Energy absorbing system

Apparatus for absorbing an impact comprising:

• a connected array of tubular structures defining a surface for absorbing an impact, each tubular structure having a wall defining an interior region of the tubular structure extending substantially along an axial direction of said tubular structure;
• wherein the axial direction of each tubular structure extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface;
• wherein the wall of each of a plurality of the tubular structures is at least partially discontinuous, such that said tubular structures preferentially deform in the region of the discontinuity during an impact;
• wherein the plurality of tubular structures are connected by a connecting sheet or array of connecting members such that each tubular structure has at least one free end, spaced from the connecting sheet or array of connecting members along the axial direction, wherein said free end of each tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is an open free end;
• and
• wherein each at least partial discontinuity in the wall of a plurality of the tubular structures extends along the axial direction from the open free end of the respective tubular structure towards the connecting sheet or array of connecting members and does not reach the connecting sheet or array of connecting members.

Apparatus for absorbing an impact comprising:

• a connected array of tubular structures defining a surface for absorbing an impact, each tubular structure having a wall defining an interior region of the tubular structure extending substantially along an axial direction of said tubular structure;
• wherein the axial direction of each tubular structure extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface;
• wherein the wall of each of a plurality of the tubular structures is at least partially discontinuous defining a notch in the wall of each of the plurality of the tubular structures, such that said tubular structures preferentially deform in the region of the discontinuity during an impact, wherein each of the plurality of the tubular structures has only one notch;
• wherein each tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures are open at both ends along the axial direction;
• wherein the plurality of tubular structures are connected by a connecting sheet or array of connecting members such that each tubular structure has at least one free end, spaced from the connecting sheet or array of connecting members along the axial direction, wherein the free end of each tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures is an open free end;
• wherein the position of the notch around the respective axial direction is different for at least some adjacent tubular structures of the plurality of tubular structures;
• and
• wherein each notch in the wall of a plurality of the tubular structures extends along the axial direction from the open free end of the respective tubular structure towards the connecting sheet or array of connecting members and does not reach the connecting sheet or array of connecting members.