Energy absorbing load carrying strut and method of providing such a strut capable of withstanding cyclical loads exceeding its yield strength
OwnerKarl S. Kollerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An energy absorbing load carrying strut is provided by laterally restraining a malleable column against eccentric loading bending moments. Lateral restraint is provided by a sleeve extending around the column and, in some embodiments, a rod extending through the column. The sleeve and rod extend over the full length of the column and are so secured as to laterally restrain the column against buckling and not be subject to substantial axial loading as the result of axial loading of the column. The restraint thus provided enables the column to maintain its load carrying capacity while being loaded beyond its yield point.
Claims13
An energy absorbing strut capable of withstanding cyclical tension and/or compression loads exceeding its yield strength, said strut comprising:
- a malleable column, a bolster at either end of the column, said bolsters having a yield strength greater than that of the column and being secured to the ends of the column for imparting tension and compression loads thereto;
- and bending moment resisting means extending over the full length of the column and past the ends thereof and into engagement with said bolsters to resist bending moments imparted to the column due to eccentric loading thereof and transmit such moments to the bolsters.
A conduit capable of withstanding cyclical tension and/or compression loads exceeding its yield strength, said conduit comprising:
- a malleable tubular member;
- a bolster at either end of the tubular member, said bolsters having a yield strength greater than that of the member and being secured to the ends of the member for imparting tension and compression loads thereto;
- and, bending moment resisting means extending over the full length of the member and past the ends thereof into engagement with said bolsters to resist bending moments imparted to the member due to eccentric loading thereof and transmit such moments to the bolsters.
A method of providing a load carrying strut capable of withstanding cyclical tension and compression loads in excess of the yield strength of the strut, said method comprising:
- confining a malleable column over the full length thereof within a sleeve disposed in close encircling relationship to the column;
- securing the column to load supporting bolsters at either end thereof with the sleeve engaged with the bolsters and disposed for substantially free axial movement relative to at least one of the bolsters whereby the column may be axially compressed or elongated within the confines of the sleeve in response to loading of the bolsters and bending moments imparted to the column due to the eccentric loading thereof are transmitted to the bolsters by the sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.