Patent US3995901A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3995901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Energy-absorbing systems
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1975-05-20
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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Expires: 1995-05-20
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 15:09
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)
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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 |