Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member 16 is provided that has an upper perimeter 22, a lower perimeter 24 and an intermediate wall 26 extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for in-molding an energy-absorbing countermeasure to a headliner 18 for use in a vehicle. The process includes the steps of (1) preparing a sheet; (1A) optionally affixing to the sheet a means for adhering to form a composite sheet; (2) thermoforming the composite sheet into a composite energy-absorbing countermeasure; (3) preparing a headliner layup (including optionally a means for adhering, a headliner core, and a cover stock) before forming a bond between the headliner layup and the composite energy-absorbing countermeasure. The assembly thus includes the energy-absorbing countermeasure 22 and a means for adhering it to the headliner core 18.

Abstract: A process for in-molding an energy-absorbing countermeasure to a headliner 18 for use in a vehicle, plus the intermediate and final assemblies formed by the process. The process includes the steps of (1) preparing a sheet; (1A) optionally affixing to the sheet a means for adhering to form a composite sheet; (2) thermoforming the composite sheet into a composite energy-absorbing countermeasure; (3) preparing a headliner layup (including optionally a means for adhering, a headliner core, and a cover stock) before forming a bond between the headliner layup and the composite energy-absorbing countermeasure. The assembly thus includes the energy-absorbing countermeasure 22 and a means for adhering it to the headliner core 18.

Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member is provided that has an upper perimeter, a lower perimeter and an intermediate section extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member is provided that has an upper perimeter, a lower perimeter and an intermediate section extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-sectional, modular energy absorber 10 comprising one or more modules, which have one or more energy absorbing units 12. Some have a first section 14 and a second section 16 in some embodiments that are united like a clamshell to form the energy absorbing unit 12. There is a means for locating the sections 18 in relation to each other. First and second flange sections 20,22 extend from at least some of the first and second sections. There are means for coordinating energy absorbing units 24 in one of the one or more modules, the means for coordinating 24 having a topography including a number (n) of apertures 26 defined therein, where n is an integer ?0. At least some of the sections include an upper perimeter 28, a lower perimeter 30 and an intermediate wall 32 extending therebetween with a number (m) of breaches defined in the intermediate wall before impact, where m is an integer ?0.

Abstract: A multi-sectional, modular energy absorber 10 comprising one or more modules, which have one or more energy absorbing units 12. Some have a first section 14 and a second section 16 that are united like a clamshell to form the energy absorbing unit 12. There is a means for locating the sections 18 in relation to each other. First and second flange sections 20,22 extend from at least some of the first and second sections. There are means for coordinating energy absorbing units 24 in one of the one or more modules, the means for coordinating 24 having a topography including a number (n) of apertures 26 defined therein, where n is an integer ?0. At least some of the sections include an upper perimeter 28, a lower perimeter 30 and an intermediate wall 32 extending therebetween with a number (m) of breaches defined in the intermediate wall before impact, where m is an integer ?0.

Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules 12 have means for coordinating 14 energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units 16 in relation to each other before and during relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. The units 16 are provided with an upper perimeter 22, a lower perimeter 24 and an intermediate wall 26 with stiffening male 36 or female 38 ribs. A method for configuring and for making the modular energy absorber are also disclosed.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber.A crushable member is provided that has an upper perimeter, a lower perimeter and an intermediate section extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member is provided that has an upper perimeter, a lower perimeter and an intermediate section extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular energy absorber 10 that is tunable. It comprises one or more energy absorbing modules 12. The energy absorbing modules have means for coordinating energy absorbing units 16 of the one or more modules. The means 14 for coordinating position and support the units in relation to each other before, during and after relative motion between an incident object and the energy absorber. A crushable member 16 is provided that has an upper perimeter 22, a lower perimeter 24 and an intermediate wall 26 extending therebetween. It also includes a number (m) of breaches defined therein before impact. A method for configuring the modular energy absorber is also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy absorber comprising a base and a plurality of recesses extending from the base. At least some of the plurality of recesses have a rim, a first wall extending between the base and the rim, a first floor, and a second wall extending between the rim and the first floor. At least some of the plurality of recesses are oriented such that their first and second walls are inclined respectively at angles alpha and beta to a major incident component of the impacting force, where alpha and beta lie between 1 and 45 degrees.

Abstract: A composite modular energy absorbing assembly with one or more gamma structures 100 that are interposed with one or more delta structures 200. The gamma structures have a base 12′ and a plurality of recesses 16′ defined therewithin. The recesses 16′ have at least one wall 20′ extending from the associated base 12′. At least some of the recesses 16′ are oriented such that their walls are substantially parallel to a major incident component of an impacting force. The walls 20′ collapse. The delta structures 200 have a lattice 210 of interconnected strands which intersect to define a plurality of cells 220. The plane of at least some of these cells are substantially parallel to the impacting force. The lattice collapses during energy absorption. The composite assembly serves to decelerate an object that impacts thereupon in order to maximize energy absorption over a given distance.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an energy-absorbing assembly for decelerating an object that impacts the assembly. The assembly comprises a base and at least energy-absorbing module associated therewith. To provide predetermined energy-absorption characteristics, the at least one energy-absorbing module is formed from a group consisting of a first structure (A) and a second structure (B). Structure (A) is a metal lattice which supported by the base. Structure (B) comprises a plurality of recesses, each having a floor and a wall. Together, structures (A) and (B) and combinations thereof afford a user-determinable resistance to impact.

Abstract: An energy absorber comprising a base and a plurality of recesses extending from the base. At least some of the plurality of recesses have a rim, a first wall extending between the base and the rim, a first floor, and a second wall extending between the rim and the first floor. At least some of the plurality of recesses are oriented such that their first and second walls are inclined respectively at angles alpha and beta to a major incident component of the impacting force, where alpha and beta lie between 1 and 45 degrees.

Abstract: A composite modular energy absorbing assembly with one or more gamma structures 100 that are interposed with one or more delta structures 200. The gamma structures have a base 12′ and a plurality of recesses 16′ defined therewithin. The recesses 16′ have at least one wall 20′ extending from the associated base 12′. At least some of the recesses 16′ are oriented such that their walls are substantially parallel to a major incident component of an impacting force. The walls 20′ collapse. The delta structures 200 have a lattice 210 of interconnected strands which intersect to define a plurality of cells 220. The plane of at least some of these cells are substantially parallel to the impacting force. The lattice collapses during energy absorption. The composite assembly serves to decelerate an object that impacts thereupon in order to maximize energy absorption over a given distance.

Abstract: A modular energy absorbing assembly 10 comprising at base 12, and at least one energy absorbing module 14 associated with the base for accommodating deformation of the assembly. At least some of the energy absorbing modules have a plurality of recesses 16 defined within the base. Each of the plurality of recesses has a floor and at least one wall extending from the floor to the base. An intermediate segment extends between the floor and the at least one wall. The intermediate segment has an average radius (R). At least some of the recesses are oriented such that their floors are substantially orthogonal to a major incident component of the impacting force and their walls are inclined at an angle (&agr;) to the major incident component of the impacting force, where (0<&agr;<45 degrees), in order to maximize energy absorption by the wall over a given distance. The wall at least partially collapses and at least some of the recesses become at least partially compressed during energy absorption.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly is provided for decelerating an object that impacts the assembly. The assembly comprises at least one energy absorbing member for accommodating deformation of the assembly. The assembly comprises a base and at least energy absorbing module associated therewith. The at least one energy absorbing module is formed from a group consisting of structure (A) and structure (B). Structure (A) is a metal lattice which supported by the thermoformed base. Structure (B) comprises of plurality of recesses, each having a floor and a wall. Together, structures (A) and (B) and combinations thereof afford a user-determinable resistance to impact.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly 10 is provided for decelerating an object that impacts the assembly. The assembly comprises an incident member 12 having an incident surface 14 that meets the impacting object and at least one energy absorbing member 16 attached to an attachment region 17 of an opposing face 18 of the incident member 12 for accommodating deformation of the assembly 10. The energy absorbing member 16 comprises a lattice of interconnected strands 20, wherein the strands 20 intersect to define a plurality of cells 22. The energy absorbing member 16 is oriented such that the plane of each cell 22 is substantially perpendicular to the attachment region 17 in order to maximize energy absorption over a given distance. The lattice collapses and at least some of the cells 22 become at least partially closed during energy absorption.