Patent ID: 7240933

Claim:
An energy management tube adapted to reliably and predictably absorb substantial impact energy when impacted longitudinally, comprising: a first tube section; a second tube section aligned with the first tube section; and an intermediate tube section with first and second end portions integrally connecting the first and second tube sections, respectively; the first and second tube sections being dimensionally different in size and the intermediate tube section having a shape transitioning from the first tube section to the second tube section; the second tube section being smaller in size than the first tube section, and including an inner surface defining a tubular boundary, the second end portion including a continuous band of deformed material flared inward radially inside of the boundary and which acts to support and maintain a columnar strength of the second tube section upon longitudinal impact, the first end section being configured to initiate a telescoping rolling of the first tube section during impact as the second tube section maintains its columnar strength.