Granted Patent B2

US 7,484,905 · App. 11/108,518 · Granted Feb 3, 2009

Abstract

Claims (31)

1. An energy absorbing system, comprising:

a supporting member;

a barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, where the barrier is mechanically coupled to and pivotable about a hinge and becomes mechanically coupled to the supporting member when arranged at a predetermined angular position;

a first energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member, where the first energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first position to a second position; and

a second energy absorber mechanically coupled to the supporting member,

wherein the first energy absorber and the second energy absorber are arranged such that the first energy absorber expands and the second energy absorber compresses when the supporting member travels from the first position to the second position.

2. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the first angular position is substantially horizontal.

3. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the second angular position is substantially vertical.

4. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined angular position is between the first angular position and the second angular position.

5. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, where the second barrier becomes mechanically coupled to the supporting member when arranged at a predetermined angular position.

6. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting member and the first and second energy absorbers are within a housing.

7. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second energy absorbers are immovably fixed substantially below ground level.

8. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second energy absorbers are first and second shock absorbers.

9. The energy absorbing system of claim 8 , wherein a piston of the first shock absorber and a piston of the second shock absorber are each mechanically coupled to the supporting member.

10. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a motor interfacing with the hinge and causing the barrier to pivot between the first angular position and the second angular position.

11. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a supporting member guide mechanically coupled to the supporting member and arranged such that the supporting member guide causes the supporting member to move in a predetermined direction when the supporting member moves from the first position to the second position.

12. The energy absorbing system of claim 11 , further comprising:

one or more frangible members arranged within the supporting member guide,

wherein the one or more frangible members break when the supporting member moves from the first position to the second position.

13. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a barrier guide mechanically coupled to the barrier and arranged such that the barrier guide causes the barrier to move in a predetermined direction when the barrier moves from the first position to the second position.

14. The energy absorbing system of claim 13 , further comprising:

one or more frangible members arranged within the baffler guide,

wherein the one or more frangible members break when the barrier moves from the first position to the second position.

15. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first rotation limiter mechanically coupled to the barrier that limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.

16. The energy absorbing system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a barrier cover covering at least a portion of the barrier.

Assignments (13)