Abstract: A shock absorbing body for protecting an object, such as an automobile, has an outer wall and end walls, that are attached to a rigid support. The outer wall is deformable on impact, but has a high tensile strength due to a flexible belt imbedded in it. In the area between the outer wall and the rigid support, hollow spaces are formed by pairs of reinforcing walls located throughout the region. The reinforcing walls extend across the region from the outer wall, but do not contact the rigid support. During an impact on the shock absorbing body the outer wall is first deformed until the pairs of reinforcing walls contact the rigid support, thus increasing the strength of the shock absorbing body. If more force is applied, the pairs of reinforcing walls in the area buckle against each other, thereby increasing their strength.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns crush resistant bumpers suitable for use on vehicles. There is disclosed a resilient bumper cushion rigidly mounted on the vehicle and having an outwardly facing impact surface. A flexible belt is connected to the cushion in the vicinity of the impact surface and extends along the entire length of the cushion. The belt is connected to the cushion at points lying along the entire length of the interface between the belt and the cushion in order to disperse localized impact forces throughout the cushion.