Impact absorbing apparatus

An impact absorbing apparatus, comprising:

• a first chamber including a first inner space, a first chamber wall and a first valve disposed in the first chamber wall, the first chamber defining a chamber ceiling;
• a second chamber including a second inner space, a second chamber wall and a second valve disposed in the second chamber wall, the second chamber defining a chamber floor, the chamber floor of the second chamber facing the chamber ceiling of the first chamber;
• a plurality of connecting pillars extending between the chamber ceiling of the first chamber and the chamber floor of the second chamber, the plurality of connecting pillars connecting the first chamber to the second chamber, the plurality of connecting pillars configured to shift position in response to a first impact, wherein the connecting pillars of the plurality of connecting pillars are fluidly isolated from the first chamber or the second chamber, wherein the connecting pillars of the plurality of connecting pillars each define a single chamber therein, wherein the single chamber is fluidly isolated from an outside atmosphere, wherein at least one connecting pillar of the plurality of connecting pillars defines a side surface directly exposed to the outside atmosphere, wherein the side surface of the at least one connecting pillar exposed to the outside atmosphere extends above the chamber floor of the second chamber into the second inner space and extends below the chamber ceiling of the first chambers into the first inner space of the first chamber,
• wherein the first valve is configured to pass air out of the first inner space of the first chamber in response to a second impact,
• wherein the second valve is configured to pass air out of the second inner space of the second chamber in response to a third impact,
• wherein the plurality of connecting pillars each define a first end extending below the ceiling of the first chamber and a second end extending above the floor of the second chamber,
• wherein the first valve includes a plurality of first valve leaflets defining a first aperture configured to expand between a first diameter in which air is passed out of the first inner space in response to the first impact and a second diameter larger than the first diameter to refill the first inner space with air after the second impact, wherein the first valve leaflets of the plurality of first valve leaflets extend from the first chamber wall of the first chamber, and
• wherein the second valve includes a plurality of second valve leaflets defining a second aperture configured to expand between a third diameter in which air is passed out of the second inner space in response to the second impact and a fourth diameter larger than the third diameter to refill the second inner space with air after the second impact, wherein the second valve leaflets of the plurality of second valve leaflets extend from the second chamber wall of the second chamber.