Apparatus for protecting structural supports

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting structural supports from damage when impacted by an object such as a moving vehicle is provided. The apparatus has a shaped component which in the preferred embodiment is a semi-cylindrical component having a body defined by a wall, a top, and a base. The wall has at least one flat wall face and surrounds a hollow interior. An indentation for receiving a structural support is present in at least one flat wall face. A device for securing the shaped component to the structural support and for firmly seating one component at its flat wall face against the second component at its flat wall face when two components are present. Preferably, each component has a plurality of impact absorbing indentations, each having an aperture, a base and a wall extending from the base to an aperture mouth. These indentations function to re-distribute the energy of impact when a collusion occurs between the apparatus and a moving object. Preferably, each component is formed by rotational molding from a plastic resin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting an elongated structural support from impact said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated impact protection component in the form of a single unitary part having a top, a base, and a peripheral side wall, said side wall having a rear portion configured to mate with the structural support so as to seat said component in an installed position adjoining the structural support;    said side wall surrounding a chamber and further having a front portion configured to deflect inwardly toward said rear portion so as to reduce the volume of said chamber upon the impact of a vehicle or the like, and thereby to protect the structural support from said impact, a portion of said chamber being filled with a material; and,    said front portion of said side wall having inner and outer surfaces with undulating contours that define projections at said inner surface and corresponding indentations at said outer surface.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for protecting an elongated structural support from impact, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongated impact protection component having a top, a base, and a peripheral side wall which surrounds a chamber, a portion of said chamber being filled with a material, said side wall having a rear portion configured to mate with the structural support so as to seat said component in an installed position adjoining the structural support, said side wall further having a front portion configured to deflect inwardly toward said rear portion so as to reduce the volume of said air chamber upon the impact of a vehicle, and thereby to protect the structural support from said impact; and,    a belt configured to extend across said front portion of said side wall in a second position in which said belt secures said component in said installed position.    
     
     
         3 . A method for assembling an apparatus for protecting an associated structural support, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming an elongated impact protection component, said component having a top, a base, and a peripheral side wall which surrounds a chamber, a portion of said chamber being filled with a material, said side wall having a rear portion configured to mate with the structural support so as to seat said component in an installed position adjoining the structural support, said side wall further having a front portion configured to deflect inwardly toward said rear portion so as to reduce the volume of said chamber upon the impact of a vehicle, and thereby to protect the structural support from said impact; and,    associating a belt with said component for securing said component to the structural support.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of: 
 filling at least a portion of the chamber with a material.    
     
     
         5 . A method for protecting a structural support, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an elongated impact protection component having a top, a base, and a peripheral side wall which surrounds a chamber, said side wall having a rear portion configured to mate with the structural support, said side wall further having a front portion;    positioning said component in an installed position adjoining the structural support; and,    securing said component in said installed position with a belt.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: 
 impacting said component;    deflecting said front portion of said side wall inwardly toward said rear portion;    reducing the volume of said chamber; and,    protecting said structural support.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said chamber is filled with a material.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein reducing the volume of said chamber further comprises: 
 compressing said material.