Abstract: A break-away bracket for mounting and supporting window coverings has a mounting base and one or more break-away segments. The segments are interconnected end to end along frangible connections and extend from the mounting base. Each of the one or more break-away segments has a support element extending from one end. A most distal one of the support elements is exposed for supporting or mounting window coverings. Upon removal of the most distal one of the break-away segments or removal of more than one of the segments, a next adjacent one of the support elements becomes exposed for supporting or mounting window coverings.

Abstract: A signpost assembly includes a spring-loaded connector designed for connecting a signpost to an anchor member, the signpost being designed to shear off when struck forcefully. The signpost has at least one opening. The connector has a bracket with at least a first support side defining an opening and a second support side, and a base connecting the support sides. The connector also has at least one pin which is spring biased. The pin has an alignment knob at one end. The spring biases the pin between a first compressed position and a second expanded position. The opening in the support side allows the alignment knob to protrude through. The assembled connector is held in place by the spring's tension against the spring side of the stop flanges.

Abstract: A sign stand has a mast with a flexible upper portion. The flexible upper portion of the mast inhibits the mast from piercing a windshield of a vehicle when the sign stand is struck by the vehicle. The sign stand may have a sign mounted on the mast flexible upper portion. Additionally, a top end of the mast flexible upper portion extends beyond a top edge of the sign. The mast flexible upper portion may have other items attached to it, such as a flag holder, a light mounting bracket, a light, or sign mounting brackets. The sign mounted to the flexible upper mast may be metal, such as aluminum, composite materials, or fabric. The mast also has a lower portion that is connected to a support stand. The mast lower portion may be flexibly connected to the support stand. The mast may be made up of two or more parts. The mast may be telescopic. The upper and lower portions of the mast may be in a telescopic relationship.

Abstract: A yieldable portable highway sign stand is provided. The sign stand comprises a base, and a sign support coupled to and extending upwardly from the base for supporting a highway sign above the ground. The sign support includes a generally rigid, generally upright portion having a first breakaway section that is yieldable along a first direction when subjected to a sufficient load at least partially along the first direction, and a second breakaway section that is yieldable along a second direction when subjected to a sufficient load at least partially along the second direction.

Abstract: A breakaway utility pole preferably made from plastic material. The pole includes a first portion buried in the ground and protruding therefrom. A second elongated portion is interfitted into the first portion above the ground, and is designed to fracture upon impact by a car or truck. The pole includes an upper portion, interfitted into the second portion, and which carries the utility wires. When the second portion is fractured, it can be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A breakaway bracket assembly (10) for connecting two structural members, such as a sign post (12) and a base (14). The bracket (10) has a first end strap (20) configured for attachment to the post (12) and a second end strap (22) configured for attachment to the base (14). The first and second end straps (20, 22) are integrally formed with a central section (24) that comprises a pair of flanges (28, 30) having a pre-formed brake point (34) that will fail when the first and second end straps (20, 22) are subjected to a predetermined load.

Abstract: A support pole including a baseplate attached to a footing and having a central opening formed therein. A hollow shaft has its lower end received by the central opening in the baseplate. The lower end of the shaft is shaped to provide one or more deformations which facilitate the shaft to baseplate connection.

Abstract: A simple, low cost energy absorbing shear strip bender that provides constant load, tailored load, or adjustable load/displacement profiles for use in any application where a single use energy absorber is required. Examples include, but are not limited to: a spinal load attenuator for use in crash-resistant aircraft seats; crash-resistant aircraft landing gear; aircraft or automotive restraint harness attachments; cargo or high-mass item tie-downs; automotive bumper attachments; and collapsible steering columns. The present invention comprises a shear plate or other base material, a shear strip integral to the shear plate, and a shear strip tab, all of which are formed from a single sheet of ductile material. The energy absorber attaches to two objects and begins to displace when opposing forces applied to the shear plate and shear strip tab reach the design limit value such that shear strip shears and plastically deforms, i.e., bends.

Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A safety device may be used to provide separation in the event of a side impact collision. The device may be used in a utility pole guy wire system, interposed between the guy wire and the ground anchor. The device operates in bending. A lateral force of sufficient magnitude applied to the device by the errant vehicle causes a rod within the device to break in tension, even though the tensile strength of the rod may be greater than that of the guy wire. In operation, certain massive portions of the device are tied safely to the ground, while other portions are pulled over the moving vehicle by the tension of the guy wire. The invention may be designed to tolerate axial loads, but to fail reliably when a side force exceeds a desired threshold. When installed in series with a utility pole guy wire, the invention will withstand all normal tensile and incidental loads, and will release when subjected to a high side force as from an automobile impact.

Abstract: A sign-mounting system for mounting a sign to a structure, includes a frame portion mountable to the sign and a mounting portion mountable to the structure. The system can be symmetrical with each side having coupling elements of the frame and mounting portions which include generally circular rims which fit generally concentrically one within the other. Each rim has locking parts of different radius than adjacent portions of that rim, and the locking parts of respective rims engage to resist rotation. The locking parts can be configured so that resistance to rotation occurs at a plurality of orientations. The respective locking parts can be of different arc lengths to provide a limited range of rotation before the locking parts resist rotation, and a spring can bias rotation in one direction. At least one of the coupling elements can be reversible with two opposite-facing rims.

Abstract: A cable holder for attachment of cables in a vehicle structure is formed as an elongated plate provided with indicator markings at predetermined spacing along longitudinal edges of the plate so that the plate can be divided into plate segments of determined length at the markings. Two rows of retainer elements which form open loops at the upper surface of the plate are provided. The retainer elements are adapted to secure the connectors of the cables to the plate. The retainer elements in one row are longitudinally offset from the retainer elements of the other row such that a retainer element in one row extends between two retainer elements in the other row.

Abstract: The device is a swivel clip or swivel prong with a relatively rotatable swivel and base elements. The swivel element rotates about a shaft which passes through an aperture in the base element. The swivel clip is initially formed in one piece by molding windows in an upper portion of the swivel element which are opposed to molding windows in a lower portion of the swivel element (that is, alternating around the periphery of the shaft). The windows meet in the base member, forming the swivel shaft, the swivel aperture and the internal gates as a single piece. Subsequently breaking the internal gates provides vestiges which support the swivel shaft within the aperture. Radially oriented upwardly extending inverted V-shaped support boss formed on the swivel and base elements position the swivel and base elements with respect to each other.

Abstract: A breakaway sign post connector includes a shear member and a bushing. The shear member includes a first end, a second end, and a necked down section intermediate the first and second ends. A shoulder is attached to the second end, and a resilient bushing is positioned over the shoulder and surrounds the shear member. When attached to an anchor plate and a support plate for a sign post, the bushing strengthens the connector and resists wind shear while allowing the shear member to fracture in the necked down section at a predetermined impact load.

Abstract: A stand for supporting sump pumps within a sump container at an elevation above the floor of the container, having an out-of-round somewhat-circular platform having a weakened partition line for breaking or cutting the platform into two similar somewhat semi-circular half-platforms. The platform has a plurality of spaced peripheral legs fastened thereto and a plurality of closely-spaced central legs fastened to the undersurface adjacent the center thereof, whereby the stand can support two sump pumps, side-by-side, above the floor of the container and to avoid any clogging of the pumps with dirt or mud present on the container floor. The platform can be divided along the partition line to produce two similar stackable half-stands, each half-stand having at least two peripheral legs and at least one central leg for supporting a single sump pump within a sump container adjacent the interior wall thereof.

Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) is disclosed as including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a void under a structural concrete slab which includes a body having a bottom surface with projections which deform and then collapse after a preset displacement in response to subgrade compressive stress.

