Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An energy absorbing device comprising: a casing member, a rod member supported in said casing member for movement relative thereto, friction means disposed in frictional engagement with said casing member, and moving means for urging said friction means into said frictional engagement in response to said movement of said rod member relative to said casing member and for adjusting said frictional engagement in response to relative rotation between said moving means and said rod member; said moving means including wedge means for wedging said frictional means into frictional engagement with said casing member and actuation means disposed between said friction means and said wedge means, said actuation means including outwardly flaring portions defining an outwardly opening wedge surface adjacent said wedge means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An energy absorbing device comprising: a casing member, a rod member supported in said casing member for movement relative thereto, friction means disposed in frictional engagement with said casing member, and moving means for urging said friction means into said frictional engagement in response to said movement of said rod member relative to said casing member and for adjusting said frictional engagement in response to relative rotation between said moving means and said rod member; said moving means including wedge means for wedging said frictional means into frictional engagement with said casing member and actuation means disposed between said friction means and said wedge means, said actuation means including outwardly flaring portions defining an outwardly opening wedge surface adjacent said wedge means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moving means is carried by said rod member and includes a threaded connection between said wedge means and said rod member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including attachment means for attaching said casing member and said rod member to environmental structure and including connection means interconnecting said attachment means and one of said casing member and said rod member for allowing rotation thereof without rotating said attachment means whereby said attachment means may be attached to environmental structure and one of said casing member and rod member rotated to effect the adjustment of said frictional engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rod member includes first and second portions, said first portion bEing rotatable independently of said second portion and carrying said moving means whereby said first portion may be rotated relative to said casing member and said second portion; said second portion comprising attachment means for attaching said rod member to an environmental structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first portion includes a tubular member and said second portion includes a cylindrical member rotatably received within said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as set forth in claim 5 including means for preventing relative rotation between said friction means and said casing member about the axis of said rod member thereby effecting relative rotation between said moving means and said rod member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said casing member is hollow and four-sided in cross section to define said means for preventing said rotation between said friction means and said casing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said friction means includes a pair of friction blocks disposed in opposed relationship to one another so as to engage opposite sides of said casing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said wedge means includes wedge blocks disposed at each end of said friction blocks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said wedge blocks are wedge cylinders disposed on said rod member, one of said wedge cylinders being threadedly attached to said rod member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said actuation means includes a supportive backing plate for supporting each of said friction blocks, said outwardly flaring portions being disposed on the ends of said backing plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second portion of said rod member includes a socket at the end opposite said cylindrical member defining said attachment means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first portion includes means for receiving a tool to rotate the same relative to said second portion and said casing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said friction blocks includes a pad having friction surfaces engaging said casing member made of woven Teflon fibers bonded to a rigid backing material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said casing member includes first and second portions, said first portion being rotatable independently of said second portion, said first portion including means for preventing relative rotation between said friction means and said casing member thereby effecting relative rotation between said moving means and said rod member; said second portion defining attachment means for attaching said casing member to an environmental structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said casing member is substantially circular in cross section and includes an inwardly extending axial groove defining said means for preventing relative rotation between said friction means and said casing member.