Patent ID: 7021686

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 first tube section being larger in size than the second tube section and including an outer surface defining a tubular boundary, the first end portion including a continuous band of deformed material flared outward radially beyond the outer surface and which acts to support and maintain a columnar strength of the first tube section upon longitudinal impact, the second end portion contrastingly being configured to initiate a telescoping rolling of the second tube section during impact as the first tube section maintains its columnar strength.