US3971583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing bumper system
Assignee: Safety Consultants
•
Filing: 1974-01-04
•
Granted: 1976-07-27
•
Expires: 1994-01-04
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorbing bumper system for protection of moving vehicles uses a pneumatic container that is partially flexible and partially rigid. The functional volume of air necessary on a specific bumper is enclosed within the flexible and rigid sections which are interconnected and contain air normally at the same pressure. Impact energy is absorbed by deflection of the flexible section and compression of the air. In order to limit rebound, means may be provided to control the air flow from the rigid section to the flexible section. The flexible section is contoured for a generally flat impact surface to provide efficient operation and compact size, and to yield an aesthetically pleasing shape, and is held in shape by dividing the flexible section or bag into a large number of compartments lying adjacent to each other along the direction of the surface to be protected.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray Kornhauser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/26005; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
A bumper apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an elongated container having a volume containing a compressible gas, an elongated impact receiving portion of the container wall being flexible under impact and shaped to define a substantial section of said container volume in the unflexed condition and to reduce the container volume in the flexed condition, and another portion of said container wall being rigid and shaped to define a substantial concave section of said container volume of more than 25% of said flexible wall volume, said concave section having generally the same length and width as said flexible wall section, said rigid wall portion being substantially rigid under impact and flection of said flexible wall portion so as not to change substantially the rigid wall section of said container volume, means for interconnecting said flexible and rigid sections to transmit fore and aft tension forces from said flexible wall portion in line to said rigid wall concave section and to permit substantially free passage of the compressible gas from the flexible section to the rigid section upon impact so that the gas is at substantially the same pressure in the rigid section as in the flexible section at all times during impacts on said impact wall at speeds within the design impact velocity range of the apparatus, and means for attaching said rigid wall section to the exterior of a vehicle with the flexible section projecting therefrom as a bumper therefor, whereby upon impact the rise in the gas pressure in said container is limited as impact energy is absorbed by gas compression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
A bumper apparatus for a vehicle comprising: an elongated container having a volume containing a compressible gas, an elongated impact receiving portion of the container wall being flexible under impact and shaped to define a substantial section of said container volume in the unflexed condition and to reduce the container volume in the flexed condition, and another portion of said container wall being rigid and shaped to define a substantial concave section of said container volume of more than 25% of said flexible wall volume, said concave section having generally the same length and width as said flexible wall section, said rigid wall portion being substantially rigid under impact and flection of said flexible wall portion so as not to change substantially the rigid wall section of said container volume, means for interconnecting said flexible and rigid sections to transmit fore and aft tension forces from said flexible wall portion in line to said rigid wall concave section and to permit substantially free passage of the compressible gas from the flexible section to the rigid section upon impact so that the gas is at substantially the same pressure in the rigid section as in the flexible section at all times during impacts on said impact wall at speeds within the design impact velocity range of the apparatus, and means for attaching said rigid wall section to the exterior of a vehicle with the flexible section projecting therefrom as a bumper therefor, whereby upon impact the rise in the gas pressure in said container is limited as impact energy is absorbed by gas compression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible section is removably attached to said rigid section at an interface between said sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible section is joined to and impact supported by said rigid section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container further has a partition between said flexible section and said rigid section, said interconnecting means having means at said partition for controlling the flow of the compressed gas between said flexible and rigid sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said gas flow controlling means includes means for limiting the flow of gas returning from said rigid section to said flexible section to a lower rate than that from said flexible section to said rigid section during impact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flow controlling means includes a normally closed valve which opens when the gas pressure in said flexible section exceeds that in said rigid section, and a gas passage having a flow area smaller than the flow area of said valve, whereby the flow of compressed gas from said rigid to said flexible section is at a lower rate than that upon impact from said flexible to said rigid section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flexible section comprises a plurality of separate flexible compartments arranged successively one after the other along the length thereof; and said flow controlling means includes a separate controlling means between each of said compartments and said rigid section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flow controlling means comprises: a separate normally closed valve at each of said separate compartments which opens the associated one of said compartments to the rigid section when the gas pressure in said compartment