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  Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support postsUSPTO Application #: 20070102689Title: Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail system includes at least one cable operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle. The guardrail system also includes a plurality of guardrail support posts spaced apart in relation to one another. Each support post includes a lower portion, a mid portion, and an upper portion. The lower portion is for installing below grade adjacent the roadway. The mid portion lies substantially adjacent the grade and includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a longitudinal axis. The upper portion is releasably coupled to the at least one cable such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the at least one cable when the support post is displaced. (end of abstract) Agent: Baker Botts L.L.P. - Dallas, TX, US Inventors: Dean C. Alberson, Roger P. Bligh, D. Lance Bullard, C. Eugene Buth USPTO Applicaton #: 20070102689 - Class: 256013100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fences, Highway Guard The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070102689. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to guardrail systems and more particularly, to a cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Guardrail systems are widely used along heavily traveled roadways to enhance the safety of the roadway and adjacent roadside. For example, guardrail systems may be used to accomplish multiple tasks, such as containing and redirecting an errant vehicle upon impact. One such system includes a guardrail beam, such as a "W-beam" (named after its characteristic shape), and corresponding support posts. Other systems may utilize cables and corresponding support posts. [0003] Support posts may be made of metal, wood, plastic, composites, or other materials. The material(s) forming the support posts may depend upon design and/or economical factors. For example, wood posts may be more readily available and more economical than metal posts in some geographical areas. In other areas, metal (e.g., steel) posts may be more readily available and more economical and may be preferred for their ease of installation and durability. [0004] To avoid undesirable effects, it may be desirable that the support posts yield or break away upon impact in the longitudinal direction, thus producing a desired behavior during a collision by a vehicle at the impact site. Steel support posts that are modified to produce desired behavior during a collision have recently become available. Examples include a "hinged breakaway post" described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,813, an "energy absorbing breakaway steel guardrail post" described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,063, and a "support post" described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0222254. Many such prior attempts require substantial time, money, and resources during fabrication, modification, and/or installation, however. Furthermore, wood posts may not provide sufficient strength to limit lateral deflections to desired levels. Such posts may also deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the elements. As a result, alternate materials are sought. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a guardrail system includes at least one cable operable to contain and redirect an errant vehicle. The guardrail system also includes a plurality of guardrail support posts spaced apart in relation to one another. Each support post includes a lower portion, a mid portion, and an upper portion. The lower portion is for installing below grade adjacent the roadway. The mid portion lies substantially adjacent the grade and includes a weakened section operable to weaken the support post about a longitudinal axis. The upper portion is releasably coupled to the at least one cable such that the upper portion is uncoupled from the at least one cable when the support post is displaced. [0006] In accordance with another embodiment, a guardrail support post includes a continuous structural member having first and second generally parallel flanges, and a web forming a coupling between and extending generally perpendicular to the first and second flanges. The structural member has a lower portion for installing below grade adjacent the roadway, an upper portion configured to couple with at least one cable, and a mid portion between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion includes a cable slot formed in the web of structural member. The cable slot includes a first portion comprising a plurality of enlarged openings. Each pair of adjacent enlarged openings are separated by a restriction. Each of the plurality of enlarged openings are adapted to receive a cable. A second portion includes a substantially U-shaped configuration and is adapted to receive at least one cable. [0007] Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present invention include a guardrail support post that has sufficient lateral strength to redirect vehicles that collide along the length of the guardrail system at an angle to the flow of traffic with limited deflection and reduced longitudinal strength that mitigates the severity of the interaction (snagging) between an impacting vehicle and the post. Accordingly, a guardrail system of the present invention may provide benefits in terms of space (reduced deflection for a given post spacing) and cost savings (as a result of fewer posts required to achieve a desired deflection). [0008] Other technical advantages may include increased flexibility with respect to design requirements of support posts. For example, wood support posts may be utilized in a cable guardrail system, in particular embodiments. Where wood support posts include a modified section, larger posts may be used than in conventional guardrail systems using wood posts. As a result of the increased lateral stiffness of the larger posts, the spacing between support posts may be increased, and less support posts may be required in the overall guardrail system without a resulting increase in deflection. Accordingly, a further technical advantage may include reduced costs associated with the installation and repair of the cable guardrail system. Similarly, if the spacing between support posts is left unchanged, the increased lateral stiffness of the larger posts may result in reduced lateral deflection. Accordingly, the cable guardrail system can be used at more restrictive locations. [0009] Additional advantages may be realized by the mechanical coupling of the guardrail support posts to one or more cables used to contain and redirect errant traffic. In particular embodiments, a modified slot may releasably secure the cables with respect to the support post. A first portion of the modified slot may maintain the cables at a desired elevation with respect to the ground. The first portion may also maintain one or more cables in a position that is resistant to release from the support post. A second, generally U-shaped portion may similarly maintain a cable at a desired elevation with respect to the ground. However, the U-shaped portion may increase the strength of the web of the support post and thus provide resistance to the yielding of the support post. Accordingly, the second portion may reduce deflection of the support post. [0010] Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some or none of the enumerated advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following brief descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which: [0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a guardrail system that incorporates certain aspects of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a guardrail support post upon collision with a vehicle, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a guardrail support post suitable for use with the guardrail system of FIG. 1, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a guardrail support post suitable for use with the guardrail system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a guardrail support assembly suitable for use with the guardrail system of FIG. 1, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a spacer component for use with the support post of FIG. 5, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention; and [0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a wood support post suitable for use with the guardrail system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] FIG. 1 illustrates portions of a cable guardrail system 10 that incorporates certain aspects of the present invention. Cable guardrail system 10 may be installed adjacent a roadway, to protect vehicles, drivers and passengers from various obstacles and hazards, and may prevent vehicles from encountering roadside hazards and opposing traffic. Guardrail systems that incorporate aspects of the present invention may be used in median strips or shoulders of highways, roadways, or any path that is likely to encounter vehicular traffic. Continue reading... Full patent description for Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Automobile pneumatic jacking system, that has integrated safety features as well as external safety adapter, for the purpose of conveniently and safely suspending a tire off the ground for changing and/or repairing Next Patent Application: Apparatus and method for assembling a balustrade system Industry Class: Fences ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cable barrier guardrail system with steel yielding support posts patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.92827 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
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