Patent ID: 8192102
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: F05B,F16B,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a tubular body with a channel, wherein the tubular body is capable of being compressed in an axial direction; a first end portion of the tubular body; a second end portion of the tubular body; a first tapered section of the tubular body, proximate the first end portion, wherein the first tapered section is characterized by a first diameter tapering to a second diameter; a second tapered section of the tubular body, proximate the second end portion, wherein the second tapered section is characterized by a first diameter tapering to a second diameter; a number of stiffeners, each stiffener comprising a substantially circular ridge having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the tubular body and being located at spaced apart locations on the tubular body; a first flange on the tubular body located at the first end portion of the tubular body and a second flange on the tubular body located at the second end portion of the tubular body, wherein the first and second flanges have a diameter larger than a diameter of the number of stiffeners; and a plurality of hinges configured to absorb energy, said hinges located between the spaced apart locations of the number of stiffeners for the tubular body and between each of the plurality of flanges and an adjacent one of the number of stiffeners, wherein said hinges located between the spaced apart locations of the number of stiffeners are configured to expand away from the channel while said hinges between each of the plurality of flanges and an adjacent one of the number of stiffeners thereto contract inwardly into the channel in response to the tubular body being compressed in the axial direction.