Patent ID: 6190091
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B63B,E21B,F16F

Abstract:
A tensile system for attachment between a first body and a second body having relative movement with respect to each other, comprising:at least one tensile element attached to the first body; andat least one first collapsible energy cell coupled between the tensile element and the second body, the first collapsible energy cell comprising a first buckling elastomer spring, the first collapsible energy cell having a normal state wherein the first buckling elastomer spring is unbuckled and a collapsed state wherein the first buckling elastomer spring buckles through a range of deflections the first collapsible energy cell further comprising a buckling restraint member which engages the first buckling elastomer spring in the collapsed state so as to augment the load bearing capacity of the first buckling elastomer spring through the range of deflections;wherein the first buckling elastomer spring buckles when a compressive force induced in the first buckling elastomer spring by the relative movement between the first body and the second body exceeds a critical force.