Abstract:
A crash barrier device including: a body portion having at least an impact portion; and a fastening portion configured to fasten the body portion to a projecting load being carried by a vehicle; wherein the impact portion and fastening portion are configured such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion. A system for carrying projecting loads is also provided and includes: a trailer having wheels and fastener(s) for fastening the trailer to a powered vehicle; and the crash barrier device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/985,440 filed on Nov. 15, 2007 which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/859,191 filed on Nov. 15, 2006, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to automotive collision avoidance, and mitigation or attenuation, and more specifically to avoiding or mitigating vehicle collisions between cargo carried as a projecting load and any other vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    The basis of providing vehicle bumpers is to provide a durable collision interface with relatively large surface area to transmit the collision force to the vehicle chassis regardless of the point of impact or the distribution of collision forces. Once transmitted to the chassis, the impact forces are transmitted to the vehicle occupants via safety belts and/or air bags. This widely employed method works to lessen the effects of highly concentrated impacts, such as those with trees or support columns. 
         [0006]    There exists, however, a common and necessary highway transport practice which, if involved in a collision, never allows for any current automobile safety system to mitigate the impact. 
         [0007]    In transporting long non-separable loads, such as utility poles, on commercial motor vehicles, it is common practice to secure the majority of the load to the truck or trailer, and allow a significant portion of the load to project rearward beyond the extent of the truck or trailer frame. This practice may result from the need to transport loads, sometimes exceeding 100′ in length, on roads and highways while maintaining a relatively short vehicle wheelbase for maneuverability. Alternately, a motor carrier may have to, on occasion, transport a load which is not exceptionally long in absolute terms, but is longer than the equipment can accommodate without projection. In either case, the projected load presents a grave danger to other vehicles, especially automobiles, because of two intrinsic geometric parameters of the projecting load. 
         [0008]    First, the nature of heavy truck and trailer design and manufacture yields cargo carrying decks which are 3.0′-5.0′ above grade level. This height directly corresponds to the elevation above the front/hood area and below the roof of most passenger vehicles (i.e., the height of a vehicle windshield). If a passenger vehicle collides with a projecting load, the end of the projecting load will pierce the windshield of the automobile, exposing the occupants to extraordinary risk of severe injury or death. 
         [0009]    Second, projecting loads generally exhibit a high slenderness ratio i.e. the longitudinal dimension is much, much larger than the cross-sectional dimensions. For example: a truck/trailer combination carrying a projecting size # 1  utility pole will typically be only 1.0′ in diameter. This slenderness has two consequent effects: First, in combination with the load height above grade, the driver of a vehicle behind the projecting load is viewing only the cross section of the load. This means that the following driver has only a small area of focusing surface on which to judge his proximity to the projecting load (0.78 ft 2  in the case of the # 1  utility pole). This can easily lead to the eyes of the following driver focusing on the much larger surface area of the rear truck or trailer frame, which would underestimate the proximity by the projection distance, which is commonly 8.0′-12.0′ and often more as regulations stipulate no maximum projection. In addition to misjudgment of proximity, in the event of a collision with a projecting load the typical slenderness of projecting loads concentrates the impact force on a small area. This, combined with the typical mass, rigidity, and secure attachment of projected loads (utility poles, bridge trusses, I-beams, etc) when compared to the strength of the upper portion of a passenger vehicle, results in the immediate deformation and failure of the passenger vehicle components (windshield, roof, etc.) and exposure of the passengers to the risk of severe injury or death in any collision of appreciable magnitude. 
         [0010]    In addition to bumpers, safety belts, and other systems simply transmitting impact forces to vehicle occupants, highway safety advancements such as air bags, crumple zones, and inertia-absorbing highway barriers, have made great strides in reducing casualties resulting from automobile collisions by attenuating the forces resulting from collisions of all magnitudes. The basic principle on which all these systems operate is as follows: the net kinetic energy of the impact is dissipated or absorbed by deformation of some mitigation material or structure. This process lowers the peak transmitted forces while lengthening the time over which any unabsorbed forces are transmitted. Based on the well-documented success of such devices, any collision barrier or bumper will benefit from the addition of an additional mitigation system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    Accordingly, a crash barrier device is provided. The crash barrier device comprises: a body portion having at least an impact portion; and a fastening portion configured to fasten the body portion to a projecting load being carried by a vehicle; wherein at least a portion of the impact portion and the fastening portion are configured such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion. 
         [0012]    The fastening portion can comprise one or more clamps. The one or more clamps can comprise two clamps. 
