Vehicle crash attenuator apparatus

Abstract

Crash attenuator guardrail apparatus includes an impact head and a backstop having a cable and guardrails supported by guardrail supports located between the impact head and the backstop. Frictional forces are applied to the cable to control and resist movement of the impact head toward the backstop and provide lateral resistance. The backstop releasably supports the cable and guardrails.

1 . Crash attenuator apparatus including a guardrail and backstop structure, said backstop structure comprising a backstop lower portion attached to and extending upwardly from the ground and a backstop upper portion supported by said backstop lower portion, said crash attenuator apparatus additionally including frangible connector structure connecting said guardrail to said backstop upper portion whereby said guardrail will separate from said backstop upper portion when forces of a predetermined magnitude are applied to the guardrail as a result of a vehicle colliding with said crash attenuator apparatus. 
     
     
         2 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 1  additionally including guide structure for directing movement of said guardrail caused by vehicular impact past said backstop structure and behind said backstop structure. 
     
     
         3 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said backstop upper portion is adapted to deflect rearwardly relative to said backstop lower portion as a result of vehicular impact on said crash attenuator apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 1  additionally including a cable extending along said guardrail releasably connected to said backstop structure and released from said backstop structure responsive to vehicular impact on said crash attenuator apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein said backstop structure additionally includes an inclined brace member attached to the ground, extending upwardly therefrom and attached to said backstop lower portion to resist bending of said backstop lower portion. 
     
     
         6 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said guide structure comprises a guide connected to said backstop structure engageable by said guardrail upon breakage of said frangible connector structure and separation of said guardrail from said backstop upper portion to guide said guardrail past the backstop structure and behind the backstop structure. 
     
     
         7 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said guide comprises a wedge ramp connected to said backstop upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said backstop upper portion defines an open-ended slot for releasably retaining said cable. 
     
     
         9 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 1  including a pair of guardrails, said guardrails being spaced from one another and connected to said backstop upper portion, said crash attenuator apparatus including guide structure for directing movement of said guardrails caused by vehicular impact past opposed sides of said backstop structure and behind said backstop structure. 
     
     
         10 . The crash attenuator apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said guide structure comprises a pair of spaced guides connected to said backstop at spaced locations on said backstop engageable by said guardrails upon breakage of said frangible connector structure and separation of said guardrail from said backstop upper portion to guide said guardrail past the backstop structure and behind the backstop structure.