Patent US3979110A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3979110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Energy absorbers
Assignee: Dunlop Ltd
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Filing: 1974-03-26
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Granted: 1976-09-07
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Expires: 1994-03-26
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorber which comprises in cross-section at least one limb of rubber-plastic composite material comprising a layer of rubber and a layer of plastics, said layers being united together and each extending substantially in the direction of the length of the limb, and the layer of plastics material being capable of absorbing more energy than the layer of rubber during deformation of the limb by bending or buckling.
Inventors
- 👤 Derek Alan Newton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/18; F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/36; F16F1/42; F16F1/44; F16F1/445; F16F2236/00; F16F2236/04; F16F2236/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An energy absorber comprising in cross-section at least one limb of rubber-plastic composite material comprising a layer of rubber and an adjacent layer of plastics, said layers being united together and each extending substantially in the direction of the length of the limb, the layer of plastics material being capable of absorbing more energy than the layer of rubber during progressive deformation of the limb by bending or buckling when subjected to compressive forces acting substantially in a direction of the length of the limb, and the rubber, when deformed, being capable of storing sufficient energy substantially to restore the energy absorber to substantially its original shape and configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An energy absorber comprising in cross-section at least one limb of rubber-plastic composite material comprising a layer of rubber and an adjacent layer of plastics, said layers being united together and each extending substantially in the direction of the length of the limb, the layer of plastics material being capable of absorbing more energy than the layer of rubber during progressive deformation of the limb by bending or buckling when subjected to compressive forces acting substantially in a direction of the length of the limb, and the rubber, when deformed, being capable of storing sufficient energy substantially to restore the energy absorber to substantially its original shape and configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the plastics layer is not greater than half the total thickness of the limb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the layers have been united together by fusion-bonding.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the layers have been united together by friction welding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the layers have been united together by bonding agents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the layers have been united together by adhesives.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the composite material comprises two layers of plastics and a layer of rubber therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the limb is contoured along part at least of its length to provide a preferential region of bending or buckling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 comprising in cross-section at least two limbs of composite material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the limbs are disposed substantially symmetrically relative to a normal direction of loading of the energy absorber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the limbs are shaped and disposed relative to each other such that when subjected to load applied substantially longitudinally of the limbs the limbs will first deform in a stable manner and then be caused to buckle or bend.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An energy absorber according to claim 11 wherein the limbs are arranged to deform first in a stable manner substantially only in compression.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the limbs are integral with each other at least one of their ends.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the limbs are spaced from each other at least one of their ends.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An energy absorber according to claim 14 wherein the limbs are maintained in spaced relationship by a linking portion of material integral with the material of the limbs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An energy absorber according to claim 15 wherein the linking portion is formed of the plastics material of the limbs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An energy absorber according to claim 14 wherein the limbs are maintained in spaced relationship by a cross-member of rigid material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the limbs are in the form of leg members separate from one another along at least a greater part of their lengths.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An energy absorber according to claim 18 wherein axes in the direction of the lengths of two leg members are located in a single plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An energy absorber according to claim 18 wherein axes in the direction of the length of leg members are located in at least two planes angled relative to one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An energy absorber according to claim 18 wherein the two limbs move inwardly towards each other when caused to bend or buckle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An energy absorber according to claim 18 wherein the two limbs separate away from one another when caused to bend or buckle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 wherein the energy absorber is V-shaped when viewed in cross-section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 comprising a hollow member having in cross-section two limbs of corrugated shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 in the form of an annular hollow member having, when viewed in cross-section, two deformable limbs of rubber-plastics composite material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An energy absorber according to claim 25 wherein the limbs collapse in a concertina manner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 in the form of a bumper.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
An energy absorber according to claim 9 in the form of a vehicle bumper.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
An energy absorber according to claim 28 comprising in cross-section two limbs inter-connected one end of their ends by a cross-member formed integrally therewith.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
An energy absorber according to claim 29 wherein the limbs are securable to a support by their ends furthest from the cross-member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly comprising an energy absorber according to claim 30 secured to a support with said ends restrained from angular movement relative to the support.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly comprising an energy absorber according to claim 30 secured to a support with said ends relatively free to rotate relative to the support.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
An energy absorber according to claim 25 comprising a fluid cavity for damping fluid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 wherein the plastics is shaped to provide means for securing the energy absorber to a support.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
An energy absorber according to claim 34 wherein the plastics defines an aperture or hole for means for securing the energy absorber to a support.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
An energy absorber according to claim 1 having an outer impacting layer of pre-compressed rubber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly comprising an energy absorber according to claim 1 and a substantially rigid bumper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-07 | 1980-03-08 | 1980-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-07 | 1984-03-08 | 1984-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-07 | 1988-03-08 | 1988-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |