Title:
CRASH CUSHION WITH DEFLECTOR SKIN
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2003072395
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
A crash cushion comprising a resilient cylinder (14) having a substantially vertical longitudinal axis and an outer surface at least a portion of which is adapted to be exposed in or to a roadway. A deflector skin (42) has a curved outer contour shaped to mate with the outer surface of the cylinder (14). The deflector skin (42) is mounted on the outer surface over at least a portion of the portion of the outer surface that is adapted to be exposed to the roadway. A crash cushion system includes an array of cylinders (14) and at least one deflector skin (42). In another aspect, a plurality of cylinders, at least some of which define a side of the array, each have an outermost vertical tangent (38), the combination of which defines a vertical plane. One or more deflector skins (42, 44) each including a leading edge and a trailing edge are mounted to corresponding ones of the cylinders forwardly of the tangent. In one preferred embodiment, the one or more deflector skins (44) are substantially flat and are oriented in a non-parallel relationship with the vertical plane. Preferably, only the leading edge of the deflector skins (44) is mounted to the cylinder. Methods for using and assembly the crash cushion systems are also provided.
Inventors:
BUEHLER MICHAEL J
WELCH JAMES B
WELCH JAMES B
Application Number:
PCT/US2003/005852
Publication Date:
August 12, 2004
Filing Date:
February 26, 2003
Export Citation:
Assignee:
ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEM (US)
International Classes:
B60R21/02; E01F15/14; (IPC1-7): E01F15/14
Download PDF: