 Marine vessel roll stabilizer apparatus |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a marine vessel 20 and shows the general location ... |
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| Vessel such a ship, boat and the like provided with stabilizing means |
| What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended ... |
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| Pool liner installation system |
| OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the system embodiment 10 shows the side of an in-ground pool,... |
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| Hurricane reinforcement device |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is ... |
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| Reinforced collapsible garage door assembly |
| It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily attained in a ... |
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| Vibrating floor |
| It has been noted that people who work on an oscillatory standing floor are considerably less ... |
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| Structure of an anti-shock device |
| This invention is related to shock eliminators, and in particular to an improved structure of an ... |
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| Loading dock shelter with hollow side or head members |
| A dock shelter is provided with a face panel that is relatively lightweight and firm, yet moveable ... |
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| Truss pitch break connector plate |
| In its broadest aspects, the present invention provides a truss pitch break connector plate ... |
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| Vibration isolation system |
| Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a versatile vibration isolation ... |
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Restorable fender panel
| Details |
Inventors: Stephens, Barry D.; Morehead, Peter B.;
Assignee: Energy Absorption Systems, Inc. (Chicago, IL)
Primary Examiner: Shedd; Wayne L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Willian, Brinks, Olds, Hofer, Gilson & Lione Ltd.
A self-restoring fender panel for a reusable impact attenuation device is provided. Buffer elements are positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of a rigid backing member adjacent to a fixed structure. Diaphragm members are interposed in the array and extend laterally outward of the array at fixed intervals. Fender panels are pivotally coupled to laterally extending ends of the diaphragm members and extend rearwardly from their associated diaphragm members and partially overlap the fender panels coupled to the succeeding diaphragm members. Biasing means, such as an extension spring, interconnects each of the fender panels with the diaphragm member to which the fender panel is pivotally coupled to bias the fender panels laterally inward. Nonrigid means such as a cable connects the backing member and the diaphragm members. Preferably, the fender panels are connected to the nonrigid means by releasable clips, which may be made of wire. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to an improvement in a reusable impact attenuation device for safely protecting fixed structures from damage resulting from colliding vehicles or the like.
According to this invention, a restorable fender panel is provided for a reusable impact attenuation device.
In the present invention, buffer elements are positioned in an ordered array extending forwardly of a rigid backing member adjacent to a fixed structure.
A plurality of diaphragm members are interposed in the array and extend laterally outward of the array of fixed intervals.
Fender panels are pivotally coupled to opposed ends of the diaphragm members and extend rearwardly from their associated diaphragm members and partially overlap the fender panels coupled to the succeeding diaphragm members.
Biasing means interconnects each of the fender panels and the diaphragm member to which the fender panel is pivotally coupled to bias the fender panels laterally inward.
Preferably, the biasing means comprises a helical extension spring joining the fender panel to the associated diaphragm member so as to form a substantially isosceles triangle.
The helical spring may be mounted to the diaphragm member laterally outward of the array of buffer elements to avoid interference between the helical spring and the buffer elements.
It is preferred that nonrigid means such as a cable connects the backing member and the diaphragm members and that the fender panels are connected to the nonrigid means by releasable clips.
The clips, which may be made of wire, restrain flapping of the fender panels before an impact and release the fender panels during certain impacts to absorb and dissipate energy.
The extension spring may be made of stainless steel to eliminate corrosion and may be easily mounted by screw eyes.
The invention, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
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Vibration and Earthquake Isolation 
