Hybrid crush zone shock absorber apparatus, systems, and methods of using the same
AssigneeSavior Brain Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Daniel Allison, Christoph Eduard Mack
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Abstract
Impact protection for people and goods involved in athletics, transportation, industrial, and military activities comprises a hybrid crush zone shock absorber apparatus, systems, and methods of using the same. More specifically, the present invention reduces forces transmitted to a person or item exposed to impact. Primary applications are in protective articles such as helmets and body padding, surfaces which people or goods may impact, and shock isolation packaging. In addition to reduction in transmitted impact forces, our invention provides clear, irreversible visual indication of the state of readiness of the protective gear to which it is fitted.
Claims14
A shock absorber apparatus comprising:
- a first energy absorber element, wherein the first energy absorber element is temporarily deformable below a predefined energy impact threshold level;
- a hollow second energy absorber element including walls surrounding a cavity, the walls of the second energy absorber element being permanently deformable above the predefined energy impact threshold level;
- and
- an indicator fluid present within the second energy absorber element, wherein the indicator fluid is configured to flow into an indicator window disposed outside the second energy absorber element after deformation of the second energy absorber element.
A shock absorber apparatus comprising:
- a first energy absorber element, wherein the first energy absorber element is temporarily deformable below a predefined energy impact threshold level,
- a second energy absorber element, wherein the second energy absorber element is not deformable below the predefined energy impact threshold and further is permanently deformable above the predefined energy impact threshold level, wherein the second energy absorber element is a single monolith including a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, wherein the first segment is deformable below a first predefined energy impact sub-level, the second segment and the third segment not being deformable below the first predefined energy impact sub-level, the second segment being deformable at a second predefined energy impact sub-level greater than the first predefined energy impact sub-level, the third segment not being deformable below the second predefined energy impact sub-level, wherein the third segment is deformable at a third predefined energy impact sub-level greater than the second predefined energy impact sub-level, the first, second, and third segments being stackable within one another;
- and
- an indicator fluid present within the second energy absorber element, wherein the indicator fluid is configured to flow into an indicator window disposed outside the second energy absorber element after deformation of the second energy absorber element.
A method of using a shock absorber apparatus on an article, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an article;
- providing a shock absorber apparatus on the article, the shock absorber apparatus comprising a first energy absorber element, wherein the first energy absorber element is temporarily deformable below a predefined energy impact threshold level, and a hollow second energy absorber element, wherein the second energy absorber element includes walls surrounding a cavity, the walls of the second energy absorber element being permanently deformable above the predefined energy impact threshold level, the shock absorber apparatus further comprising an indicator fluid present within the second energy absorber element;
- impacting the shock absorber apparatus with a first energy, wherein the first energy causes the first energy absorber element to temporarily deform and does not cause the second energy absorber element to deform;
- and
- impacting the shock absorber apparatus with a second energy greater than the first energy, wherein the second energy causes the walls of the second energy absorber element to permanently deform and cause the indicator fluid to flow outside of the second energy absorber element into an indicator window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.