Energy absorbing system
View Patent ↗An energy absorbing system having a stanchion, a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion, a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber, and a securing mechanism that maintains tension between the net and the energy absorber until acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force, wherein at least a portion of the system is retractable into the ground.
1. An energy absorbing system comprising:
a stanchion;
a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion;
a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber;
a securing mechanism coupling a stationary portion of the energy absorber and a linearly expandable portion of the energy absorber, where the securing mechanism allows linear expansion of the energy absorber when acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force; and
a raising lowering mechanism mechanically coupled to the net, such that when at least a portion of the net is retracted into a recess in a roadway, a vehicle may pass substantially unimpeded.
2. The energy absorbing system according to claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism is one of a pin, a brake, and a counterweight.
3. An energy absorbing system comprising:
a stanchion;
a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion;
a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber;
a securing mechanism coupling a stationary portion of the energy absorber and a linearly compressible portion of the energy absorber, where the securing mechanism allows linear compression of the energy absorber when acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force; and
a raising lowering mechanism mechanically coupled to the net, such that when at least a portion of the net is retracted into a recess in a roadway, a vehicle may pass substantially unimpeded.
4. The energy absorbing system according to claim 3 , wherein the securing mechanism is one of a pin, a brake, and a counterweight.
5. An energy absorbing system comprising:
a stanchion;
a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion;
a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber; and
a securing mechanism that maintains tension between the net and the energy absorber until acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force,
wherein at least a portion of the system is retractable into the ground.
6. The energy absorbing system according to claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the net is retractable into the ground.
7. The energy absorbing system according to claim 5 , wherein the securing mechanism is one of a pin, a brake, and a counterweight.
8. An energy absorbing system comprising:
a stanchion;
a linearly extendable energy absorber coupled to the stanchion;
a net coupled to the energy absorber, wherein the net transfers force to the energy absorber; and
a securing mechanism coupling a stationary portion of the energy absorber and a non-stationary portion of the energy absorber and allows one of expansion and compression of the energy absorber when acted upon by tensile forces of at least a minimum threshold force.
9. The energy absorbing system according to claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the net is retractable into the ground.
10. The energy absorbing system according to claim 8 , wherein the securing mechanism is one of a pin, a brake, and a counterweight.