exceeds the gas pressure in said rigid section, and a plurality of gas passages respectively connecting said rigid section to different ones of said compartments, said gas passages having a flow area smaller than the flow area of said valve, whereby the flow of compressed gas from said rigid section to said flexible section is at a lower rate than that upon impact from said flexible section to said rigid section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said valves has a different one of said gas passages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for controlling gas flow comprises a plurality of fixed orifices, each of said orifices connecting a different one of said compartments to said rigid section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flow controlling means permits only a low flow rate from said rigid section to said flexible section for pressure equalization during non-impact conditions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid section is mounted between said attaching means and said flexible section for transmitting to the protected vehicle some of the impact forces applied to said flexible section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in combination with an over-the-road vehicle, and wherein said rigid section is attached to a frame member of said vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said rigid section is connected to function as a cross frame member of said vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said flexible section and said rigid section include interconnecting means for detachably attaching said flexible section to said rigid section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said rigid wall portion is located substantially within the exterior contour of said vehicle, and said flexible wall portion projects substantially outside of said exterior contour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said rigid section supports portions of said protected vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid section comprises a plurality of sub-sections interconnected for passage of fluid from said flexible section sequentially through said plurality of sub-sections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is substantially greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is at substantially atmospheric pressure and substantially increased during impact.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bumper apparatus comprising: a flexible bag structure for containing gas under pressure to absorb energy applied over an impact surface thereof, including means for attaching said bag structure to a vehicle as a bumper; means for controlling the gas pressure in said bag structure including means for permitting gas flow out of said bag structure upon the application of pressure thereto under impact; said bag structure being formed as a plurality of separate compartments along the length thereof, and said pressure controlling means includes separate means for permitting gas flow out of each of said compartments; and a plurality of flexible webs connected to the inner surface of said bag structure for separating said bag structure into said compartments; each of said compartments comprising a plurality of sub-compartments interconnected for gas passage therebetween, said sub-compartments being formed by a plurality of flexible intermediate webs having passageways therethrough and being connected to the inner surface of said bag structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
159 words
A bumper apparatus comprising: a flexible bag structure for containing gas under pressure to absorb energy applied over an impact surface thereof, including means for attaching said bag structure to a vehicle as a bumper; means for controlling the gas pressure in said bag structure including means for permitting gas flow out of said bag structure upon the application of pressure thereto under impact; said bag structure being formed as a plurality of separate compartments along the length thereof, and said pressure controlling means includes separate means for permitting gas flow out of each of said compartments; and a plurality of flexible webs connected to the inner surface of said bag structure for separating said bag structure into said compartments; each of said compartments comprising a plurality of sub-compartments interconnected for gas passage therebetween, said sub-compartments being formed by a plurality of flexible intermediate webs having passageways therethrough and being connected to the inner surface of said bag structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said bag structure includes a flexible section with a flexible impact wall, and a rigid section secured to said flexible section and to said bag structure attaching means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said flexible section has a closed back, and said gas flow permitting means is in said closed back of the flexible section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said flexible section has an open back, and said gas flow permitting means is in said rigid section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said rigid section has a substantial volume, and said gas flow permitting means controls gas flow from said flexible section to said rigid section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said rigid section has negligible volume, and said gas flow permitting means controls exhausting of gas flow from said flexible section to the atmosphere.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said gas flow permitting means includes a normally closed relief valve set to open at a predetermined differential pressure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said pressure controlling means includes means on the vehicle for restoring after impact the compressed air to the original pressure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said bag structure and webs include a flexible section molded integrally from plastic.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said impact surface has spaced ridges molded therein to produce a high coefficient of friction so as to impede relative vertical slippage with bumpers of other vehicles upon impact therewith.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said plastic is a homogeneous elastomeric material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said bag structure includes a flexible section formed of elastomeric material reinforced by fibers of certain orientation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
