Abstract: A structure of absorbing impact energy using a non-metallic interior material for an automobile is provided. The interior material is arranged on the inside of an inner panel of a structure member which includes the inner panel and an outer panel and is formed to have a closed structure in cross section taken along an horizontal imaginary plane. An energy absorbing space in defined between the inner panel and the interior material. A non-metallic energy absorber formed separately from the interior material is mounted on the inner panel or the interior material so as to be arranged in the space.

Abstract: An improved gap sealing device for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and supporting members. The gap sealing device is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap for biasing against the vertically adjacent sidewall panel, and a body that covers the gap to prevent air passage. The head includes inside and outside walls where the inside wall is hingedly attached to the outside wall by a live hinge and movable between open and closed positions to facilitate attachment of the head to the flange of the sidewall panel. A spring clip is placed over the inside and outside walls of the head to maintain and lock the gap sealing device on the flange of the sidewall panel. The gap sealing device may also be used to close the gaps between the sidewall panels and the roof, the floor, and vertical posts of the auto rack railroad car.

Abstract: The vehicle door protection system is comprised of a frame having a support portion and an attachment portion, a shock absorbent member and normally removable fasteners for attaching the frame to a vehicle wall section.

Abstract: A goal post for football or basketball has a vertical post, surrounded by a foam pad. The foam pad is surrounded by an outer layer of a solid or mesh vinyl fabric material, wrapped around and bonded to the foam pad. A zipper is attached to the outer layer of fabric for securing the pad to the post. A cable having a ring on each end is attached to the lower edge of the outer layer of material. The rings can be locked to a ring on the slide fastener to secure the zipper.

Abstract: A bumper is reinforced by a grid of partitions extending from one face thereof with the partitions being adjustable in deformation resistance by further removable interlocking partitions. This enables the bumper strength to be tailored as necessary to each vehicle.

Abstract: A novel elastic bumper assembly for an automotive vehicle or the like, which comprises an elastic bumper member adapted for repetitive cushioning impact, the elastic bumper member being formed of an elastomeric material, which contains imbedded therein a relatively stiff high strength insert member, with the insert member having a fastener device extending outwardly therefrom, and a cup-like holder member adapted to receive and hold one end of the bumper member which has the insert member and fastener protruding therefrom, such that the fastener member protrudes through the holder member and is then securely attached to a supporting position on the automotive vehicle axle or frame.

Abstract: A gap sealer for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and the floor, roof or vertical posts. The gap sealer is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap biasing against the flange of a vertically adjacent sidewall panel, the floor, roof or post, such that the body of the gap sealer covers the gap to prevent air passage. The gap sealer may also include a bumper which protects vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and risking damage. An individual bumper may also be used to protect vehicle doors, and be attached to a sidewall panel by a unique fastener.

Abstract: A damping device is constituted by a substantially cylindrical damper body (1) with an axial through bore (6), where the bore (6) accomodates a central pipe (3) which e.g. can lead a cooling liquid. The central pipe (3) is connected rigidly to or into the machine element to be damped, preferably in a cylindrical and axial cavity in a boring bar (9). Ring-shaped, elastic spring elements (2) placed in the ends of the damper body (1) and between the central pipe (3) and the damper body (1), as well as damping oil (4) in the clearance between the central pipe (3) and the damper body (1) transform motion energy into heat and provide the damping action. The stiffness of the spring elements (2) can optionally be adjusted.

Abstract: A spring element (7) acting in the vertical direction on the rear wheels (12) of a wheelchair is connected on the one hand via a supporting tube (3) to the frame (1) of the wheelchair and on the other hand via a supporting tube (5) for the wheel axle bearing (6) to the wheel axle. The superposed supporting tubes (3, 5) are arranged coaxially with respect to a guide rod (2) fastened on the wheelchair frame (1) and thereby enclose the spring element (7).

Abstract: A fender for absorbing the impact between converging bodies includes a supporting surface, a plurality of bosses and an energy absorbing member. The plurality of bosses protrude from the supporting surface at spaced locations. Each boss has an outer perimeter. The energy absorbing member surrounds the outer perimeter of each boss so that each boss absorbs vertical and horizontal shear forces within the energy absorbing member.

