Patent ID: 7396184

Claim:
A vehicle crash cushion for decelerating a vehicle comprising: front and rear anchors spaced along a longitudinal direction; at least one deformable attenuator member extending in said longitudinal direction and having a first end coupled to said front anchor and a second end coupled to said rear anchor; a support member positioned adjacent said at least one attenuator member, wherein said support member has an impact surface and is moveable in said longitudinal direction relative to said at least one attenuator member between at least an initial position and an impact position toward said rear anchor and away from said front anchor, said support member having a front side facing said front anchor and a back side facing said rear anchor; and at least one deforming member mounted on said support member and engaged with said at least one attenuator member in front of said impact surface of said support member such that said deforming member is pulled by said support member along said attenuator member, said at least one deforming member disposed around and engaged with at least a portion of said at least one attenuator member, wherein said at least one attenuator is at least partially deformed by said engagement with said at least one deforming member, and wherein said deforming member is moved by said support member along said attenuator member as said support member is moved in said longitudinal direction relative to said attenuator member from said initial position to said impact position.