# US 7,143,876 B2 · Impact absorbing member for vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,143,876 B2 - Document ID: US7143876B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/698,314 - Filed: 2003-10-31 - Published: 2004-07-01 - Granted: 2006-12-05 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-31 - Assignees: Kyoraku Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Teruo Tamada; Hiroo Inui; Kiyotaka Urakawa; Kenji Ishii; Tadatoshi Tanji - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7143876B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/18: {characterised by the cross-section;} Means within the bumper to absorb impact - B29C 49/04: Extrusion blow-moulding - B60R 21/04: Padded linings for the vehicle interior {; Energy absorbing structures associated with padded or non-padded linings} - B60R 21/0428: {associated with the side doors or panels, e.g. displaced towards the occupants in case of a side collision} - F16F 7/00: Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers (using fluid F16F5/00, F16F9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F15/10 {; belt tensioners F16H7/12}) - F16F 7/121: {the members having a cellular, e.g. honeycomb, structure} - F16F 9/0481: {provided in an opening to the exterior atmosphere} - B29C 49/4802: {with means for locally compressing part(s) of the parison in the main blowing cavity} - B29C 49/4812: {and welding opposite wall parts of the parisons or preforms to each other} - B29C 2049/4805: {by closing the mould halves} - B29K 2023/06: {PE, i.e. polyethylene} - B29K 2023/12: {PP, i.e. polypropylene} - B29K 2025/00: Use of polymers of vinyl-aromatic compounds {or derivatives thereof} as moulding material - B29K 2055/02: ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers - B29K 2067/00: Use of polyesters {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2069/00: Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2995/0089: Impact strength or toughness - B29L 2031/30: Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof {(vanes or blades B29L2031/08, air bags B29L2022/027)} - B29L 2031/3005: {Body finishings} - B29L 2031/3008: {Instrument panels} - B29L 2031/3011: {Roof linings} - B29L 2031/3014: {Door linings} - B29L 2031/302: {Trim strips} - B29L 2031/3023: {Head-rests} - B29L 2031/3026: {Arm-rests} - B29L 2031/3044: {Bumpers} - B29L 2031/7138: {Shock absorbing} - B60R 2019/1866: {Cellular structures} - B60R 2019/188: {Blow molded structures} - B60R 2021/0414: {using energy absorbing ribs} - B60R 2021/0435: {associated with the side or roof pillars} - F16F 2230/0047: Measuring, indicating - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A system is disclosed for absorbing impact energy to a vehicle. The system provides first and second blow molded thermoplastic energy absorbing members, each of the energy absorbing member having opposing first wall and a second walls, at least one rib disposed within each energy absorbing member, that rib being integrally molded from at least the first wall. Also provided is a joint whereby the rib attaches to the second wall such that the first and second energy absorbing members absorb an impact energy. The first and second energy absorbing members are aligned such that the impact energy is distributed between the energy absorbing members and is absorbed by the energy absorbing members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for absorbing an impact energy, said system comprising: first and second blow molded thermoplastic energy absorbing members; each of said first and said second energy absorbing members having opposing first and second walls defining a hollow space; at least one pair of coaxially joined first and second three dimensional ribs disposed within each said first and said second energy absorbing members, said first ribs being integrally molded from and directly connected to said first wall and extending from said first wall into said hollow space, said second ribs being integrally molded from and directly connected to said second wall and extending from said second wall into said hollow space so as to couple said first ribs; at least one welded surface fusing said first and second ribs at a junction disposed at an opposite end of said first ribs from said first wall and at an opposite end of said second ribs from said second wall, said at least one welded surface being directly disposed between and joining said first and said second ribs; and wherein said first and second energy absorbing members are aligned such that said at least one pair of coaxially joined first and second three dimensional ribs of said first energy absorbing member are coaxially aligned with said at least one pair of coaxially joined first and second three dimensional ribs of said second energy absorbing member so that said impact energy is distributed between said energy absorbing members and absorbed by said energy absorbing members; a projecting part is disposed in said first wall of said first energy absorbing member, and a receiving part for receiving said projecting part is disposed in the second wall of said second energy absorbing member such that when said projecting part mates with said receiving part, said first and said second impact absorbing members are aligned. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first energy absorbing member and said second energy absorbing member have different sizes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein said first energy absorbing member and said second energy absorbing member are interlocked with each other via a thin part. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving part is a recessed part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving part is a through hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein an interlocking piece is disposed on at least one of said energy absorbing members in such a way as to align said first and second energy absorbing members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein said projecting part is formed in said interlocking piece. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein a through hole is formed in said interlocking piece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein said interlocking piece is formed integrally on a side surface of at least one of said energy absorbing members via a thin part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein said interlocking piece is formed in the vicinity of a parting line formed on a side surface linking said first and second wall of at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein said interlocking piece is pressed and formed by a parting surface of a split mold during blow molding. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of said energy absorbing members are interlocked and fixed by fixing said interlocking piece to an adjacent at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, further comprising a stopping member coupling said interlocking piece to an adjacent at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of said energy absorbing members are interlocked and fixed by fitting said interlocking piece to an adjacent at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of said energy absorbing members are interlocked and fixed integrally by welding said interlocking piece to an adjacent at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the energy absorbing members are interlocked and fixed by coupling a first said interlocking piece from one said energy absorbing member to a second said interlocking piece from an adjacent at least one of said energy absorbing members. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, further comprising a stopping member inserted through said first and second interlocking pieces. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of said interlocking pieces are snapped together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of said interlocking pieces are welded together. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, further comprising a stopping member inserted through at least one of said at least one welded surface.