Abstract: A torque strut for an automobile engine is described as having a unique energy absorbing housing in which is mounted a unique energy absorbing device which has a block-shaped center piece from which a pair of resilient rubber shock absorbers extend in opposite directions for receipt in a pair of adjacent cavities which are formed in the housing. The farthest spaced opposing ends of the rubber shock absorbers are free of the housing, but are designed to compressively engage adjacent ends of the cavities and fill the cavities when the shock absorbers are compressively expanded in the cavities, as a result of forward or reverse roll of the engine. A rolling rubber torus with a special mechanism for interlocking engagement with the device, is provided to stabilize the position of the energy absorbing device within the housing of the torque strut.

Abstract: A gap sealer for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and the floor, roof or vertical posts. The gap sealer is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap biasing against the flange of a vertically adjacent sidewall panel, the floor, roof or post, such that the body of the gap sealer covers the gap to prevent air passage. The gap sealer may also include a bumper which protects vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and risking damage. An individual bumper may also be used to protect vehicle doors, and be attached to a sidewall panel by a unique fastener.

Abstract: A resilient, elastomeric jounce bumper is described as having a cylindrical head which protrudes from a larger diameter cylindrical body which has a cylindrical extension which surrounds at least a portion of the head in spaced radial relation, such that an annular void is formed around the head in the area of the body extension. The outer, free annular end of the body extension curves inwardly towards the head and terminates in close proximity to the head to prevent harmful particulate matter from entering the annular void. The body extension is provided with at least one, circular metal ring which is embedded in the extension adjacent the curved end of the extension to restrict radial expansion of the head, when the bumper is place under a heavy load.

Abstract: An air spring has pair of spaced end members for mounting the spring at spaced locations on a structure. A flexible sleeve of elastomeric material is sealingly engaged with the end members and forms a pressurized fluid chamber therebetween. A post is mounted on one of the end members and extends into the fluid chamber. A shock absorbing bumper formed of a high strength plastic is snap-fitted on an enlarged top of the post. A plurality of circumferentially arranged flexible fingers define an opening in a base of the bumper, and are snap-fitted over the enlarged top of the post which extends into the opening and seat into an annular undercut formed in the post beneath the enlarged top. The snap-fitted plastic bumper replaces the heretofore used elastomeric bumper.

Abstract: An impact attenuating device such as a truck mounted attenuator includes at least two cartridges, which are secured together by flanges and angled backing elements on adjacent portions of the upper and lower sheets of the cartridges. The forwardmost bay of the impact attenuating device includes stiffening elements on the lower surface and deformable elements which come closely adjacent to the lower surface of the impact attenuating device in order to urge an impacting vehicle with having a low bumper height upwardly, toward the center of the impact attenuating device. The end of the impact attenuating device initially struck by an impacting vehicle is covered by a resilient collapsible element having parallel pleats and recessed corners, such that the collapsible element can absorb low energy impacts without damage to the impact attenuating device.

Abstract: A jounce bumper is described as being formed of resilient eleastomeric material. The bumper comprises a cylindrical head protruding from a hollow cylindrical body which terminates at an outstanding annular flange. An annular extension of the body extends from the body in spaced relation around the head to form an annular void around the head. The body extension has a free marginal edge which curves inwardly towards the head and terminates in close proximity to the head to prevent particulate matter from entering the void which is sized to have a volume which is correlated to the displacement of the head when a predetermined load is applied against the head. Voids are placed in the head and body to provide the deflection control characteristics desired. A rigid metal sleeve is encased in the extension of the body to prevent radial displacement of the head beyond filling of the void around the head.

Abstract: A pallet bumper for truck trailers having an elongated plate with a plurality of space vertically disposed bumper elements secured thereto. The bumper elements are hollow resilient tubes having a center channel and at least one flat external side for positioning against the plate, with the center channel having a flat interior side parallel to the flat external side. A vertical flat bar extends along the length of the flat interior side of the center channel. A plurality of threaded bolts having head ends adjacent the plate extend through the plate, through the portion of the bumper elements between the flat external and interior sides thereof and then through the vertical flat bars. Nuts on the interior ends of the bolts secure the components together.

