U.S. patent application number 17/570257 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-14 for transitions for joining crash impact attenuator systems to fixed structures.
The applicant listed for this patent is TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.. Invention is credited to Felipe Almanza, Geoffrey B. Maus, Robert Ramirez.
Application Number | 20220220681 17/570257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220220681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maus; Geoffrey B. ; et
al. |
July 14, 2022 |
TRANSITIONS FOR JOINING CRASH IMPACT ATTENUATOR SYSTEMS TO FIXED
STRUCTURES
Abstract
A transition system for connecting a crash attenuator to a
roadside fixed structure, such as a concrete traffic barrier,
includes a plate adapted to securely attach to a desired location
on the fixed structure, the plate having a flat surface adapted to
correspond to a flat surface on the fixed structure, and being
reinforced by a plurality of backing ribs for strength.
Inventors: |
Maus; Geoffrey B.; (Trabuco
Canyon, CA) ; Almanza; Felipe; (San Clemente, CA)
; Ramirez; Robert; (San Clemente, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC. |
San Clemente |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/570257 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63135413 |
Jan 8, 2021 |
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International
Class: |
E01F 15/14 20060101
E01F015/14 |
Claims
1. A transition system adapted for securing a roadside safety
system to a fixed structure, the transition system comprising: a
plate having a forward end and a rearward end, as well as a front
face and a rear face; and a transition mount adapted to secure a
rearward end of the roadside safety system to the forward end of
the plate, the plate comprising a flat surface which is configured
to be conformed to a corresponding surface on the fixed
structure.
2. The transition system as recited in claim 1, and further
comprising a plurality of apertures disposed through the front and
rear faces of the plate at its rearward end, the plurality of
apertures being adapted to receive mechanical fasteners for
securing the plate to the corresponding surface on the fixed
structure.
3. The transition system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plate
includes a taper from a location partially along a length of the
plate and extending at an angle rearwardly to the rearward end of
the plate.
4. The transition system as recited in claim 3, wherein the
location partially along the length of the plate is about midway
along a distance between the forward end of the plate and the
rearward end of the plate.
5. The transition system as recited in claim 3, wherein the plate
comprises a first width at its forward end and a second width at
its rearward end, the second width being smaller than the first
width.
6. The transition system as recited in claim 5, wherein the width
of the plate narrows gradually from the first width at the location
partially along the length of the plate to the second width at the
rearward end of the plate because of the taper.
7. The transition system as recited in claim 6, wherein the
corresponding surface on the fixed structure is also flat, so that
the plate flat surface is adapted to lie in a flush manner on the
corresponding flat surface on the fixed structure.
8. The transition system as recited in claim 7, wherein the second
width at the rearward end of the plate is adapted to correspond in
size to a width of the corresponding flat surface on the fixed
structure.
9. The transition system as recited in claim 8, wherein the taper
angle is adapted to the length of the transition plate and to a
size of the corresponding flat surface on the fixed structure.
10. The transition system as recited in claim 9, wherein the size
of the corresponding flat surface on the fixed structure is one or
more of its length, width, or area.
11. The transition system as recited in claim 1, wherein the
transition mount is secured to the forward end of the plate by
either mechanical fasteners or by one or more welds.
12. The transition system as recited in claim 1, and further
comprising a plurality of reinforcement ribs disposed in spaced
relation to one another on the rear face of the plate.
13. A transition system adapted for securing a roadside safety
system to a fixed structure, the transition system comprising: a
plate having a forward end and extending along a length to a
rearward end, as well as a front face and a rear face; a transition
mount adapted to secure a rearward end of the roadside safety
system to the forward end of the plate; and a plurality of
reinforcement ribs disposed in spaced relation to one another on
the rear face of the plate.
14. The transition system as recited in claim 13, wherein each of
the plurality of reinforcement ribs is disposed along the length of
the plate, each of the plurality of reinforcement ribs having a
length.
15. The transition system as recited in claim 14, wherein the
lengths of at least two of the plurality of reinforcement ribs are
different from one another.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
63/135,413, entitled Transitions for Joining Crash Impact
Attenuator Systems to Fixed Structures, filed on Jan. 8, 2021,
which application is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to crash impact
attenuators, and more particularly to motor vehicle and highway
barrier crash impact attenuators comprising fixed systems
protecting leading edges of abutments and other fixed roadside
hazards. Most particularly, this invention is concerned with
transition hardware for joining the crash impact attenuators to the
abutments and other fixed roadway hazards.
