King K Mak

US Patent:

6435761, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

May 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/565425

Inventors:

Roger P. Bligh - Bryan TX
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX

Assignee:

Texas AM University System - College Station TX

International Classification:

E01F 1300

US Classification:

404 6, 404 9, 256 131

Abstract:

Slot guards for a slotted rail terminals are described having a central section and a pair of wing portions that are angularly disposed with respect to the central portion. The wing portions are folded away from the plane of the central section along lines that are angularly oriented with respect to one another so that the wing portions are wider at one end of the slot guard than at the other end. As a result, the slot guard provides a greater height at one of its ends than at the other end. Apertures for connectors are disposed through each of the wing portions, but not through the central portion. The slot guard preferably provides an asymmetrical aperture pattern and/or conspicuous markings so that the slot guard is not inadvertently installed in a reversed configuration on a guardrail. Methods for forming the slot guard are also described wherein a blank for a slot guard is cut or stamped out of a sheet of metal. Apertures for the receipt of connectors are cut into the blank, preferably in an asymmetrical pattern.

US Patent:

6575434, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/465635

Inventors:

Roger P. Bligh - Bryan TX
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX

Assignee:

The Texas AM University System - College Station TX

International Classification:

E01F 1500

US Classification:

256 131, 256 1

Abstract:

Devices and methods for strengthening the upper portions of the support posts for guardrails and guardrail end treatments against the forces that are imparted to the post during an impact. The upper portions of support posts, particularly the areas proximate the bolt connection, are reinforced. Preferably, a compressive force is applied to those areas as well by the reinforcements. In one embodiment, reinforcement for the upper portion of the post is provided by metal banding that is disposed around the periphery of the post. Alternative exemplary embodiments are also described in which reinforcement to the upper portion of the post is provided by plates that are secured into place on a location proximate the connection bolt and by a metal cap that sits atop the post. In another embodiment, the drilled hole and connection bolt are eliminated.

US Patent:

7086508, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Sep 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/933137

Inventors:

John D. Reid - Lincoln NE, US
John R. Rohde - Lincoln NE, US
Dean L. Sicking - Lincoln NE, US
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX, US

International Classification:

F16F 7/12

US Classification:

188377, 188371

Abstract:

An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

US Patent:

7100752, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Sep 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/933045

Inventors:

John D. Reid - Lincoln NE, US
John R. Rohde - Lincoln NE, US
Dean L. Sicking - Lincoln NE, US
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Safety By Design Co. - Lincoln NE

International Classification:

E01F 13/00

US Classification:

188371, 188377, 256 131, 404 6

Abstract:

A crash cushion system to envelop at least one bridge pier. The system has two impact heads, one facing one traffic flow direction and the other facing an opposite traffic flow direction. The heads are connected to multi-stage box beam energy absorbers which are in turn connected to a tubular frame structure which envelops the bridge piers. The frame is spaced apart from the face of the pier sufficiently to avoid an impacting vehicle's snagging the frame and contacting the pier structure. Anchorage cables to stiffen and support the sides of the envelope are positioned inside the frame's parallelogram shape.

US Patent:

7690687, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Jan 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/035869

Inventors:

John D. Reid - Lincoln NE, US
John R. Rohde - Lincoln NE, US
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX, US
Dean L. Sicking - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Safety By Design Co. - Lincoln NE

International Classification:

B62D 7/22

US Classification:

280784, 280789, 280756, 280292, 2804062

Abstract:

A trailer mounted crash attenuation system has an impact head assembly, a bursting tubular trailer frame member, and a breakaway axle assembly. Upon impact by a vehicle, the head assembly is urged forward bursting the tubular frame of the trailer. As the impact continues, the head assembly contacts an axle accelerator rod which results in the disengagement of the axle, trailer tire, and fenders from the trailer frame member. Impact energy is dissipated by the controlled deceleration of the vehicle as it moves forward through the attenuator system.

US Patent:

8448913, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Jan 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/345873

Inventors:

John R. Rohde - Steamboat Springs CO, US
John Reid - Lincoln NE, US
Dean Sicking - Lincoln NE, US
King K. Mak - San Antonio TX, US

International Classification:

F16M 13/00
E04H 17/00
E01F 15/00
E01F 13/00

US Classification:

248548, 248900, 256 1, 256 131, 404 6

Abstract:

A highway guardrail terminal having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of vertical posts. An anchor cable release mechanism having a cable release bracket attached to a W-beam rail element by cable release bolts has an arrangement of tapered slots and elongated openings to quickly release the cable release bracket from the W-beam rail element upon end-on vehicular impact to the terminal. The tapered slots have a geometry which lifts the bracket away from and out of a parallel alignment with the W-beam rail element.

US Patent:

20050218390, Oct 6, 2005

Filed:

Jun 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/141772

Inventors:

John Reid - Lincoln NE, US
John Rohde - Lincoln NE, US
Dean Sicking - Lincoln NE, US
King Mak - San Antonio TX, US

International Classification:

A01K003/00
E01F015/00
F16F007/12
E04H012/00

US Classification:

256013100, 188371000

Abstract:

An end splice assembly for a box-beam guardrail and terminal system having a first stage rail element and a second stage rail element. The assembly has two major connecting components. Upper and lower bent plate channels and upper and lower channel splice plates. The channels and plates have side walls which extend laterally to one another when the two rail elements are mated. The channels and plates are fastened together to provide moment strength to the splice within the system.

US Patent:

20060027797, Feb 9, 2006

Filed:

Dec 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/019013

Inventors:

Dean Sicking - Houston TX, US
John Rohde - Lincoln NE, US
John Reid - Lincoln NE, US
King Mak - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

SAFETY BY DESIGN - Lincoln NE

International Classification:

E01F 15/00

US Classification:

256013100

Abstract:

An energy-absorbing post for absorbing the impact energy of an errant vehicle wherein the impact energy is absorbed by out-of-plane deformation in the material of the post. Out-of-plane deformation is provided by utilizing a through-bolt extending through a splice connection between upper and lower posts sections. Alternatively, out-of-plane deformation is provided by leaving an axial gap on a splice bolts. For terminal applications, a single through-bolt is utilized to allow the upper post section to pivot during end on impacts. Bolt tear out facilitators, including stress concentrators and pre-buckles, or an angled through-bolt decrease any initially high tear-out forces. Direct out-of-plane deformation is provided by extending a tab from a splice plate and connecting the tab to the post, by forming one or more slots in an upstream lateral face of the post and directly welding a splice plate near the slots, or by connecting a bent over splice plate on opposing planar sides thereof to facilitate out-of-plane deformation in a weldment area between the plate and the post.