Shock absorbing elements, systems, and methods of use

Abstract

A shock absorber is provided, configured to be disposed between a protected object and an impacted object during use to prevent substantial damage to the impacted object due to the impact of an external force. The shock absorber includes an outer absorbing element and an inner absorbing element disposed within the outer absorbing element. The outer absorbing element includes an outer wall surrounding a primary chamber, the primary chamber configured to seal and contain a first fluid under a first pressure, the outer wall including an impacted side and a protected side, the protected side configured to face the protected object during use, and the impacted side configured to face the impacted object during use. The first inner absorbing element includes a first wall surrounding the first chamber, the first inner absorbing element disposed within the primary chamber with the first chamber surrounded by the first fluid, the first chamber configured to seal and contain a second fluid under a second pressure, the second pressure being equal to or different from the first pressure.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The subject matter of this patent application relates generally to devices for absorbing impacts directed at a protected object, and more particularly to devices that are placed between the object receiving the impact and the protected object. [Background technology]

[0002] By way of background, many personal protective equipment and object protection articles include a rigid, flexible, or semi-rigid outer shell for at least partially absorbing impact. One or more cushioning elements are placed between the shell and the object to be protected to provide additional impact absorption and dissipation (cushioning elements may take the form of webbing, foam, gel, air bladders, etc.).

[0003] Personal protective equipment is designed to be worn on a body (human or animal) or attached to an object to provide protection to the body in the event of a potential collision. Object protection is designed to provide protection to inanimate objects such as vehicles, buildings, precision equipment, etc. Existing protective equipment provides varying degrees of protection from impact depending on the specific design, but many impacts can still be imparted to the protected object due to an inability to adequately control and reduce the high accelerations present in an impact.

[0004] Helmets, one of many examples of personal protective equipment, are used in sports, cycling, industry, the military, medicine, firefighting, automotive, and other activities where head trauma is a concern. In American football, helmets are primarily designed to absorb some of the linear forces imparted to the outer shell of the helmet. Some helmets are also designed to absorb some of the rotational forces imparted to the outer shell. However, the angular acceleration (units rad / s) of the wearer's head measured during a crash while wearing an existing helmet is 2 ) and linear acceleration (unit: m / s 2 ) is still far too high and may result in concussion from high deceleration events and accumulation of brain damage from repeated reduced velocity events. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aspects of the present invention teach particular advantages in construction and use that produce exemplary benefits described below.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-described problems by providing a shock absorber. In at least one embodiment, a shock absorber is provided that is configured to be disposed between a protected object and an impacted object during use, the impacted object being configured to be impacted by an external object. In one or more embodiments, the shock absorber includes an outer absorbing element and a first inner absorbing element disposed within the outer absorbing element. The outer absorbing element includes an outer wall surrounding a primary chamber, the primary chamber configured to seal and contain a first fluid under a first pressure, the outer wall including an impacted side and a protected side, the protected side configured to face the protected object during use, and the impacted side configured to face the impacted object during use. The first inner absorbing element includes a first wall surrounding the first chamber, the first inner absorbing element disposed within the primary chamber with the first chamber surrounded by the first fluid, the first chamber configured to seal and contain a second fluid under a second pressure, the second pressure being equal to or different from the first pressure.

[0007] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary shock absorber according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary shock absorber according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 3]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary shock absorber according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A-10C are schematic cross-sectional views of yet another exemplary shock absorber illustrating internal absorbent elements of various cross-sectional shapes according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary shock absorber having an optional inflation system with an audible pressure relief valve according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary shock absorber having an optional inflation system according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional enlarged view of the optional expansion system of FIG. 6. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7C is a schematic cross-sectional enlarged view of the optional expansion system of FIG. 7B, showing one of the control valves in a further enlarged view. [Figure 8A-C] Schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary shock absorber showing an inner absorbent element with a circular cross-sectional shape shown in (A) an unloaded mode, (B) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is higher than the pressure within the inner absorbent element, and (C) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is lower than the pressure within the inner absorbent element. [Figure 9A-C] Schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary shock absorber showing an inner absorbent element with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape shown in (A) unloaded mode, (B) loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is higher than the pressure within the inner absorbent element, and (C) loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is lower than the pressure within the inner absorbent element. [Figure 10A-C] Schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary shock absorber showing an inner absorbent element with a square cross-sectional shape shown in (A) an unloaded mode, (B) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is higher than the pressure within the inner absorbent element, and (C) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is lower than the pressure within the inner absorbent element. [Figure 11A-C]Schematic cross-sectional views of an exemplary shock absorber showing an inner absorbent element with a triangular cross-sectional shape shown in (A) an unloaded mode, (B) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is higher than the pressure within the inner absorbent element, and (C) a loaded mode where the pressure between the inner and outer absorbent elements is lower than the pressure within the inner absorbent element. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary inner absorbent element assembly showing a stack of three overlapping inner absorbent element panels. [Figure 13] 13 is a top view of one of the inner absorbent elements of FIG. 12 showing the division of the inner absorbent element into three chambers. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional perspective view of one inner absorbent element panel as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, showing the manifold region. [Figure 15] 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative internal absorbent assembly including a crown portion with absorbent tubes of different contours tailored to specific impact loads, ready for insertion into a helmet; FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inner absorbent element assembly of FIG. 15 inserted into a helmet, with a portion of the outer absorbent element removed for clarity. [Figure 17] 17 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the inner absorbent element assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16 inserted into a helmet, illustrating one possible deformation and effective angle of rotation experienced during an oblique impact. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative inner absorbent element ready for insertion into a helmet. [Figure 19] 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 showing the cross-sectional shape of the inner absorbent element. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative inner absorbent element assembly ready for insertion into a helmet. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the inner absorbent element assembly of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a partially exploded cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 22. [Figure 24A-H] 23A-23C are cross-sectional end views of the shock absorber embodiment of FIG. 22 showing various stages of compression under increasing load and / or under large loads over time. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of another exemplary shock absorber according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 26A-G] 26A-26C are cross-sectional end views of the shock absorber embodiment of FIG. 25 showing various stages of compression under increasing load and / or under large loads over time. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 27. [Figure 29] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional end view of the embodiment of FIG. 27. [Figure 30] FIG. 28 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 27. [Figure 31] FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the optional internal structure of FIG. 27 separated from the rest of the shock absorber structure. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of yet another exemplary inner absorbent element assembly. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of yet another exemplary shock absorber illustrating a triangular cross-sectional shape of three layers of internal shock absorbers arranged in an assembly according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of yet another exemplary shock absorber, illustrating a full or partial hexagonal cross-sectional shape of three layers of internal shock absorbers arranged in an assembly according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of yet another exemplary shock absorber, illustrating a full or partial circular cross-sectional shape of three layers of internal shock absorbers arranged in an assembly according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of yet another exemplary shock absorber, illustrating a full or partial square cross-sectional shape of three layers of internal shock absorbers arranged in an assembly according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 37]1 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of a shock absorber attached to the top ends of the two seat backs of a bus bench seat. FIG. [Figure 38] 10A-10C are schematic perspective views of alternative embodiments of shock absorbers mounted in various crash areas of an automobile. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of the shock absorber of FIG. 38. [Figure 40] 10 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber; FIG. [Figure 41] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 40. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber. [Figure 43] FIG. 43 is an enlarged perspective view of the inner absorbent element assembly of FIG. 42. [Figure 44] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber. [Figure 45] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the shock absorber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The above-mentioned drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention in at least one of its exemplary embodiments, which are defined in more detail in the following description. Features, elements, and aspects of the present invention that are referenced with the same numerals in different drawings represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Turning first to FIGS. 1-4, four embodiments of the present invention are shown schematically in cross section, each illustrating a basic configuration of one or more embodiments of the present shock absorber 50. FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the shock absorber 50 disposed between an impacted object IO and a protected object PO. In at least some embodiments, the protected object PO and the impacted object IO may be separate, selectively integrated, or coupled to the present shock absorber 50, depending on the particular application, as discussed in more detail below. Here, the protected object PO includes a protected surface 76 facing the shock absorber 50. The impacted object IO includes an outer surface 62 facing away from the shock absorber 50 and an inner surface 64 facing the shock absorber 50. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the protected object PO is a person's head, and the impacted object IO is the outer shell of a helmet. The impacted object IO is struck, pushed, or otherwise impacted by a third object, which may be any number of objects, including a falling structure, another helmet, a vehicle, a hard surface, etc. In one or more embodiments, the shock absorber 50 is self-operating and does not require the presence of an impacted object IO. Furthermore, the proximity, orientation, and location of the shock absorber relative to the object to be protected shown in the exemplary embodiments herein are exemplary and may vary according to the requirements of a particular application. For example, the shock absorber 50 may be located at a distance from the object to be protected PO (e.g., suspended next to the object to be protected PO, attached to a support structure, etc.).

[0012] In this exemplary embodiment, the shock absorber 50 includes an outer absorbent element 52 and an inner absorbent element 53 disposed at least partially within the outer absorbent element 52. Here, the inner absorbent element 53 includes a wall 57 that defines a first chamber 72 that sealably contains a second fluid 58. In this example, the first chamber 72 of the inner absorbent element 53 is completely surrounded by the first fluid 56 that is sealably contained within the outer absorbent element 52. Although the inner absorbent element 53 is shown as being completely disposed within and completely surrounded by the first fluid 56 (e.g., the inner absorbent element 53 does not have a common wall shared with the outer absorbent element 52, whether attached to one another or not), in at least one embodiment, the layers of material laminated together (four or more layers of sheet material making up the inner and outer absorbent element assembly) are welded or clamped together (such as in a blow molding process) around their common perimeter and / or other areas to create the two chambers. In this arrangement, the inner absorbent element 53 is connected by one or more edges to corresponding edges of the outer absorbent element 52, but the first chamber 72 is still completely surrounded by the first fluid 56 held in the primary chamber 70 defined between (e.g., within) the inner absorbent element 53 and the outer absorbent element 52. Furthermore, some blow molding processes, vacuum molding, and other common plastic molding processes allow for the outer absorbent element 52 and one or more of the inner absorbent elements to share a common wall(s) within certain regions.

[0013] Even if there are one or more common walls between two or more inner absorbent elements, or between one or more inner and outer absorbent elements, the first fluid covers a sufficient area of ​​the walls defining one or more of the inner absorbent chambers to allow the application of pressure to the inner absorbent elements such that they deform, as described in more detail below. In one or more embodiments, substantially all of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, e.g., at least 95% of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 90% of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 85% of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 80% of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 100% of the walls defining the fluid chambers in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56. At least 70% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 60% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 50% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 40% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 30% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56, or at least 20% of the walls defining the fluid chamber in the inner absorbent element are surrounded by the first fluid 56. If 100% of the walls defining the fluid chambers within the inner absorbent element 53 are surrounded by the first fluid 56, the inner absorbent element 53 (or one or more or all of the inner absorbent elements) may be free-floating within the outer absorbent element 52 (e.g., not directly attached to the outer absorbent element 52 or sharing a common seam with the outer absorbent element 52, but may be attached by a similar piece of material).

[0014] Referring again to FIG. 1 , shock absorber 50 includes an inner absorbent element 53 contained within outer absorbent element 52, and a first fluid 56 surrounding part or all of an inner wall 57 defining a first chamber 72, along with a second fluid 58 contained within inner absorbent element 53. First fluid 56 fills primary chamber 70 and is pressurized to a first pressure (e.g., 0.2 to 5 psi, and / or 0.1 psi to 1 psi). Second fluid 58 fills first chamber 72 and is pressurized to a first pressure (e.g., 0.1 to 5 psi, and / or 0.1 psi to 1 psi), the first and second pressures being different in at least one embodiment. For example, the first pressure can be higher or lower than the second pressure. In one or more embodiments, the first and second pressures are the same or substantially the same (e.g., within 5%, 10%, or 20% of each other). In one or more embodiments, first fluid 56 and second fluid 58 are air and / or the same fluid, although other suitable fluids or combinations of fluids may be used (gas, liquid, gel, glycol, etc., or one or more combinations). In one or more embodiments, first fluid 56 and second fluid 58 may be different fluids. While relatively low pressures may be used in certain applications (e.g., less than 100 psi, or less than 50 psi, or less than 10 psi, or less than 5 psi, or less than 1 psi), in industrial, automotive, or other applications where high impact forces are anticipated, the pressure of one or more of the fluids may be greater than 100 psi, or greater than 500 psi, or greater than 1,000 psi, or greater than 1,500 psi, or greater than 2,000 psi, or greater than 2,500 psi, or greater than 3,000 psi.

[0015] The material properties of the inner wall 57 and the outer wall 59 (the walls defining the outer boundary of the primary chamber 70) can be similar or different. And, looking at FIG. 2 , the material properties of the inner wall 57, the inner wall 61, and the outer wall 59 can be similar or different from one another. For example, the wall thicknesses of the inner wall 57 and the outer wall 59 can be different or similar or substantially similar (e.g., within 5%, 10%, or 20% of one another). In one or more embodiments, the material selected is a thermoplastic (such as linear low-density polyethylene—LLDP, thermoplastic rubber—PPE, e.g., TPE, TPO, or TPU, or other suitable elastomeric material), the flexibility of which varies with thickness (the thinner the material, the more flexible the material). The type of material for each of the inner wall 57 and the outer wall 59 can be the same or different, depending on the application. For example, in one or more embodiments, the material selected and / or the material thickness of the inner absorbent element 53 can be different from that of the outer absorbent element 52. In one or more exemplary embodiments, outer wall 59 may be made of a solid sheet material (e.g., having the ability to create a sealed chamber), a mesh material (e.g., not sealed), a strap material, or other material or design that contains first chamber 72.

[0016] 1 , the shock absorber 50 is positioned between the impacted object IO and the protected object PO. The impacted side 66 of the shock absorber 50 can be spaced apart from or in contact with the inner surface 64 of the impacted object IO. Similarly, the protected side 68 can be spaced apart from or in contact with the protected surface 76 of the protected object PO. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the shock absorber 50 is compressed between the impacted object IO and the protected object PO during use, such that the impacted side 66 and the protected side 68 are in contact with, or are forced into further surface contact with, or contact at a higher pressure than, the inner surface 64 and the protected surface 76, respectively. In certain applications, such as use within a helmet, the shock absorber 50 can conform to a person's head and the inner surface 64 of the helmet.

[0017] The arrow representing force F1 shows an exemplary force impinging on the outer surface 62 of the impacted object IO, which may impinge from any direction, normal or oblique to the outer surface 62. Depending on where the force impinges on the impacted object IO and the angle of the resultant force relative to the outer surface 62, the force may impart one or both of linear and angular acceleration to the impacted object IO. The function of the present shock absorber 50 is to absorb at least a portion of the impact force and resulting acceleration entering the protected object PO. While FIGS. 1-4 show a generally elliptical cross-section of the present shock absorber 50, the shock absorber 50, in one or more embodiments, is generally elongated (e.g., the figures represent a cross-sectional slice of a long embodiment), such that a majority of the protected side 68 may contact or be placed in contact with the protected side 68 of the protected object PO, and a majority of the impacted side 66 may contact or be placed in contact with the interior surface 64 of the impacted object IO.

[0018] Upon impact with force F1, the impacted object IO, such as a helmet shell, is composed of material property(ies) sufficient to distribute the stress of force F1 over a relatively large area compared to the direct contact area from an external object (e.g., another helmet, a baseball, a hard surface, etc.) (e.g., a combination of shell stiffness and elastic properties present in many existing helmets). The force distribution area may be more than 1.5 times larger than the force contact area, and / or more than 2 times larger than the force contact area, and / or more than 3 times larger than the force contact area, and / or more than 4 times larger than the force contact area, and / or more than 5 times larger than the force contact area, and / or more than 10 times larger than the force contact area. Various properties measured for the impacted object IO may include Rockwell hardness, compressive strength, impact resistance (e.g., using an Izod impact test), Young's modulus, tensile yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, flexural yield strength, etc.

[0019] As the force F1 is distributed across the force distribution region of the impacted object IO, the shock absorber 50 begins to compress across a compression region located below (and in one or more embodiments beyond) the force distribution region, where the outer and inner absorption elements 52, 53 deform (although the deformation of each element may vary in magnitude and type depending on material properties, wall thickness, fluid pressure, and element geometry and shape). In one exemplary embodiment, in response to the force F1, one or both of the first and second fluids 56, 58 are at least partially expelled from the compression region to uncompressed or expanded regions elsewhere within the shock absorber 50, causing the outer absorption element 52 to contract in the compression region and expand in other regions. The elastic deformation of the external and internal absorbent elements 52 and 53 combined with the forced movement of the first and second fluids 56 and 58 through the primary and first chambers 70 and 72, respectively, absorbs at least some or most of the impact energy of the force F1, reducing the linear and angular accelerations experienced by the protected object PO within safe limits.

[0020] The shape of the shock absorber 50 of FIG. 1 can be modified into various configurations depending on, for example, a particular application. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the shock absorber 50 can be an elongated tube, and the outer absorbent element 52 and the inner absorbent element 53 are both tubular (e.g., elongated with a circular, oval, flattened, or other suitable cross-sectional shape) and both are long enough to allow the movement of the first fluid 56 and the second fluid 58 from a compressed region below and adjacent to the impact point to another region(s) away from the impact point. The tubes can be perpendicular to the horizontal movement of the fluids as shown in FIG. 17. The lengths of the outer absorbent element 52 and the inner absorbent element 53 can be the same or substantially similar (e.g., within 2% of the same length, or within 5% of the same length, or within 10% of the same length), or the inner absorbent element 53 can be made substantially shorter than the outer absorbent element 52 (e.g., 75% longer, 50% longer, etc.), or any length in between.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, another exemplary embodiment of the present shock absorber 50 is shown schematically. Instead of only one single inner absorbent element 53 as shown in FIG. 1, there is a second inner absorbent element 55 disposed within the outer absorbent element 52. The second inner absorbent element 55 includes a wall 61 defining a second chamber 74 that sealably contains a third fluid 60. In this example, the second chamber 74 of the second inner absorbent element 55 is completely surrounded by the first fluid 56 sealably contained within the outer absorbent element 52 and is disposed adjacent to the inner absorbent element 53, between the inner absorbent element 53 and the protected side 68 of the outer absorbent element 52. The second inner absorbent element 55 may be of a similar or different configuration compared to the inner absorbent element 53. For example, the thickness of the wall 57 of the inner absorbent element 53 may be thicker or thinner than that of the second inner absorbent element 55, the second fluid 58 may be the same or different from the third fluid 60 (e.g., different fluids may be selected based on density, state of matter, compressibility, etc.), and the cross-sectional shape (and other dimensional characteristics) may be different or the same between the inner absorbent element 53 and the second inner absorbent element 55. The second inner absorbent element 55 may be connected to or separate from one or both of the outer absorbent element 52 and the inner absorbent element 53, and the inner absorbent element 53 may have the same or different deformation characteristics as the second inner absorbent element 55. Each of the outer absorbent element 52, inner absorbent element 53, and second inner absorbent element 55 may be set to different or the same pressure.

[0022] 3 and 4 schematically illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of the present shock absorber 50. The inner absorbent element 53 and second inner absorbent element 55 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are configured as a single chamber or bladder without divisions within the chamber to create smaller subchambers. During the manufacturing process (e.g., using blow molding, vacuum forming, and other common plastic molding processes), one or more elongated seams 82 (which may also be webs) are created to separate the chamber into two or more subchambers 84. In these examples, the subchambers 84 are elongated chambers (also described herein as elongated tubes). In one exemplary manufacturing process, the elongated seams 82 may be created using a pinch-off technique during the blow molding process to create multiple or multiple elongated chambers 84 that are fluidly connected to or fluidly isolated from one or more of the other elongated chambers 84.

[0023] A third inner absorbent element 78 can be seen disposed within the outer absorbent element 52 of the shock absorber 50 of Figures 3 and 4. The third inner absorbent element 78 includes a wall 79 that, together with a plurality of elongated seams 82, defines a third chamber 80 that sealably contains a fourth fluid 81. In this example, the third chamber 80 of the third inner absorbent element 78 is completely surrounded by the first fluid 56 sealably contained within the outer absorbent element 52 and is disposed adjacent to the second inner absorbent element 55, between the second inner absorbent element 55 and the protected side 68 of the outer absorbent element 52. The third inner absorbent element 78 can be of a similar or different configuration compared to the inner absorbent element 53 and the second inner absorbent element 55.

[0024] In this example, the wall 57 of the inner absorbent element 53 is thickest, the wall 61 of the second inner absorbent element 55 is thinner than the inner absorbent element 53, and the wall 79 of the third inner absorbent element 78 is thinner than both the inner absorbent element 53 and the second inner absorbent element 55. However, in one or more embodiments, the wall thicknesses may be the same. One purpose of the varying wall thicknesses is to provide the greatest deformation resistance in the inner absorbent element closest to the inner surface 64 of the impacting object IO, which experiences a higher level of force during an impact compared to the inner absorbent element closest to the protected object PO. Here, the third inner absorbent element 78 is closest to the protected object PO and may apply pressure to the protected object PO through the protected side 68 of the outer absorbent element 52. The relatively thin wall of the third inner absorbent element 78 provides gentle, protective contact (through the protected side 68) with the protected object PO, such as a person's head, where comfort and safety are important aspects. The thicker-walled inner absorbent element 53 and the second inner absorbent element 55 will be thick enough to avoid complete collapse of either or both of the chambers 72, 74 under most impact scenarios. The fluid pressure in each of the chambers 72, 74, 80 can be set to different or the same. In one or more embodiments, the fluid pressure in chamber 80 will be lower than the fluid pressure set in chambers 72 and 74. The fluid pressures are set to allow for varying degrees of deformation and / or resistance of each inner absorbent element (and outer absorbent element 52). In one or more embodiments, the first pressure of the outer absorbent element 52 can also be set to a first pressure such that, in addition to the mechanical deformation caused by the impacting object IO, which begins to physically crush the outer absorbent element 52 and the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, 78, the first fluid 56 applies an equalized pressure to each of the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, 78 when under impact pressure, causing the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, 78 to collapse and / or deform.

[0025] The embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 are similar in at least some respects, except for the different grid arrangements of the stacked internal absorbent elements 53, 55, 78. In Figure 4, some of the tubes of the elongated chambers 84 stack to form a hexagonal arrangement, with the center of each elongated chamber 84 lining up with the corners created by each of the elongated seams 82. And in Figure 3, the tubes of the elongated chambers 84 stack to form an approximately tangential cubic arrangement, with the center of each elongated chamber 84 aligned with the center of an adjacent tube. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate that the individual chambers can vary in cross-sectional shape and wall thickness. Figure 3 illustrates a circular cross-sectional shape of the chamber, with each of the internal absorbent elements 53, 55, 78 having different wall thicknesses. Figure 4 illustrates circular, hexagonal, and oblong shapes (e.g., elliptical, oval, vesica piscis, etc., with rounded or pointed corners or other lenticular shapes).

[0026] 5, 6, 7A-B, and 39 show a schematic representation of an inflation system 87 compatible with the present shock absorber 50. The previous figures did not show the means for inflating the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, 78 and the outer absorbent element 52. Each of these bladders may be pre-filled to a preset pressure, filled in-situ to a specified or regulated pressure by any available pumping means (e.g., compressor, hand pump, oral inflation, etc.), or may include integrated or attachable means for inflating the bladder. As discussed above, each of the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, 78 and the outer absorbent element 52 may be inflated with their respective fluids to specific pressures, which may be set to different or the same.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the present valve assembly 86 may be utilized to fill each bladder to a particular pressure using a single fluid source (e.g., a pump, oral inflation, a compressed fluid source, etc.). Turning first to FIG. 5 , an exemplary valve assembly 86 is shown in simplified form. The valve assembly 86 includes a valve body 106 having a first check valve 100 formed therein in parallel with a second check valve 102, a fluid manifold 108 in fluid communication with each of the first check valve 100 and the second check valve 102, and in direct fluid communication with a fluid source—in this example, a manual spherical pump 110—either in direct fluid communication or through tubing 114. In one or more embodiments, the first control valve 88 includes the first check valve 100 and the first on-off valve 94 in series. In one or more embodiments, the second control valve 90 includes the second check valve 102 and the second on-off valve 96 in series. In one or more embodiments, the first on-off valve 94 and the second on-off valve 96 may be omitted. The first on-off valve 94 and the second on-off valve 96 (and any other on-off valves in the system) may be selected from many known valves that selectively stop fluid flow (e.g., pinch valves, Schrader valves, quarter-turn shut-off valves, ball valves, simple kinks in tubing, and other suitable means for blocking fluid flow).

[0028] In one or more examples, the valve element 106 is omitted or minimally included as part of a framework or other means that holds the first check valve 100 and the second check valve 102 to the manifold 108 and the pump 110. The pump 110 may be integrally formed within the valve assembly 86 or may be removable (e.g., a needle valve, a pneumatic tire valve, an oral inflation valve, or other suitable inflation means and / or valve). The tube 114 may be configured to be stored adjacent to the shock absorber 50 or detached from the valve assembly 86 when not in use. The valve assembly 86 further includes a first on-off valve 94 and a second on-off valve 96 disposed between the first check valve 100 and the first chamber 72, as well as a second on-off valve 96 between the second check valve 96 and the primary chamber 70. An inlet 97 provides a conduit for fluid communication between the first check valve 100 and the first chamber 72. Inlet 89 provides a conduit for fluid communication between second check valve 102 and primary chamber 70 .