Abstract: Replacement of a damaged post for a parking meter can be accomplished by cutting the post off near the ground and affixing a replacement post to the stub of the original post with a retaining device which grips the two portions of the post from inside the post. The retaining device is only reachable through the post when the meter head is removed, thus preserving the integrity of the post from vandals.

Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) is disclosed as including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A pole or the like formed by an anchoring member and a vertical member which are linked by a linking piece having a zone of lower resistance to force. Block members are provided at the opposite ends of the anchoring member and the vertical member each of which has a central bore for receiving the linking piece and at least one of the block members has a surface slopping from its center towards it periphery such that a space between the opposite block members is greater at the periphery of the pole than at its center.

Abstract: A reflective mounting member mountable to a traffic sign post to augment the warning capability of the sign post or to provide a text message, the sign post being defined by a rear wall, divergent side walls extending from said rear wall and terminating in opposing planar flanges thereby defining a U-shaped longitudinal channel, the mounting member having a U-shaped channel formed therein such that it mates about the exterior of the U-shaped channel of the traffic sign post and is mounted thereto.

Abstract: A mailbox post includes a movable joint, an elastic element connected to said post at two locations, one on each side of the joint, supportive against tension force between the two locations and connected to the post at a third location between the two locations, supportive against twisting force on the joint.

Abstract: A collapsible post structure having a fragile region that allows the post to collapse when the latter is struck. The post structure includes an elongated anchoring member. The anchoring member having an anchoring member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining an anchoring member inner surface. The post structure also includes an elongated supporting member. The supporting member having a supporting member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining a supporting member inner surface. The post structure further includes a connecting component, the connecting component having a connecting component first section and a connecting component second section. The connecting component first section and the connecting component second section are configured and sized so as to be respectively insertable into the anchoring member hollow section and the supporting member hollow section.

Abstract: A breakaway bracket assembly (10) for connecting two structural members, such as a sign post (12) and a base (14). The bracket (10) has a first end strap (20) configured for attachment to the post (12) and a second end strap (22) configured for attachment to the base (14). The first and second end straps (20, 22) are integrally formed with a central section (24) that comprises a pair of flanges (28, 30) having a preformed brake point (34) that will fail when the first and second end straps (20, 22) are subjected to a predetermined load.

Abstract: An energy absorbing high impact cable device having a ring damper with first and second ends for attachment to at least one mesh net panel. The damper further includes a retainer for retaining the first and second ends, and to maintain a circular damper according to a predetermined stiffness for impact restraint. The ring damper further includes a cover, which is hermetically sealed around the cable to prevent degradation. A cable-to-loop fastener mechanically secures the cable device to at least one mesh net panel to form a linked arrangement. This particular arrangement translates absorbed energy within a plane of the panels to prevent structural deformation within the device due to rolling rock energies beyond a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: The sign post coupler is a breakaway coupler for use with highway signs having a sign post and a ground post. The coupler is a hollow, tubular, integral coupler made from ductile iron and having a sign post socket, a ground post socket, and a shear section joining the two sockets. The sign post socket has a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending vertically for 360.degree. around the bottom wall, the socket defining a cavity for receiving and supporting one end of the sign post. The ground post socket has a top wall and at least one side wall depending vertically for 360.degree. around the bottom wall, the socket defining a cavity for receiving and being supported by one end of the ground post. The sockets taper inwardly towards the center of the coupler to define a shear section having an annular groove of reduced thickness defined therein. The shear section breaks upon impact of a vehicle with the sign post to separate the post sections.

Abstract: A highway guardrail terminal system having horizontally extending guardrail elements mounted on a plurality of posts. An anchor cable release bracket attached to a rail element by sleeved mounting bolts has an arrangement of slots and openings to quickly release an anchor cable system from the guardrail.

Abstract: A multi-section support post for a reflective, roadway delineator that collapses upon impact at a replaceable joint. A ground stake and a sign stake are joined together with hardwood blocks that are separated with a material having a large coefficient of friction. The blocks are secured with a pivot bolt to recessed channels at the stakes. An intervening layer of tarpaper is compressed between the blocks. The sign stake collapses at the joint upon impact, such as from a snowplow. A reflective roadway delineator rotates about a pivot bolt or axle that projects from the sign stake.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a gas meter from settling when fill dirt surrounding a plastic gas line settles with time including a rigid protective sleeve, positioned in surrounding relation to the plastic gas pipe line. A support rod is provided which has one end resting upon a footer of the building. The other end of the support rod is secured to an upper end of the protective sleeve. At the bottom of the protective sleeve, a break-away pipe support fixture is secured to the protective sleeve. The support fixture extends away from the protective sleeve and is positioned to releasably hold a looped slack portion of the plastic gas supply line before the supply line extends into the protective sleeve.

Abstract: A connection between a collapsible mast jacket of an energy absorbing steering column and a body of a motor vehicle including a mounting bracket on the mast jacket having a planar flange parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the steering column, a V-shaped slot in the planar flange, and a V-shaped capsule in the V-shaped slot clamped rigidly to the body of the motor vehicle. A pair of channels in converging sides of the V-shaped capsule receive corresponding edges of the V-shaped slot for vertical support of the mast jacket on the vehicle body. The V-shaped capsule is retained on the mounting bracket by a pair of integral lugs on opposite sides of the V-shaped capsule seated in retaining notches in the edges of the V-shaped slot. Impact forces on the steering column fracture the integral lugs to release the mast jacket for energy absorbing collapse.

Abstract: A device for holding down solar panels with a holding-down bolt and for releasing the solar panels after shearing off with a pyrotechnical striking pin device is arranged on the outer side of the solar panels. After severing with the striking pin and after lifting out of the striking pin device with a spring, the holding-down bolt pivots out of spacers, which are connected to the solar panels via crossbolts, as a result of which the solar panels can be freely unfolded.

Abstract: In a shift lever to which operating force for changing a transmission by a driver is applied, a basal end thereof is inserted in a hole formed in a lever holder. Movement of the shift lever in the axial direction is prevented by an elastic member. When large force acts in the axial direction of the shift lever, the elastic member deflects and the shift lever moves in the axial direction, thereby allowing absorption of the load applied to the shift lever.

Abstract: The device is a swivel clip with a relatively stationary base element and a relatively rotatable swivel element. The swivel element rotates about a shaft which passes through an aperture in the base element. The swivel clip is initially formed in one piece by molding windows in an upper portion of the swivel element which are opposed to molding windows in a lower portion of the swivel element (that is, alternating around the periphery of the shaft). The windows meet in the base member, forming the swivel shaft, the swivel aperture and the internal gates as a single piece. Subsequently breaking the internal gates provides vestiges which support the swivel shaft within the aperture.

Abstract: A steering column in an automotive vehicle is supported by a stationary wall that carries two capsules on either side of the steering column. The steering column has an attachment wall that extends within the capsules. Each capsule has two support walls sandwiched around the attachment wall and a tubular connector joining the support walls together. Severable ribs are integral with the tubular connector and in contact with edge areas of the attachment wall, such that in a crash situation the steering column can collapse forwardly to minimize chest injury to the driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: The traffic light assembly includes a mounting pole, and two arms attached to the pole by straps and a breakaway cap, thereby securing a traffic light housing to the mounting pole. The breakaway cap secures the traffic light housing to the arms and provides for the breakaway function.

Abstract: A breakaway safety sign support post for obtaining predictable and reliable separation of an upper post section from a lower post section anchored in a substrate, when the post is struck by a vehicle. In a specific construction, the lower post section is adapted to be imbedded in the ground, with an upper end projecting a predetermined limited distance above the surface of the ground. The upper, post section is secured in overlapping, parallel relationship with the lower post section and is secured thereto with frangible fasteners to define a breakaway joint. The post sections each have a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape, including a longitudinal center web with a plurality of holes spaced uniformly along its length, and outwardly divergent side walls at opposite sides of the web, terminating in laterally outwardly projecting flanges.