[0003] Vehicular accidents on the highway are a major worldwide
problem and are undoubtedly one of the largest causes of economic
and human loss and suffering inflicted on the developed world
today. In an effort to alleviate, in particular, the human toll of
these tragic accidents, guardrails, crash cushions, truck-mounted
crash attenuators, crash barrels, and the like have been developed
to attenuate the impact of the vehicle with a rigid immovable
obstacle, such as a bridge abutment.
[0004] A crash attenuator of the type described must absorb the
vehicle impact energy without exceeding limits on the vehicle
deceleration. In addition, it must accommodate both heavy and light
weight vehicles. The lightest vehicle will set the limit on the
maximum force produced by the attenuator and the heavy
vehicle--which will experience a lower deceleration, and thus will
determine the total impact deformation required. When impacted
head-on, crash attenuators/cushions are designed to absorb energy
and to gradually slow the vehicle to a controlled stop. The force
cannot exceed the light vehicle limit and therefore the initial
force and deceleration is low, limiting the energy absorption.
Increasing crash resistance as the vehicle "rides down" from its
impact speed to zero is a vitally important feature of a crash
attenuator system which meets rigid governmental safety standards.
When impacted obliquely on its side, crash cushions are designed to
redirect the vehicle back toward the roadway and to prevent severe
impact with the rigid point hazard. Typical crash cushions
incorporate side rails/panels, intermediate diaphragms, a track to
anchor and guide the intermediate diaphragms, and energy absorbers.
As crash safety standards have evolved to higher and higher
requirements in order to better protect vehicle occupants from
injury, it has become clear that new generation crash impact
attenuators, or crash cushions, are required to perform this
function and meet these high standards in innovative, inexpensive,
and very simple, but effective, manners.
[0005] An important element of an effective crash attenuation
system is the transition, or structural connection, between the
crash attenuator and the rigid structure behind it, and which it is
designed to protect. The present invention is directed to a unique
and improve transition structure for securing a crash attenuator to
a fixed structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an improved crash attenuation
system, particularly with respect to a significantly improved
transition system for securing a crash attenuator to a fixed
structure which it is positioned to protect, such as a concrete
barrier known in the industry as a "Jersey Barrier".
[0007] More particularly, in one aspect of the invention, there is
provided a transition system adapted for securing a roadside safety
system to a fixed structure, wherein the transition system
comprises a plate having a forward end and a rearward end, as well
as a front face and a rear face. The transition system further
includes a transition mount adapted to secure a rearward end of the
roadside safety system to the forward end of the plate, the plate
comprising a flat surface which is configured to be conformed to a
corresponding surface on the fixed structure.
[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the system includes a plurality of
apertures disposed through the front and rear faces of the plate at
its rearward end, the plurality of apertures being adapted to
receive mechanical fasteners for securing the plate to the
corresponding surface on the fixed structure.
[0009] Advantageously, the plate includes a taper from a location
partially along a length of the plate and extending at an angle
rearwardly to the rearward end of the plate. This location, in the
illustrated embodiment, is about midway along a distance between
the forward end of the plate and the rearward end of the plate.
[0010] The plate comprises a first width at its forward end and a
second width at its rearward end, the second width being smaller
than the first width. The width of the plate narrows gradually from
the first width at the location partially along the length of the
plate to the second width at the rearward end of the plate because
of the taper. In the illustrated embodiment, the corresponding
surface on the fixed structure is also flat, so that the plate flat
surface is adapted to lie in a flush manner on the corresponding
flat surface on the fixed structure.
[0011] The second width at the rearward end of the plate is adapted
to correspond in size to a width of the corresponding flat surface
on the fixed structure. The taper angle is adapted to the length of
the transition plate and to a size of the corresponding flat
surface on the fixed structure. The size of the corresponding flat
surface on the fixed structure is one or more of its length, width,
or area.
[0012] The transition mount is secured to the forward end of the
plate by either mechanical fasteners or by one or more welds.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a transition system is
provided which is adapted for securing a roadside safety system to
a fixed structure, wherein the transition system comprises a plate
having a forward end and extending along a length to a rearward
end, as well as a front face and a rear face. The system further
comprises a transition mount adapted to secure a rearward end of
the roadside safety system to the forward end of the plate. A
plurality of reinforcement ribs are disposed in spaced relation to
one another on the rear face of the plate.
[0014] Each one of the plurality of reinforcement ribs is disposed
along the length of the plate, and each of the plurality of
reinforcement ribs has its own length. The lengths of at least two
of the plurality of reinforcement ribs are different from one
another, permitting the ribs to be customized to the length and
configuration of the plate, particularly taking the taper of the
plate into account. Advantageously, each of the plurality of
reinforcement ribs is comprised of a C-channel construction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a
crash attenuator and transition structure constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention, taken from a forward
perspective, looking rearward;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 1, taken from a
rearward perspective, looking forward;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
the transition structure of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the transition structure of FIG.