[0029] The system of FIG. 6 is similar in configuration to the system of FIG. 5 , except that the valve assembly 86 is adapted to fill a shock absorber 50 having two internal absorbent elements 53, 55. Thus, the valve assembly 86 includes a first control valve 88, a second control valve 90, and a third control valve 92, all fluidly connected on the inlet side to a common fluid manifold 108. The third control valve 92 includes a third check valve 104 in series with a third on-off valve 98, which is downstream of the third check valve 104 and before the inlet 93 to the second internal absorbent element 55. Of course, the number of control valves can be four or more, and additional control valves can be positioned in parallel along the fluid manifold 108, and / or multiple valve assemblies can be used together to fill more complex shock absorbers, each having multiple valve assemblies. An audible pressure relief valve 109 (or a conventional pressure relief valve) may be provided in fluid communication with the manifold 108 and configured to release excess fluid pressure when all of the control valves 88, 90, 92 are closed. The audible pressure relief valve 109 (e.g., a squealing reed or "squeak valve") is calibrated (e.g., selected) to emit an audible sound when a predetermined pressure is exceeded within the manifold, the predetermined pressure being higher than the preset fluid pressure in the absorbent elements 52, 53, 55. In this manner, once the absorbent elements 52, 53, 55 are filled with fluid to this pressure and the respective control valves 88, 90, 92 are closed, fluid will flow through the audible pressure relief valve, alerting the user to stop inflating.

[0030] 7A-B, an expanded view of FIG. 6 is shown to more clearly illustrate the operation of the present inflation system 87 compatible with the present shock absorber 50. As is readily apparent, the inflation system 87 and shock absorber 50 can be used together as a system or separately in a variety of applications. The inflation system 87 can be used in a wide variety of applications other than inflating the shock absorber 50. Also, the shock absorber 50 can be inflated by known inflation means, and the inflation system 87 is not required. However, the inflation system 87 is uniquely capable of rapidly and accurately inflating each of the multiple bladders of the shock absorber 50 to a preset pressure. While each control valve assembly is connected to a single bladder, the control valves can be connected to multiple bladders (chambers of the absorbent element) if the bladders are to be filled with the same fluid at the same pressure. Furthermore, one or more of the chambers can be filled off-site at a factory or facility. For example, one or more of the inner and outer absorbent elements may be optionally filled with fluid to one or more selected pressures and sealed at the time of their manufacture so that they cannot be filled by the user.

[0031] The purpose of the parallel-arranged control valves 88, 90, 92 is to allow filling / inflation of multiple bladders, each with a preset pressure, with fluid (e.g., air or other suitable fluid). When an individual absorbent element 52, 53, 55 reaches the preset pressure, the control valve associated with that absorbent element blocks fluid flow to that absorbent element while allowing the other high-pressure absorbent elements to continue to inflate with fluid provided from the fluid source through the manifold 108. Once all of the absorbent elements 52, 53, 55 have filled to their respective preset pressures, all of the control valves 88, 90, 92 will close, so that no more fluid enters the absorbent elements 52, 53, 55, even though fluid continues to be delivered to the manifold 108.

[0032] 7A shows that a first passageway 116, a second passageway 118, and a third passageway 120 are formed within the valve body 106, each of which is fluidly connected to a fluid manifold 108 and has a respective on-off valve 94, 96, 98. During the inflation process, fluid is introduced from a fluid source (e.g., using a manual pump 110, a port valve 112, or a known pneumatic tire valve such as a Schrader valve), flows through the manifold 108, enters the first passageway 116, the second passageway 118, and the third passageway 120 through inlets 164, 166, 168, respectively, and exits the check valves 100, 102, 104 through outlets 170, 172, 174. Each check valve 100, 102, 104 includes a spring 122, 124, 126 trapped between a pin 122, 124, 126 and a ball 134, 136, 138. Each spring 122, 124, 126 (a compression coil spring in the illustrated embodiment) has a different spring constant (or at least a different setting or other characteristic that affects the ability of each ball 134, 136, 138 to move within its respective extension 146), such that fluid flows through the inlets 164, 166, 168 when fluid pressure is insufficient to move the balls 134, 136, 138 against the spring force to the closed position.

[0033] 7B, an enlarged view of the second check valve 102 is shown, representing the remaining check valves 100, 104. Therefore, by describing the second check valve 102, the remaining check valves 100, 104 will be similarly described. A second passageway 118 is formed within the valve body 106 and provides fluid communication between the fluid manifold 108 and one chamber of the absorbent element (which chamber depends on the particular arrangement and can vary by design) via the on-off valve 96. The on-off valve 96 may be omitted in one or more embodiments. A ball 136 (shown within a dashed line to better illustrate the surrounding structure) is constrained to move within an extension 146 of the second passageway 118 and is trapped between the valve seat 140 and a limiter 158 (e.g., a neck, pin, shoulder, or similar reduction or partial obstruction in the extension 146 to prevent the ball 136 from falling out of the extension 146). In one or more embodiments, limiter 158 can be a second valve seat opposite valve seat 140. Spring 130 is captured between pin 124 and ball 136, with the spring connected to ball 136 or configured to bear against ball 136 under pressure. Spring 130 bears against ball 136 (connected or unconnected), urging ball 136 away from valve seat 140 and thus biasing check valve 102 to a normally open position. In one or more embodiments, fluid bypass 152 is provided to allow fluid to pass beyond limiter 158 even when ball 136 bears against limiter 158. In one or more embodiments, fluid bypass 152 is created by cutting a notch or similar cavity from one side of extension 146, limiter 158, and inlet 166.

[0034] During the inflation procedure, fluid flows from the fluid source into the fluid manifold 108. Still looking at the check valve 102 (note that the remaining check valves operate similarly but at different pressure set points), fluid enters the second passageway 118 through the inlet 166. Because the fluid pressure is initially low (assuming the absorbent element, in this case the external absorbent element 52, is under-inflated), the ball 136 does not seat in the valve seat 140, allowing fluid to travel through the second passageway 118 and past the open on-off valve 96. As fluid is pumped into the manifold 108, the fluid pressure increases and, if the fluid pressure force applied to the ball 136 is greater than the spring force, begins to urge the ball 136 toward the valve seat 140 against the bias of the spring 130. When the preset fluid pressure is reached, the ball 136 is forced upward against the valve seat 140 by the pressure, stopping the flow of fluid through the passageway 118, due to the preset fluid pressure in the primary chamber 70.

[0035] In this exemplary procedure, assuming the remaining passages 116, 120 remain open (where the check valves for those passages are set to a higher pressure than check valve 102) and passage 118 is closed, fluid can still be delivered from manifold 108 and pass through passages 116, 120. As the user continues to pump fluid into manifold 108, the spring with the next weakest spring constant is compressed by its associated ball until the ball seats and seals against its associated valve seat. As the user further pumps fluid into manifold 108, the check valve with the spring with the highest spring constant (i.e., the strongest spring that withstands the most compression) is forced closed when the preset pressure for that check valve is reached. In this manner, check valves 100, 102, 104 close one by one as the pressure rises to the pressure setpoint for each check valve. Of course, in one or more embodiments, it may be desirable to have two or more absorbent elements of the same pressure. In that case, a single check valve can be used to fill two or more absorbent elements, or two different check valves can be set to the same preset pressure (e.g. the springs have the same spring constant) so that they close simultaneously at the same pressure.

[0036] 8-11, the inner absorbent element is shown in some of the many available cross-sectional shapes, illustrating potential collapse scenarios due to the application of pressure alone (without any mechanical or contact deformation). Figures 8A-C show a circular inner absorbent element 176 disposed within an outer absorbent element 177, containing a first fluid 56 within a primary chamber 70 surrounding the circular inner absorbent element 176, and a second fluid 58 within a first chamber 72. While the first fluid 56 and the second fluid 58 are not shown in Figures 8-11, it can be understood that the fluids are present within their respective chambers and fill or at least partially fill the volumes of the chambers (fluids are not shown for clarity).

[0037] In FIG. 8A , there is no deformation, and the internal pressure in this section is at the initial setting pressure. As the pressure of the first fluid 56 increases (as represented by the radially oriented arrows in FIG. 8B ), where the first fluid pressure is higher than the second fluid pressure, the circular inner absorbent element 176 deforms. In this case, the type of deformation is such that the wall thickness of the circular inner absorbent element 176 increases and the outer diameter decreases. The advantage of the circular shape (e.g., not having a flat wall to collapse) generally allows the tube to contract through the increased wall thickness, so that the volume of the first chamber 72 decreases in this section of the tube, but collapse is still possible. Looking at FIG. 8C , as the pressure of the first fluid 56 increases (as represented by the radially oriented arrows in FIG. 8C ), where the second fluid pressure is higher than the first fluid pressure, the circular inner absorbent element 176 deforms. In this case, the type of deformation is such that the wall thickness of the circular inner absorbent element 176 decreases as the outer diameter increases. Whether the circular inner absorbent element 176 is forced to decrease in diameter or increase in diameter depends on the material properties of each of the outer absorbent element 177 and the circular inner absorbent element 176, the type of fluid in each element and their initial pressure, the type of impact, etc. The shock absorbers of Figures 8B and 8C can have the same or different physical properties.

[0038] Impact energy is absorbed by the external absorbing element 52 and optionally the circular internal absorbing element 176 deforming due to the impact force, causing fluid to move laterally (i.e., longitudinally), as well as by other conversions of energy into other forms (e.g., heat, sound, etc.). Thus, assuming the shock absorber 50 is elongated or even circular, an impact in one section will cause deformation in one or more sections opposite or distant from the impacted section.

[0039] The embodiment of Figures 9A-C includes an outer absorbent element 179 and is configured similarly to the embodiment of Figures 8A-C, except that the inner absorbent element 178 is hexagonal (or polygonal), which changes the deformation characteristics of the inner absorbent element 178 compared to the circular inner absorbent element 176. In Figure 9B, the flat sides of the hexagonal tube of the hexagonal inner absorbent element 178 bend inwardly upon application of additional pressure of the first fluid 56, where the first fluid pressure is greater than the second fluid pressure. In Figure 9C, the flat sides of the hexagonal tube of the hexagonal inner absorbent element 178 bend outwardly upon application of additional pressure of the second fluid 58, where the second fluid pressure is greater than the first fluid pressure.

[0040] The embodiment of Figures 10A-C includes an outer absorbent element 181 and is configured similarly to the embodiment of Figures 8A-C, except that the inner absorbent element 180 is rectangular, which changes the deformation characteristics of the inner absorbent element 180 compared to the circular inner absorbent element 176. In Figure 10B, the flattened surfaces of the rectangular tube of the rectangular inner absorbent element 180 bend inwardly with the application of additional pressure of the first fluid 56, where the first fluid pressure is greater than the second fluid pressure. In Figure 10C, the flattened surfaces of the rectangular tube of the rectangular inner absorbent element 180 bend outwardly with the application of additional pressure of the second fluid 58, where the second fluid pressure is greater than the first fluid pressure.

[0041] The embodiment of Figures 11A-C is configured similarly to the embodiment of Figures 8A-C, except that the inner absorbent element 182 is triangular, which changes the deformation characteristics of the inner absorbent element 182 compared to the circular inner absorbent element 176. In Figure 11B, the flat sides of the triangular tube of the triangular inner absorbent element 182 bend inwardly and deform with the application of additional pressure of the first fluid 56, where the first fluid pressure is higher than the second fluid pressure. In Figure 11C, the flat sides of the triangular tube of the triangular inner absorbent element 182 bend outwardly and deform with the application of additional pressure of the second fluid 58, where the second fluid pressure is higher than the first fluid pressure.

[0042] 12-18 (some of which are shown without the primary elements for ease of understanding), an internal absorbent assembly 54 for insertion into a helmet shell is shown having a first internal absorbent panel 184, a second internal absorbent panel 186, and a third internal absorbent panel 188 aligned (or misaligned) and stacked with one another and similar in cross section to the internal absorbent assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4. The interior absorbent panels 184, 186, 188 may be fabricated as an integral assembly (e.g., molded together), but in this example they are instead individually molded (e.g., by blow molding or other suitable manufacturing process) from a resilient material (e.g., thermoplastic, composite, or other known or future discovered material) that is capable of deforming and quickly returning to its original or near-original shape with little or no permanent deformation, and of withstanding a large number of impact and deformation cycles (e.g., more than 100 cycles, or more than 500 cycles, or more than 1000 cycles, or more than 5,000 cycles, or more than 10,000 cycles) without substantial permanent deformation due to fatigue.

[0043] Each of the interior absorbent element panels 184, 186, 188 are generally similarly shaped, and the exact shape and size of the individual panels may vary from layer to layer according to design requirements and limitations. For example, there may be insufficient space in a particular area for all three layers between the protected object PO and the impacted object IO, and therefore one or more layers may be eliminated in that area. In another exemplary scenario, impact incidents may be reduced in a particular area, in which case multiple layers are not needed and are reduced, saving space, weight, and cost.

[0044] As described above, the wall thickness of each of the internal absorbent panels 204, 186, 188 can vary. In one example, the thicker wall of the first internal absorbent panel 204 closest to the impacted object IO provides the greatest resistance to deformation, so that the impact of the impact force F1 does not immediately crush the first internal absorbent panel 184 (although a sufficiently large force would, of course, completely collapse the panel in at least one area). Instead, the wall of the first internal absorbent panel 184 partially deforms and transmits at least a portion of the impact force through to the second internal absorbent panel 186, which has a comparatively thinner wall thickness. The innermost third internal absorbent panel 188 (closest to the protected object PO) has the thinnest wall thickness because it has less impact force F1 to absorb compared to the outer layers, and a comfortable and / or delicate contact with the protected object is generally desirable. In still other exemplary embodiments, the relative thicknesses of the inner absorbent panels 184, 186, 188 may be reversed (i.e., the thinner layer is closest to the object to be protected PO), or may be arranged in any order, or all layers may be the same thickness.

[0045] Looking at the configuration of the first inner absorbent panel 184, it is, in at least one embodiment, representative of the remaining inner absorbent panels 186, 188, strictly or at least in terms of general basic structure. In use, the exemplary embodiment of the inner absorbent assembly 54 would be placed and sealed within the outer absorbent element 52 (similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Instead of an inner absorbent element having a wide chamber (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), at least one (and preferably several or many) baffle structures are formed to divide the chamber of the inner absorbent element into multiple fluidly connected subchambers. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the subchambers are fluidly isolated from the remaining subchambers.

[0046] As shown in Figure 12, the first inner absorbent panel 184 includes a common impact zone 202 (further referred to herein as base structure 202) that serves as a base structure from which other structures branch. The base structure 202 is created by dividing it with a plurality of generally longitudinally parallel elongated seams 82 between which a plurality of elongated chambers 84 are formed, as discussed above with respect to Figures 2 and 3. The plurality of elongated chambers 84 create separate fluid pathways such that fluids within each elongated chamber 84 can mix and equalize pressure within one or more manifold regions 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200. Manifold regions 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200 may be created by terminating or interrupting the extension of one or more elongated seams 82 between elongated chambers 84 (e.g., by not completely pinching off or welding the seam at a particular portion), so that fluid can pass from one elongated chamber 84 to the next.

[0047] The purpose of the elongated chambers is to allow rapid and controlled flow of fluid from the impacted (and thus compressed and / or reduced in volume) portion to the uncompressed portion. This allows the fluid in the primary and inner chambers to diffuse isotropically throughout both chambers, instantly spreading the incoming kinetic energy over a very large surface absorption area. The fluid may simply flow through some portions, or it may expand portions of the elongated chambers 84 by a localized, temporary increase in pressure in the impacted region and / or mechanical pumping of the fluid throughout the duration of the impact, which may be on the order of milliseconds (e.g., the impact deforms and constricts elements, so the fluid may also be pumped peristally). To prevent one elongated chamber 84 from being overstressed, fluid pressure can be equalized in the manifold regions 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200. In one or more embodiments, there is a single manifold region, multiple manifold regions, or manifold regions can be eliminated.

[0048] It is noted that the inner absorbent element panels 204, 186, 188 are contained within the outer absorbent element 52 and are completely or partially surrounded by the first fluid 56, and the degree and type of deformation of the inner absorbent element panels 204, 186, 188 and the outer absorbent element 52 are interrelated by the selection of various design factors (e.g., cross-sectional geometry, chamber volume, wall thickness, wall material, the resulting volume between the inner absorbent element assembly 54 and the outer absorbent element 52 (e.g., free space within which the inner absorbent element can expand), the pressure of the first fluid 56, the pressure of the second fluid 55, the pressure of the third fluid 60, the pressure of the fourth fluid 80, and other design factors that affect deformation and fluid flow).

[0049] Still looking to the first interior absorbent panel 184 as an example, in one or more embodiments, the base structure 202 may optionally include one or more extended impact zones 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 (sometimes referred to herein as panel branches) that branch off from the base structure 202 or other structures. Each of these panel branches 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 includes a plurality of elongated seams 82′ that extend laterally from the base structure and define two or more elongated chambers 84′ configured to intersect the elongated chambers 84 of the base structure 202.

[0050] Looking at the function of the various regions of the first inner absorbent panel 184 (and other panels), this exemplary configuration is designed to fit within a helmet shell for head protection. When fitted within an American football helmet shell and worn on a user's head (where the entire inner absorbent assembly 54 is placed within the outer absorbent element 52, and the shock absorbers are pressed to conform to the inner curvature of the helmet shell and secured in place by hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, or other fasteners), the base structure 202 wraps around the head (covering either the entire circumference or most of the circumference), and the panel branches 204 wrap around the back of the head toward the crown. Extending upward, panel branch 206 extends across panel branch 204 and parallel and adjacent to base structure 202 and is configured to cover the bottom of the skull, panel branch 208 extends downward from base structure 202 to cover the side of the skull just in front of the ear, panel branch 212 extends downward from base structure 202 to cover the opposite side of the skull just in front of the ear, and panel branches 210 and 214 meet at the front of the skull on either side of the front of the skull and extend toward the top of the skull. It should be noted that the present shock absorber 50 need not cover the entire head, although in one or more exemplary embodiments it may be designed to do so.

[0051] Where each of the panel branches 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 intersects with either the base structure 202 or another panel branch, a manifold region 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200 is formed. One or more of these intersections, in one or more exemplary embodiments, may be formed without a manifold region 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200. The manifold regions 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200 allow for the rapid movement of fluid from any one of the branches or the base structure 202 to other portions of the base structure 202 and / or the panel branches 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214. Thus, during a collision, fluid can move from the region of reduced volume (reduced due to the localized impact) to all other regions.

[0052] As fluid moves laterally through elongated chamber 84 and primary chamber 70 and away from the impact region, first fluid 56 within primary chamber 70 expands the volume of primary chamber 70 in areas outside the impact region, and / or second fluid 58 within first chamber 72 expands the volume of first chamber 72 in areas outside the impact region. Alternatively, (because in one or more embodiments the expansion of outer absorbent element 52 can be intentionally insufficient to allow a pressure drop to a preset pressure), the volume expansion of primary chamber 70 and the accompanying increase in pressure of first fluid 56 surrounding inner absorbent element panels 184, 186, 188 will exert a large force on elongated chamber 84 from all directions perpendicular to the round, tubular walls of elongated chamber 84. Therefore, because the first fluid 56 is pushing equally from all directions, the wall thickness of the elongated chamber 84 of the inner absorbent element panels 184, 186, 188 will increase, which may reduce the volume of the elongated chamber 84 in the areas where the walls are thicker.

[0053] As soon as the impact event ends, the fluids 56, 58, 60, 80 flow laterally through the respective chambers of the shock absorber 50, returning toward the previous impact area and being pushed back by the elastic return of the deformed area to its original shape (e.g., the extensions of the outer absorbent element 52 and optionally the inner absorbent element mechanically expel the fluid, causing a rapid backfilling movement of the extruded fluid from the impact zone and a return of the wall thickness to its original thickness). Essentially, the shock absorber 50 is forced to rapidly return to a state of equalized pressure as soon as the impact ends, with all components rapidly returning to their original shapes. This rebound occurs rapidly, so that the shock absorber 50 resets and returns to its original shape within milliseconds after the impact, allowing it to similarly absorb another subsequent impact.

[0054] 13, in one or more embodiments, one or more of the inner absorbent element panels 540 of the embodiment of FIG. 12 may be further divided into multiple isolated regions by one or more seams. Seams 542 and 544 (created by a pinch-off process or the like) define first isolated portion 546, second isolated portion 548, and third isolated portion 550, each of which may have the same or different fluid pressures. Arrows within each isolated portion indicate that fluid sealed within each isolated portion can flow throughout the respective isolated portion (through the elongated chamber and manifold region). The fluid within each isolated portion 546, 548, 550 may be the same or different fluids. This arrangement allows for targeted impact absorption based on the type and magnitude of impact expected to be experienced within each region.

[0055] 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the manifold region 190 at the intersection of the base structure 202 and the panel branch 204 of the first inner absorbent panel 184. It can be seen that the elongated chamber 84 of the base structure 202 intersects with the elongated chamber 84' of the base structure 202. The elongated seam 82 of the base structure 202 and the elongated seam 82' of the panel branch 204 include interruptions in the seams 82, 82' such that when one elongated chamber intersects another, the channels open to each other at the intersection, allowing fluid to travel through each unobstructed channel and between the base structure 202 and the panel branch 204 (as indicated by the crossed arrows). In this manner, fluid moves rapidly throughout the first inner absorbent panel 184 and is easily exchanged through the various manifold regions 190, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200 between the panel branches 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and the base structure 202. Cones 256 within the manifold region 190 connect the layers of material comprising the first inner absorbent panel 184 to control deformation in the manifold region 190 and are created using known pinch-off techniques in blow molding.

[0056] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of the inner absorbent assembly 54 in which the first, second, and third inner absorbent panels 184, 186, and 188 are each made of an annular portion 258 and a crown portion 260 that arcs from one side of the annular portion 258 to the other, fluidly and mechanically connecting through manifold regions 259, 261. The cheek pads 257 and lower neck absorber 263 are integral chambers molded into the main supply chambers 186 and 184, helping to share incoming impact loads. The inner absorbent panels 184, 186, and 188 are nested one within the other and are not fluidly connected (e.g., the second fluid 58 does not mix with the third fluid unless selectively fluidly connected). The outer absorbent 52 surrounds the inner absorbent assembly 54, as discussed above.

[0057] FIG. 16 shows a helmet assembly 262 incorporating the present shock absorber 50 within a standard football helmet 261 (or any of a wide variety of similar helmets). The shock absorber 50 embodied in FIGS. 12-15 and various other embodiments is easily fitted within the helmet 261. The inner absorbent element assembly 54 is similar in configuration to the embodiment of FIG. 15 , having an annular portion 258 and a crown portion 260, and the assembly 54 is sealed within the outer absorbent element 52 and surrounded by the first fluid 56 within the primary chamber 70. It should be noted that a large amount of empty space is not necessarily present within the primary chamber 70, and the inner absorbent element panels 184, 186, 188 may be positioned adjacent to or even in contact with the outer wall 59 of the outer absorbent element 52. It can be seen that the impacted side 66 of the shock absorber 50 is adjacent the inner surface 64 of the helmet shell 264. The shock absorber 50 embodied in FIGS. 12-15 and various other embodiments is easily fitted within the helmet 261. The outer absorbent element 52 may be configured as a flexible member that can bend and form to fill the space between the user's head and the inner surface 64. Although the outer absorbent element 52 is flexible, it may also be substantially inelastic, in which case the material is designed not to stretch substantially under the stresses of normal use and impact. However, slight elastic stretching may be permitted, such as less than 50% dimensional change, or less than 5% dimensional change, or less than 3% dimensional change, or less than 1% dimensional change.

[0058] FIG. 17 shows the shock absorber 50 shown in the football helmet 261 of FIG. 16 in a cross section taken across the head H and through the shock absorber 50 and helmet shell 261 (drawn schematically by a single line). An oblique impact force F2 strikes a region of the helmet shell 261 above the extended impact zone 210 (referring back to FIG. 13 ), offset some distance from the approximate axis of rotation (approximately the wearer's vertebrae). The oblique impact force F2 rotates the helmet shell 261 relative to the head H. The purpose of this shock absorber 50 is to absorb forces and prevent excessive acceleration of the head H, in this case both angular and linear acceleration.

[0059] Looking only at angular (rotational) acceleration, the helmet 261 rotates by an angle θ in response to force F2. At least a portion of the expanded impact zone 210 compresses to absorb most of the impact energy. As described above, the first, second, and third internal absorbent panels 184, 186, and 188 may have different impact absorption characteristics (e.g., different pressures, materials, wall thicknesses, geometries, etc.). In this exemplary embodiment, the first and second internal absorbent panels 184, 186 are the least compressible but can absorb most of the initial impact (together with the external absorbent). Meanwhile, the third internal absorbent panel 188 compresses the most, providing maximum protection to the head H, even though most of the force F2 is absorbed by panels 184 and 186. Due to the interconnection of the various regions provided by the manifold system optionally integrated within each of the first, second, and third inner absorbent panels 184, 186, and 188, the fluid within each panel is forced, upon compression, within a few milliseconds towards the remainder of the panel that is not in compression (e.g., away from the area immediately surrounding the point or area of ​​impact of force F2).

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, the outer absorbent element 52 surrounds and contains the panels 184, 186, 188 around the head H (annulus portion 258 as shown in FIG. 16 ) and above the crown of the head (crown portion 260 as shown in FIG. 16 ). The first fluid 56 is contained within the outer absorbent element 52 and surrounds the inner absorbent element, which in this example are the panels 184, 186, 188. The outer absorbent element 52 is configured to not elastically stretch (e.g., be inelastic or substantially inelastic), but can flex under stress. The force of the impact F2 will crush the outer absorbent element 52, potentially bringing the impacted side 66 closer to the protected side 68 and mechanically crushing the panels 184, 186, 188 therebetween. Furthermore, due to the deformation of the outer absorbent element 52, the pressure of the first fluid 56 will increase compared to the initial pressure. The pressurized first fluid 56 surrounds the panels 184, 186, 188 and compresses them (perpendicular to the walls of each portion of the panels), applying fluid pressure to the walls of the panels and thus deforming the panels, reducing the interior volume of the panels 184, 186, 188 and / or thickening the walls of the panels 184, 186, 188. Thus, in many impact scenarios, there is a combination of mechanical deformation (due to the physical crushing that occurs between the helmet outer shell 264 and the head H in the impact area) and deformation caused by fluid or hydraulic pressure compressing the panels (where the first fluid 56, such as air, is compressed due to the inelastic properties of the external absorbent element 52).

[0061] Still considering the impact illustrated in FIG. 17 , the compressed region 266 of the crash absorber 50 reduces in volume in each of the panels 184, 186, 188 and the external absorbent element 52, and as a portion of each of the fluids 56, 58, 60, 81 is expelled from the compressed region 166, the fluids 56, 58, 60, 81 must move to less compressed, lower-pressure regions to equalize fluid pressure. The fluids 56, 58, 60, 81 will at least partially expand regions of the crash absorber 50, which may have regions of maximum expansion, such as expansion region 288, and a shift (in this example, rotation) of the helmet shell relative to the head will create space for expansion in one or more regions located away from the point of impact. In FIG. 17 , impact force F2 is applied to the left side of the helmet shell 264 and forward of rotation axis A, which rotates the helmet through an angle θ. Opposite the compressed region 266 is an expansion region 288 that expands into the gap created by the rotation of the helmet shell 264 while the head H remains substantially stationary for at least the first few milliseconds of impact. The panels 184, 186, 188 expand to fill this gap, each expanding to different or the same extent.

[0062] During a crash, the fluids 56, 58, 60, 81 are forced around the crash absorber 50 and through the tubular channels of the panels 184, 186, 188 and the external absorbent element 52, absorbing energy through mechanical pumping of the fluids 56, 58, 60, 81, mechanical deformation of the crash absorber 50, hydraulic deformation of the panels 184, 186, 188 (by compression or expansion), and other forms of energy absorption within the crash absorber 50. Furthermore, because any gaps created during impact are almost immediately filled by expansion, the head H is substantially prevented from initially moving with the helmet and striking the side of the helmet opposite the point of impact.

[0063] After the impact force F2 is removed (or at least the major impact has ended), the helmet shell is biased by the shock absorber 50 back to its initial position relative to the head H, in this example, by an angle θ. The shock absorber is therefore self-centering in that it returns to its original or substantially original position. The bias is due to the deformed portions of the shock absorber 50 being elastically biased back to their original shape. Thus, the expansion region 288 and the compression region 266 act together to equalize their pressures, forcing the fluids 56, 58, 60, 81 from the expansion region 288 back to the compression region, which occurs within milliseconds after the impact. This means that the shock absorber 50 can absorb a first impact and return to its original shape before a second impact strikes the helmet. In American football, during a single tackle event, a helmet may be impacted by several forces in rapid succession, for example, one player's helmet striking another player's helmet, creating a first impact, and that player's helmet striking the ground immediately thereafter, creating a second impact. The impact absorber 50 quickly rebounds to its original shape or substantially its original shape (e.g., within 60%-90% of its original shape) between the two impacts, so that the impact absorber 50 is reset and ready to absorb the second impact.

[0064] 18 and 19 show an embodiment similar to that of FIGS. 16 and 17, except that instead of only circular cross-sections, the inner absorbent elements 53, 55, and 78 are a combination of cross-sections. The outer absorbent element 52 is not shown for clarity but could be included or optionally excluded in one or more embodiments. For example, each tube of the first inner absorbent element 53 has a circular cross-section. Circular cross-section tubes are generally relatively difficult to compress and, in one or more embodiments, are positioned closest to or near the impacting object to withstand the force of the impact. The second inner absorbent element 55 is positioned inside and adjacent to the first inner absorbent element 53. Each tube of the second inner absorbent element 55 generally has a hexagonal cross-section, which is relatively easier to compress and deform than a circular cross-section. The third inner absorbent element is positioned innermost (e.g., in a helmet embodiment, next to the wearer's head). Each tube of the third inner absorbent element 78 generally has an oval cross-sectional shape (e.g., an obround shape in this illustrated example) which is relatively the most compressible, providing flexibility and comfort to the wearer's head or delicate protection to the protected object.

[0065] Much like the embodiment of FIG. 17 , the extended impact zones 204, 210, and 214 are shown cut away to show their cross-sectional shapes, but they each extend over the crown of the wearer's head (in a helmet embodiment). In one or more embodiments, the extended impact zones 204, 210, and 214 each branch out in an arc and meet at a point on the crown (like a Y or similar), or terminate without meeting. Portions 210, 214, and 204 are perpendicular to the lateral rings. These regions may have different shapes specifically tailored to absorb rotational impact from eccentric collisions, which are now considered a leading cause of concussions.

[0066] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present shock absorber 50 is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The shock absorber 50 is formed as a loop, with an outer absorbent element 52 surrounding an inner absorbent element assembly 54, which is configured as a bundle of inner absorbent elements. While the loop is shown as open (or C-shaped), in at least one embodiment it forms a complete loop, resulting in uninterrupted fluid flow around the loop. Alternatively, the inner absorbent element is a tubular element (or other cross-sectional shape, such as those shown in FIGS. 9-11, or other shape appropriate for the application), sealed at each end, and contained within the outer absorbent element 52. FIG. 19 shows a cross-section of the inner absorbent element assembly 54, illustrating that each of the inner absorbent elements may vary in diameter and wall thickness, with the outermost (right-most) inner absorbent element having the largest wall thickness and the innermost (left-most and closest to the head) inner absorbent element having the smallest wall thickness.

[0067] 22, 23, and 24A-H illustrate a further embodiment in which opposing, nested (e.g., generally interlocking, interlocking with a space between them, or aligned such that interlocking or interlocking occurs under sufficient load) corrugated structures (at least some of the exemplary corrugations have an isosceles trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, while others may be a hybrid of this shape and a curvilinear shape) absorb and dissipate both normal and shear components of impact forces to prevent substantial damage to the protected object behind them. Looking first to FIGS. 22 and 23, this exemplary embodiment of the present shock absorber 50 generally includes a first layer 396 of sheet material that is ultimately sealed about a common periphery to a sixth layer 406 of sheet material to define outer absorbent elements 384 and 385 having primary chambers 390 and 391, respectively, that enclose one or more inner absorbent elements. Although the layers of sheet material are numbered in this and other exemplary embodiments, the numbering of each sheet may be varied or rearranged herein depending on the number of sheets in the assembly and other obvious variations in naming conventions.

[0068] Using one exemplary method of manufacture and assembly, a first layer of sheet material 396 and a second corrugated layer of sheet material 398 are sealed together around a common periphery at a seam 430 to define a primary chamber 390 therebetween, which creates a first subassembly 408; optionally, each subassembly of the shock absorber 50 may be made separately by blow molding (or by other known processes, as described elsewhere herein) and ultimately assembled into the complete shock absorber 50.

[0069] Second corrugated layer of sheet material 398 and third corrugated layer of sheet material 400 are then sealed together around a common perimeter at seam 429 (the seam is created when all subassemblies are sealed together) to define first chamber 392 therebetween. The corrugations of second corrugated layer of sheet material 398 and third corrugated layer of sheet material 400 are nested such that, for example, ridges 416 (of third layer 400) are disposed within troughs 420 (of second layer 398) and ridges 418 (of second layer 398) are disposed within troughs 422 (of third layer 400), with the spaces between the corrugations creating the gaps of first chamber 392.

[0070] The third corrugated layer of sheet material 400 and the fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 are then sealed together about their common periphery at seam 432 to define a second chamber 394 therebetween, which creates a second subassembly 410. Instead of nested corrugations, the corrugations are opposed such that the crests of the corrugations are substantially aligned and the crests of the third corrugated layer of sheet material 400 can contact the crests of the fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 under at least some loading conditions, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0071] The fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 and the fifth corrugated layer of sheet material 404 are sealed together around a common perimeter at a seam 429 (the seam is created when all of the subassemblies are sealed together) to define a first chamber 393 therebetween. The corrugations of the fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 and the fifth corrugated layer of sheet material 404 are nested as described above with the assembly of the second corrugated layer of sheet material 398 and the third corrugated layer of sheet material 400.

[0072] Fifth layer 404 of sheet material and sixth corrugated layer 406 of sheet material are sealed together about a common perimeter at seam 434 to define primary chamber 391 therebetween, which creates third subassembly 412. As briefly described above, first subassembly 408, second subassembly 410, and third subassembly 412 are sealed together by sealing flanges of seal 430 and seal 434 together, trapping second subassembly 410 therebetween by seal 432. Assembling subassemblies 408, 410, 412 creates chambers 392 and 393. Within each of chambers 390, 391, 392, 393, and 394, a fluid is contained under a preset or user-set pressure, as described above in the discussion of the embodiment of FIG. 22 .

[0073] The first layer 396 of sheet material and the sixth layer 406 of sheet material are each shaped to include elongated, parallel ridges 414 (having an arcuate profile in this example) that, when assembled into the shock absorber 50, form protrusions when viewed from the outside of the layers 396 and 406. The ridges 414 act as a pump, such that an impact initially pushes one or more of the ridges 414 from their arcuate shape to a flatter state (flat, concave, or less arcuate, e.g., a larger radius arc), thus potentially increasing pressure in at least the primary chamber 390 by either compressing fluid within the chamber or transferring pressure to an adjacent chamber. The layers 396 and 406 are formed with elongated, parallel ridges in a corrugated shape, although other protrusions and / or irregularities in the planar layers of sheet material are possible, such as dimples, domes, etc.

[0074] Between each ridge 414, facing chambers 390 and 391, is a contact surface 424 configured to contact the ridge apexes of second corrugated layer 398 of sheet material and sixth corrugated layer 406 of sheet material, respectively. These contact surfaces are generally flat, but may have different shapes, such as concave, convex, or other shapes, configured to bear against opposing contact surfaces or other surfaces to transfer force from one layer to the next. For example, when sufficiently deformed and compressed by an impact force entering an impacted object adjacent first layer 396 of sheet material (here, first layer 396 is adjacent the impacted object and sixth layer 406 is adjacent the protected object, although this may be interchanged depending on the design and application), contact surface 424 of first layer 396 of sheet material bears against contact surface 426 of second layer 398 of sheet material. As a further example of multiple or multiple contact surfaces within the illustrated shock absorber 50, the contact surface 432 of the first layer 396 of sheet material bears against the contact surface 430 of the second layer 398 of sheet material.

[0075] Additionally, the sides or legs of the trapezoidal corrugations can contact when compressed with sufficient force and / or pressure (lateral and / or normal). For example, instead of contact surfaces 424 and 426 comprising the short bases of the trapezoidal shapes, pairs of contact surfaces (e.g., surfaces 434 and 436 or surfaces 432 and 438) can be the legs of the trapezoidal shapes. Looking at contact surface 434 of fourth corrugated layer 402 and contact surface 436 of fifth corrugated layer 404, the surfaces will contact each other under sufficient lateral force (e.g., a force having a component that is not normal to the short bases of the trapezoidal corrugations) and / or sufficient normal force (e.g., a force having a component normal to the short bases of the trapezoidal corrugations) and / or sufficient pressure. The contact surfaces of the legs of the trapezoidal corrugations control the lateral shift of adjacent layers relative to one another, caused for example by a blow striking the helmet at an angle, due to mechanical interference caused by two surfaces impeding the movement of the associated corrugations, and thus control, slow, reduce or otherwise influence the shift of the various layers of sheet material relative to one another and ultimately the shift of the impacting object relative to the protected item.

[0076] 24A-H illustrate the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 22 and 23 absorbing an exemplary impact and resulting exemplary deformation, where the shock absorber is positioned between an impacting object and a protected object (each not shown). While a specific deformation and sequence of deformations are shown, the type of deformation and sequence of deformations may vary depending on the nature of the forces imparted to the shock absorber 50 and the properties of the material (both intentional design and unintentional properties inherent in the material when new or with age and use). While FIG. 47A illustrates a cross-sectional end view of the shock absorber 50 in its initial state with no external forces acting on it, in the example of a helmet, the wearer's head and helmet shell may deform the shock absorber somewhat, and the initial state will behave similarly for most or all deformations, although not necessarily exactly as shown. Furthermore, the nature of the deformation may depend on which portion of the shock absorber is observed (e.g., near the impact area or away from the impact area). FIGS. 48A-H illustrate deformation at or near the impact area on the impacting object.

[0077] 24B shows an exemplary first deformation, in which an impact force is applied to a first layer 396 of sheet material (through an impacted object, not shown, where a shock absorber is positioned between the impacted object and the protected item). The pressure in the primary chamber 390 increases, causing a second corrugated layer 398 of sheet material to be forced into contact with a third corrugated layer 400 of sheet material at contact area 440, and one or more legs of the trapezoidal corrugations to flex or otherwise deform, allowing all or a portion of the first chamber 392 to collapse.

[0078] Figure 24C shows the increase in force and / or pressure over time relative to Figure 24B. Here, the force on the impacting object is sufficient to force outer ridges 414 of first layer of sheet material 396 down to a flat or substantially flat state, thus reducing the volume of primary chamber 390. Additionally, first layer of sheet material 396 is forced into contact with second corrugated layer of sheet material 398 at contact areas 442, further reducing the volume of primary chamber 390, and the sides of primary chamber 390 flex or otherwise deform, allowing all or a portion of primary chamber 390 to collapse.

[0079] Figure 24D shows the increase in force and / or pressure over time relative to Figure 24C, where the force on the impacting object is sufficient to force the third corrugated layer of sheet material 400 into contact with the fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 at contact area 444, thus reducing the volume of the second chamber 394.

[0080] Figure 24E further illustrates a further increase in force and / or pressure over time relative to Figure 24D. The force on the impacting object is sufficient to cause the fourth corrugated layer of sheet material 402 to be forced into contact with the fifth corrugated layer of sheet material 404 at contact area 446, causing one or more legs of the trapezoidal corrugations to flex or otherwise deform, allowing all or a portion of the first chamber 393 to collapse.

[0081] Figure 24F shows the increase in force and / or pressure over time relative to Figure 24E. Here, the force on the impacting object is sufficient to force outer ridges 414 of sixth layer of sheet material 406 down to a flat or substantially flat state, thus reducing the volume of primary chamber 391. Additionally, fifth corrugated layer 404 of sheet material is forced into contact with sixth layer of sheet material 398 at contact area 448, further reducing the volume of primary chamber 391, and the sides of primary chamber 391 flex or otherwise deform, allowing all or a portion of primary chamber 391 to collapse.

[0082] FIG. 24G shows the increase in force and / or pressure over time, relative to FIG. 24F, under rotational impact conditions as indicated by force direction F2 in FIG. 17. Here, the force on the impacted object is sufficient to cause deflection or other deformation (e.g., bending, folding, thickening, etc.) of multiple inner legs of the trapezoidal corrugations of layers 398 and 400 (which contact each other to form a bilayer), as seen in bending region 450. This bending or other deformation (including the previous deformations discussed above) both reduce the volume of one or more chambers, which in one or more embodiments can also function as mechanical springs to further absorb and dissipate energy. The direction and type of deflection can also depend on the nature of the impact force—for example, whether the impact is more oblique or straight. Here, the deflections are each rounded in the same direction. However, they can each be configured to deflect in a specific direction, or they can each deflect in different directions and ways depending on the applied force and design.

[0083] Figure 24H shows the increase in force and / or pressure over time relative to Figure 24G. Here, the force on the impacted object is sufficient to cause deflection or other deformation (e.g., bending, folding, thickening, etc.) of multiple interior legs of the trapezoidal corrugations of layers 402 and 404 (which contact each other to form a bilayer), as seen in bending region 452. The legs alternately deflect opposite adjacent legs, forming an arc-like structure that can help control the reduction in volume within primary chamber 391. However, the legs may be configured for different deflection or deformation patterns.

[0084] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present shock absorber 50 is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26A-G. Somewhat similar to the configuration described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first inner absorbent element 653, a second inner absorbent element 655, and a third inner absorbent element 678 are contained within an outer absorbent element 652 and stacked together therein. Each of the inner absorbent elements 653, 655, and 678 preferably has one or more elongated chambers formed therethrough that provide fluid communication along the entire length or at least a portion of the length of the inner absorbent element. The elongated chambers in this example include a first chamber 674, a second chamber 676, and a third chamber 680. Each elongated chamber is optionally connected to adjacent chambers by a web 605 or other similar connecting structure to form a panel (similar in concept to the panels described with respect to FIGS. 12-14). In this example, the cross-sectional shape of each of elongated chambers 674, 676, and 680 is generally elliptical, and in one example, the dimension of the chamber parallel to impact force F1 (as shown in FIG. 1 ) is smaller than the dimension perpendicular to force F1. In this exemplary embodiment, the elliptical shape can be one or more (or a combination of curves) of an elliptical cross-sectional shape (with rounded or sharp corners, or a radius close to zero), an oval cross-sectional shape, a vesica piscis cross-sectional shape, or other suitable elliptical shapes with symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-sections. The purpose of the elliptical cross-sectional shape is to allow compression and full and / or partial collapse of elongated chambers 674, 676, and 680, at least in the impact region. Each of elongated chambers 674, 676, and 680 includes a series of bending features 604, which are features that allow elongated chambers 674, 676, and 680 to bend. The bending feature may be one or more of a necking (e.g., a portion of reduced cross-sectional size), a relief feature (e.g., a wrinkle, a groove, etc.), or any other feature that creates a portion of bending weakness in the elongated chambers 674, 676, and 680.Similarly, the outer absorbent element 652 includes similar bending features 602 that create weakened portions in the outer absorbent element 652, such that the inner absorbent elements 653, 655, and 678, as well as the outer absorbent element 652, can bend and conform to a shape that conforms to the protected object PO and / or the impacted object IO. The bending features 602, 604 can be evenly or selectively spaced along some or all of their lengths.

[0085] 26A-G, the progression of collapse of the internal absorbent elements 653, 655, and 678 is shown, which gradually decelerates the protected object PO through energy absorption, resulting in a much smaller acceleration than would be expected from the protected object as a result of absorbing a large impact force F1. It can be seen that the impact force F1, against one or both of the bias of the spring force of the first internal absorbent element 653 and the pressure of the fluid contained therein and / or around it, first partially and then completely collapses the chamber of the first internal absorbent element 653. Similarly, the second internal absorbent element 655, then the third internal absorbent element 678, each collapse and gradually decelerate as they progressively absorb the impact force F1.

[0086] Yet another exemplary embodiment is shown in Figures 27-31, in which one or more layers of sheet material are molded or otherwise fabricated with indentations or hollow protrusions configured to fit one between the other in an interlocking configuration, generally with spaces between adjacent protrusions. The shock absorber 50 of Figure 272 includes a plurality or multiple hollow fins or protrusions aligned laterally (e.g., laterally perpendicular to the longitudinal or annular axis) in one or more of the layers of the shock absorber 50.

[0087] 27 , the external absorbent element 460 is made of a first layer 480 of sheet material sealed about a common perimeter with a second layer 482 of sheet material, defining a primary chamber 470 between the two layers. At least one laterally aligned fin 508 (representative of the remaining many or more fins 508, if present) is formed in the second layer 482 of sheet material and faces away from the first layer 480 of sheet material (e.g., the cavity comprising the backside of the fin 508 faces the first layer 480 of sheet material) and toward the third layer 484 of sheet material. The fins 508 are generally arranged in a rectangular array comprising three columns, in this example, arranged such that the fins within each column are parallel and the fins within each row across the column are aligned. Although this particular arrangement of fins is shown and described, the fins can be in any arrangement as required by the application, and the fin pattern may be less ordered and may be random, chevron or zigzag, diagonal, or in a pattern in which the fins are arranged depending on the expected application of force within each region (e.g., the pattern may be complex, vary from region to region, or in other patterned or non-patterned arrangements). Fins 508, 510, 512, and 514 of layers 480, 482, 484, 486, and 488, respectively, have patterns substantially similar to the above pattern (and the alternating pattern described). First layer 480 of sheet material is formed with outer ridges 500, each separated by grooves 502. The ridges 500 and groove arrangement 502 allow for easy bending about a transverse axis (plane-parallel to the flat portion of the layer and perpendicular to and plane-parallel to the longitudinal axis) to provide additional cushioning.

[0088] The first internal absorbent element 464 is made of a second layer 482 of sheet material sealed around a common perimeter with a third layer 484 of sheet material, defining a first chamber 474 between the two layers. The second layer 482 and the third layer 484 of sheet material each include an array of fins—a first array 492 of fins formed on the second layer 482 of sheet material and a second array of fins on the third layer 484 of sheet material. Looking at the fins 508 on layer 482 and the fins 510 on layer 484 (each of which is representative of the remaining fins on the same layer for this exemplary embodiment), it can be seen that the fins 510 are longer than the fins 508, with the tips of the fins 510 touching or very close to the flat portion of the layer 482. However, in one or more embodiments, the fins 508 can be longer, or the fins 508, 510 can be the same size. Furthermore, the fins 508, 510 face each other, with their distal ends (e.g., the free ends of the fins when the fins are cantilevered from the layer) located adjacent the long base of the opposing fin. Except for the fins at the ends of the rows, each fin is located between two opposing fins and has an interlocking or interlocking configuration, with a space between the two opposing and interlocking fins (e.g., interlocking or interlocking does not necessarily mean that any portion of a fin touches the opposing fin, or any fin for that matter).

[0089] The second inner absorbent element 468 is made of a third layer 484 of sheet material sealed about a common perimeter with a fourth layer 486 of sheet material, defining a second chamber 478 between the two layers. Peripheral walls 516, 518 of the third layer 484 and fourth layer 486 of sheet material, respectively, may abut top to top to create a larger chamber 478 and provide additional area that can compress under sufficient force. The fins 510, 512 of the third layer 484 and fourth layer 486 of sheet material, respectively, face away from each other, with their distal ends facing outward from the chamber 478. In this exemplary embodiment, the fins 510 and 512 are diametrically opposed to each other in a mirror image arrangement, although a staggered arrangement is possible.

[0090] The first inner absorbent element 466 is made of a fourth layer of sheet material 486 sealed about a common perimeter with a fifth layer of sheet material 488, defining a first chamber 476 between the two layers. The first inner absorbent element 466 is configured similarly to, but is a mirror image of, the first inner absorbent element 464 in this exemplary embodiment. However, the first inner absorbent element 466 may be constructed differently from the first inner absorbent element 464 in one or more embodiments. The fins 512 and 514 of the fourth layer of sheet material 486 and the fifth layer of sheet material 488, respectively, are similarly arranged in an interlocking pattern as described for the first inner absorbent element 464.

[0091] Similar to, but in some respects a mirror image of, the outer absorbent element 460, the outer absorbent element 462 is made of a fifth layer 488 of sheet material sealed around a common perimeter with a sixth layer 490 of sheet material, defining a primary chamber 472 between the two layers. The difference between the outer absorbent element 460 and the opposing outer absorbent element 462 is that the outer absorbent element 460, in some embodiments, has a larger volume primary chamber 470 because the ridges 500 are taller (e.g., further away from layer 482) than the ridges 504, because the outer absorbent element 460 is configured adjacent to the impact object, while the outer absorbent element 462 is configured adjacent to the protected object. Between each ridge 462 is a groove 502. Alternatively, the sixth layer 490 of sheet material may be described as having a series of parallel grooves 506 formed laterally across the layer.

[0092] In at least some ways similar to the collapse and compression shown in Figures 24A-H, the shock absorber 50 of Figures 27-31 can deflect, collapse, change pressure and volume, etc. in response to an external force. In the helmet example, an oblique force may shift one or more of the interlocking fins so that their major surfaces contact, controlling layer deformation and force dissipation.

[0093] Although the exemplary embodiments above show ridges and fins as separate embodiments, the structures can be combined to include one or more of fins, ridges, and cones, as well as other mechanical interference structures, to create numerous shock absorber designs and configurations. All of the void spaces between layers can have fluid pressures equal to, lower than, or higher than the adjacent voids on either side.

[0094] Turning to FIG. 32 , an embodiment of the inner absorbent element assembly 54 is shown, including a plurality of elongated inner absorbent elements 376 shaped as circular tubes having cross-sectional diameters that vary in diameter (e.g., in steps or gradual changes) along their lengths. Other cross-sectional shapes, such as those shown in other figures herein, may be used, increasing or decreasing the variation in size (e.g., width, diameter, or other equivalent cross-sectional measurement) and therefore wall thickness, according to a characteristic known as the blow ratio. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the elongated inner absorbent elements 376 vary in diameter, transitioning from a first diameter 378 to a second diameter 380, then to a third diameter 382. From the third diameter 382, ​​the elongated inner absorbent elements 376 transition by a bevel back to the second diameter 380, then by a bevel back to the first diameter 378, repeating the pattern for each of the elongated inner absorbent elements 376. Of course, this pattern of varying diameters can vary and may be repeating or non-repeating.

