Shock isolator and absorber apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for isolating and absorbing energy associated with shock forces that are exerted upon an object, such as the energy attendant to shock forces experienced during and immediately following a mild to severe impact. The apparatus generally having: (a) a housing defining an enclosure; (b) at least one segment of non-liquid material contained within the enclosure; and (c) a piston placed within the enclosure. When the shock or impact force is applied to either the piston or housing, the piston urges the non-liquid material to pass or extrude through an aperture, orifice, channel or slot located either within the piston or the housing. The non-liquid material passes or extrudes through the aperture, orifice, channel or slot in a direction that is generally transverse to the relative movement of the piston within the enclosure. The passage or extrusion of the non-liquid material through the aperture, orifice, channel or slot absorbs or dissipates at least a portion of the energy attendant to the shock or impact force.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.