Soft crash-barrier impact-attenuation system, device, and method

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a crash barrier system consists of a soft barrier system of a modular approach wherein each module includes an outer casing comprising a selectively closable top and at least one vertical side wall having a flap for directing effluent air flow upon compression; an inner structure comprising at least one baffle, or alternatively, a bladder, adapted to fit inside the outer casing; and an anti-lift weighted mat coupled to a front portion of the outer casing.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A soft barrier system comprising:
 an outer casing comprising a selectively closable top and at least one vertical sidewall adapted to enclose a volume, the outer casing further comprising at least one flap for directing effluent airflow upon compression;   an inner structure comprising at least one baffle adapted to fit inside the outer casing.   
     
     
         2 . The soft barrier system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an anti-submerging mat coupled to a front portion of the outer casing. 
 
     
     
         3 . The soft barrier of  claim 1  wherein the inner structure comprises:
 at least one vertical baffle support member and at least one horizontal baffle support member, the horizontal baffle support member cooperating with the at least one vertical support member to define a baffle module; 
 the baffle module adapted to enclose at least one front baffle comprising at least one left-right baffle panel separator and a front-back baffle panel separator having an opening; 
 the baffle module further adapted to enclose at least one rear baffle adjacent to the at least one front baffle, the at least one rear baffle defining a volume in fluid communication with the front-back baffle panel separator having an opening and at least one left-right baffle separator wall having an associated opening; and 
 the outer casing sidewall flap being adapted to arrange adjacent to the associated opening of the rear baffle at least one left-right baffle separator. 
 
     
     
         4 . The soft barrier of  claim 1  wherein the inner structure comprises:
 a fabric baffle separator defining at least two baffle modules comprising of a front baffle module adapted to fit inside the outer casing, the front baffle module comprising a front solid foam panel, at least one solid foam side wall and a rear solid foam panel having an opening; and
 a rear baffle module disposed adjacent to the front baffle module, the rear baffle module comprising a front solid foam panel having a corresponding opening arranged to be in fluid communication with the front baffle, at least one side wall having a side opening in fluid communication with the flap and a rear solid panel wall coupled to the sidewall. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The soft barrier of  claim 1  wherein the inner structure comprises:
 An inner bladder structure defining an encapsulated air volume, the inner bladder structure adapted to fit inside the outer casing. 
 
     
     
         6 . A system for attenuating impact forces of a moving vehicle relative to a stationary barrier, the system comprising:
 a soft frame defining a first volume;   an inner volume of air encapsulated within at least one compartment defined by the soft frame inside the first volume, the at least one compartment further comprising at least one air-release port adapted to direct the direction and volume of air flow passing therethrough upon rapid compression of the inner volume of air due to an impact of a moving vehicle against the system.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the at least one compartment further comprises a bladder. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the soft frame further comprises a tubeless air volume that is pressurized above ambient air pressure. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the soft frame further comprises an inner fabric layer having an outside face and an inside face wherein the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer couple together either directly or by means of at least one intermediate and continuous sidewall and further the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer are configured to define the compartment. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein:
 the soft frame comprises an outer perimeter inflatable frame structure supporting a fabric panel insert; 
 an outer cover adapted to fit over the soft frame; 
 the soft frame further defining a plurality of interconnected interior cells, each interior cell defining a corresponding volume of air at ambient pressure. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein:
 the soft frame further comprises a generally parallel rectilinear structure when viewed from the front, top, bottom, or rear views and further comprises a plurality of interconnected tubes that hold slightly above 1 atmosphere of pressure to provide an internal framework to support the exterior cover and define at least on of the interior cells; 
 the plurality of interconnected tubes comprise at least one layer of fabric sealed together with an air space, the interconnected tubes further comprise a one-way pressure relief valve. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 at least one rigid-foam panel adapted to fit within the soft frame whereby the rigid-foam panel provides an internal support skeleton. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one rigid-foam panel adapted to fit within the soft frame whereby the rigid-foam panel provides an internal support skeleton. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a semi-rigid outer panel configured to arrange on a track-side of the soft frame. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a semi-rigid outer panel configured to arrange on a track-side of the soft frame.