US2009185857A1PendingUtilityA1

Retractable Energy Absorbing System

53
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 17, 2004Filed: Apr 3, 2009Published: Jul 23, 2009
Est. expiryNov 17, 2024(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Matthew A. GelfandJoel F. Hugghins
E01F 13/085
53
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Claims

Abstract

An energy absorbing system. The energy absorbing system includes a supporting member, a barrier mechanically coupled to the supporting member, the barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position, an energy absorber, at least a portion of which is immovably fixed, that is mechanically coupled to the supporting member, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first lateral position to a second lateral position, and a first rotation limiter mechanically coupled to one of the barrier and the supporting member that limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An energy absorbing system, comprising:
 a supporting member;   a barrier mechanically coupled to the supporting member, the barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position;   an energy absorber, at least a portion of which is immovably fixed, that is mechanically coupled to the supporting member, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first lateral position to a second lateral position; and   a first rotation limiter mechanically coupled to one of the barrier and the supporting member that limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.   
   
   
       2 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first angular position is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       3 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first angular position is substantially parallel to ground level. 
   
   
       4 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second angular position is substantially vertical. 
   
   
       5 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the second angular position is substantially perpendicular to ground level. 
   
   
       6 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the first rotation limiter and the supporting member and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.   
   
   
       7 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the barrier and the supporting member and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.   
   
   
       8 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second rotation limiter mechanically coupled to the other of the barrier and the supporting member that contacts the first rotation limiter and limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.   
   
   
       9 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the first and second rotation limiters and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.   
   
   
       10 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is mechanically coupled to the supporting member by a hinge. 
   
   
       11 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotation limiter is a bracket. 
   
   
       12 . An energy absorbing system, comprising:
 a supporting member;   a barrier hingably coupled to the supporting member, the barrier pivotable between a first angular position and a second angular position;   an energy absorber, at least a portion of which is coupled to a housing, that is mechanically coupled to the supporting member, wherein the energy absorber absorbs energy when the supporting member travels from a first lateral position to a second lateral position; and   a rotation limiter mechanically coupled to one of the barrier and the supporting member that limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.   
   
   
       13 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first angular position is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       14 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , wherein the first angular position is substantially parallel to ground level. 
   
   
       15 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , wherein the second angular position is substantially vertical. 
   
   
       16 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , wherein the second angular position is substantially perpendicular to ground level. 
   
   
       17 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the first rotation limiter and the supporting member and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.   
   
   
       18 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the barrier and the supporting member and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.   
   
   
       19 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second rotation limiter mechanically coupled to the other of the barrier and the supporting member that contacts the first rotation limiter and limits the barrier from pivoting beyond the second angular position.   
   
   
       20 . The energy absorbing system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a second energy absorber mechanically coupling the first and second rotation limiters and that resists the barrier from pivoting to the second angular position.

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