Patent ID: 6488268
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: E01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A roadway guardrail system, comprising:a guardrail; at least one support post having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a lower end and the lower portion having an upper end; the upper portion being coupled to the guardrail and the lower portion being structured and arranged to be located in the earth; the upper portion lower end comprising a first member and the lower portion upper end comprising a second member; the first and second members being coupled together with at least two rods, the rods laying along an imaginary line that extends on a strong direction, wherein the post exhibits a high mechanical strength in the strong direction, there being a weak direction that is generally perpendicular to the strong direction, wherein the support post exhibits a low mechanical strength in the weak direction; at least one spacer located between the first and second members, there being a gap on at least one side of the imaginary line, wherein the upper portion can rotate relative to the lower portion in the weak direction when subjected to a force; and the upper and lower portions comprise I-beams, each of the I-beam portions having a web, with the web of the upper portion being generally aligned with the web of the lower portion, and with the imaginary line extending generally in the same direction as the webs.