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Energy Absorbing Guardrail Terminal: 4,655,434

Abstract: 

An energy absorbing guardrail terminal having a plurality of horizontally extending parallel guardrails on opposite sides of breakaway posts in which the guardrails have overlapping ends and the upstream ends are secured to the posts. Splice bolts connect the overlapping ends of adjacent rails and a plurality of spaced openings are provided in each rail horizontally aligned with each of the splice bolts whereby the impact of a vehicle on the upstream end of the rails will shred out the rail material between the spaced openings to absorb the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle. Preferably the openings are slots elongated in the horizontal direction and the rails are staged to allow the upstream rails to telescope over the downstream rails.

Patent Number: 
4,655,434
Date Of Issue: 
04/06/1987
Inventors: 

Maurice E. Bronstad