Restorable crash cushion attenuator system

Abstract

A restorable Crash Cushion Attenuation (CCA) system utilizing polyurethane springs within sections of the CCA system, for attenuating a vehicle that collides into the CCA system, thereby saving lives within the vehicle, the polyurethane springs compressing upon collision. The polyurethane springs are held in their compressed position by a mechanism thereof, so they do not immediately reform and cause the vehicle to be pushed back out into traffic. However, the polyurethane springs may be quickly restored to their original shape by utilizing a release mechanism thereby providing for a quickly reusable CCA system.

1 . A Crash Cushion Attenuation system comprising:
 a plurality of attenuation sections, each coupled to another section, at least one of the plurality of attenuation sections comprising:
 a plurality of springs for attenuating a collision by compressing, the springs capable of being reformed when released by a mechanism thereof; 
 wherein each of the plurality of springs are elastic; and 
   wherein by utilizing the mechanism for releasing the springs after a collision, the at least one of the plurality of attenuation sections is restored.   
     
     
         2 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of attenuation sections utilizes the plurality of springs for attenuating a collision. 
     
     
         3 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of springs are made from Polyether Urethane. 
     
     
         4 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of springs are cylindrical structures. 
     
     
         5 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the plurality of attenuation sections, wherein a second one of the plurality of attenuation sections comprises:
 a second plurality of springs for attenuating a collision by compressing, the springs capable of being reformed when released by the mechanism, the second plurality of springs being of a greater number than the plurality of springs, thereby having greater attenuation than the at least one of the plurality of attenuation sections. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 5  wherein if the collision into the at least one of the plurality of sections occurs with sufficient force, the second one of the plurality of attenuation sections begins compressing. 
     
     
         7 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 5  wherein the second one of the plurality of attenuation sections is coupled behind the at least one of the plurality of attenuation sections. 
     
     
         8 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism thereof comprises:
 a ratchet system, mounted at the bottom of the at least one of the plurality of attenuation sections and coupled thereto; and 
 a release system, coupled to the ratchet system; 
 wherein as the springs are compressed from a collision, the ratchet system holds the springs in a compressed position; and 
 wherein the release system causes the ratchet system to release the springs to reform into their original shape. 
 
     
     
         9 . A Crash Cushion Attenuation system comprising:
 a first attenuation section comprising:
 a first front plate; 
 a first rear plate; and 
 a first plurality of polyurethane springs, coupled between the first front plate and the first rear plate, the first plurality of polyurethane springs for compressing the first attenuation section when a vehicle collides into the Crash Cushion Attenuation system. 
   
     
     
         10 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a second attenuation section, coupled to the first attenuation section, the second attenuation section behind the rear plate of the first attenuation section, the second attenuation section comprising:
 a second front plate; 
 a second rear plate; and 
 a second plurality of polyurethane springs, coupled between the second front plate and the second rear plate, the second plurality of polyurethane springs for compressing the second attenuation section when a vehicle collides into the Crash Cushion Attenuation system. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 10  wherein the first rear plate of the first attenuation section, and the second front plate of the second attenuation section are the same plate. 
     
     
         12 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 10  wherein the first rear plate of the first attenuation section, and the second front plate of the second attenuation section are different plates coupled together. 
     
     
         13 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 10  wherein the second plurality of polyurethane springs has a greater number of polyurethane springs than the first plurality of polyurethane springs. 
     
     
         14 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 10 , wherein the second attenuation section compresses after the first attenuation section. 
     
     
         15 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and the second attenuation sections, when compressed by a vehicle colliding with the Crash Cushion Attenuation system, stops the vehicle, while preserving the lives of the passengers within the vehicle, because the vehicle is stopped with less kinetic force than if the vehicle had hit an immovable object. 
     
     
         16 . The Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a ratchet system, mounted at the bottom of the first attenuation section and coupled thereto; and   a release system, coupled to the ratchet system;   wherein as the polyurethane springs are compressed from a collision, the ratchet system holds the polyurethane springs in a compressed position; and   wherein the release system causes the ratchet system to release the polyurethane springs to reform into their original shape.   
     
     
         17 . A restorable Crash Cushion Attenuation system comprising:
 a first attenuation section comprising:
 a first front plate; 
 a first rear plate; and 
 a first plurality of polyurethane springs, coupled between the first front plate and the first rear plate, the first plurality of polyurethane springs for compressing the first attenuation section when a vehicle collides into the Crash Cushion Attenuation system; 
   a second attenuation section, coupled to the first attenuation section, the second attenuation section behind the rear plate of the first attenuation section, the second attenuation section comprising:
 a second front plate; 
 a second rear plate; and 
 a second plurality of polyurethane springs, coupled between the second front plate and the second rear plate, the second plurality of polyurethane springs for compressing the second attenuation section when a vehicle collides into the Crash Cushion Attenuation system. 
   
     
     
         18 . The restorable Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 17  wherein the second front plate and the first rear plate are coupled together. 
     
     
         19 . The restorable Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 17  wherein the second front plate and the first rear plate are the same plate. 
     
     
         20 . The restorable Crash Cushion Attenuation system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a ratchet system, mounted at the bottom of the first attenuation section and coupled thereto; and   a release system, coupled to the ratchet system;   wherein as the polyurethane springs are compressed from a collision, the ratchet system holds the polyurethane springs in a compressed position; and   wherein the release system causes the ratchet system to release the polyurethane springs to reform into their original shape.