Abstract: In order to obtain a particularly soft spring characteristic the rubber spring element consisting of relatively hard material having good mechanical strength is traversed by cavities and hollow channels, which intersect said cavities, in such a manner that the area of the inside cross-section of the hollow channels amounts to at least 25% of the area of the largest inside cross-section of the nearest cavity traversed by this hollow channel, while the hollow channels may directly intersect in the rubber matrix.

Abstract: An impact pad, having a first outer layer of ultra-high molecular weight material, an intermediate layer of elastomeric material and a third base layer of rigid material, is mounted on a support base of the hull of a ship for absorbing impact forces. The base layer has a channel member secured thereto to facilitate the attachment to the support base of the hull of a ship and provide rigidity to the pad. Fasteners extending through the channel member and the base layer are used to fasten such pad to the support base. A plurality of bores in the base layer and elastomeric intermediate layer facilitates the impact loading and impact forces on the outer layer.

Abstract: A net for carrying personnel and cargo having a [cushioning means] compressible member which is removably attached to and extending downwardly from the base of the net for absorbing the landing shock of the net.

Abstract: An elongate impact absorbing support member for a roller conveyor, conveyor belt or other structure comprising a unitary body having two generally parallel side wall portions joined along two parallel elongate edges by a crown portion, to form respective shoulders and having respective elongate attachment foot portions along parallel edges opposite the said parallel elongate edges whereby to receive and engage a clamp member for securing the impact absorber member to an underlying support structure, the wall portions being curved from the shoulder portions to the foot portions thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle door guard (10) is constructed of a one-piece resilient elongated body member (12) extruded as one piece to have a slot (18) along a length of a front surface thereof. After the elongated body member is extruded, two separated, semi-circular, transverse hinge notches (42 and 44) are cut into the front surface for separating first and second end portions (58 and 60) of the body member and first and second elongated magnets (14 and 16) are mounted in first and second portions of the elongated slot in the respective first and second end portions. The semi-circularly shaped notches are separated by a plateau (46), through which the elongated slot extends without a magnet therein, by an approximate distance equal to the radius (37) of the semi-circular notches.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a hollow rubber fender for absorbing kinetic energy of a ship approaching a quay. The fender comprises a substantially funnel-shaped frusto-conical hollow support portion made of an elastic rubber material; a buffer portion being generally in a cylindrical form and extending from the smaller-diameter end of the support portion substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the support portion; and a mounting portion extending outwardly and integrally from the larger-diameter end of the support portion along a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support portion; the inside diameter r.sub.1 of the larger-diameter end of the support portion and the outside diameter r.sub.2 of the top end of the buffer portion being determined to satisfy the condition of r.sub.1 .gtoreq.r.sub.2.

Abstract: Adjustable mounting structure for a compact disc player includes a platform to support the player; an arm supporting the platform; ball and socket swivel elements, one of the elements supporting the arm; and a bracket supporting the other of the ball and socket elements, the bracket attachable to included vehicle passanger compartment structure; the socket element adjustably clamping the ball element to frictionally resist relative swiveling thereof. Switching circuitry is to be connected with the platform and has terminals connectible withi) speaker circuitry,ii) audio circuitry, andiii) a player output connection.

Abstract: A bumper rubber is disclosed and includes: a bumper rubber body being elastically deformable and having a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the bumper rubber body is inserted into a rod extending from a top end portion of a cylinder of a shock absorber, a top end surface thereof is brought into contact with a bottom end portion of a suspension insulator disposed on a vehicle body, and a bottom end surface thereof is brought into contact with a top end portion of the cylinder, thereby being elastically deformed and absorbing the excessive displacements of the shock absorber; and a rigid ring integrally insert-molded on an outer periphery surface of the bumper rubber body and having an engagement groove on an exposed outer periphery surface thereof to be engaged with a dust cover, and the engagement groove going round on the exposed outer periphery surface of the rigid ring in a ring-like shape.

