Patent ID: 8414216

Claim:
An energy absorbing system operable to minimize an impact between a vehicle and a hazard comprising: the energy absorbing system having a first end 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 proximate the first end of the energy absorbing system; a plurality of panel support frames slidably disposed on a first guide rail and a second guide rail between the sled assembly and the hazard; the panel support frames spaced longitudinally from each other; and a plurality of panels attached to the panel support frames and extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the energy absorbing system, each of the panels configured to abut an adjacent panel and comprising: a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge; a first end opposing a second end, the second end configured to overlap a first end of an adjacent panel; and a first recess formed at a first corner defined by the second end and one of the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge.