Crushable Element Patents (Class 188/377)
  • Patent number: 11732555
    Abstract: A downhole perforation system includes a ballistic device having an first end and a second end, the ballistic device carrying an explosive material. The system further includes a shock absorption device coupled to at least one of the first or second end of the ballistic device and configured to absorb at least a portion of impact energy produced from detonation of the explosive material. The shock absorption device includes a shock absorption module which includes a viscoelastic body and a rigid structure molded within the viscoelastic body. The rigid structure is configured to break or deform when impacted by a threshold amount of impact energy. Broken or deformed portions of the rigid structure are contained within the viscoelastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Saeed Rafie
  • Patent number: 11547166
    Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head of a wearer includes a shell comprised of a hard impact resistant material. The shell has inner and outer surfaces and is adapted to surround at least a portion of the cranial part of wearer's head with the inner surface of the shell being spaced from the wearer's head at an initial pre-impact relative position when the helmet is worn. A subliner, at least a part of which is adapted to be in contact with the wearer's head when the helmet is worn prior to an impact and during an impact, includes at least one subliner element extending from the inner surface of the shell. The at least one subliner element is constructed of an energy absorbing viscoelastic foam material. The at least one subliner element is radially partitioned into individual and independent segments. The independent segments are nested with respect to each other with double-sided nano tape positioned therebetween such that the nested segments have side surfaces in direct contacting engagement with the nano tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LIONHEAD HELMET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, LP
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 11386726
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to predict damage to one or more components of a host vehicle and predict a hazard for a user of the host vehicle based on the predicted damage of at least one of the components disposed at the collision location. The computer predicts the damage based on an energy transfer between a target vehicle and the host vehicle. The energy transfer is based on a speed of a target vehicle, a mass of the target vehicle, a predicted contact area of a collision location of the host vehicle where the target vehicle is predicted to collide, and a deformation strength of material at the collision location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Diamond, Erik J. Christen, Matthew Joseph, Shehan Haputhanthri
  • Patent number: 11299117
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device includes a deformable elongate member that is arranged in a manner such that the device, in use, deforms in a controlled manner upon the absorption of impact energy. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing the energy absorbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Jian Lu, Yuan Gao, Tao Tang, Lu Yao
  • Patent number: 11247624
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator is adapted for deployment on a vehicle, and includes a cartridge portion having at least one energy absorbing module, as well as a backup system having a backup frame, which is adapted to attach the cartridge portion to the vehicle. The backup system includes an actuator configured to pivot the cartridge portion between a deployed orientation and a stored orientation about a pivot axis disposed on a lower half of the backup system. The backup system further includes a lockout frame member having a contact surface on one end thereof, the lockout frame member being actuatable between a deployed orientation wherein the contact surface engages a portion of the backup frame to support the backup frame against vehicular impact forces and a stowed orientation wherein the contact surface is not engaged with the backup frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Ryan Selvius
  • Patent number: 11235807
    Abstract: A rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle can enhance the performance of protecting a vehicle component disposed under a rear floor against a rear-end collision load. The rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle includes a rear bumper reinforcement having a rear bumper beam extending in a vehicle width direction along a rear bumper and load absorbing parts extending from left and right ends of the rear bumper beam toward a vehicle front side, and rear side frames extending in a vehicle front-rear direction respectively along left and right side portions of a rear floor and coupled at rear ends to front ends of the load absorbing parts, with a vehicle component being disposed under the rear floor. A vertical center of the rear bumper beam is located lower than a respective vertical center of each of the rear side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harumitsu Kubota, Taichi Hirakawa, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Yasunori Isshiki
  • Patent number: 11230240
    Abstract: The proposed connection device includes attachment portions that are separated from each other such that the one of the crash absorbing member and the vehicle body component is insertable between the attachment portions. This allows for a transverse slidable motion of the one of the crash absorbing member and the vehicle body component with respect to the main body. Thus, the crash absorbing member or the vehicle body component, whichever is going to be attached to the attachment portions, is slidable in transverse direction, i.e. substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of e.g. the crash absorbing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Johan Eklund
  • Patent number: 11167705
    Abstract: A vehicle component for a vehicle has a component body which is formed from a core material. The component body has a localized deformation zone which extends flat in the core material, and the deformation zone has a locally variable tensile strength according to a predetermined tensile strength profile configured to influence a deformation profile of the component body upon a force acting on the component body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Frost, Mathias Lohberg
