Patent ID: 6474489
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B61F

Abstract:
A train collision attenuator for mounting to a leading end of a leading rail car rollably supported on a railway, said attenuator comprising:an energy absorbing assembly having a leading surface, said energy absorbing assembly dimensioned and configured for attenuating the force of impact between a moving train and a pedestrian or a vehicle located in the path of the moving train as the pedestrian impacts against said leading surface, a mounting assembly adapted to secure said energy absorbing assembly to the leading end of the leading rail car, and said energy absorbing assembly comprises an airbag, said leading surface being formed by said airbag when said airbag is inflated, said airbag being dimensioned and configured for attenuating the force of impact between the moving train and the pedestrian or the vehicle, said airbag including an upper pedestrian cushioning portion and a lower pedestrian support portion, wherein said lower pedestrian support portion has a deployed shape and said lower pedestrian support portion maintains its shape while said upper cushioning portion deflates.