         [0013]    The body portion and impact portion can be integrally formed. 
         [0014]    The fastening portion can comprise a closed end for fitting over a corresponding end of the projecting load to prevent movement, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, of the body portion and projecting load. 
         [0015]    The crash barrier device can further comprise an impact mitigation system for absorbing at least a portion of an impact on the impact surface. The impact mitigation system can comprise a pleated container disposed on at least a portion of the impact surface. The crash barrier device can further comprise one of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel disposed in a cavity of the pleated container. 
         [0016]    The crash barrier device can further comprise one or more wheels rotatably disposed on the body portion and configured so as to have a surface thereof rotatably contact the surface upon which the vehicle travels. 
         [0017]    The fastening portion can comprise a protrusion disposed on the body portion and having at least a portion fitted over a corresponding end of the projecting load to prevent movement, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, of the body portion and projecting load. 
         [0018]    Also provided is a system for carrying projecting loads from a vehicle. The system comprising: a trailer having at least one set of wheels and means for fastening the trailer to a powered vehicle; and a crash barrier device having: a body portion having at least an impact portion; and a fastening portion configured to fasten the body portion to a projecting load being carried by a vehicle; wherein at least a portion of the impact portion and the fastening portion are configured such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion. 
         [0019]    The system can further comprise an impact mitigation system for absorbing at least a portion of an impact on the impact surface disposed at a forward end, in the direction of vehicle travel of the trailer. The impact mitigation system can comprise a pleated container. The system can further comprise one of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gel disposed in a cavity of the pleated container. The system can further comprise a plate for distributing an impact across at least a portion of a surface area of the pleated container. The plate can include a hole for accepting a corresponding forward end portion, the direction of vehicle travel, of the projecting load. 
         [0020]    The fastening portion can comprises one or more clamps. The one or more clamps can comprise two clamps. 
         [0021]    The body portion and impact portion can be integrally formed. 
         [0022]    The fastening portion can comprise a closed end for fitting over a corresponding end of the projecting load to prevent movement, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, of the body portion and projecting load. 
         [0023]    The system can further comprise one or more wheels rotatably disposed on the body portion and configured so as to have a surface thereof rotatably contact the surface upon which the vehicle travels. 
         [0024]    The fastening portion can comprise a protrusion disposed on the body portion and having at least a portion fitted over a corresponding end of the projecting load to prevent movement, in the direction of travel of the vehicle, of the body portion and projecting load. 
         [0025]    The system can further comprise fastening means for fastening the projecting load to the trailer. 
         [0026]    Further yet provided is a method for attenuating an impact of a first vehicle on a second vehicle carrying a projecting load. The method comprising: fastening a body portion having at least an impact portion to an end portion of the projecting load; and configuring at least a portion of the impact portion and the fastening portion such that the impact portion is nearer to a surface traveled on by the vehicle than the fastening portion so as to lower a point of the impact towards a surface traveled on the first and second vehicles. 
         [0027]    The method can further comprise providing the impact portion with a surface area greater than a surface area of the end portion of the projecting load so as to increase a likelihood that an operator of the first vehicle will be aware of a proximity to the projecting load. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1   a  illustrates a side view of a collision interaction schematic of the prior art between an automobile and a projecting load. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision interaction schematic of  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0031]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a side view of a collision interaction system between an automobile and a projecting load with a collision barrier device for projecting loads. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision interaction system of  FIG. 2   a.    
           [0033]      FIG. 2   c  illustrates an isometric view of a variation of the collision barrier device of  FIG. 2   b.    
           [0034]      FIG. 3   a  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a collision interaction system between an automobile and a projecting load with a collision barrier device for projecting loads. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision interaction system of  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0036]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a collision barrier device for projecting loads with wheels provided for maneuvering. 
           [0037]      FIG. 4   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision barrier device of  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0038]      FIG. 5   a  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the collision barrier device for projecting loads with a protrusion for preventing forward motion along the long axis of the projecting load. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision barrier device of  FIG. 5   a.    
           [0040]      FIG. 5   c  illustrates a detailed isometric view of the collision barrier device of  FIG. 5   a.    
           [0041]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates a side view of a collision interaction system between an automobile and a projecting load with a collision barrier device for projecting loads and an impact mitigation system disposed at forward end of the projecting load. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates an isometric view of the collision interaction system of  FIG. 6   a.    
           [0043]      FIG. 6   c  illustrates an isometric view of impact mitigation system of  FIG. 6   b.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Although this invention is applicable to attenuating any impact between two objects whose intended impact points are misaligned, it is particularly useful in mitigating rear-end collisions between passenger vehicles or light trucks and projecting loads carried by commercial vehicles. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the present invention to mitigation of rear-end collisions between passenger vehicles or light trucks and projecting loads carried by commercial vehicles, it will be described in such an environment. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, although this invention is applicable to numerous and various types of projecting loads, it has been found particularly useful in the environment of utility poles. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to utility poles, the invention will be described in such environment. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , there is illustrated a collision interaction schematic of the prior art generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . The collision interaction schematic  100  shows an automobile  101  following a truck-semitrailer combination  102 . The truck is generally powered and the trailer is generally attached to the trailer by well known means in the art, such as a trailer hitch or any kind of pivoting or rotating joint. The truck-semitrailer combination  102  is shown carrying a projecting load  103  which is elevated and projecting past the rearmost point  104  of the truck-semitrailer  102  proper. It is clear that, by examining the collision interaction schematic  100 , if the automobile  101  collides with the projecting load  103 , the projecting load  103  will pierce the passenger compartment of the automobile  101  and subject the occupants to serious risk of injury or death. By examining the collision interaction schematic  100  it is also clear that the end surface area of the projecting load  103  is much smaller than the rear surface area of the truck-semitrailer combination  102  and can deceive the operator of the automobile  101  as to his/her actual proximity to the projecting load  103 . This deception could certainly cause a collision where one would otherwise not have taken place. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , there is illustrated an attenuated collision interaction schematic generally referred to by reference numeral  200 . The attenuated collision interaction schematic  200  shows an automobile  201  following a truck-trailer/semitrailer combination  202 . The truck-semitrailer combination  202  is carrying a projecting load  203  which is elevated and projecting past the rearmost point of the truck-semitrailer  202  proper. The projecting load can be fastened to the semitrailer at one or more points, such as at fasteners  203   a . Such fasteners can be any type known in the art, such as clamps or straps. The fasteners  203   a  can also be a portion of the semitrailer which projects from the surface that on which the projecting load lies. Additionally, the projecting load  203  is outfitted with a collision barrier device  204 . 
         [0048]    The collision barrier device  204  comprises a body portion  204   a  having an impact portion, such as a large surface area portion  204   b  that is positioned for impact with the vehicle  201 . The body portion  204   a  may include stiffening portions, such as ribs and further includes a means for fastening the same to the projecting load. Such means can be any fastening means known in the art as long as the body portion  204   a  is securely fastened to a projecting end of the projecting load such that the body portion  204   a  will not substantially move axially along the projecting load during an impact. Such fastening means can include one or more clamps  204   c  which can be sized to fit a particular size and shape projecting load or be adjustable to fit a variety of size and/or shapes. The clamps  204   c  can be one or more U-bolts having two threaded ends, each threaded end having a corresponding through hole on the body portion  204   a  and nuts secured to the threaded ends to secure the body portion  204   a  to the projecting load  203 . Other types of fastening means may include straps or clamps that are tightened by a lever or knob action. Still other fastening means can be binding with flexible tensile members (ropes, chains, straps, etc), clamping between one or more rigid jaws, or using features of the projecting load itself such as drilled holes, flanges, or the geometry of the projecting load itself. Spikes, knurling, or other traction-promoting features or coatings can also be used on any components of the fastening means where the same contact the projecting load to aid in gripping the projecting load. 
         [0049]    Furthermore, the fastening means can have a closed end  204   d  ( FIG. 2   c ) for fitting over the end of the projecting load so as to minimize any relative axial movement (in the direction of travel) between the body portion  204   a  and the projecting load  203  during an impact. The body portion  204   a  can be any material having sufficient strength to resist the impact of the vehicle, such as metal or polymer, fiberglass or carbon fiber. Furthermore, the large surface area portion  204   b  can be attached to or integral with the body portion  204   a  and can also be formed of any material and/or of a sufficient size and/or shape to resist/absorb/mitigate/attenuate the impact of the vehicle. 
         [0050]    A means can also be provided (not shown) to change the elevation of the large surface area portion relative to the projecting load either prior to installation or after detachment from the projecting load. 
