Patent ID: 8286765

Claim:
A mechanical device, comprising: an elongate structural element, configured to absorb at least partially impacts by deformation, wherein the structural element comprises a profile of a selected straight section, the profile including localized alterations that are shaped and that are positioned on said selected straight section such that, when the selected straight section of the structural element is subjected to a combined force of compression in a longitudinal axis of the structural element and torque having an axis perpendicular to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis, the selected straight section undergoes a phase of energy absorption, wherein the phase of energy absorption includes deformation by bunching and by bending of the selected straight section, wherein the localized alterations are shaped and are positioned on the selected straight section such that the bending occurs at the same localized alteration of the selected straight section of the structural element as the bunching, wherein said alterations comprise deformations formed in said structural element prior to the selected straight section undergoing said phase of energy absorption, wherein a longitudinal axis of a first end of the selected straight section is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a second end of the selected straight section, and wherein the profile has a general shape of a straight cylindrical surface.