Patent ID: 9272168
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: A62B,E04G,F16F

Claim Text:
1. An energy absorber, comprising: a strap comprising a groove defining at least a first path of relatively reduced strength extending over at least a portion of a length of the strap, and the groove further defining at least a first transition region comprising a first initial point where tearing begins along the first transition region when a force above a threshold force is applied and a first end point, the first end point being in operative connection with a first point on the first path so that tearing continues along the first path after tearing along the first transition region, a gradual increase in load occurring as tearing occurs along the transition region, wherein a thickness of the strap in the first transition region has a first initial thickness at the first initial point and a first end thickness at the first end point; and the first transition region further comprises a step change in thickness from zero to the first initial thickness at the first initial point of the first transition region, and a first transition thickness of the strap in the first transition region is non-uniform between the first initial point and the first end point and the first transition region thickness increases gradually from the first initial thickness to the first end thickness which is equal to a path thickness of the strap at the first point on the first path.