US5040646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Component for absorbing energy
Assignee: Kolbenschmidt AG
•
Filing: 1989-11-13
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Granted: 1991-08-20
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Expires: 2009-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A component which is to be installed for an absorption of energy with an ideal displacement-compressive force characteristic consists of a prismatic straight metal rod, which is long relative to its transverse dimensions and is adapted to inelastically buckle in the direction of the axis of its larger principal moment of inertia under an axially acting compressive load and is provided with spur teeth, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction and are provided on at least one of the broadsides, which extend at right angles to the axis of the larger principal moment of inertia.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Drefahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/12; B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/04; B62D1/11; B62D1/16; B62D1/18; B62D1/19; B62D1/192; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A component for absorbing energy, having a prismatic straight metal rod (1, 5, 10, 12), which is long relative to its transverse dimensions and is adapted to inelastically buckle in the direction of the axis of its larger principal moment of inertia under an axially acting compressive load and is provided with spur teeth (4, 7, 11, 13), which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction and are provided on at least one of the broadsides, which extend at right angles to the axis of the larger principal moment of inertia.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A component for absorbing energy, having a prismatic straight metal rod (1, 5, 10, 12), which is long relative to its transverse dimensions and is adapted to inelastically buckle in the direction of the axis of its larger principal moment of inertia under an axially acting compressive load and is provided with spur teeth (4, 7, 11, 13), which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction and are provided on at least one of the broadsides, which extend at right angles to the axis of the larger principal moment of inertia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth (7, 11, 13) are provided on that broadside of the metal rod (5, 10, 12) which faces oppositely to the desired buckling direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth (7) are provided adjacent to the free effective length (6) of the metal rod (5).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A component according to claim 3, wherein the spur teeth (7) are provided on that broadside which faces in the desired buckling direction in the regions between the fixed points (6) of the metal rod (5) and the points of inflection (9) of the buckled portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth (4, 7) extend throughout the broadside of the metal rod (1, 5).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth extend from the narrow sides of the metal rod, which are parallel to the plane which includes the axes of the smaller and the larger principal moments of inertia, and each of said spur teeth extends over less than 50% of the width of the broadside.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A component according to claim 6, wherein each of said spur teeth extends over 20 to 40% of the width of the broadside.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth are constituted by a comblike array of tines (11), which are integrally joined to the metal rod (10) at at least one of its narrow sides and have been bent onto the broadside.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth are constituted by a comblike array of bent up tines (13), which are integrally joined to one at least of the narrow sides of the metal rod (12) and include an angle of 90° with the broadside.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A component according to claim 1, wherein the spur teeth have the shape of an involute, cycloid or arc of a circle or are U-shaped and have right-angled or inclined side faces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a steering wheel having steering wheel spokes, the improvement wherein the steering wheel spokes comprise a component according to claim 1.
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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) | 1994-08-19 | 1995-02-18 | 1995-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-19 | 1999-02-18 | 1999-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-19 | 2003-02-18 | 2003-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |