Abstract: An energy absorber device having a hollow body of generally conical shape. The hollow body is formed by at least two truncated or cylindrical segments, aligned with each other along their axes of extension and/or symmetry, with successive sections being of decreasing width. The various truncated or cylindrical segments are connected to each other by intermediate portions defining, with the aforementioned segments, recesses or steps. The hollow body can be crushed into itself by a return of the segments of smaller dimension into the adjacent segments of larger dimension, generally telescopically. The device is dimensioned such that the base segment has a height equal to X and the other segments of smaller width have a height corresponding to about 2X.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing padding includes multiple stacked base layers, each of which includes a plurality of projecting, hollow, hemispherical or dome-shaped impact-absorbing elements defining respective convex impact surfaces. The elements of a first base layer, which either project in a direction opposite those of at least one other base layer or project in the same direction in a nested relationship, provide a staged response characteristic in which the first elements of a first base layer accommodate initial and off-axis occupant impacts, while the elements of the at least one other layers provide additional stiffness and energy absorption capability subsequent to at least a partial collapse of the first elements. The wall thickness of the elements may advantageously vary, for example, as a function of distance from the base layer, while a plurality of strengthening ribs may advantageously further serve to enhance the energy absorption capacity of the elements.

Abstract: An energy absorber device having a hollow body of generally conical shape. The hollow body is formed by at least two truncated or cylindrical segments, aligned with each other along their axes of extension and/or symmetry, with successive sections being of decreasing width. The various truncated or cylindrical segments are connected to each other by intermediate portions defining, with the aforementioned segments, recesses or steps. The hollow body can be crushed into itself by a return of the segments of smaller dimension into the adjacent segments of larger dimension, generally telescopically. The device is dimensioned such that the base segment has a height equal to X and the other segments of smaller width have a height corresponding to about 2X.