retains its structural integrity upon normal impact and is thus reusable.

Description

111mm States Patent 1 [111 3,880,404
Fitch 1 Apr. 29, 1975 [54] ENERGY ABSORBING IMPACT 3,503,600 3/1970 Rich 256/1 X ATTENUATING HIGHWAY SAFETY 3,606,258 9/1971 Fitch..... 256/131 SYSTEMQ 3,643,924 2/1972 Fitch .1 256/1 X 3,674,115 4/1972 Young et a1. 256/1 X [75] Inventor: John C. Fitch, Fall Village, Conn. 3.680.662 8/1972 Walker et a 5 X 25 [73] Assigneez FIBCO, Inc. Boston Mass 3,768,781 10/1973 Walker et a1. 6/1
[22] Filed; Aug, 29, 1973 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies [21] App]. No.. 392,502 & Kurz [52] US. Cl. 256/1; 256/131; 404/6 [51] Int. Cl E01115/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58} Field of Search 256/13.1, 1; energy-absorbing impact attenuating System P 404/6 9 ticularly adapted for use in urban locations, where vehicle speeds are moderate. The system retains its [56] References Ci d structural integrity upon normal impact and is thus re- UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,808.767 6/1931 Gloria et a1 256/1 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2,088,087 7/1937 Hudson 256/1 ENERGY ABSORBING IMPACT ATTENUATING HIGHWAY SAFETY SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, many proposals have been made to provide impact attenuators to control the rate of deceleration of an errant vehicle as it approaches a hazard such as a bridge abutment or other fixed object adjacent to a highway.
One of the most successful of such devices is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,606,258, owned by applicants assignee. The impact attenuator there disclosed comprises one or more frangible containers of considerable size, each containing a dispersable mass.
These impact attenuators or barriers have proved to be extremely successful in effecting controlled deceleration of vehicles traveling at normal highway speeds. However, to provide the necessary energy absorption capacity they are of considerable bulk and cannot be used in many urban locations where available space is severely restricted. Also they are sacrificial barriers, designed to be destroyed on impact.
Other previously proposed barriers or impact attenuators are subject to essentially the same limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is the principal purpose and object of the present invention to provide improved vehicle impact attenuators which are of compact construction, which may be used in urban locations where space is severely restricted, and which may be reused after normal impact, thus reducing the overall cost of the barrier system and minimizing the time during which the hazard is left unprotected.
In attaining this and other objects, the present invention includes an array of cells, preferably of cylindrical form, fabricated from rupture-resistant but flexible plastic. The lower portions of the individual cells are provided with a flexible lightweight plastic spacer structure and the upper portion of each of the cells is filled with a dispersable mass such as sand. The array of cells, in a typical case eight such cells, are encircled and confined by a flexible belt or band structure strong enough to withstand normal impact but sufficiently flexible to yield under impact. Upon impact, the cells are deflected, the sand mass within the cells is dispersed or displaced and the energy exchange between the vehicle and the sand mass decelerates the vehicle in the desired controlled manner.
After impact, the belt or band encircling the array of cells is pulled back to its original shape, thus restoring the cells to their original configuration. After the cells are refilled with sand, the barrier is again ready to perform its intended function.
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.
THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical installation of the impact attenuator system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical central section through one of the cells of the barrier of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the impact attenuator system as it appears after a normal impact.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a typical application of the invention in which the barrier system indicated generally 10, is positioned in front of-a fixed object 12, the barrier extending away from the fixed object in a direction opposite to the travel of vehicles on the adjacent roadway 14.
The barrier assembly comprises a series of identical cells or container units 16 shown in greater detail in FIG. 2.
The cells are of cylindrical configuration and are fabricated from tough flexible plastic material, having sufficient strength to resist rupture upon impact. Special vinyl and polyethylene materials have been found suitable for this purpose. The lower portion of each of the cells is provided with a lightweight flexible plastic foam spacer l8 and the space within the cell above the core is filled with a dispersable mass such as sand indicated at 20. Preferably the spacer 18 is bonded to the inner wall of the cell 16 to assure retention of the sand in the upper portion of the cell. The cell is completed by a lightweight flexible plastic cover 22 which is provided to prevent the entry of moisture into the sand mass, to improve the appearance of the unit, and to inhibit tampering.
