Device and method for absorbing impact energy
First Claim
1. An energy absorption device comprising:
- an elongate body arranged along a longitudinal axis to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, andmeans arranged adjacent a second end of said body for deformation thereof, said means including die means for producing deformation of said body and ring means attached to said die means and spaced therefrom for surrounding said body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy absorbing device comprising: an elongate body arranged along a longitudinal axis to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof; apparatus arranged adjacent a second end of the body for deformation thereof; die apparatus for producing deformation of the body and a ring fixed to the die apparatus and surrounding the body. Also disclosed is a repeatable energy absorption device including crushing apparatus having threaded apparatus on its outside surface. Upon receipt of the axial impact, the first end of the body moves from a first position away from the crushing apparatus to a second position closer to the crushing apparatus. The device additionally includes threaded sleeve apparatus having a first end for supporting the crushing apparatus and for moving the crushing apparatus toward the first end after the axial impact, to return the first end of the body to the first position.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An energy absorption device comprising:
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an elongate body arranged along a longitudinal axis to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof along the longitudinal axis, and means arranged adjacent a second end of said body for deformation thereof, said means including die means for producing deformation of said body and ring means attached to said die means and spaced therefrom for surrounding said body. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A device for absorbing energy during an axial initial impact and during an elastic rebound in a direction opposite that of said axial initial impact, comprising:
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an elongate body arranged along a longitudinal axis and comprising elongate fibers along its axis, the elongate body being operative to receive said axial initial impact force at a first end thereof along said longitudinal axis; means arranged adjacent a second end of said body for deformation thereof said means including die means for producing deformation of said body and ring means attached to said die means and spaced therefrom for surrounding said body adjacent said die means, said die means and said ring means cooperative to locally break said elongate fibers into elongate stringlike elements which maintain high tensile strength during said elastic rebound. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An energy absorption device comprising:
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a crushable sleeve arranged along a longitudinal axis operative to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof along said longitudinal axis; deforming and crushing means arranged adjacent a second end of said crushable sleeve, said deforming and crushing means including; die means for producing deformation of said crushable sleeve, wherein said die means have an outer conical surface; and cage means for enclosing said die means and for producing crushing of said crushable sleeve, wherein said cage means have a plurality of slots and an inner surface and wherein said crushing occurs between said conical surface and said inner surface in the area of each of said plurality of slots. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A repeatable energy absorption device comprising:
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a deformable and crushable body arranged along a longitudinal axis operative to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof along said longitudinal axis, deforming and crushing means arranged adjacent a second end of said body for deformation thereof and for crushing thereof wherein said deforming and crushing means include threaded means on an outside surface thereof and wherein upon receipt of said axial impact, said first end of said body moves from a first position away from said deforming and crushing means to a second position closer to said deforming and crushing means; and threaded sleeve means having a first end for supporting said deforming and crushing means and for moving said deforming and crushing means toward said first end after said axial impact thereby to return said first end of said body to said first position.
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10. A vehicle with an energy absorption device comprising:
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a chassis; a bumper for receiving impact forces; and an energy absorption device disposed between said chassis and said bumper for absorbing impact energy comprising; a deformable and crushable body arranged along a longitudinal axis operative to receive said impact forces at a first end thereof along said longitudinal axis; deforming and crushing means arranged adjacent a second end of said body for deformation and crushing thereof wherein said deforming and crushing means include threaded means on an outside surface thereof and wherein upon receipt of said impact forces, said first end of said body moves with said bumper from a first position away from said deforming and crushing means to a second position closer to said deforming and crushing means; and threaded sleeve means having a first end attached to said chassis for supporting said deforming and crushing means and for moving said deforming and crushing means toward said first end after said impact forces thereby to return said first end of said body to said first position.
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11. An energy absorption device comprising:
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a crushable sleeve operative to receive an axial impact force at a first end thereof; crushing means arranged adjacent to a second end of said sleeve for crushing of said crushable sleeve, said crushing means including; die means having an outer conical surface; and cage means for enclosing said die means and for producing crushing of said crushable sleeve, wherein said cage means has a plurality of slots and an inner surface and wherein said crushing occurs between said conical surface and said inner surface in the area of each of said plurality of slots. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification