Patent ID: 7404593
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: A62B,B29C,B29L,B32B,B60N,B60R,B65D,F16F

Abstract:
1. A modular energy absorber comprising: one or more energy absorbing modules, one or more of which having: means for coordinating energy absorbing units, of the one or more modules, the means for coordinating having a pre-defined, contoured topography including a number (n) of apertures defined in a central region of the means for coordinating for optional weight reduction or to facilitate attachment, where n is an integer ≧0; and one or more crushable energy absorbing units associated with the means for coordinating, the means for coordinating positioning the one or more units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber, so that impact forces resulting therefrom are at least partially absorbed by the energy absorbing units, at least some of the units including an upper perimeter, a lower perimeter and an intermediate wall extending therebetween with a number (m) of breaches defined in a middle portion of the intermediate wall before impact for tuning where m is an integer ≧1, the wall at least partially collapsing during energy absorption; wherein at least some of the energy absorbing units are oriented such that their intermediate walls are inclined to a major incident component of an impacting force, and wherein some of the energy absorbing units cooperate to afford mutual support in decelerating an object that imparts the impacting force.