US Patent 10364538 Apparatus for absorbing energy resulting from vehicle impact

Apparatus positioned at a guardrail lead end portion for absorbing energy resulting from vehicle impact includes an impact terminal, a support structure supporting the impact terminal at or adjacent to a lead end portion of the guardrail and a chute. The guardrail is in frictional engagement with inner chute surfaces and the chute applies torquing forces on the guardrail during passage of the guardrail through the chute to cause twisting of the guardrail and absorb vehicle collision impact energy.