A bumper apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein said bag structure includes a flexible section fabricated of a material having an effective flexural modulus of elasticity in the range of 500 psi to 300,000 psi, whereby the material is stiff enough to prevent ballooning under normal conditions yet flexible enough to permit buckling during impact.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bumper apparatus as recited in claim 33 wherein said effective flexural modulus of elasticity of said flexible section material is in the range of 3,000 psi to 50,000 psi.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is substantially greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is at substantially atmospheric pressure and substantially increased during impact.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
170 words
A bumper apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a. a flexible bag structure having flexible exterior walls forming a cavity for containing a gas compressed under impact to a substantial pressure to absorb the energy of a collision of said vehicle applied over an impact portion of said exterior walls, b. and means for attaching said bag structure to a vehicle with said impact wall portion in a generally upright orientation; said bag structure including means for forming said exterior walls to have a certain shape in opposition to said gas pressure and an optimum volume so as to limit the stroke of said walls under impact, said exterior wall forming means including load bearing means connected along said exterior walls and between a plurality of spaced fixed parts of said bag attaching means, said load bearing means including flexible webs shaped such that substantially all of the web material is in tension when the flexible cavity is pressurized and having an opening for gas flow past said webs under impact.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
170 words
A bumper apparatus for a vehicle comprising: a. a flexible bag structure having flexible exterior walls forming a cavity for containing a gas compressed under impact to a substantial pressure to absorb the energy of a collision of said vehicle applied over an impact portion of said exterior walls, b. and means for attaching said bag structure to a vehicle with said impact wall portion in a generally upright orientation; said bag structure including means for forming said exterior walls to have a certain shape in opposition to said gas pressure and an optimum volume so as to limit the stroke of said walls under impact, said exterior wall forming means including load bearing means connected along said exterior walls and between a plurality of spaced fixed parts of said bag attaching means, said load bearing means including flexible webs shaped such that substantially all of the web material is in tension when the flexible cavity is pressurized and having an opening for gas flow past said webs under impact.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said load bearing webs have high strength in tension but low strength in compression and bending.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said load bearing webs have an internal substantially catenary tension load path.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said flexible bag structure has a flexible section with an open back, and a rigid section for closing said open back and secured to said bag structure attaching means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said flexible section is formed of a substantially longitudinally inextensible material and firmly secured about the entire periphery thereof to said rigid section.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said load bearing webs have a shape and material thickness distribution such that all portions of said webs are substantially uniformly stressed in tension under gas pressure loads.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the spacing between adjacent ones of said flexible webs is smaller than the height of said bag structure.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said flexible bag structure has a flexible section with a closed back, and a rigid section for supporting said flexible section, and said load bearing webs are connected between internal wall portions of said flexible section.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said load bearing webs have thickened portions to stiffen a part of said impact wall portion and control the deflected position of said impact wall to impede ride past by bumpers of other vehicles.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said thickened web portions extend between the lower edge of said impact wall portion and the upper wall portion of said flexible bag structure to stiffen said lower edge and impede underride by other vehicle bumpers.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said flexible walls of said bag structure have a generally rectangular cross-section.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the internal surface of the exterior walls is shaped to maintain a generally longitudinal tension in said exterior walls between said flexible webs, whereby the external surfaces of said exterior walls are maintained in a certain desired shape.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is substantially greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the normal pressure of said gas is at substantially atmospheric pressure and substantially increased during impact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1601641A
Cited
US1799894A
Cited
US1985113A
Cited
US2080989A
Cited
US2028060A
Cited
US2829915A
Cited
FR1035216A
Cited
US2936860A
Cited
FR1202475A
Cited
US3473836A
Cited
US3588159A
Cited
US3695665A
Cited
US3689054A
Cited
US3837695A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-27 | 1980-01-26 | 1980-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-27 | 1984-01-26 | 1984-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-27 | 1988-01-26 | 1988-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |