Patent ID: 7871220

Claim:
An energy absorbing system operable to minimize the results of an impact between a vehicle and a hazard comprising: the energy absorbing system having a first and a second end; the second end of the energy absorbing system disposed adjacent to the hazard with the first end extending longitudinally therefrom; a sled assembly slidably disposed adjacent to the first end of the energy absorbing system; a first row of energy absorbing assemblies and a second row of energy absorbing assemblies extending from the hazard; the first row and the second row of energy absorbing assemblies spaced laterally from each other; each energy absorbing assembly having at least one energy absorbing element; the sled assembly having a first shredder and a second shredder mounted thereon and generally aligned vertical relative to associated energy absorbing elements; the sled assembly having a first end facing oncoming traffic whereby an impact of a vehicle with the first end of the sled assembly results in each shredder dissipating kinetic energy of the vehicle by shredding portions of the associated energy absorbing elements; the first row of energy absorbing assemblies having a first guide rail attached thereto; the second row of energy absorbing assemblies having a second guide rail attached thereto; the first guide rail and the second guide rail spaced laterally from each other; and the sled assembly having a first guide assembly slidably disposed on the first guide rail and a second guide assembly slidably disposed on the second guide rail.