Air venting, impact-absorbing compressible members
US9683622B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0407
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An impact-absorbing compressible member includes a thin-walled enclosure defining an inner chamber containing a volume of fluid such as air. The enclosure includes one or more orifices which as sized and positioned to allow air to vent from the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber after the impact is released. The enclosure is formed of a blow-molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material which is economical to make and durable in use. The compressible members can be used as building blocks for impact-absorbing shell structures for a wide variety of applications such as helmets, protective pads for body parts, sports arena wall padding, vehicular bumpers, dashboards and the like. The compressible member has impact-absorbing advantages over conventional foams currently used in those applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.