Patent ID: 7104371
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: A62B,E04G,F16F

Abstract:
1. An energy absorber comprising: a support attachment member to attach the energy absorber to a supporting structure in an initial orientation; a load attachment member; a coiled length of plastically deformable metal wire having a first end and a stop formed on a second end; and a deployment member, attached to one of the support attachment member and said load attachment member, the other one of the support attachment member and load attachment member being connected to the first end of the metal wire, the deployment member initially cooperating with a region of the metal wire adjacent to the first end thereof, the deployment member further provided with at least one guide roller about which the metal wire is entrained; wherein when a force exceeding a first predetermined limit is applied to the load attachment member, the support attachment member and load attachment member orient in alignment with the direction of the applied force, when the force exceeds a second predetermined level, the deployment member roller periphery translates along the length of the metal wire causing the metal wire to locally straighten as the deployment member translates along the length of the metal wire absorbing energy.