  • Patent number: 11155303
    Abstract: A structural arrangement for a vehicle includes a vehicle frame including an upper front rail, a frame rail, and a front hinge pillar, the frame rail extending parallel to a vehicle body axis and the front hinge pillar extending perpendicular to the vehicle body axis, the frame rail including a pulley, a load deflection system including a load member coupled to the upper front rail at a first attachment point, coupled to the frame rail at a detachable attachment point, and coupled to the front hinge pillar at a non-detachable attachment point such that the cable member extends generally longitudinally along the frame rail. The load member passes around the pulley from the first attachment point to the detachable attachment point and defines a load path between the upper front rail and the front hinge pillar utilizing the strength the frame rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ashish Nayak, Dheeraj Jha, Manoj Marella
  • Patent number: 11091108
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement mounting structure includes a plurality of vehicle body skeleton members disposed at an interval in a vehicle width direction and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a bumper reinforcement that extends in the vehicle width direction and is mounted on the vehicle body skeleton members, and a first mounting member that is used to mount a mounting portion of the bumper reinforcement on one of the vehicle body skeleton members. The first mounting member has shear strength that is lower than shear strength of the mounting portion of the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohei Hisada, Kazuki Ohtake, Tetsuo Nuruki
  • Patent number: 11046368
    Abstract: In a shock-absorbing member in which a wood member is embedded in a resin covering member so as to be integrated therewith and in which the wood member is collapsed when subjected to an impact load, thereby absorbing a portion of the impact load, sealing members are disposed between both end surfaces of the wood member in an axis direction of annual rings and an inner surface of the covering member, so as to hermetically cover both end surfaces of the wood member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshihisa Miura
  • Patent number: 11046364
    Abstract: A front support apparatus for a vehicle may include an upper back beam mounted at a front of the vehicle, extending in a width direction of the vehicle, and connected to front end portions of a pair of fender aprons positioned at the front of the vehicle; a middle back beam mounted below the upper back beam, extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and connected to front end portions of a pair of front side members extending to the front of the vehicle; and a lower back beam mounted below the middle back beam, extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and connected to a front portion of a front sub-frame mounted below the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Do Hoi Kim
  • Patent number: 11040679
    Abstract: A structure of the vehicle includes a rear side member, a crush box and a bumper reinforcement. The rear side member is arranged outside in a width direction of the vehicle and is extended with a length direction of the rear side member coinciding with a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The crush box plastically deforms through compression of the vehicle. The bumper reinforcement is provided with a hat-shaped open cross-section where a recess portion recessed outward with respect to the vehicle is provided in an inner surface of the bumper reinforcement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A width of an open-end portion of the recess portion in a vertical direction of the vehicle is set larger than a width of the rear side member and a size of the crush box in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Hisada, Kazuki Ohtake
  • Patent number: 11034326
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting an anchor pretensioner and a retractor for a vehicle seat is provided. The bracket comprises a first plate facing the anchor pretensioner, a second plate facing the retractor and a hollow spacer extending between the first and second plates, and connected to the first and second plates. The hollow spacer is configured to allow a fastener to pass through to connect the anchor pretensioner and the retractor to a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shannon Alan Anthony Buhagiar
  • Patent number: 11001214
    Abstract: A bumper system with a bumper beam and two crash boxes, and two intermediate elements, wherein the intermediate elements have a first wall and a second wall that are arranged such that, from the perspective of direction x, the first wall points toward the exterior of the vehicle and the second wall points toward the interior of the vehicle, wherein walls are linked to each other at their one end in direction y, and wherein the linked ends point toward the exterior of the vehicle. The walls continue to be connected to at least one first support wall. The intermediate elements are arranged in the bumper system so that, in the event of a force striking the bumper beam in direction x, the intermediate element is deformed first and thereafter the crash box assigned to the intermediate element is subsequently deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Odd Perry Sovic, Vincent Vilamosa
  • Patent number: 10939719
    Abstract: A helmet has inner and outer shells separated by a plurality of interconnected relatively soft columns or posts. The columns each have a middle post or pillar section, a capital that is of larger diameter than the post, and a base also of larger transverse dimension than the post. When an impact above a design threshold occurs on the outer shell, the columns, particularly the post sections thereof, near the impact location compress and buckle, dissipating impact kinetic energy, while columns spaced from the impact zone stretch and support more of the impact force. The applied force is therefore reduced and spread out over a relatively large area, and a resultant wave created within the column manifold disperses additional heat, further reducing the force and torque applied on the outer shell and transmitted to the inner shell and onto the skull of a helmet user. A method and mold for fabricating the column manifold are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Richard A. Brandt, Dragoslav Scepanovic
  • Patent number: 10882482
    Abstract: The inner side of the crush can 4 in the vehicle width direction extends forward relative to the outer side. The inner side of the crush can 4 in the vehicle width direction is formed with the cutout portions 70 to 73 by cutting off a part of a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniyoshi Tashiro, Ippei Kuroda, Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10816054
    Abstract: An energy absorber includes a monolithic length of ductile material comprising a first end and a second end. The material is formed to include at least a first longitudinally extending section that extends continuously between the ends, a first discontinuous section extending longitudinally from the first end toward the second end and at least a second discontinuous section extending longitudinally from the second end toward the first end. The first longitudinally extending section is deformed over at least a portion thereof out of a plane running through both ends. The first discontinuous section and the second discontinuous section are connected such that tensile force of a threshold magnitude is required between the ends to disconnect the first discontinuous section from the second discontinuous section, letting the first longitudinally extending section free to deform under tensile force and extend in longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Shane Patton, Brian C. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10703484
    Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant, and a method for fabricating an aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant are provided. In one non-limiting example, the aircraft seat assembly includes a seat structure and a seat cushion that is supported by the seat structure. A vibration mitigating apparatus is operatively coupled to the seat structure to prevent or reduce vibrations from transferring to the seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Knight
  • Patent number: 10696255
    Abstract: An impact absorbing element comprising a tubular body for absorbing the impact energy in a vehicle is proposed, the impact absorbing element having a double honeycomb-shaped cross section and being configured as a 10-face polygonal line, and honeycomb points being configured which are situated at a spacing (b2) from one another of approximately half the overall height (b1) of the impact absorbing element and define a width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Roland Keller, Satish Shivpanor
  • Patent number: 10669004
    Abstract: A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft includes an airframe having a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular relative to the transverse axis. A transmission and rotor support platform is arranged in the airframe. A transmission is supported by the transmission and rotor support platform. An energy attenuation system mechanically links the transmission and rotor support platform with the airframe. The energy attenuation system includes a first plurality of collapsible support members selectively facilitating rotation of the transmission and rotor support platform about the transverse axis and a second plurality of collapsible support members, the first and second pluralities of support members selectively facilitating translation of the transmission and rotor support platform along an axis that is substantially parallel to the rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan R. Goodworth
  • Patent number: 10660389
    Abstract: A helmet has inner and outer shells separated by a plurality of interconnected relatively soft columns or posts. The columns each have a middle post or pillar section, a capital that is of larger diameter than the post, and a base also of larger transverse dimension than the post. When an impact above a design threshold occurs on the outer shell, the columns, particularly the post sections thereof, near the impact location compress and buckle, dissipating impact kinetic energy, while columns spaced from the impact zone stretch and support more of the impact force. The applied force is therefore reduced and spread out over a relatively large area, and a resultant wave created within the column manifold disperses additional heat, further reducing the force and torque applied on the outer shell and transmitted to the inner shell and onto the skull of a helmet user. A method and mold for fabricating the column manifold are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventors: Richard A. Brandt, Dragoslav Scepanovic
  • Patent number: 10661741
    Abstract: There is provided a crash box comprising a pedestal portion attached to one of two members that are placed in an inward-outward direction of a vehicle; and a bottomed tubular portion integrally molded with the pedestal portion and configured to include a base end portion that is arranged to rise from the pedestal portion and an extended portion that is extended from the base end portion and that has a leading end wall which forms a bottom of the tubular portion and which is attached to the other of the two members, wherein the tubular portion is configured such that a side wall of the extended portion has a smaller thickness than a thickness of a side wall of the base end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Kaneko, Takafumi Hayashi, Katsuhiko Nakajo, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo, Tamaki Obayashi, Kyosuke Matsui
  • Patent number: 10647358
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10640066
    Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a fin supported by the bumper beam. The fin extends along an axis from a proximate end proximate to the bumper beam to a distal end distal to the bumper beam. The fin has a sinuous cross section and a thickness each normal to the axis. The thickness at the distal end is less than the thickness at the proximate end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Ching-Hung Chuang, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Ninad Trifale, Nirmal Muralidharan, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 10618483
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first polymer and a first plurality of reinforcing fibers. The first component includes a first peripheral wall defining a first interior compartment. A first interior portion of the first peripheral wall includes a first corrugated surface. A second component includes a second polymer and a second plurality of reinforcing fibers. The second component includes a second peripheral wall. A second interior portion of the second peripheral wall includes a second corrugated surface. The first corrugated surface is complementary to the second corrugated surface. The first corrugated surface is joined to the second corrugated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Newcomb, Hamid G. Kia
  • Patent number: 10576921
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle includes a bumper crossmember and a deformation element which is arranged on the bumper crossmember and which has a first element and a second element which are displaceable relative to each other in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle, and a mechanical locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a movable locking element which is pretensionable or is pretensioned with a spring device and which is arranged on the first element or on the second element, and with a depression or step to which the other of the first element and the second element can be latched in a form-fitting manner. In the event of a high displacement speed which is greater than or equal to a predetermined second displacement speed, the locking mechanism prevents displacement of the first element relative to the second element by means of self-locking of the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hiermaier, Oeztzan Akif, Gerhard Fichtinger, Wilhelm Riedl
  • Patent number: 10578178
    Abstract: An energy absorber (10, 10?, 1010, 1110) includes a monolithic length of ductile material (20,1020,1120) comprising a first end (20a, 1020a, 1120a) and a second end (20b, 1020b, 1120b). The material is formed to include at least a first longitudinally extending section (40, 401, 1040, 1140) that extends continuously between the ends, a first discontinuous section (50a, 50a? 1050a, 1150a) extending longitudinally from the first end toward the second end and at least a second discontinuous section (50b, 50b?, 1050b, 1150b) extending longitudinally from the second end toward the first end. The first longitudinally extending section is deformed over at least a portion thereof out of a plane running through both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Justin Shane Patton, Brian C Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10538213
    Abstract: A vehicle frame member includes a first wall portion formed into a band plate shape extending in a predetermined direction, a second wall portion and a third wall portion formed into a band plate shape extending in the predetermined direction, the second wall portion and the third wall portion extending in a first direction and in a second direction, respectively, from opposite ends of the first wall portion in a width direction of the first wall portion. Respective recessed groove portions extending in the predetermined direction are formed on respective outer surfaces of the second wall portion and the third wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Hodoya, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo
  • Patent number: 10487465
    Abstract: A guardrail extruder head includes: top and bottom feeder channels; an impact plate having a face for facing oncoming traffic, wherein the face of the impact plate has an upper substantially planar area and a lower substantially planar area separated by a horizontal tooth projecting out between the upper and lower areas; a top plate connecting the impact plate to the top feeder channel; a bottom plate connecting the impact plate to the bottom feeder channel; a front extruder plate coupled between the top and bottom plates; a curved deflector plate attached to the front extruder plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates; a front brace on the front extruder plate near the curved deflector plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates; a back extruder plate opposite to the front extruder plate and coupled between the top and bottom plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua Harman, Donald Leo Monin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10486636
    Abstract: A side pillar air curtain guide includes a main body having a ramp receiver and an air curtain ramp insert connected to the main body. The air curtain ramp insert is of honeycomb construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diego Fabricio Villacres Mesias, Alfredo Cuevas Vega, Hector Hernandez Hernandez, Robert Ralph Armitage, Jr., Amy Marie Boardman
  • Patent number: 10464516
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing knee bolster frame (10) for a vehicle (1) comprises a longitudinal knee contact member (20), a first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member (30) and a second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member (40). The first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member (30) and the second energy-absorbing transverse bracket member (40) extend in a transverse direction (Y) and are spaced apart on the longitudinal knee contact member (20). The longitudinal knee contact member (20) has a knee contact surface (22) for receiving a part of a knee (80) of an occupant (P) upon a collision. The first energy-absorbing transverse bracket member (30) has a cross section defining an open profile, and is adapted at one end (32) to engage with a vehicle interior component (100), and includes a plurality of first deformation segments (34A-N) configured for absorbing energy generated by a knee impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christer Gewert, Henrik Hellekant
  • Patent number: 10428894
    Abstract: Provided is a resin-made impact absorption member including: an impact absorption portion which includes a fiber-reinforced resin material containing reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic resin and has a hollow structure including an outer cylindrical portion and a hollow portion, in which the reinforcing fiber has an average fiber length of 1 mm to 100 mm, the thermoplastic resin has a fracture elongation of 10% or more, the fiber-reinforced resin material has a compressive elastic modulus of 10 GPa or more and a compressive strength of 150 MPa to 500 MPa, and in the impact absorption portion, a maximum value of a ratio L1/t1 of a distance L1 from a position of the center of gravity to the outer cylindrical portion on a same section in a sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to an impact absorption direction, to a thickness t1 of the outer cylindrical portion, is 40 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Shuhei Onoue, Tadashi Yamaji, Keizo Yokoyama, Kohei Oka
  • Patent number: 10422401
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure includes a first mounting fixture having a base and a cavity formed in the base. The cavity is structured to receive a portion of an energy-absorbing member therein. The cavity has at least one wall, a bottom, and at least a pair of opposed crush initiator portions extending between the at least one wall and the bottom. A portion of an energy-absorbing member is inserted into the cavity. The energy-absorbing member is in contact with the first mounting fixture along the first mounting fixture crush initiator portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 10370092
    Abstract: A vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus comprises at least one shear tab for controlling an amount of impact load applied to a vehicle structure when a vehicle impact event occurs. The vehicle load-limiting suspension apparatus further comprises at least one crush tube for limiting the amount of impact load applied to the vehicle structure after the at least one shear tab shears in response to occurrence of the vehicle impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Akif O. Bolukbasi, Timothy R. Gleason
  • Patent number: 10330168
    Abstract: A vehicle beam is provided. The vehicle beam may include an outer tube having four outer walls an inner tube having four inner walls inside the outer tube and a first set and a second set of ribs. The first set of ribs may extend from a midpoint of each inner wall to a midpoint of each outer wall. The second set of ribs may extend from a midpoint of each of the first set of ribs to one corner of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tau Tyan
  • Patent number: 10300874
    Abstract: A front-end carrier for a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The front-end carrier has at least one cross member element and at least two lateral strut elements which are connected to one another via the cross member element and extend downward in the vertical direction of the vehicle away from the cross member element. Via the strut elements, the front-end carrier can be supported on a main longitudinal support plane of the passenger vehicle. At least one further load plane is above the main longitudinal support plane and below the cross member element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jens Humpenoeder, Robin Kaiser, Thomas Metzner, Joerg Russ
  • Patent number: 10286865
    Abstract: A crash box for a vehicle, which mediates a back beam and a side member disposed in a width direction of the vehicle and absorbs crash energy when a crash occurs, may include a connecting body including a front coupling portion coupled to the back beam, a pair of side connecting portions bent from the front coupling portion to face each other, and a rear coupling portion extending from an end portion of each of the side connecting portions by being bent to be coupled to the side member; and a pair of connecting plates coupled to open upper and lower end portions of the connecting body, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., Hanwha Advanced Materials Corporation, Automobile Industrial Ace
    Inventors: Sang Wook Nam, Hyun Gyung Kim, Seok Jae Park, Jeong Du Noh, Ki Jo Jeong
  • Patent number: 10286933
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a honeycomb type cowcatcher and energy absorber for rail transit vehicles, comprising a high rigidity supporting back frame for cowcatcher and energy absorber, arranged detachably on a frame body of rail transit vehicle; at least one honeycomb type cowcatcher and energy absorber unit fixedly screwed on supporting back frame, applied to absorbing an impact energy generated by collision through plastic deformation; the honeycomb type unit comprises honeycomb structured accommodation cavity, where a honeycomb structure arranged. Through a method of mounting a honeycomb type unit onto the high rigidity supporting back frame, the present invention makes part of energy have been absorbed by the unit before a rigid collision between obstacle and train body happens, thus weakens a relatively large impact afforded by train body, therefore, decreases a damage from obstacle to train body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CANSINGA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Changjie Luo, Wenze Yu, Zhaojing Liu, Shun Hu
  • Patent number: 10266269
    Abstract: An inertia reel mount for a seat includes a slide, a carriage arranged to support a seatbelt inertia reel, and a damper. The carriage is movable between first and second positions relative to the slide. The damper is fixed to the slide, is arranged between the carriage and the slide to oppose movement of the carriage, and is arranged to absorb kinetic energy from the carriage from sudden acceleration of a seat occupant secured in the seat by the seatbelt as the carriage moves from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Barton J. Hainsworth, Walter Thomas Mayo, IV
  • Patent number: 10214866
    Abstract: An end treatment array for crash attenuation includes a transition barrier module formed of side walls, end walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the module walls together define an enclosed interior space. The end treatment array further includes a containment impact sled having an axially extending frame. The frame has a width sufficient to contain the transition barrier module within the frame when in an assembled configuration, and has an axial length which is at least one-half the length of the transition barrier module. The frame defines an interior volume, the purpose of which is to contain a substantial portion of the transition barrier module in the assembled configuration, and to contain debris caused by destruction of the plastic barrier modules in a vehicular impact. The containment impact sled is attached to the transition barrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Felipe Almanza, Jeremy Smith