3;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of the transition structure of FIGS. 3
and 4; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rear or back face of the
transition structure of FIGS. 3-5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a vehicular crash attenuator 10, which is
secured to a fixed abutment or structure 20 by means of a
transition plate 30. The transition plate 30 is shown in greater
detail in FIGS. 3-6.
[0022] The vehicular crash attenuator 10 may be of any known type
in the industry, typically constructed with a nosepiece 12 at a
front end thereof, designed to absorb the first impact from an
errant vehicle, and a plurality of compressible sections or stages
14 (FIG. 2). The illustrated example is the DELTA CRASH
CUSHION.RTM. system, sold by the applicant for the present
application, TrafFix Devices, Inc., of San Clemente, Calif., and
herein expressly incorporated by reference, but other available
crash attenuation systems, available from competitors in the
roadside safety marketplace, may also be used.
[0023] The transition plate 30 is constructed to be conformed to or
compatible with the surface of the fixed structure to which it is
to be attached, so that the plate lies in a flush manner on that
surface when attached. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the
transition place 30 is substantially flat in configuration, as
opposed to prior art transition plates which are typically of a
thrie-beam construction. The term "substantially flat" means that
it is designed to be flat, and is manufactured to that design,
within certain reasonable tolerances. Henceforth, and throughout
the claims, the term "flat" will be used, but it is to be
understood to mean "substantially flat" to allow for the tolerances
typical in all manufacturing operations. The transition plate, as
shown, is designed with a taper and shape to mimic the concrete
barrier, in this case a barrier commonly identified in the industry
as a "Jersey Barrier" to which it is adapted to be attached.
However, the type of fixed structure is not important to the
invention--any such structure or object having an available flat
surface to which the rearward end of the plate can be attached is
potentially usable with the inventive transition system.
[0024] More particularly, the plate 30 includes a taper 32 from a
location 34 partially (about midway) along a length of the plate 30
and extending rearwardly to a rearward end 36 of the plate 30.
Thus, the plate 30 comprises a first width at its forward end, and
a second smaller width at its rearward end 36, the width of the
plate narrowing gradually from the first width to the second
smaller width along the taper 32.
[0025] Bolt holes 40 are disposed in the rearward end 36 of the
plate 30 for securing the plate 30 to the fixed structure 20,
extending through a front face 41a of the plate and a rear face 41b
of the plate. Note that the taper 32 may be adapted to narrow the
plate 30 so that at its rearward end 36, it is sized so that its
width corresponds to the width of an available flat surface 42 on
the fixed structure 20, and the rearward end 36 of the plate 30 may
thus be readily secured to the available flat surface 42 using
bolts disposed through the bolt holes 40. Thus, the angle of the
taper is adaptable to the length of the transition plate and the
size (length, width, and/or area) of the available flat surface 42
on the structure 20, so that no matter the type of structure to
which the transition is to be secured, that securement should be
easily attained.
[0026] Transition mount 44 is adapted to secure the rearward end of
the crash attenuator 10 to the transition plate 30. Fastening of
the transition mount 44 may be attained by using mechanical
fasteners, but may also be by welding.
[0027] Shims 46, illustrated as being of wood, may be inserted
between the plate 30 and the fixed structure 20 in locations where
there is a gap between the plate 30 and the structure 20, to
fixedly secure the plate to the structure between the transition
mount 44 and the fasteners at the rearward end 36 of the plate.
[0028] A plurality of ribs 48 may be advantageously secured to the
rear face 41b of the transition plate 30 (FIG. 6) to reinforce the
plate. As illustrated, the plurality of ribs are of differing
lengths, extending along the length of the plate and spaced
vertically from one another, in order to be adapted to the
configuration and taper of the plate. Although the structural ribs
48 may be formed of most any known shape, such as commonly
available box tubes, they are advantageously formed using a
C-channel structure, with the open side of the C-channel facing the
rear plate face 41b. This arrangement is advantageous because it
avoids a double thickness of material, thus maximizing cost
effectiveness without reducing the strength of the plate.
[0029] In one exemplary embodiment, for illustrative purposes only,
the plate 30 is 3/16 inch plate, with a galvanized finish. The
rearward end (second) width is 15.3 in., and the front end (first)
width is 24.0 inches.
[0030] The innovative transition plate of the present invention has
been found to result in successful crash testing under current
federal MASH standards. In particular, it has been found to
minimize snagging, minimize vehicle floor board deformation, and to
maximize re-direction of the impacting vehicle.
* * * * *