Modular barrier cushion system

Abstract

A modular barrier cushion system is provided for mitigating the impact of a vehicle with a fixed object, and thus, the injury to a driver of the vehicle. The modular barrier system includes a plurality of modular barrier cushions. Each modular barrier cushion includes a cushion body having a shell defining an interior chamber containing shock absorbing or sound absorbing filler material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular barrier cushion comprising: 
 an outer shell casing;    at least one shock absorbing material housed within said shell casing for absorbing the force from impacts; and    a plurality of interconnects for facilitating interconnection of said modular barrier cushion to additional modular barrier cushions.    
     
     
         2 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is made from a material selected from the group consisting of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE); Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE); High Density Polyethylene (HDPE); High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW); Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW); Polypropylene (PP); and Nylon.  
     
     
         3 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing material is a foam material selected from the group consisting of Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS); Polypropylene foam; Polyethylene foam; Polyurethane foam; and Polyester foam.  
     
     
         4 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnects are selected from the group consisting of overlapping rings, opposed crescents that hook into each other, and dovetail interconnects.  
     
     
         5 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the density of shock absorbing material is about 1-60 pounds per cubic foot.  
     
     
         6 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the interconnects and shell are of a single, unitary construction.  
     
     
         7 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing material is in combination with a second shock absorbing material.  
     
     
         8 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein a Ultraviolet wavelength inhibitor/stabilizer is present in the shell casing to prevent degradation of the material from exposure to Ultraviolet rays.  
     
     
         9 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 1 , wherein the modular barrier cushion is designed to connect to a wall, surface, road, embankment, fixed object or the like.  
     
     
         10 . A crash barrier comprising at least two modular barrier cushions attached to each other via at least one interconnect, each said modular barrier cushion comprising: 
 a) an outer shell casing; and    b) at least one shock absorbing material housed within said shell casing for absorbing the force from impacts.    
     
     
         11 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the shell is made from a material selected from the group consisting of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE); Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE); High Density Polyethylene (HDPE); High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW); Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW); Polypropylene (PP); and Nylon.  
     
     
         12 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the shock absorbing material is a foam material selected from the group consisting of Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS); Polypropylene foam; Polyethylene foam; Polyurethane foam; and Polyester foam.  
     
     
         13 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the interconnects are selected from the group consisting of overlapping rings, opposed crescents that hook into each other, and dovetail interconnects.  
     
     
         14 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the density of shock absorbing material is about 1-60 pounds per cubic foot.  
     
     
         15 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the interconnects and shell are of a single, unitary construction.  
     
     
         16 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the shock absorbing material is in combination with a second shock absorbing material.  
     
     
         17 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein a Ultraviolet wavelength inhibitor/stabilizer is present in the shell casing to prevent degradation of the material from exposure to Ultraviolet rays.  
     
     
         18 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 10 , wherein the modular barrier cushion is designed to connect to a wall, surface, road, embankment, fixed object or the like.  
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing collision damage to a driver of a vehicle comprising the step of: 
 securing at least one modular cushion to a fixed object, said modular cushion comprising    a) an outer shell casing; and    b) at least one shock absorbing material housed within said shell casing for absorbing the force from impacts.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shell is made from a material selected from the group consisting of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE); Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE); High Density Polyethylene (HDPE); High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMW); Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW); Polypropylene (PP); and Nylon.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shock absorbing material is a foam selected from the group consisting of Expandable PolyStyrene (EPS); Polypropylene foam; Polyethylene foam; Polyurethane foam; and Polyester foam.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the density of shock absorbing material is about 1-60 pounds per cubic foot.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the interconnects and shell are of a single, unitary construction.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shock absorbing material is in combination with a second shock absorbing material.  
     
     
         25 . The modular barrier cushion of  claim 19 , wherein a Ultraviolet wavelength inhibitor/stabilizer is present in the shell casing to prevent degradation of the material from exposure to Ultraviolet rays.