Abstract: An engine compartment at the rear of a skid steer loader is enclosed by a rear door fabricated of sheet material and having a generally horizontally extending channel formed near its lower edge. Left and right corner bumper members molded from elastomer material have recesses formed in their back sides and are fastened to the door by bolts. Each bumper member includes a rear section which fits within and extends outwardly from the channel, and a side section which extends outwardly from the side of the door.

Abstract: A fluid-damped resilient bush, e.g. for use in a vehicle suspension comprises an outer sleeve and an intermediate sleeve between which a rubber bush is moulded as a one-piece moulding. Cavities are formed between the intermediate sleeve and an inner member, which is mounted within the one-piece moulding and sealed to the one-piece moulding by axially separate annular areas of the moulding which engage but are not bonded to the inner member. The cavities communicate with one another and are filled with damping fluid, the arrangement being such that displacement of the outer sleeve relative to the inner member causes displacement of fluid between the cavities.

Abstract: A bumper for a transportable object mitigates the shock on a corner of the object during a collision. The bumper has intersecting wall sections which are mounted on a corner of the transportable object, deflectable protrusions between adjacent wall sections and a deflectable protuberance at the apex of the wall sections. The protrusions extend outwardly of the adjacent wall sections and the protuberance extends outwardly of the protrusions. In a collision, the protuberance and the protrusions deflect to decelerate the object.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided to support a body part, as of an automobile or other assembled article. The support assembly includes a support element on which the body part rests. The support element has a mounting plate secured on the assembly and a resilient pad portion secured to the plate. The resilient pad portion has an engagement surface which engages and supports the body part. The resilient pad portion has openings therein which soften the resilient pad portion so that relatively harder and more durable material may be used for the resilient pad portion, while still providing adequate deformation to the shape of the body part to prevent denting of the body part.

Abstract: An energy absorbing bumper (20) for a vehicle includes an elastomeric bumper module (24) having a longitudinally extending impact face (25) and upper and lower walls (26,27) extending laterally therefrom toward a rear support plate (21) which is attachable to the vehicle and which engages the upper and lower walls (26,27) of the module (24). A plurality of longitudinally spaced upper ribs (31) extend from the impact face (25) and generally laterally along the upper wall (26) toward the rear support plate (21). A plurality of similarly longitudinally spaced lower ribs (32) extend from the impact face (25) and generally laterally along the lower wall (27) toward the rear support plate (21). A longitudinal rail (34) extends from between the upper and lower ribs (31,32) on the impact face (25) toward the rear support plate (21). Upon impact against the impact face (25), the module (24) thereby absorbs the energy of the impact.

Abstract: Protector for "C" hooks used to elevate and transport coils of metallic material and the like wherein urethane rubber is vulcanized to the hook in strategic areas which contact or have the potential of contacting the sides of a coil of strip material. A replaceable insert is used in the high-wear area of the forward end of the lower horizontal leg of the hook.

Abstract: A floating impact absorbing device for use in docking two adjacent vessels wherein at least two laterally spaced supports journal the ends of a pair of shafts for movement in a common plane. Torsion springs are journaled on the shafts and each torsion spring has oppositely extending levers that resist their rotation. Impact pads located on opposite sides of the common plane are connected to adjacent levers to provide a reactive force on vessels acting on such impact pads.

Abstract: Additional shock absorbing structure composed of separate fluid filled rubber tubes disposed on a base spreader ring of a personnel/cargo net for absorbing shock on landing to prevent injuries to passengers on the net.

Abstract: An energy absorber or bumper for positioning on one object to absorb the impact of the later with another object is formed of an arcuate strip of rigid resiliently deflectable material having a plurality of corrugations extending circumferentially coaxial with the radius of curvature. When positioned on an object, the center of the arcuate strip is bowed radially outwardly from the surface of the object. The strip of material has sufficient resiliency to allow deflection of the arcuate surface of the material inwardly relative to the radius of curvature upon impact to the bowed surface and thereafter returns to its original configuration. In an elongate configuration, the height of the ridges above the furrows allows independent deflection of the ridges relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the strip upon impact to the ridges and thereafter return to their original configuration.

