Patent US3972390A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US3972390A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Energy absorbing device

Assignee: CIMCORP PRECISION SYSTEMS Inc A CORP OF
•
Filing: 1975-03-05
•
Granted: 1976-08-03
•
Expires: 1995-03-05
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract An energy absorbing device designed to absorb kinetic energy of moving objects by the inelastic stretching of one of its members. The device has at least two support members, and when subjected to load in an axial direction portions of the members will move apart. The portions which move apart are connected by a strap or straps made of a material which will inelastically yield a substantial amount before failure. Thus, when axial forces exceeding a preselected amount are absorbed inelastic yielding occurs to absorb energy.

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald F. Melton
  • 👤 Karl E. Neumeier

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192; F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/12; F16F7/123

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 106 words
An energy absorbing device for absorbing kinetic energy from a moving load moving in direction toward a support comprising a plurality of individual bending members arranged at spaced locations to define a bounded space, said bending members having first ends adapted to be supported on a fixed support and second ends adapted for receiving a load tending to compress said bending members, said bending members having portions which separate under compression so that the distance between said portions increases, and a band encircling said bending members adjacent said portions and elastically yielding under tension to absorb energy as said bending members bend and said portions separate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 106 words
An energy absorbing device for absorbing kinetic energy from a moving load moving in direction toward a support comprising a plurality of individual bending members arranged at spaced locations to define a bounded space, said bending members having first ends adapted to be supported on a fixed support and second ends adapted for receiving a load tending to compress said bending members, said bending members having portions which separate under compression so that the distance between said portions increases, and a band encircling said bending members adjacent said portions and elastically yielding under tension to absorb energy as said bending members bend and said portions separate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said bending members have weakened sections in the midportions thereof adjacent to said band.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein there are an even plurality of said bending members symmetrically arranged around a central axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 56 words
The combination as specified in claim 3 and first and second support members connected to the first and second ends of said bending members, respectively, and a plurality of tension members connecting said first and second support members and symmetrically arranged around said central axis on a side of the bending members toward said central axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said bending members are arranged in spaced location around a central axis, said bending members being bowed outwardly from the central axis in said portions thereof and between said first and second ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination as specified in claim 4 wherein said first and second support members comprise plate members fixed to said bending members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 87 words
An energy absorbing device for absorbing kinetic energy from a moving load moving in direction toward a support comprising a plurality of telescoping members in an assembly having a first end adapted to be supported on a fixed support and a second end adapted for receiving a load tending to compress said telescoping members, said telescoping members having portions which separate under compression so that the distance between said portions increases, and tension carrying means connecting said portions and yielding to absorb energy as said portions separate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 87 words
An energy absorbing device for absorbing kinetic energy from a moving load moving in direction toward a support comprising a plurality of telescoping members in an assembly having a first end adapted to be supported on a fixed support and a second end adapted for receiving a load tending to compress said telescoping members, said telescoping members having portions which separate under compression so that the distance between said portions increases, and tension carrying means connecting said portions and yielding to absorb energy as said portions separate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 111 words
An energy absorbing device comprising an assembly adapted to be supported on a fixed support at a first end thereof, and adapted to receive a load at a second end thereof and to absorb loads moving in an axial direction toward said support, said assembly including at least two relative movable members having portions which change in spacing upon movement of said second end toward the first end comprising an outer tubular member and a telescoping inner member inside the outer member, and means positioned between said outer tubular member and the inner member joining said portions of said members and which will inelastically yield when said portions change in spacing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 111 words
An energy absorbing device comprising an assembly adapted to be supported on a fixed support at a first end thereof, and adapted to receive a load at a second end thereof and to absorb loads moving in an axial direction toward said support, said assembly including at least two relative movable members having portions which change in spacing upon movement of said second end toward the first end comprising an outer tubular member and a telescoping inner member inside the outer member, and means positioned between said outer tubular member and the inner member joining said portions of said members and which will inelastically yield when said portions change in spacing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said means joining said portions is positioned to yield in tension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said relatively movable members include a plurality of supports which have portions that bend and separate when the second end moves toward the first end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 26 words
The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said means joining said portions comprise a plurality of straps arranged around the outside of said inner member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 34 words
The combination as specified in claim 11 wherein said straps have first ends fixed with respect to a first of said members, and second ends fixed with respect to a second of said members.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2835348A Cited
US2933127A Cited
US3663048A Cited
US3717223A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-08-03 1980-02-02 1980-08-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-08-03 1984-02-02 1984-08-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-08-03 1988-02-02 1988-08-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag