US 12,168,856 B2
Impact-attenuating device, vehicle and trailer comprising an impact-attenuating device
Adriaan Joris De Vos, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
Assigned to STUER-EGGHE BVBA, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
Appl. No. 18/020,545
Filed by STUER-EGGHE BVBA, Sint-Niklaas (BE)
PCT Filed Aug. 4, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/057150
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 9, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/038444, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 24, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2020/5572 (BE), filed on Aug. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0228048 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. E01F 15/14 (2006.01)
CPC E01F 15/148 (2013.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An impact-attenuating device, comprising:
a first energy-absorbing part comprising at least one first elongate body and at least one corresponding first energy converter, wherein the first elongate body and the first energy converter are movable relative to each other and wherein the first energy converter is configured to deform the first elongate body in the case of relative movement;
a second energy-absorbing part comprising at least one second elongate body and at least one corresponding second energy converter, wherein the second elongate body and the second energy converter are movable relative to each other and wherein the second energy converter is configured to deform the second elongate body in the case of relative movement; and
a bumper coupled to the first energy-absorbing part;
wherein the first and second energy-absorbing part can be positioned substantially one behind the other;
wherein the first and second energy-absorbing part are mutually coupled such that the at least first elongate body and the at least second elongate body are deformed at least partially simultaneously by respectively the at least one corresponding first energy converter and the at least one corresponding second energy converter when a vehicle crashes into the bumper; and
wherein the first energy-absorbing part and the second energy-absorbing part are movable relative to each other between an extended state, wherein the first and second energy-absorbing parts are placed substantially one behind the other, and a compact state wherein the first and second energy-absorbing parts are placed substantially one next to or above the other;
wherein the first and second energy converters comprise respectively first and second cutting means which are configured to cut respectively the first and second elongate bodies.