Abstract: An indirect firing fastener driving tool is provided including a barrel (51), a piston (6) sliding in the barrel for driving a fastener (3) housed in a fastener guide (7). Between the barrel (51) and the fastener guide (7) are disposed a rigid ring (22) and a resilient ring (24). Inside the resilient ring (24) is disposed a rigid ring (27) for limiting the stroke of the ring (22) intended to be received in a recess (25) provided at the rear part of the fastener guide (7). The head (14) of the piston is of a truncated cone shape and may cooperate with a bore (23) of corresponding shape in the rigid ring (22). The rings serve as absorber for the piston (6) whose stroke is thus controlled.

Abstract: A shock absorber, arranged between bumper and body, possesses elastically deformable elements (2) which support themselves against sliding surfaces (8), whose contact pressure is adjustable across additionally arranged elastic bodies (10).

Abstract: A vibration isolating apparatus having a support shaft connected to either one of a vibration generating portion and a vibration receiving portion, a base member connected to the other of the two, and a resilient member interposed between the base member and the support shaft and deformable in response to the movement of the support shaft in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof. A stopper is provided on the side of the support shaft which is remote from a vibration absorbing liquid chamber for limiting the movement of the support shaft. Accordingly, even when a load acts on the support shaft and the base member in a direction in which they are pulled away from each other, the support shaft can reliably be supported by way of the stopper.

Abstract: A door stop having an elongate, one piece yieldable plastic body and a mounting screw extending from one end of the body. The body includes a base portion in which the mounting screw is firmly anchored and a shank extending from and having a reduced neck adjacent the base portion. The body yields longitudinally without buckling upon impact of a door against the stop to cushion the impact, and bends laterally at the reduced neck upon lateral contact of an object with the stop. The stop is devoid of separable parts or sharp edges which might injure persons, particularly children, who come into contact with the stop, and preferably utilizes as the mounting screw a screw eye about which the plastic body may be molded to firmly join the body and screw.

Abstract: A spring element comprises an elastomer block (5) interspersed with at least two sets of cylindrical or prismatic channels (1) which in turn intersect cavities (2) formed in the elastomer block (5), the greatest inside cross-section of which cavities in the plane located at right angles to the channel axis is greater than the cross-section of the channels in that plane, said sets of channels mutually crossing at different levels in space without mutually intersecting. By virtue of this mode of interspersing the elastomer spring element with cavities, an optimal distribution of compressive stresses in the spring element combined with an optimum acoustic damping are achieved.

Abstract: An elastic foot for apparatus of consumer electronics, preferably a compact disc player, in which a rubber spherical part is provided with a convex cross-section and with a height which decreases under the weight of a load. In order to maintain the resonance frequency constant even when the foot is subjected to high weight of a series of stacked equipment units on the compact disc player, a protuberance formed inside the rubber part provides for an additional elasticity when the load exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An elastically deformable fender comprising an impact receiving section having a predetermined thickness and a top surface being formed flat and forming a contact surface with a broadside, a pair of supporting sections extending from the reverse side of the impact receiving section mentioned above so as to diverge away from each other in an unfolded fan fashion and formed integrally with the impact receiving section, and fitting sections expanding outwardly from the ends of the supporting sections in parallel to the contact surface aforementioned. The thickness of the impact receiving section mentioned above is formed thick so as to protrude distinctly from the supporting sections and the width is formed smaller than the span between the heels of the supporting sections. Furthermore, between the supporting sections on the reverse side of the impact receiving section a hollow portion is formed lengthwise for preventing the impact receiving section from curving when the contact load of a ship is applied.

Abstract: A motion snubber comprises layers of elastomeric and substantially inextensible material stacked one on top of the other between a base and mounting plate, and is characterized by a rigid restraining pin disposed in a bore within the stack so as to restrain deformation of the elastomer. In one embodiment the bore is obliquely oriented with respect to the pin. In another embodiment the pin is contoured to accommodate angular motion.

