Torsions impact energy absorbing device

Claim 2

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of impact and comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned members telescopeable relative one another upon application of impact force thereto; means preventing relative rotary movement between the pair of members; a third member aligned coaxially with the pair of members; elastomeric means radially compressed between the third member and one of the pair of members; and rotary motion producing means in connection between the third member and the other of the pair of members acting to impart rotary motion to the third member upon telescopic relative movement between the pair of members whereby the elastomeric means is torsionally deformed to dissipate energy by viscous flow in the elastomeric means and to store energy therein to subsequently effect return of the pair of members to their pre-impact axial relation.

Claim 3

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of impact and comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned members arranged for telescopic movement relative one another upon application of impact force thereto; means preventing relative rotary movement between the pair of members; a third member aligned coaxially with the pair of members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed between the third member and one of the pair of members; helical grooves formed on adjacent peripheral surfaces of the third member and the other of the pair of members; at least one rolling body riding in the helical grooves to impart rotary motion to the third member upon telescopic relative movement between the pair of members whereby torque is applied to the third member causing torsional deformation of the annular elastomeric means and consequent energy dissipating viscous flow thereof and elastic energy storage therein, the stored energy being effective to subsequently return the third member to the pre-impact rotary position thereof and thereby impart retrograde telescopic movement to the pair of members.

Claim 4

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of impact and comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned members arranged for telescopic movement relative one another upon application of impact force thereto; means preventing relative rotary movement between the pair of members; a third member aligned coaxially with the pair of members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed between the third member and one of the pair of members; helical grooves formed on adjacent peripheral surfaces of the third member and the other of the pair of members; at least one rolling body riding in the helical grooves to impart rotary motion to the third member upon telescopic relative movement between the pair of members whereby torque is applied to the third member causing torsional deformation of the annular elastomeric means and consequent energy dissipating viscous flow thereof and elastic energy storage therein, the stored energy being effective to subsequently return the third member to the pre-impact rotary position thereof and thereby impart retrograde telescopic movement to the pair of members.

Claim 5

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of impact between a pair of axially spaced rotationally stationary bodies comprising: a first tubular member non-rotatably attached to one of the bodies; a second tubular member non-rotatably attached to the other of the bodies, coaxially aligned with the first tubular member and telescopeable with the first tubular member upon application of generally axially directed impact force thereto; a third tubular member interposed radially intermediate the first and second tubular members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed between the first and third tubular members; a plurality of helical grooves formed correspondingly on adjacent peripheral surfaces of the second and third tubular members; and a plurality of balls fitted between the second and third tubular members and riding in the helical grooves to impart rotary motion to the third tubular member upon telescoping movement between the first and second tubular members whereby torque is applied to the third tubular member causing energy absorbing torsional Deformation of the annular elastomeric means, dissipating energy by viscous flow therein and storing elastic energy therein effective to subsequently return the third tubular member to the pre-impact rotary position thereof, thereby imparting retrograde telescopic relative movement to the first and second tubular members to restore the pair of bodies to their pre-impact axial spaced relation.

Claim 6

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of impact between a pair of axially spaced rotationally stationary bodies comprising: a first tubular member non-rotatably attached to one of the bodies; a second tubular member non-rotatably attached to the other of the bodies, coaxially aligned with the first tubular member and telescopeable with the first tubular member upon application of generally axially directed impact force thereto; a third tubular member interposed radially intermediate the first and second tubular members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed between the first and third tubular members; a plurality of helical grooves formed correspondingly on adjacent peripheral surfaces of the second and third tubular members; and a plurality of balls fitted between the second and third tubular members and riding in the helical grooves to impart rotary motion to the third tubular member upon telescoping movement between the first and second tubular members whereby torque is applied to the third tubular member causing energy absorbing torsional Deformation of the annular elastomeric means, dissipating energy by viscous flow therein and storing elastic energy therein effective to subsequently return the third tubular member to the pre-impact rotary position thereof, thereby imparting retrograde telescopic relative movement to the first and second tubular members to restore the pair of bodies to their pre-impact axial spaced relation.

Claim 7

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of the impact and comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned members arranged to telescope relative one another upon application of impact force thereto; means preventing relative rotary movement between the pair of members; a third member aligned coaxially with the pair of members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed in interference fit between the third member and one of the pair of members; and rotary motion producing means including a cam means and a ramp surface acting between the third member and the other of the pair of members to impart rotary motion to the third member when the pair of members are telescoped axially together whereby impact energy is dissipated by viscous flow in the elastomeric body and elastically stored therein to subsequently effect return of the third member to the pre-impact rotary relation and return the pair of members to their pre-impact relative axial positions.

Claim 8

A self-restoring device for absorbing the kinetic energy of the impact and comprising: a pair of coaxially aligned members arranged to telescope relative one another upon application of impact force thereto; means preventing relative rotary movement between the pair of members; a third member aligned coaxially with the pair of members; annular elastomeric means radially compressed in interference fit between the third member and one of the pair of members; and rotary motion producing means including a cam means and a ramp surface acting between the third member and the other of the pair of members to impart rotary motion to the third member when the pair of members are telescoped axially together whereby impact energy is dissipated by viscous flow in the elastomeric body and elastically stored therein to subsequently effect return of the third member to the pre-impact rotary relation and return the pair of members to their pre-impact relative axial positions.