In a typical case, the cells are 18 inches in diameter, 32 inches in height, and the spacer is 12 inches in height so that the space within the cell above the spacer may accommodate approximately 300 pounds of sand. Because of the high density of the sand and low density of the spacer, the center of gravity of the overall unit is located approximately 22 inches above ground level, which closely approximates the level of the center of gravity of the average passenger vehicle. Accordingly, upon impact, the nose of the vehicle is neither depressed nor raised, and the barrier exerts no overturning moment on the vehicle.
Another important purpose of the spacer is to prevent the presence of large masses of sand below the bumper, the strong cross-member structure and the wheel center elevation of typical passenger cars, which are all at approximately the same elevation. Because the cells will tend to fold at this level and eject sand from either end, the flexible foam spacer effectively replaces the sand below this hinging point" of the cell, thus little or no sand is ejected to the ground level, which would lift the vehicle as its wheels rode up upon the sand.
The barrier unit is installed by placing the individual cells 16 in a tight grouping in front of the fixed object 12 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. After the cells are in place, they are filled with sand and the covers are installed. Thereafter, the array or group of cells is encircled with a flexible plastic woven mesh belt 26 which is preferably of essentially the same vertical height as the cells. The ends of the belt are joined together by any suitable means not shown. The belt is a tough, stiff material to resist tearing upon oblique impacts and to contribute to the lateral stability of the cluster of cells prior to impact.
The belt is preferably attached to the fixed object to stabilize the barrier alignment and to prevent it from being displaced in case of impact from an unexpected angle, which conceivably could force it into a travelled lane. Attachment of the belt to the fixed object also would facilitate relocation and reshaping of the barrier when it is pulled back into position following an impact.
Upon impact, the cells 16 will be progressively flattened as the vehicle progresses through the barrier. A portion of the sand will be expelled out of the tops of the containers and the remainder of the sand will be laterally displaced toward the fixed object 12. The dispersement and displacement of the sand mass results in a momentum exchange between the vehicle and the sand, resulting in a smooth controlled deceleration of the vehicle at a rate which will minimize damage to the vehicle and injury to the occupants.
In case of an over-design impact, being one which exceeds the designed-for vehicle weight and/or speed, a final decelerating force of higher value is applied to the impacting vehicle as a result of the resistance to compression which the belt, the cells and the residual sand within them will exert in opposition to the vehicle's final traverse toward the fixed object. This final high value decelerating force is in addition to the inertial forces originating from the displacement of the sand mass and depends upon the back up" stability of the fixed object, into which the compression force is transmitted.
Because there will always be occasional over-design impacts, the timing of the operation of the final compression-phase resistance to it is, in this barrier design,
ideal. This is true because the human tolerance to high G,- (or forces of gravity) is also higher after the vehicle occupants are relocated within the vehicle against the passenger compartment interior.
The relocation of the occupants as above and their consequent impact velocity against the interior of the vehicle, is completed during the relative low-G, inertial phase of the barrier operation, thus reducing injury exposure to the occupants.
Following a normal impact, the barrier will assume the configuration in FIG. 3. After the vehicle has been removed, a truck attached to suitable hooks 28 on the belt 26 may be used to pull the barrier and the cells back into their original configuration. The cells are then refilled with sand, the covers installed, and the,
barrier is ready for reuse.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
l. A reusable impact attenuating barrier system for decelerating an errant vehicle as it approaches a fixed object comprising an array of individual hollow cells positioned adjacent said object, each cell being formed of a flexible rupture-resistant sheet material, a lightweight flexible spacer filling the lower portion of each cell, the upper portion of each cell containing a high density dispersable mass, said spacers being of sufficient height to dispose the center of gravity of the cells substantially at the center of gravity of said vehicle, and a flexible belt encircling said cell array, whereby upon normal impact by a vehicle, said cells are deformed without rupture to expel and displace said mass to decelerate said vehicle by momentum exchange, and said barrier may be readied for reuse by restoring said cells to their original configuration and replacing said mass.
2. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein said spacers are bonded to the interior of said cells.
3. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein said cells, said spacers, and said belt are each fabricated from flexible material, such as plastic.
4. The barrier according to claim 1 wherein said cells are of elongated, cylindrical configuration and are held in tight tangential contact by said belt.

Claims (4)

1. A reusable impact attenuating barrier system for decelerating an errant vehicle as it approaches a fixed object comprising an array of individual hollow cells positioned adjacent said object, each cell being formed of a flexible rupture-resistant sheet material, a light-weight flexible spacer filling the lower portion of each cell, the upper portion of each cell containing a high density dispersable mass, said spacers being of sufficient height to dispose the center of gravity of the cells substantially at the center of gravity of said vehicle, and a flexible belt encircling said cell array, whereby upon normal impact by a vehicle, said cells are deformed without rupture to expel and displace said mass to decelerate said vehicle by momentum exchange, and said barrier may be readied for reuse by restoring said cells to their original configuration and replacing said mass.
2. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein said spacers are bonded to the interior of said cells.
3. A barrier according to claim 1 wherein said cells, said spacers, and said belt are each fabricated from flexible material, such as plastic.
4. The barrier according to claim 1 wherein said cells are of elongated, cylindrical configuration and are held in tight tangential contact by said belt.
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Cited By (40)

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US4086015A (en) * 1976-09-27 1978-04-25 Eliasson Sonja Margareta Isabe Crash moderation system for roads, highways, railways, airfields and harbors
US4118014A (en) * 1977-08-19 1978-10-03 Nasa Vehicular impact absorption system
US4288061A (en) * 1978-05-09 1981-09-08 Moreau Joel P Safety barrier which is especially useful for motorways
US4287637A (en) * 1979-11-01 1981-09-08 Bernardi William A Trash bag enclosure
US4289419A (en) * 1979-10-01 1981-09-15 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier system
US4352484A (en) * 1980-09-05 1982-10-05 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Shear action and compression energy absorber
US4361313A (en) * 1978-03-13 1982-11-30 North American Formula Promotions Corporation Dismountable barrier
US4557466A (en) * 1984-02-27 1985-12-10 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier
US4645375A (en) * 1985-05-23 1987-02-24 State Of Connecticut Stationary impact attenuation system
US4655434A (en) * 1986-04-24 1987-04-07 Southwest Research Institute Energy absorbing guardrail terminal
US4688766A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-08-25 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier
US4822208A (en) * 1987-11-23 1989-04-18 The Texas A&M University System Advanced dynamic impact extension module
GB2221941A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-02-21 David Deacon Crash barrier
US4909661A (en) * 1987-11-23 1990-03-20 The Texas A&M University System Advanced dynamic impact extension module
US5011326A (en) * 1990-04-30 1991-04-30 State Of Connecticut Narrow stationary impact attenuation system
US5054954A (en) * 1989-03-16 1991-10-08 International Barrier Corporation Roadway barrier
US5122008A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-06-16 Terence Drews Method of manufacturing barriers
US5125762A (en) * 1990-02-07 1992-06-30 C.R.A. Centro Ricerche Applicate S.P.A. Shock energy dissipation traffic divider barrier
US5192157A (en) * 1991-06-05 1993-03-09 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Vehicle crash barrier
US5607252A (en) * 1995-06-16 1997-03-04 Tischer; Duain E. Highway collision containment system
US5823584A (en) * 1996-10-08 1998-10-20 Vanderbilt University Vehicle mounted crash impact attenuator
GB2328969A (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-10 Robert John Taylor Crash barrier wedge
US6293205B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-09-25 Paul A. Butler Train collision system
US6340268B1 (en) * 1999-04-06 2002-01-22 Dean C. Alberson Impact attenuating barrier wall
