Vehicle floor

Abstract

A blast absorption structure and system for use in absorbing blast forces exerted upon an armored vehicle is disclosed. The blast absorption structure includes a first absorption component and a second absorption component, wherein the first and second absorption components deform to absorb and slow the forces prior to reaching an occupant of the cabin. Deformation of the first and second components reduces the blast force load transmitted through the vehicle structure to the occupants' lower extremities, thereby avoiding catastrophic injury to the lower extremities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blast absorbing structure for use in absorbing blast force energy exerted on an underside of a personnel cabin of a vehicle, the structure comprising:
 a first absorption component for initial absorption of the blast forces exerted on the floor of the vehicle; and   a second absorption component supported on the first absorption component for secondary absorption of the blast forces, wherein the first and second absorption components cooperatively move between an initial position and a blast force position to diminish the blast forces reaching an occupant of the cabin.   
     
     
         2 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first absorbing component is an energy absorbing support. 
     
     
         3 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first absorbing component further includes a plurality of energy absorbing supports. 
     
     
         4 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second absorbing components form a floating floor of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 2 , wherein the energy absorbing support receives an initial blast force exerted on the underside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 2 , wherein the energy absorbing support deforms in response to the initial blast force. 
     
     
         7 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 1 , wherein the second absorption component is a moveable surface. 
     
     
         8 . The blast absorbing structure of  7 , wherein the moveable surface is horizontally supported by the first absorbing component. 
     
     
         9 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the moveable surface is a floating surface. 
     
     
         10 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 7 , wherein the surface is moveable in a vertical direction in response to the deformation of the energy absorbing support when the blast force is exerted on the energy absorbing support. 
     
     
         11 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 10 , wherein the vertical movement of the surface is diminished by the deformation of the energy absorbing support. 
     
     
         12 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the moveable surface is in direct contact with at least one lower extremity of the occupant of the cabin. 
     
     
         13 . The blast absorbing structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure further includes a plurality of guides for limiting movement of the surface prior to a blast event. 
     
     
         14 . A blast absorbing system for use in absorbing blast energy exerted on a personnel cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:
 at least one energy absorbing component;   a floating surface supported by the energy absorbing component, the floating surface moveable between an initial position and a blast force position;   a guide for retaining the floating surface in a horizontal position, wherein upon receipt of a blast force upon the floor, the energy absorbing component deforms to absorb the blast force and diminish movement of the floating surface from the initial position to the blast force position.   
     
     
         15 . The blast absorbing system of  claim 14 , wherein the system further includes a second guide for limiting movement of the floating surface.