  • Patent number: 10207747
    Abstract: A reinforcement member is provided and includes a reinforcement unit that has a pair of reinforcement unit bodies. Each of the reinforcement unit bodies has a protruding surface protruding from a middle part of the reinforcement unit body relative to a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement unit body. The protruding surfaces of the reinforcement unit bodies are in contact with each other while opposing each other, and opposite end parts of the reinforcement unit have rectangular cross sections when cutting the reinforcement unit perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the reinforcement unit. A plurality of reinforcement units are arranged and the cross sections of the opposite end parts of the reinforcement units form columns and rows of the reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hoon Chang, Dong Keun Yoo, Huen Sick Min
  • Patent number: 10202025
    Abstract: A vehicle roof module having a transparent roof element and a roller blind apparatus arranged under the roof element and having a roller blind track, which is wound on a winding shaft and can be pulled out to cover the underside of the roof element, and which is guided by a drain edge when pulled out from the winding shaft, wherein, according to the invention, foam material attached on or around the roof element contains a drain edge body having the drain edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Guido Bott
  • Patent number: 10174540
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a heat-insulated carcass which has an inner container with a cool able interior space for storing food, a refrigeration device for cooling the interior space, an electromechanical opening assisting device, and a door leaf mounted to the carcass for opening and closing the interior space. The opening assisting device contains an actuator configured to open the door leaf automatically by displacement of a control body. The actuator has a displaceable base body, a plunger mounted in the base body as the control body and an overload protection device arresting the plunger in the base body. The overload protection device fixes the plunger rigidly in the base body, for as long as an impact force acting on the plunger remains smaller than a trigger force and to release the plunger from the base body as soon as an impact force acting on the plunger exceeds the trigger force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Heydel, Nikolaus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10151108
    Abstract: Architectural precast concrete construction relies on mechanical connectors at discrete location that may be damaged in a blast or seismic event, posing specific design problems to the engineer. These problems can be overcome with proper detailing. The performance of precast concrete cladding wall panel connection details may be enhanced by incorporating a specific connection hardware, herein described, that deforms elastically or inelastically to accommodate relative displacements due to building motion and/or energy associated with blast pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 10119348
    Abstract: An inner barrel assembly for use with a coring tool may include a sleeve located coaxially within an inner barrel in a telescoping manner. The core barrel assembly may also include a cap located above a top end of the sleeve when the inner barrel assembly is in an initial coring position. The cap may include a skirt having a portion extending downwardly from the cap. A coring tool including an inner barrel assembly and methods of forming an inner barrel assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Audun Kvinnesland
  • Patent number: 10087625
    Abstract: Architectural precast concrete construction relies on mechanical connectors at discrete location that may be damaged in a blast or seismic event, posing specific design problems to the engineer. These problems can be overcome with proper detailing. The performance of precast concrete cladding wall panel connection details may be enhanced by incorporating a specific connection hardware, herein described, that deforms elastically or inelastically to accommodate relative displacements due to building motion and/or energy associated with blast pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Mark Hildebrand
  • Patent number: 10052984
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating vehicle seating system that includes a seat configured for guided motion relative to a vehicle compartment over a stroking distance, and an energy attenuating component with a first end attached to the seat, a second end configured for attachment to the vehicle compartment, and an intermediate point configured for guided motion relative to the vehicle compartment. The energy attenuating component is configured to remain rigid and prevent the seat from moving under loads less than a predetermined threshold value, yet deform in a progressive, predictable manner in response to a load exceeding the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Armorworks Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Bosen, Joshua Steven Campbell
  • Patent number: 10043597
    Abstract: A package (100) comprising storage packaging (1) as well as a confinement canister (3) for irradiated fuel, the packaging comprising a lateral body (2) which extends around a longitudinal axis (12) of the packaging and which includes an internal surface (22) which delimits a cavity for housing the canister (3), the packaging furthermore comprising at least one assembly (15) forming a guide rail for the canister in the cavity, mounted on the lateral body (2) and protruding at least partly into the housing cavity (4). According to the invention, the assembly forming a guide rail (15) includes an impact shock absorbing element (28) designed to absorb the shock, by plastic deformation, of a lateral impact between the packaging (1) and the confinement canister (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: TN INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Vincent De Gasquet, Vianney Chapuis, Stéphane Nallet, Louis Vilela, Christophe Vallentin, Carine Hoffmann
  • Patent number: RE47971
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Tanner, Kim Tat, Stephen B. Oltman, Meihui Lin