US6427983B1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-08-06 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Self-restoring highway crash attenuator
US20030161682A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2003-08-28 Buehler Michael J. Crash cushion with deflector skin
US20040096273A1 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-05-20 Yodock Leo J. Barrier device with foam interior
US20040123531A1 (en) * 2002-09-10 2004-07-01 Francesco Ferraiolo Barrier for protection against shock waves
US20060083588A1 (en) * 2004-10-20 2006-04-20 Giovanni Masinelli Method for making a protective device for guardrails, and a protective device for guardrails
US20060099030A1 (en) * 2003-10-08 2006-05-11 Sei Yamasaki Vehicle impact attenuator
US20060104713A1 (en) * 2004-11-17 2006-05-18 Gelfand Matthew A Retractable energy absorbing system
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USRE43927E1 (en) 2001-01-03 2013-01-15 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Vehicle impact attenuator
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US4118014A (en) * 1977-08-19 1978-10-03 Nasa Vehicular impact absorption system
US4361313A (en) * 1978-03-13 1982-11-30 North American Formula Promotions Corporation Dismountable barrier
US4288061A (en) * 1978-05-09 1981-09-08 Moreau Joel P Safety barrier which is especially useful for motorways
US4289419A (en) * 1979-10-01 1981-09-15 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier system
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US4352484A (en) * 1980-09-05 1982-10-05 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Shear action and compression energy absorber
US4688766A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-08-25 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier
US4557466A (en) * 1984-02-27 1985-12-10 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Inertial barrier
US4645375A (en) * 1985-05-23 1987-02-24 State Of Connecticut Stationary impact attenuation system
US4655434A (en) * 1986-04-24 1987-04-07 Southwest Research Institute Energy absorbing guardrail terminal
US4822208A (en) * 1987-11-23 1989-04-18 The Texas A&M University System Advanced dynamic impact extension module
US4909661A (en) * 1987-11-23 1990-03-20 The Texas A&M University System Advanced dynamic impact extension module
GB2221941A (en) * 1988-08-16 1990-02-21 David Deacon Crash barrier
US5054954A (en) * 1989-03-16 1991-10-08 International Barrier Corporation Roadway barrier
US5125762A (en) * 1990-02-07 1992-06-30 C.R.A. Centro Ricerche Applicate S.P.A. Shock energy dissipation traffic divider barrier
US5011326A (en) * 1990-04-30 1991-04-30 State Of Connecticut Narrow stationary impact attenuation system
US5122008A (en) * 1990-09-17 1992-06-16 Terence Drews Method of manufacturing barriers
US5192157A (en) * 1991-06-05 1993-03-09 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Vehicle crash barrier
US5607252A (en) * 1995-06-16 1997-03-04 Tischer; Duain E. Highway collision containment system
US5823584A (en) * 1996-10-08 1998-10-20 Vanderbilt University Vehicle mounted crash impact attenuator
GB2328969A (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-10 Robert John Taylor Crash barrier wedge
GB2328969B (en) * 1997-09-03 1999-08-04 Robert John Taylor Crash barrier wedge
US6340268B1 (en) * 1999-04-06 2002-01-22 Dean C. Alberson Impact attenuating barrier wall
US6293205B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2001-09-25 Paul A. Butler Train collision system
US6427983B1 (en) * 2000-10-12 2002-08-06 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Self-restoring highway crash attenuator
USRE43927E1 (en) 2001-01-03 2013-01-15 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Vehicle impact attenuator
US20040096273A1 (en) * 2001-10-18 2004-05-20 Yodock Leo J. Barrier device with foam interior
US20050158119A1 (en) * 2001-10-18 2005-07-21 Yodock Leo J.Iii Barrier device with foam interior
US7547157B2 (en) 2001-10-18 2009-06-16 Yodock Iii Leo J Barrier device with foam interior
WO2003072395A3 (en) * 2002-02-27 2004-06-17 Energy Absorption System Crash cushion with deflector skin
US20040231938A1 (en) * 2002-02-27 2004-11-25 Buehler Michael J. Crash cushion with deflector skin
US7037029B2 (en) 2002-02-27 2006-05-02 Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. Crash cushion with deflector skin
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