Abstract: An anchor plate (2) mounted on the outside (15) of an inner vehicle body panel (8) having an elongate member with first, second and third holes (22,24,26) aligned on the plate (2), the second hole (22) being disposed between the first and third holes (24,26), and closer to the first hole (24) the third hole (26), the first hole (24) being directed to the front of the vehicle and the third hole (26) being directed to the rear of the vehicle. First, second and third nuts (32,34,36) are aligned with the first, second and third holes (22,24,26), respectively, for receiving respective bolts and screws (16,18,20) which fix the anchor plate (2) to the inner vehicle body panel (8).

Abstract: A sign post is formed of a lower support component for anchoring within terrain, leaving an exposed upper portion at the surface of such terrain. The support component includes an array of longitudinally regularly spaced apertures. An upper support component having the same regular spacing of apertures is attached to the lower component at the exposed portion through the utilization of a splicing technique. The splice is formed as a stress transfer component having two strategically positioned boltways therein. These boltways are spaced apart longitudinally a distance representing an even integer of the upper and lower component aperture spacings. The boltways are configured having a small threaded region adjacent one surface. Bolts having a threadless shank and threaded region therebelow are slidably inserted through one of the components into the stress transfer whereupon they are rotated for preassembly engagement with the minor threaded regions of the stress transfer component.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the height of automobile vehicle seats having an arm of the mechanism which is hinged on a support around a hinge shaft. It is formed of two elements connected by a pivot and at least a connecting member with a predetermined rupture load. One of the elements includes a main set of teeth in the form of an arc of a circle centred on the hinge shaft and the other element includes a secondary set of teeth with same centre. A pinion located between the two sets of teeth meshes only with the main set of teeth when the two elements of the arm are securely attached. In case of an excessive load on the arm, the connection is broken and the secondary set of teeth meshes with the pinion subsequent to the relative pivoting of the two elements and prevents the rotation of the pinion.

Abstract: A collapsible post structure having a frangible region that allows the post to collapse when the latter is struck. The post structure includes an elongated anchoring member. The anchoring member having an anchoring member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining an anchoring member inner surface. The post structure also includes an elongated supporting member. The supporting member having a supporting member hollow section that extends longitudinally into one longitudinal end thereof and defining a supporting member inner surface. The post structure further includes a connecting component, the connecting component having a connecting component first section and a connecting component second section. The connecting component first section and the connecting component second section are configured and sized so as to be respectively insertable into the anchoring member hollow section and the supporting member hollow section.

Abstract: A breakaway mounting system for mounting a structure to a fixed support surface has a plurality of elongated mounting members extending generally perpendicular to the support surface. An attachment plate is coupled with the structure to be mounted. The attachment plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein, and each of the mounting members extends through one of the apertures. A plurality of shearing plates are provided. Each shearing plate generally surrounds one of the mounting members and is positioned between the support surface and the attachment plate. Each shearing plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The area of the shearing plate upper surface is substantially smaller than the area of a lower surface of the attachment plate, and the area of the shearing plate lower surface is substantially smaller than the area of the support surface. A fastener is attached to the mounting member for securing the attachment plate to the support surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat construction with a rear impact energy absorbing damping system along with a fully adjustable, fitted, contoured seat back. First and second damping systems are provided, the first being between the seat base and the floor of the vehicle with the second being between the seat base and seat: back. The damping systems include shock absorbing devices in the track construction and in the seat base construction in the region of connection to the seat back. The seat back is provided with a vertical telescoping and pivoting support frame arrangement for height and contour adjustment for the occupant, and air bags for adjusting the contour of the seat back to the back of the occupant. The seat back construction includes configurable and positionable components for the lower back, the middle back and the head/neck area of the occupant, each component including inflatable pockets for contouring of the front surface of the seat back.

