Energy-absorbing systems
AssigneeE. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
InventorsWilliam C. Filbert, Jr., Robert D. Souffie, Richard M. Turner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy-absorbing device suitable as an automobile bumper using sinuous (corrugated), elastomeric ribs, which can be either attached to a connecting member at one end and unattached at the other end or unattached at both ends. These ribs buckle in a direction normal to the impact force and modulate that force.
Claims12
An energy-absorbing member formed of an elastomeric composition having a tangent modulus of elasticity at 20.degree. C. of about 3,000-60,000 psi and shaped into at least one sinuous rib, the span of the rib being at least one and one-half full periods as determined along the axis passing half-way between the crests on opposite sides of the curve, and its length being at least five times but not more than one hundred times its thickness;
- said rib being capable of buckling under the force component of impact in the direction of its length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.