Collision energy absorber

Claim 2

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening in said tubular member; a rod-like member movable through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidable relative to said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic tube-like member having its one end sealed with respect to said second member and its other end sealed with respect to said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 3

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member movable through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined close clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic tube-like member having its one end sealed with respect to said second member and its other end sealed to said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other; and means responsive to the relative movement of said rod-like member with respect to said second member for controlling said valve means to vary its resistance to the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 4

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member movable through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined close clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic tube-like member having its one end sealed with respect to said second member and its other end sealed to said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other; and means responsive to the relative movement of said rod-like member with respect to said second member for controlling said valve means to vary its resistance to the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 5

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening in said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member wiThin said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 6

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening in said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member wiThin said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; and means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 7

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member externally of said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member and elastic cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one said of said second member to the other.

Claim 8

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member externally of said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member and elastic cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one said of said second member to the other.

Claim 9

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined close clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member externally of said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member and elastic cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member; valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other; and means responsive to the relative movement of said rod-like member with respect to said second member for controlling said valve means to vary its resistance to the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 10

A rigid tubular member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member, fixed with respect thereto and having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined close clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the other end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member externally of said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member and elastic cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member; valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other; and means responsive to the relative movement of said rod-like member with respect to said second member for controlling said valve means to vary its resistance to the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 11

In a vehicle the combination comprising a collision bumper, an energy absorbing device operative to connect said bumper to said vehicle and absorb energy imparted to said bumper by impacts thereon permitting controlled movement of said bumper relative to said vehicle, said energy absorbing device comprising a rigid first member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; means connecting said second member to said vehicle; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member And extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; means connecting said rod-like member to said bumper; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the adjacent end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic tube-like member having its one end sealed with respect to said second member and its other end sealed with respect to said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 12

In a vehicle the combination comprising a collision bumper, an energy absorbing device operative to connect said bumper to said vehicle and absorb energy imparted to said bumper by impacts thereon permitting controlled movement of said bumper relative to said vehicle, said energy absorbing device comprising a rigid first member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; means connecting said second member to said vehicle; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member And extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; means connecting said rod-like member to said bumper; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the adjacent end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic tube-like member having its one end sealed with respect to said second member and its other end sealed with respect to said rod-like member and continuously urging said tubular member and said rod-like member to a predetermined relative operating position; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 13

In a vehicle the combination comprising a collision bumper, an energy absorbing device operative to connect said bumper to said vehicle and absorb energy imparted to said bumper by impacts thereon by permitting controlled movement of said bumper relative to said vehicle, said energy absorbing device comprising a rigid first member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; means connecting said second member to said vehicle; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; means connecting said rod-like member to said bumper; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the adjacent end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member enclosing said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member with said elastic member under tension; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 14

In a vehicle the combination comprising a collision bumper, an energy absorbing device operative to connect said bumper to said vehicle and absorb energy imparted to said bumper by impacts thereon by permitting controlled movement of said bumper relative to said vehicle, said energy absorbing device comprising a rigid first member; a rigid second member adjacent to one end of said tubular member having an aperture therethrough aligned with the opening through said tubular member; means connecting said second member to said vehicle; a rigid rod-like member in said tubular member and extending through said aperture in said second member with a predetermined clearance; opposite ends of said rod-like member extending outwardly of said tubular member and said second member; means connecting said rod-like member to said bumper; a flexible tubular member within said rigid tubular member having one end sealed about said aperture through said second member; a fifth member slidably supported within said rigid tubular member, fixed to said rod-like member and having the adjacent end of said flexible tubular member sealed thereto; an elastic cup-like member having its rim sealed with respect to said second member and enclosing the end of said rod-like member projecting through said second member; a rigid cup-like member enclosing said elastic cup-like member and having its rim normally engaging an abutment surface fixed with respect to said second member; means connecting said rigid cup-like member to the adjacent end of said rod-like member with said elastic member under tension; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from one side of said second member to the other.

Claim 15

In an energy absorber a plurality of relatively movable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, one of said assemblies including a part orientated transversely of the direction of relative movement between the assemblies and having an aperture therethrough, a flexible tubular member at one side of said transversely orientated part enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said transversely orientated part having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to the closed end of at least one of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said transversely orientated part adapted to limit the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 16

In an energy absorber a plurality of relatively movable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, one of said assemblies including a part orientated transversely of the direction of relative movement between the assemblies and having an aperture therethrough, a flexible tubular member at one side of said transversely orientated part enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said transversely orientated part having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to the closed end of at least one of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said transversely orientated part adapted to limit the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 17

In an energy absorber first and second relatively movable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, one of said assemblies including a part orientated transversely of the direction of relative movement between the assemblies and having an aperture therethrough, a flexible tubular member at one side of said transverSely orientated part enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said transversely orientated part having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to the closed ends of both of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said transversely orientated part for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said elastic tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 18

In an energy absorber first and second relatively movable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, one of said assemblies including a part orientated transversely of the direction of relative movement between the assemblies and having an aperture therethrough, a flexible tubular member at one side of said transverSely orientated part enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said transversely orientated part having one end sealed about said aperture therethrough and its opposite end closed, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to the closed ends of both of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said transversely orientated part for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said elastic tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 19

In an energy absorber, first and second relatively slidable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, at least one of said assemblies being tubular and having a rigid partition member fixed thereto and closing the same except for an aperture through the partition member, a flexible tubular member at one side of said partition member enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its other end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said partition member having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its opposite end closed and connected to the other of said assemblies, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to said closed end of said elastic tubular member and extending through said aperture in said partition member for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 20

In an energy absorber, first and second relatively slidable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, at least one of said assemblies being tubular and having a rigid partition member fixed thereto and closing the same except for an aperture through the partition member, a flexible tubular member at one side of said partition member enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its other end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said partition member having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its opposite end closed and connected to the other of said assemblies, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to said closed end of said elastic tubular member and extending through said aperture in said partition member for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 21

In an energy absorber, first and second relatively slidable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, at least one of said assemblies being tubular and having a rigid partition member fixed to said tubular assembly and closing the same except for an aperture through the partition member, a flexible tubular member at one side of said partition member enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its other end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said partition member having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its opposite end closed and connected to the other of said assemblies, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to said closed ends of both of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said partition member for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said elastic tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.

Claim 22

In an energy absorber, first and second relatively slidable assemblies having a predetermined relative normal operating position, at least one of said assemblies being tubular and having a rigid partition member fixed to said tubular assembly and closing the same except for an aperture through the partition member, a flexible tubular member at one side of said partition member enclosed in one of said assemblies and having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its other end closed, an elastic tubular member at the opposite side of said partition member having one end sealed about said aperture through said partition member and its opposite end closed and connected to the other of said assemblies, said tubular members being adapted to contain liquid under pressure, and a rod-like member connected to said closed ends of both of said tubular members and extending through said aperture in said partition member for limiting the flow of liquid therethrough from one of said elastic tubular members to the other, said elastic tubular member continuously urging said assemblies to said predetermined position.