[0095] The elongated inner absorbent element 376 is filled with a second fluid at a second pressure. In one or more embodiments, the wall thickness of the elongated inner absorbent element 376 varies approximately inversely with the diameter or other measure of cross-sectional size. In this exemplary embodiment, the third diameter 382 is the largest and therefore has the thinnest wall thickness, and the first diameter 378 is the smallest and therefore has the thickest wall thickness (the second diameter 380 has an intermediate wall thickness). Adjacent elongated inner absorbent elements 376 within the assembly 54 may be arranged in an interlocking pattern, with portions having the third diameter 382 nested adjacent to adjacent portions having the first diameter 373, which limits longitudinal movement of one elongated inner absorbent element 376 relative to its adjacent elements. Furthermore, the interlocking pattern conserves space (e.g., creating a thinner assembly) and provides a variety of different shock absorption rates by varying the wall thickness. Alternatively, adjacent elongate inner absorbent elements 376 within the assembly 54 may be arranged in a non-interlocking pattern and / or a combination of interlocking and non-interlocking configurations.

[0096] Although not shown, in one or more embodiments, the inner absorbent element assembly 54 is hermetically contained within the outer absorbent element and surrounded by a primary fluid at a first pressure. When an impact force is applied to the shock absorber, fluid pressure rises in the unimpacted areas. The areas of high pressure will deform by increasing wall thickness and / or changing diameter, as described above. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the areas of thinnest wall thickness will bulge (i.e., increase in diameter). In this example, the section having the third diameter 382 will bulge to absorb energy and further interlock with the adjacent section having the first diameter 378, increasing frictional contact and interference to further prevent longitudinal movement of one elongated inner absorbent element 376 relative to the adjacent element.

[0097] 33-36, configured similarly to the above examples, show several variations of the inner absorbent element assembly 54, with FIG. 29 featuring bundles of triangular inner absorbent elements, FIG. 34 featuring bundles of hexagonal or partial hexagonal shapes, FIG. 35 featuring bundles of circular or semicircular shapes, and FIG. 36 featuring bundles of square or partial square shapes.

[0098] While the above exemplary application of the present impact absorber 50 has been related to personal protective equipment, numerous applications exist for the various available configurations of the present impact absorber 50. FIGS. 37-41 illustrate some of the numerous practical applications. FIG. 37 illustrates the interior of a typical bus or other similar vehicle, such as a school bus, where there may not be sufficient restraint to prevent a person's head H from striking the seat back SB of the seat S immediately in front of them. Without sufficient restraint and protection, striking the seat back SB can result in head injury and / or other trauma. The impact absorber 50 is shown schematically as a complementary shape that covers or otherwise attaches to the top or other portion of the seat back SB. In this example, the cavity of the impact absorber 50 receives the top of the seat back SB therein, thereby absorbing impact with the head or other body part and preventing trauma, as described in the various embodiments above. In this example, the protected object is the head H, the seat back SB functions as a structure for supporting the position of the shock absorber 50 and as an object receiving the impact, and the impact force F1 can be generated from the bus colliding with a third object, except that the head H hits the shock absorber 50. Although the initial arrangement of the components of the impact is different from, for example, Figure 1, the dynamics of energy absorption at the moment the head H hits the shock absorber 50 are very similar.

[0099] 38-39, various areas of a vehicle, such as bumper B, various pillars (A, B, C, D, etc.), doors, interior areas, and other areas where external objects impact the vehicle MV or where passengers and / or cargo impact the vehicle MV, include the present impact absorbers 50. Looking at the bumper example, the internal and external absorption elements are each filled with a pressurized fluid, likely to a much higher pressure than the personal protective equipment example. Furthermore, the various impact absorbers 50 materials of bumper B (and others constructed to absorb impacts) may be made of widely different materials, such as various metal alloys, plastics, composites, aramid fibers, fabrics, steel-reinforced rubber, plastic tubing, etc., configured to controllably deform under the extreme impact forces of a typical vehicle collision. This deformation may be elastic in nature, where the impact absorber 50 returns to its original or nearly original shape, or it may be permanently deformed, resulting in the impact energy being absorbed without substantial rebound.

[0100] 40-41 show the present shock absorber 50 deployed as a loading dock bumper (LDB) or other similar protection attached to a building or other surrounding structure to absorb the impact of a backing trailer, protecting both the trailer and the loading dock structure. Additionally, the shock absorber 50 creates an effective weather seal due to the compression of the shock absorber 50, which fills the gap between the truck and the loading bay. The shock absorber 50 structure includes an outer absorbing element 52 surrounding an inner absorbing element assembly 54. Plates 532 or other folding structures, such as forming plates 532 on the outer absorbing element 52, may be included on one or more sides of the shock absorber 50, so that trailer pressure compresses the shock absorber 50 by collapsing the plates 532.

[0101] As discussed above, in one or more embodiments, the shock absorber 50 generally includes an outer absorbent element 52 surrounding an inner absorbent element 53 (one or more inner absorbent elements), where a first fluid 56 is contained within the outer absorbent element 52 and surrounds the inner absorbent element 53, and where a second fluid 58 is contained within the inner absorbent element 53. However, the exemplary embodiment of Figures 42-45 illustrates a shock absorber 50 in which the inner absorbent element 53 contains one or more support structures 534 that occupy at least a portion of the first chamber 72 within the inner absorbent element 53. The support structures 534 may take many forms, such as a lattice form, a cellular foam form, or various other forms as desired for a particular application.

[0102] The support structure 534 may include a wide variety of structures having various structural characteristics. The support structure 534 may be manufactured by a wide variety of manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, injection molding, blow molding, and other techniques. For example, a highly customized support structure 534 (e.g., having a design that takes into account a specific stress profile, including biometric data, etc.) may require the support structure 534 to be printed using additive manufacturing techniques (e.g., 3D printing) using a 3D model file generated by scanning the biometric data or other real-world data using digital scanning or photography. Additionally, the support structure 534 may be made of an elastomeric material or a material with similar or different properties to the elastomeric material that allows the support structure 534 to recover its original or near-original shape immediately after an impact with little or no permanent deformation. In one or more embodiments, the support structure 534 recovers its original shape after an impact more quickly than one or both of the inner and outer absorbent elements 53, 52, such that the support structure 534 at least pushes the inner absorbent element 53 outward, perhaps helping the inner absorbent element recover its original shape before the fluid has a chance to return to the impact area. In one or more embodiments, the support structure 534 recovering its original shape draws the displaced fluid back into the impact area more quickly, such that the shock absorber 50 resets more quickly and is ready for another impact shortly after the previous impact.

[0103] The shock absorber shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 illustrates one example of a support structure 534, generally comprising a series of stacked elements (connected or separate), each including a perimeter frame 536 and a series of parallel cross-members 538 extending diagonally across the perimeter frame 536. The cross-members 538 in each successive layer of elements may be transverse or offset relative to adjacent cross-members 538. In this example, the cross-members 538 are strips of material (such as plastic and / or 3D printed material) having a rectangular cross-section extending across the perimeter frame 536 (and / or a cross-section of a circular, hollow tubular, tapered cylinder, or rectangular beam extending between the perimeter walls, as shown in FIG. 43), each of which is capable of moving independently of the other cross-members 538 in the same plane or adjacent planes. The diagonal cross-arrangement of the cross-members 538 can assist the shock absorber 50 in recovering its original shape. Fluid within the inner absorbent element 53 is able to move around and through the support structure 534 , surrounding and filling the interstices within the support structure 534 .

[0104] The support structure 534 in Figure 44 shows yet another configuration: a series of parallel, diagonally arranged corrugated sheets 540, in this example abutting peak to peak. The peaks may be connected together to form a single structure or may remain unconnected. The support structure 534 in Figure 45 shows yet another configuration: a plurality of cones 542 (or other columnar structures) extending into the inner absorbent element 53.

[0105] The present invention can also be described as follows.

[0106] 1. A shock absorber configured to be positioned, in use, between an object to be protected and an impacted object, the impacted object being configured to be impacted by an external object, the shock absorber comprising: an outer absorbing element having an outer wall surrounding a primary chamber, the primary chamber configured to sealably contain a first fluid under a first pressure, the outer wall having an impacted side and a protected side, the protected side being configured to face the object to be protected in use and the impacted side being configured to face the object to be impacted in use; and a first inner absorbing element having a first wall surrounding the first chamber, the first inner absorbing element being positioned within the primary chamber with the first chamber surrounded by the first fluid, the first chamber being configured to sealably contain a second fluid under a second pressure, the second pressure being different from or equal to the first pressure.

[0107] the outer absorbent element further comprises a first control valve configured to selectively adjust fluid communication between the outer absorbent element and the fluid source, and the first inner absorbent element further comprises a second control valve configured to selectively adjust fluid communication between the first inner absorbent element and the fluid source.

[0108] the first control valve comprises a first on-off valve in series with the first check valve, the first on-off valve being disposed between the outer absorbent element and the first check valve and configured to selectively allow fluid flow between the outer absorbent element and the first check valve; and the second valve comprises a second on-off valve in series with the second check valve, the second on-off valve being disposed between the first inner absorbent element and the second check valve and configured to selectively allow fluid flow between the first inner absorbent element and the second check valve.

[0109] During an inflation procedure, the first on-off valve is open to place the first check valve in fluid communication with the outer absorbent element, the first check valve being calibrated to allow fluid flow into the outer absorbent element until the first fluid is pressurized to a first pressure, after which the first check valve closes; the second on-off valve is open to place the second check valve in fluid communication with the first inner absorbent element, the second check valve being calibrated to allow fluid flow into the first inner absorbent element until the second fluid is pressurized to a second pressure, after which the second check valve closes, shock absorber.

[0110] A shock absorber, wherein a first check valve allows fluid flow into the outer absorbent element during an inflation procedure, and a second check valve allows fluid flow into the first inner absorbent element during an inflation procedure.

[0111] Each of the first check valve and the second check valve comprises a valve body having a passageway formed therethrough, the passageway including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a chamber formed in an extension of the passageway, a valve seat formed in the chamber nearest the fluid inlet, and a limiter formed in the chamber opposite the valve seat; a valve element disposed in the chamber formed in the extension of the passageway, the valve element being movable within the chamber and captured between the valve seat and the limiter; and a spring connecting the valve element and the valve body.

[0112] During operation of the first check valve, when the first on-off valve is open and the external absorption element is inflated at a first pressure, the valve element presses against the valve seat to close the passage, and when the first on-off valve is open and inflating the external absorption element but not at the first pressure, the valve element is disposed between the valve seat and the limiter to allow fluid flow through the passage, shock absorber.

[0113] When the first on-off valve is closed, the valve element is disposed between the valve seat and the limiter, a shock absorber.

[0114] The shock absorber wherein the spring is a first spring calibrated to allow fluid flow into the outer absorbent element until the outer absorbent element is pressurized to a first pressure.

[0115] During operation of the second check valve, when the second on-off valve is open and the first internal absorption element is inflated at the second pressure, the valve element presses against the valve seat to close the passage, and when the second on-off valve is open and inflating the first internal absorption element but not at the second pressure, the valve element is disposed between the valve seat and the limiter to allow fluid flow through the passage, shock absorber.

[0116] When the second on-off valve is closed, the valve element is disposed between the valve seat and the limiter, a shock absorber.

[0117] The shock absorber wherein the spring is a second spring calibrated to allow fluid flow into the first inner absorbent element until the first inner absorbent element is pressurized to a second pressure.

[0118] The valve element is a ball shock absorber.

[0119] The shock absorber includes a first check valve having a first passageway having a first inlet and a first outlet, the first outlet being in fluid communication with the outer absorbent element, a second check valve having a second passageway having a second inlet and a second outlet, the second outlet being in fluid communication with the first inner absorbent element, a fluid manifold in fluid communication with both the first inlet of the first passageway and the second inlet of the second passageway, the fluid manifold further in fluid communication with a fluid source.

[0120] The fluid source comprises a pump.

[0121] The pump is one of manual pumps and electric pumps, shock absorber.

[0122] The pump is a shock absorber, one of an integrated manual pump and an external manual pump.

[0123] The pump is one of an integrated electric pump and an external electric pump, a shock absorber.

[0124] The pressure release valve is in fluid communication with the fluid manifold, and the pressure release valve is calibrated to release pressure when both the first passage and the second passage are closed by closing two or more of the first check valve, the second check valve, the first on-off valve, and the second on-off valve,

[0125] 16. The shock absorber of claim 15, wherein the pressure relief valve comprises an audible pressure relief valve that produces an audible sound upon release of pressure therethrough.

