US 2005/0089707 A1 · Shaped contoured crushable structural members and methods for making the same

Abstract

Shaped, contoured crushable structural members and methods for making the same are described. The contoured structural members comprise composite or metal materials sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure. The structural members are made crushable by incorporating an initiator into the structural members. The structural member crushes at the location of the initiator by absorbing the energy of an exerting load. The shaped structure is provided by bending the generally straight shape of the structural member. With a shaped, contoured, crushable, and generally non-flat structure, applications and uses for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A shaped contoured structural member, comprising:

an inner section containing a continuous plurality of contoured layers comprising both a layer of a composite material and a layer of a metal-containing material;
an outer section containing a continuous plurality of contoured layers comprising both a layer of a composite material and a layer of a metal-containing material;
and
at least one intermediate layer having a honeycomb core structure connecting the inner section and the outer section.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/994,825Filed 22 Nov 2004

Priority

7 Jul 2000

Published

28 Apr 2005

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification50 codes

F16L 9/18
Rigid pipes: double-walled pipes; Multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
B21C 37/15
Of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes: making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings
B21C 37/154
Making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings: making multi-wall tubes
B29C 70/32
Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or core; Shaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould,…:…

Family

Application60/216,636Us provisional application · filed 7 Jul 2000

Application09/900,762Continuation · filed 5 Jul 2001

Application10/994,825Continuation · filed 22 Nov 2004

US 2002/0106468 A1Published application

US 6,821,638 B2Related patent

US 2005/0089707 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Shaped contoured crushable structural members and methods for making the same

Life of this patent

Shaped contoured crushable structural members and methods for making the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6