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US3995901A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Energy-absorbing systems

Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1975-05-20
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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Expires: 1995-05-20
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Abstract

Abstract An energy-absorbing device suitable as an automobile bumper using sinuous (corrugated), elastomeric ribs, which can be either attached to a connecting member at one end and unattached at the other end or unattached at both ends. These ribs buckle in a direction normal to the impact force and modulate that force.

Inventors

  • 👤 William C. Filbert, Jr.
  • 👤 Robert D. Souffie
  • 👤 Richard M. Turner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 19:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/36; F16F1/42; F16F1/422; B60R2019/186; B60R2019/1866; B60R2019/1893; F16F2236/00; F16F2236/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 93 words
An energy-absorbing member formed of an elastomeric composition having a tangent modulus of elasticity at 20° C. of about 3,000-60,000 psi and shaped into at least one sinuous rib, the span of the rib being at least one and one-half full periods as determined along the axis passing half-way between the crests on opposite sides of the curve, and its length being at least five times but not more than one hundred times its thickness; said rib being capable of buckling under the force component of impact in the direction of its length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 93 words
An energy-absorbing member formed of an elastomeric composition having a tangent modulus of elasticity at 20° C. of about 3,000-60,000 psi and shaped into at least one sinuous rib, the span of the rib being at least one and one-half full periods as determined along the axis passing half-way between the crests on opposite sides of the curve, and its length being at least five times but not more than one hundred times its thickness; said rib being capable of buckling under the force component of impact in the direction of its length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
A member of claim 1 in which each rib has a thickness of about 0.05-0.75 inch; a period of about 0.2-5 inches; a span of about 0.3-60 inches; and a maximum height of about 0.2-3 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A member of claim 1 which is shaped into a module consisting of a plurality of ribs having substantially parallel axes supported by at least one connecting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
A member of claim 3 wherein the ribs and the connecting member are made of the same material as a one-piece integrated construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
A member of claim 4 wherein both end surfaces of the length dimension (L R ) of the ribs are free.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
An energy-absorbing member of claim 4 which is placed between the body of an automobile and an outer member in such a manner that said energy-absorbing member together with said outer member form an automobile bumper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
A member of claim 1 which is formed into a rib having the axis joined on itself.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 36 words
An energy-absorbing member of claim 7 which is placed between the body of an automobile and an outer member in such a manner that said energy-absorbing member together with said outer member form an automobile bumper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
A member of claim 1 made of a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and 1,4-hexadiene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
A member of claim 1 made of a glass fiber-reinforced elastomer composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 11 words
A member of claim 1 made of a foamed elastomer composition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 34 words
A member of claim 1 wherein the rib is attached along one of the end surfaces of its length dimension to a connecting member, and the end surface at the other end is free.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB851152A Cited
US2727738A Cited
US3335689A Cited
US3555832A Cited
US3722876A Cited
US3694018A Cited
US3734557A Cited
US3897095A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-12-07 1980-06-07 1980-12-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-12-07 1984-06-07 1984-12-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-12-07 1988-06-07 1988-12-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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