Patent ID: 7300223

Claim:
An impact attenuator system comprises: at least one first side beam assembly and at least one opposing, or second, side beam assembly, the first and second beam assemblies are in opposed relationship, the first beam assembly having a first, or leading, end and a second end, and the second beam assembly having a first, or leading, end and a second end; at least one nose assembly that is secured to the first end of the first beam assembly and to the first end of the second beam assembly; each side beam assembly further including a plurality of side panels, each side panel having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of a first panel overlaps the first end of the adjacent panel whereby the side panel members are in a nested linear arrangement; each side panel defining at least one longitudinally extending opening wherein adjacent slots on adjacent side panels at least partially overlap; at least one diaphragm panel, wherein the diaphragm panel is positioned between opposing side panels and is secured to the opposing side panels by at least one securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism extends from an outer surface of the side panel through the slot, the securing mechanism being capable of being longitudinally moved along the slot; at least one bay defined by the opposing side panels and the diaphragm panels; at least one hyperelastic member positioned in the at least one bay; and, at least one anchoring system including at least one cable which is secured at a first end to a first anchoring mechanism and is secured at a second end to a second anchoring mechanism.