         [0051]    It is clear that, by examining the attenuated collision interaction schematic  200 , if the automobile  201  collides with the collision barrier device for projecting loads  204 , the collision barrier device  204  will firstly lower the effective impact elevation of the collision interaction and secondly increase the surface area of the collision interaction. By lowering the elevation and increasing the surface area of the collision interaction, the collision survivability systems of the automobile  201  (bumpers, crumple zones, air bags, safety belts, etc) may now act to reduce the risk of injury or death of the occupants of the automobile  201 . The fasteners  203   a  will counteract any moment caused by the lower impact acting to dislodge the projecting load  203  from the carrier. 
         [0052]    Additionally, the larger surface area of the collision barrier device for projecting loads  204  as compared to the projecting load  203  alone, will increase the likelihood that the operator of the automobile  201  will be aware of his/her true proximity to the projecting load  203  and therefore increase the likelihood that the operator of the automobile  201  will maintain a safe following distance which, in turn can serve to avoid a collision in the first place. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , there is illustrated a highly attenuated collision interaction schematic generally referred to by reference numeral  300 . The highly attenuated collision interaction schematic  300  shows an automobile  301  following a truck-semitrailer combination  302 . The truck-semitrailer combination  302  is carrying a projecting load  303  which is elevated and projecting past the rearmost point of the truck-semitrailer  302  proper. The projecting load  303  is outfitted with a collision barrier device  304  having a similar construction to that described above with regard to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c . Additionally, the collision barrier device for projecting loads  304  is outfitted with an additional impact mitigation system  305 . The impact mitigation system  305  can be a pleated container  305   a  which is easily deformed in the axial direction of the projecting load. Such a pleated container  305   a  can be formed of a polymer and may be additionally filled with a mitigation material, such as sand or other solid, water or other liquid or gel or other semi-solid (or any combination thereof). 
         [0054]    It is clear that, by examining the highly attenuated collision interaction schematic  300 , if the automobile  301  collides with the collision barrier device for projecting loads  304 , the collision barrier device for projecting loads  304  will firstly lower the effective impact elevation of the collision interaction and secondly increase the surface area of the collision interaction. By lowering the elevation and increasing the surface area of the collision interaction, the collision survivability systems of the automobile  301  (bumpers, crumple zones, air bags, safety belts, etc) may now act to reduce the risk of injury or death of the occupants of the automobile  301 . Additionally, the inclusion of the additional impact mitigation system  305  will absorb or dissipate kinetic energy from the impact of the automobile  301 , further reducing the risk of injury or death to the occupants of the automobile  301 . Additionally, the increased area and volume of the collision barrier device for projecting loads  304  in combination with the impact mitigation system  305  as compared to the end area of the projecting load  303  alone will serve to alert the operator of the automobile  301  as to the presence of the projecting load  303  and his/her true proximity to the projecting load  303 . This increased alertness can surely work towards avoiding a collision in the first place. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , another embodiment of the collision barrier device  404  is shown with its own set of wheels  405  to assist in maneuvering. Although shown with regard to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , such wheels  405  can be utilized in any such variations and/or embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , a protrusion  505  can be used for preventing sliding of the body portion  204   a  in the axial direction of the projecting load. The protrusion  505  can be fastened to the body portion  204   a  by any means known in the art, such as by one or more bolts  506 . The protrusion  505  acts similarly to the closed end  204   d  discussed above with regard to  FIG. 2   d . Again, although shown with regard to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , such protrusion  505  can be utilized in any such variations and/or embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the impact mitigation system  600  can be disposed between a second end of the projecting load and the truck, such as being attached to a back surface  202   b  of the truck  202   a  or a forward portion  202   d  of the semi-trailer  202   c . The impact mitigation system  600  can include a pleated container  602  similar to that described above with regard to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  and have any of the fillers described above. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 6   c , the pleated container  602  can have a plate covering  602  for spreading a force caused by an impact of the end of the projecting load over a greater area, such as over the entire face of the pleated container  602 . The plate  604  can further have a hole, such as a blind hole  606  for accepting a corresponding end or other portion of the projecting load  203 . Again, although shown with regard to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , such impact mitigation system  600  can be utilized in any such variations and/or embodiments disclosed herein. 
         [0058]    A means to electronically measure the distance between the rearmost point of the collision barrier device and the closest object directly behind the same can be provided. This electronic measurement may then be used to alert persons in the vicinity of the potential hazard of the projecting load if the distance between the invention and the object becomes closer than some predetermined threshold. The alerting may be an LED display stating “too close” or similar language or merely a flashing light and/or audible warning. 
         [0059]    While there has been shown and described what is considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that various modifications and changes in form or detail could readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact forms described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.