[0126] a third check valve that restricts the flow of a third fluid from the second inner absorbent element when the second inner absorbent element is inflated and allows the flow of fluid into the second inner absorbent element during the inflation procedure, the third check valve comprising a third passageway having a third inlet and a third outlet, the third outlet being in fluid communication with the second inner absorbent element, and the fluid manifold being further in fluid communication with the third inlet of the third passageway.

[0127] 10. The shock absorber of claim 1, further comprising a second internal absorbent element comprising a second wall surrounding a second chamber, the second internal absorbent element being disposed within the primary chamber and configured to be at least partially surrounded by the first fluid, the second chamber being configured to seal and retain a third fluid under a third pressure.

[0128] A shock absorber, wherein the first internal absorbent element is positioned adjacent to the impacted side, and the second internal absorbent element is positioned between the first internal absorbent element and the protected side.

[0129] 24. The shock absorber of claim 23, wherein the first internal absorbent element comprises a first wall thickness, a first cross-sectional wall shape, a first flexural modulus, and a first material, and the second internal absorbent element comprises a second wall thickness, a second cross-sectional wall shape, a second flexural modulus, and a second material.

[0130] The shock absorber, wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness.

[0131] The shock absorber, wherein the first flexural modulus is greater than the second flexural modulus.

[0132] The shock absorber, wherein the first cross-sectional wall shape is different from the second cross-sectional wall shape.

[0133] The shock absorber, wherein the first cross-sectional wall shape is the same as the second cross-sectional wall shape.

[0134] The first material is different from the second material, the shock absorber.

[0135] The first material is the same as the second material, the shock absorber.

[0136] The first pressure is greater than the second pressure.

[0137] The shock absorber, wherein the first pressure is lower than the second pressure.

[0138] The shock absorber, wherein the first pressure is greater than both the second pressure and the third pressure.

[0139] The shock absorber, wherein the first pressure is lower than both the second pressure and the third pressure.

[0140] The second pressure is higher than the third pressure, shock absorber.

[0141] The shock absorber, wherein the first pressure is different from the second pressure, and the first pressure is different from atmospheric pressure.

[0142] The shock absorber, wherein the first cross-sectional wall shape and the second cross-sectional wall shape are one or more of a polygon, a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a pentagon, and a hexagon.

[0143] The shock absorber, wherein the outer absorbing element is an elongated outer tube that is sealed to control a first pressure, and the first inner absorbing element is a first elongated inner tube that is sealed to control a second pressure.

[0144] A shock absorber, wherein a first pressure within the elongated outer tube is controlled by a first valve and a second pressure within the first elongated inner tube is controlled by a second valve.

[0145] The shock absorber includes a first wall of the first internal absorbent element configured as an inflated panel, a first chamber defined within the inflated panel, the first chamber being at least partially divided by an elongated seam to define a first elongated chamber and a second elongated chamber, the first elongated chamber being in fluid communication with the second elongated chamber.

[0146] The first chamber is further divided at least in part by a second elongated seam to define a third elongated chamber and a fourth elongated chamber, the third elongated chamber being in fluid communication with the fourth elongated chamber, a shock absorber.

[0147] A shock absorber, wherein the first elongated seam is disposed in a first direction, the second elongated seam is disposed in a second direction different from the first direction, and the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber are in fluid communication with the third elongated chamber and the fourth elongated chamber.

[0148] The shock absorber, wherein the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber are in fluid communication with the third elongated chamber and the fourth elongated chamber.

[0149] The first elongated seam and the second elongated seam intersect to form a manifold region where at least one of the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber intersects with at least one of the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber, and at least a portion of the fluid communication occurs through the manifold region.

[0150] The inflated panel branches to form a first impact zone and a second impact zone, each of the first impact zone and the second impact zone extending separately from the common impact zone, and a second fluid is capable of moving between the first impact zone and the second impact zone through a manifold region, shock absorber.

[0151] The shock absorber, wherein the first impact zone comprises a first elongated chamber and a second elongated chamber, and the second impact zone comprises a third elongated chamber and a fourth elongated chamber.

[0152] The inflated panel further branches to form a third impact zone extending from the common impact zone, the third impact zone comprising a fifth elongated chamber and a sixth elongated chamber defined by a third elongated seam, the fifth elongated chamber and the sixth elongated chamber being in fluid communication with each of the first elongated chamber, the second elongated chamber, the third elongated chamber, and the fourth elongated chamber, respectively, of the shock absorber.

[0153] The object receiving the impact is the outer shell of the personal protective equipment item, the impact absorber.

[0154] The personal protective equipment items are helmets, shock absorbers.

[0155] The object that receives the impact is the shock absorber, which is the bumper cover of the bumper.

[0156] The object receiving the impact is the outer shell of the personal protective equipment item, the impact absorber.

[0157] In closing, while aspects of the present specification have been emphasized by reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that those skilled in the art will readily recognize that these disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to the specific articles, devices, methodologies, protocols, etc., described herein, unless expressly so stated. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain changes, modifications, permutations, adjustments, additions, deletions, and subcombinations thereof can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the specification. Accordingly, it is intended that the following appended claims, as introduced hereafter, be construed to include all such changes, modifications, permutations, adjustments, additions, deletions, and subcombinations as fall within their true spirit and scope. Furthermore, while separate embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, one or more aspects of each of these embodiments can, where consistent, be combined, rearranged, and / or substituted to produce yet further embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

[0158] Finally, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims. Thus, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims

1. 1. A shock absorber configured to be positioned, in use, between an object to be protected and an impacted object, the impacted object being configured to be impacted by an external object, the shock absorber comprising: an external absorbent element comprising an outer wall enclosing a primary chamber, the primary chamber configured to sealably contain a first fluid under a first pressure, the outer wall having an impacted side and a protected side, the protected side configured to face the protected object in use, and the impacted side configured to face the impacted object in use; a first inner absorbent element comprising a first wall enclosing a first chamber, said first wall having a first cross-sectional wall shape, said first inner absorbent element being disposed within said primary chamber with said first chamber surrounded by said first fluid, said first chamber being configured to sealingly contain a second fluid under a second pressure; a second inner absorbent element comprising a second wall enclosing a second chamber, the second wall having a second cross-sectional wall shape different from the first cross-sectional wall shape, the second inner absorbent element being disposed within the primary chamber and configured to be at least partially surrounded by the first fluid, the second chamber being configured to sealingly contain a third fluid under a third pressure; A shock absorber comprising:

2. 10. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the external absorbent element further comprises a first control valve configured to selectively regulate fluid communication between the external absorbent element and a fluid source.

3. the first control valve comprises a first on-off valve in series with a first check valve, the first on-off valve being disposed between the external absorbent element and the first check valve and configured to selectively allow fluid flow between the external absorbent element and the first check valve. The shock absorber according to claim 2.

4. During the dilation procedure, the first on-off valve is open to place the first check valve in fluid communication with the external absorbent element, the first check valve being calibrated to allow fluid flow into the external absorbent element until the first fluid is pressurized to the first pressure, after which the first check valve closes; a second on-off valve open to place a second check valve in fluid communication with the first inner absorbent element, the second check valve calibrated to allow fluid flow into the first inner absorbent element until the second fluid is pressurized to the second pressure, after which the second check valve closes; The shock absorber according to claim 3.

5. the first check valve permits fluid flow into the outer absorbent element during an inflation procedure; the second check valve permits fluid flow into the first inner absorbent element during the inflation procedure; The shock absorber according to claim 4.

6. the first check valve comprises a first passageway having a first inlet and a first outlet, the first outlet being in fluid communication with the outer absorbent element; the second check valve comprises a second passageway having a second inlet and a second outlet, the second outlet being in fluid communication with the first inner absorbent element; a fluid manifold in fluid communication with both the first inlet of the first passage and the second inlet of the second passage, the fluid manifold further in fluid communication with a fluid source; The shock absorber according to claim 5.

7. The shock absorber of claim 6 , wherein the fluid source comprises a pump.

8. a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the fluid manifold, the pressure relief valve being calibrated to release pressure when two or more of the first check valve, the second check valve, the first on-off valve, and the second on-off valve are closed, thereby closing both the first passage and the second passage; The shock absorber according to claim 7.

9. 10. The shock absorber of claim 8, wherein the pressure relief valve comprises an audible pressure relief valve that produces an audible sound upon release of pressure therethrough.

10. a third check valve that restricts the flow of a third fluid from the second inner absorbent element when the second inner absorbent element is inflated and allows the flow of a third fluid into the second inner absorbent element during the inflation procedure; the third check valve comprises a third passageway having a third inlet and a third outlet, the third outlet being in fluid communication with the second inner absorbent element; the fluid manifold further in fluid communication with the third inlet of the third passage; The shock absorber according to claim 6.

11. 2. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the first internal absorbent element is positioned adjacent to the impacted side, and the second internal absorbent element is positioned between the first internal absorbent element and the protected side.

12. the first inner absorbent element comprises a first wall thickness, a first cross-sectional wall shape, a first flexural modulus, and a first material; the second inner absorbent element comprises a second wall thickness, a second cross-sectional wall shape, a second flexural modulus, and a second material; The shock absorber according to claim 11.

13. 13. The shock absorber of claim 12, wherein the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness.

14. 13. The shock absorber of claim 12, wherein the first flexural modulus is greater than the second flexural modulus.

15. 13. The shock absorber of claim 12, wherein the first material is different from the second material.

16. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.

17. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is less than the second pressure.

18. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is greater than both the second pressure and the third pressure.

19. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is less than both the second pressure and the third pressure.

20. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure is greater than the third pressure.

21. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the first pressure is different from the second pressure, and the first pressure is different from atmospheric pressure.

22. 10. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the first cross-sectional wall shape and the second cross-sectional wall shape are one or more of a polygon, a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a pentagon, and a hexagon.

23. 2. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the outer absorbing element is an elongated outer tube that is sealed to control the first pressure, and the first inner absorbing element is a first elongated inner tube that is sealed to control the second pressure.

24. 24. The shock absorber of claim 23, wherein the first pressure within the outer elongate tube is controlled by a first valve and the second pressure within the first inner elongate tube is controlled by a second valve.

25. 2. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the first wall of the first internal absorbent element is configured as an inflated panel, the first chamber being defined within the inflated panel, the first chamber being divided at least in part by an elongated seam to define a first elongated chamber and a second elongated chamber, the first elongated chamber being in fluid communication with the second elongated chamber.

26. 26. The shock absorber of claim 25, wherein the first chamber is further divided at least partially by a second elongated seam to define a third elongated chamber and a fourth elongated chamber, the third elongated chamber being in fluid communication with the fourth elongated chamber.

27. ​​An impact absorber as described in claim 26, wherein a first elongated seam is arranged in a first direction, the second elongated seam is arranged in a second direction different from the first direction, and the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber are fluidly connected to the third elongated chamber and the fourth elongated chamber.

28. 27. The shock absorber of claim 26, wherein the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber are in fluid communication with the third elongated chamber and the fourth elongated chamber.

29. 28. The shock absorber of claim 27, wherein the first elongated seam and the second elongated seam intersect to form a manifold region where at least one of the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber intersects with at least one of the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber, and at least a portion of fluid communication occurs through the manifold region.

30. 30. The shock absorber of claim 29, wherein the inflated panel diverges to form a first impact zone and a second impact zone, each of the first impact zone and the second impact zone extending separately from a common impact zone, and wherein the second fluid is capable of traveling between the first impact zone and the second impact zone through the manifold region.

31. 31. The shock absorber of claim 30, wherein the first impact zone comprises the first elongated chamber and the second elongated chamber, and the second impact zone comprises the third elongated chamber and the fourth elongated chamber.

32. 31. The shock absorber of claim 30, wherein the inflated panel further diverges to form a third impact zone extending from the common impact zone, the third impact zone comprising fifth and sixth elongated chambers defined by a third elongated seam, the fifth and sixth elongated chambers being in fluid communication with each of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated chambers.

33. 10. The shock absorber of claim 1, wherein the impacted object is the outer shell of an article of personal protective equipment.

34. 34. The impact absorber of claim 33, wherein the article of personal protective equipment is a helmet.

35. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the impacted object is an outer shell of an article of object protection equipment.

36. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the impacted object is a bumper cover of a bumper.

37. 3. The shock absorber of claim 2, wherein the first inner absorbent element further comprises a second control valve configured to selectively regulate fluid communication between the first inner absorbent element and the fluid source.

38. 38. The shock absorber of claim 37, wherein the second control valve comprises a second on-off valve in series with a second check valve, the second on-off valve being disposed between the first internal absorbent element and the second check valve and configured to selectively allow fluid flow between the first internal absorbent element and the second check valve.

39. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure is different from the first pressure.

40. The shock absorber of claim 1 , wherein the second pressure is the same as the first pressure.

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