application_number US 9183802 A description fig1 u2013 3 illustrate an exemplary hybrid energy absorbing reusable terminal u201c heart u201d crash cushion 10 that is constructed in accordance with the present invention the crash cushion 10 is shown installed on a concrete pad 12 visible in fig2 that has been placed within a section of ground 14 although not shown it should be understood that the crash cushion 10 is typically installed adjacent a rigid obstacle such as a bridge abutment concrete post or other barrier in addition the crash cushion 10 may be located at the upstream end of a guardrail installation the crash cushion 10 includes a nose portion 16 central body portion 18 and downstream end portion 20 an approaching vehicle 22 is shown adjacent the nose portion 16 of the cushion 10 in fig1 and 2 the nose portion 16 consists of a sheet of plastic or other suitable material that is curved or bent into a u201c u u201d shape the nose portion 16 may be painted with a bright color such as yellow or have reflective tape applied so that the cushion 10 may be easily recognized by drivers the downstream end portion 20 includes a pair of upstanding rigid posts 24 26 that are.