Abstract: A sign post is formed of a lower support component for anchoring within terrain, leaving an exposed upper portion above the surface of such terrain. The support component includes an array of longitudinally regularly spaced apertures. An upper support component formed having the same cross-sectional configuration and regularly spaced apertures is attached to the lower component at the exposed portion through the utilization of a splicing technique. The splice is formed as a stress transfer bar having two strategically positioned bores therein. These bores are spaced apart longitudinally a distance representing an even integer of the upper and lower component aperture spacing. Breakaway bolts are positioned through one of the components and into and through the stress transfer bar, and then the second component is attached with nuts being positioned and tightened over the bolts as they extend through the stress transfer bar.

Abstract: A roadside standard assembly and maintenance method are provided which facilitate installation, maintenance, and repair of an object suspended over a roadway. The standard assembly comprises a support pole and an arm extending from the pole. The object is supported on the arm, and is normally disposed over a roadway. The standard rotates about the pole, allowing the arm to swing from over the roadway to a roadside position from which the object can be accessed for maintenance without resorting to a road closure. An anchoring structure maintains the upward orientation of the pole, and is optionally retrofittable for existing roadside standard installations.

Abstract: A post device, which is yieldable when hit by a vehicle, comprises a post with a base having at least three spaced-apart fixtures fixedly attached thereto, and a foundation with a fixing device supporting at least three spaced-apart rods, which are arranged to cooperate with the fixtures, thereby securing the post to the foundation. The fixtures are arranged on the outside of the base and embrace the associated rods and are each provided with a through opening or slot which is oriented substantially in the longitudinal direction of the post. Stop devices each engage an associated rod and an upper portion of an associated fixture.

Abstract: Heterocyclic thrombin inhibitors are provided which have the structure ##STR1## wherein n, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, G, G.sub.x, R.sup.6 ', Ra, Xa, R.sup.6, Rb, R.sub.3, p, Q, A and R.sup.4 are as defined herein.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for absorbing energy exerted on the seat during impact including a seat frame having at least one generally vertical segment, a support apparatus including at least one generally vertical pole and at least one coupler fixedly mounted on the at least one pole of the support apparatus and circumferentially mounted on the at least one generally vertical segment of the seat frame, the at least one coupler having at least one deformation member engaging an indentation in the at least one segment such that displacement of the seat frame relative to the support apparatus occurs only when the force of the impact acting on the seat frame exceeds a preselected threshold.

Abstract: A crash barrier including a post secured to a base at its lower end, the post having a front face to which one or more rails are secured, the post also having two side faces and a rear face. The rear face of the post is formed with a horizontally extending notch having upper and lower surfaces. When an impact load is transmitted to the front face of the post, the post is caused to distort in a region including the notch so that the upper and lower surfaces of the notch close towards one another prior to any fracture at or adjacent the front face of the post or at or adjacent its lower end.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column including a longitudinally collapsible mast jacket, a lower mount whereat the mast jacket is supported for vertical pivotal movement, and an upper mount consisting of a pair of stationary rigid strikers and a pair of releasable capsules on the mast jacket each of which receives in plug-in fashion and automatically retains a corresponding one of the strikers. Each of the capsules includes a socket, a plunger bore intersecting the socket, a plunger in the plunger bore, and a plunger spring biasing the plunger toward an extended position partially obstructing the socket. Each striker has a cam at a distal end thereof and an inverted frustoconical body. When the mast jacket is pivoted vertically up, the cams on the strikers shift the plungers inward in the plunger bores.

Abstract: The invention reduces the amount of force and acceleration transmitted to the vehicle occupant in a vehicle subject to the shock of a land mine explosion. In the invention, a set of crushable composite tubes are placed between the vehicle floor and the seat of the vehicle. As the floor moves due to the blast loading, the crushable tubes deform, absorbing the energy of the blast and reducing the acceleration transmitted to the seated occupant.