Abstract: A fender (10) which is essentially U-shaped in cross section and which consists of elastomer material in its energy-absorbing part, is manufactured in planar configuration and folded to U-sectional shape on mounting. To make folding possible and to provide both an equalisation of tensile stresses and an increase of the transfer of forces between the web (12) and the legs (13) of the U-shaped cross section, longitudinal slots (17) are formed on the inside of the U-shaped cross section at the transition between the web and the legs. The mouth edges of the slot are bevelled and form mutually abutting supporting surfaces (18) for said transfer of forces. At the bottom of the slot (19), a longitudinal open channel (21) has been left to equalize the tensile stress occurring in the fender material on folding.

Abstract: A marine fender used for mitigating a berthing shock of a vessel is disclosed, which is mounted to a berthing wall and made from an elastomeric material. This marine fender comprises a main cylindrical portion having a fitting flange, and a closed head portion formed by outwardly extending the front end of the main cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A liquid spring unit operable in both tension and compression includes a liquid spring having a cylinder, a piston, a seal between the cylinder and piston, and compressible liquid in the cylinder. A cylinder extension has diametrically opposed slots therein. A sleeve slidably mounts the cylinder and has diametrically opposed slots in alignment with the slots in the cylinder extension. A link is attached to the piston and has pintles received in the pairs of aligned slots. A first load-receiving member is attached to the sleeve and a second load-receiving member bears on the link to force the piston into the cylinder when the load-receiving members are moved toward each other and causes the cylinder to be moved onto the piston when the load-receiving members are pulled away from each other. A mechanical spring structure having a lower spring force than the liquid spring is interposed between the first and second load-receiving members for attenuating low amplitude forces.

Abstract: In a shock absorbing system for an offshore platform one or more shock absorbing cells receive the initial impact of a floating vessel. When such a cell becomes disfunctional or damaged, it is temporarily immobilized by positioning a stabilizer thereon. The latter is provisionally installed on the shock cell to substantially avoid relative movement between coacting parts.

Abstract: A gas spring for damping structural components, for example of a car, comprises two cylinders filled with gas, of which one cylinder is provided with a first piston and is movable in the other cylinder. The other cylinder has a piston rod extended centrally thereof and passing through the first piston. The piston rod carries at the free end thereof a second piston movable within the first cylinder.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring for use in a vehicle suspension has provided within the pneumatic spring an elastomeric spring which is subject to load only in the event of a pressurization failure of the pneumatic spring. The elastomeric spring is secured at one end to the pneumatic spring and is of generally circular cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the normal direction in which it would be loaded. The spring additionally is of progressively increasing external diameter over a part of its length as considered in a direction from its secured end to the other, free, end whereby both the vertical compression stiffness and horizontal shear stiffness of the spring progressively increase when the spring is subject to an increasing compression loading in the event of a pressurization failure.

Abstract: A suspension device for a mobile self-lift drilling platform, comprising a water-tight chamber deformable under the effect of the load supported by the legs of the platform, this chamber being intended to be filled with a pressurized liquid. The deformability of the chamber is provided by its side wall which is formed by a tubular elastomeric element, with a substantially vertical axis, which element is secured to an inner and an outer tubular coaxial metal guide frames for translationally and rotationally guiding its axial, lateral and angular deformations under the effect of the load as well as of possible accidental shocks.

Abstract: An improved deflection jounce bumper for a vehicle suspension strut. The bumper is a generally cylindrical shaped elastomeric member having a solid upper hub portion encircling the strut piston rod. A lower impact portion of the bumper has outer and inner concentric wall portions defining an intermediate downwardly opening channel. The wall sections are interconnected by a plurality of integral column-like mirror image arcuate bridging segments defining therebetween an axial blind bore. Upon the bumper being impacted the wall sections together with the bridging segments stretch to absorb impact energy thereby providing initially high dampening load displacement resistance.