Patent ID: 6715735
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: E01F

Abstract:
A head assembly for use with a guardrail installation, comprising:a rail feeder chute, comprising: a first side portion disposed on a traffic side of the head assembly, and a second side portion disposed opposite the traffic side of the head assembly, the first and second side portions being generally parallel with each other and being generally parallel with a central, longitudinal axis of the rail feeder chute; the first and second side portions being configured to receive a rail member therebetween; an upstream end; a downstream end having upper and lower edge portions that form respective acute angles with the central, longitundinal axis; each of the upper and lower edge portions terminating adjacent to and being coupled with respective rounded members that extend perpendicular to the central, longitudinal axis and the first and second side portions; and wherein the respective rounded members extend further downstream than the upper and lower edge portions, the rounded members providing blunt, rounded termination points to the rail feeder chute at the downstream end, during impact with support posts of the guardrail installation; and an impact portion coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and comprising: an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, the impact plate having a greater height than width, an upper overhang extending upwardly, and a lower overhang extending downwardly; top and bottom members forming a coupling between the rail feeder chute and the impact plate; first and second side members cooperating to form a throat configured to receive the rail member as it is forced through the impact portion during a collision between an automobile and the impact plate; the first side member being positioned adjacent the traffic side of the head assembly and including a curved portion that extends away from the traffic side as the first member extends away from the rail feeder chute, the first side member being configured to direct the rail member away from the roadway during an end-on collision; the second side member being positioned opposite the traffic side of the head assembly and terminating at a vertical brace that extends generally perpendicular to the central, longitudinal axis of the rail feeder chute; the top and bottom members each having a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway, the traffic side edge being approximately parallel with the central, longitudinal axis of the rail feeder chute; and a connecting plate coupled between the impact plate and the first portion of the first side member, the connecting plate providing an axis of force transmission for the head assembly, wherein the axis of force transmission is offset from the central, longitudinal axis of the head assembly.