Resilient and deformable member for absorbing kinetic energy
First Claim
1. A car door including at least one device for absorbing kinetic energy, the kinetic energy-absorbing device comprising:
- a spherical first mass comprising a deformable material;
a hemispherical shell comprising a deformable material and defining a volume; and
a plate,said shell being disposed between said mass and said plate such that a force applied to said mass deforms said mass and causes said first mass to move toward said plate, thereby also deforming said shell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for absorbing kinetic energy. In particular, the present device is well suited for use in an automobile door, where it can be positioned for the purpose of absorbing the energy of a side-impact collision. In one embodiment, the device includes a first mass, a shell, and a plate, with the shell being disposed between the mass and plate. Both the first mass and shell are preferably constructed from deformable materials, allowing them to absorb energy during an impact. By absorbing the energy through deformation, the present device reduces the amount of energy that is transmitted through the door and thus reduces the amount of energy that may be transmitted to the occupants of the vehicle.
48 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A car door including at least one device for absorbing kinetic energy, the kinetic energy-absorbing device comprising:
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a spherical first mass comprising a deformable material; a hemispherical shell comprising a deformable material and defining a volume; and a plate, said shell being disposed between said mass and said plate such that a force applied to said mass deforms said mass and causes said first mass to move toward said plate, thereby also deforming said shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A car door including at least one device for absorbing kinetic energy, the kinetic energy-absorbing device comprising:
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a spherical first mass comprising a deformable material; a plate; and a hemispherical shell comprising a deformable material and being formed integrally with said plate so as to define with said plate a volume, said volume being filled with a liquid; said shell being disposed between said mass and said plate such that a force applied to said mass deforms said mass and causes said first mass to move toward said plate, thereby also deforming said shell. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneePedro Frommer MD PA
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Original AssigneePedro Frommer MD PA
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InventorsEtcheverry, Gabriella
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Primary Examiner(s)SICONOLFI, ROBERT
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Application NumberUS10/862,598Publication NumberTime in Patent Office757 DaysField of Search188/371, 188/268, 188/372, 267/116, 267/139, 267/140, 267/153, 267/35, 267/141, 296/146.6, 296/187.12, 296/187.05, 296/146.7, 293/108, 293/107, 293/109, 293/110, 293/120, 293/122, 293/128, 293/142, 293/135, 293/136, 293/134, 404 6- 7, 256/13.1, 280/784, 280/751US Class Current188/371CPC Class CodesB60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as ener...B60R 21/0428 associated with the side do...B60R 21/045 associated with the instrum...F16F 7/00 Vibration-dampers; Shock-ab...F16F 7/12 using plastic deformation o...
