Patent ID: 7874572
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: B60D,B62D,E01F

Abstract:
1. A crash attenuator comprising: a crash cushion comprising a front end, a rear end, and a trailer hitch component disposed adjacent said front end, said trailer hitch component operative to rotate about a substantially vertical axis; at least one wheel supporting said crash cushion and rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, wherein said at least one wheel is spaced rearwardly from said substantially vertical axis; and first and second restraint elements positioned on opposite sides of said trailer hitch component, wherein at least one of said first and second restraint elements is operable between at least a disengaged condition, wherein said crash cushion is capable of rotating about said substantially vertical axis, and an engaged condition, wherein said at least one of said first and second restraint elements constrains rotation of said crash cushion about said substantially vertical axis, wherein said first and second restraint elements each comprise a forwardly extending anti-rotation arm having a fixed length and an impact pad, and wherein said trailer hitch component is compressible between at least a first length and a second length as said at least one of said first and second restraint elements are operable between said disengaged and engaged conditions.