Patent ID: 6199942
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B60N,B60R,B62D,F16F

Abstract:
A modular energy absorbing assembly for decelerating an object that impacts the assembly, the assembly comprising:a base; andat least one energy absorbing module associated with the base for accommodating deformation of the assembly,the at least one energy absorbing module comprising a structure selected from the group consisting of a first structure, a second structure, and combinations thereof,wherein the first structure comprises a plurality of channels formed within the base and a lattice of interconnected strands, the strands intersecting to define a plurality of cells and being supported within the channels formed within the base, wherein the first structure is oriented such that the plane of each cell is substantially parallel to the impacting force in order to maximize energy absorption over a given distance, the lattice collapsing and at least some of the cells becoming at least partially closed during energy absorption;wherein the second structure comprises a plurality of separated adjacent, curvilinear recesses formed within the base, each having a floor and a wall defined within the base, wherein the second structure is oriented such that the floor of each recess is substantially orthogonal to the impacting force and its wall is substantially parallel to the impacting force in order to maximize energy absorption by the wall over a given distance, the wall at least partially collapsing and at least some of the cups becoming at least partially compressed during energy absorption,so that a selection from the first and second structures, and combinations thereof affords a user-determinable resistance of the assembly to impact.