초록 ▼

An energy-absorbing structure is provided, which comprises two generally parallel metal sheets arranged to receive an impacting force against the uppermost sheet and cooperatively prevent an object supported by the uppermost sheet from impacting a basal surface. One metal sheet may be fabricated fro

An energy-absorbing structure is provided, which comprises two generally parallel metal sheets arranged to receive an impacting force against the uppermost sheet and cooperatively prevent an object supported by the uppermost sheet from impacting a basal surface. One metal sheet may be fabricated from expanded metal for its non-isotropic shock-absorbing properties. The other metal sheet may be fabricated from a non-elastic material and arranged to be supported by pins inserted through holes along the perimeter of the sheet, so that when an impacting force is applied, it will resist the force until the force is sufficiently strong so as to shear the pins through the sheet and abruptly release, thus allowing the metal sheet fabricated from expanded metal to absorb the remainder of the impacting force. The invention may find application in vehicles operating in the air, land, or sea.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An energy-absorbing structure arranged to absorb an impacting force, the structure comprisinga first metal sheet having an incident surface against which the impacting force is applied, the first metal sheet rigidly supported a distance from a basal surface by a rigid support means which allows t

1. An energy-absorbing structure arranged to absorb an impacting force, the structure comprisinga first metal sheet having an incident surface against which the impacting force is applied, the first metal sheet rigidly supported a distance from a basal surface by a rigid support means which allows the first metal sheet to elastically expand in the direction of the basal surface when the magnitude of the impacting force is less than a first threshold value and to return to its original conformation when the impacting force is removed, the rigid support means allowing the first metal sheet to plastically deform when the magnitude of the impacting force is greater than the first threshold value; anda second metal sheet positioned between the first metal sheet and the basal surface, the second metal sheet rigidly supported on a first edge, the second metal sheet supported on a second edge by a support means that rigidly supports the second edge when the magnitude of the impacting force is less than a second threshold value and releases the second edge when the magnitude of the impacting force is greater than the second threshold value.2. The energy-absorbing structure as described in claim 1, wherein first metal sheet is an expanded metal sheet.3. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 1, wherein the second metal sheet is disposed against the first metal sheet.4. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 1, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value, so that the first metal sheet is prevented from elastically expanding until release of the second metal sheet.5. The energy-absorbing structure as described in claim 1, wherein the support means releases the second edge through a shearing action.6. The energy-absorbing structure as described in claim 5, further comprising a plurality of pins attached to the support means along the second edge, each pin inserted through a hole in the second metal sheet positioned an edge distance from the second edge, wherein each pin is configured to shear through an area of the second metal sheet between the pin and the second edge when the magnitude of the impacting force exceeds the second threshold value, and each pin rigidly supports the second metal sheet when the impacting force is less than the second threshold value.7. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 1, wherein the first and second metal sheets are formed as a seat pan.8. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 7, wherein the seat pan is a component of a seat contained in an airborne vehicle.9. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 8, wherein the airborne vehicle is chosen from a group consisting of an aircraft, a helicopter, a glider, a space vehicle, and a balloon.10. An energy-absorbing structure adapted for use in a seat attached a floor of a vehicle to support a torso of a seated person, the torso being subjected to a load, the energy-absorbing structure comprising:a first metal sheet supported by a first support means in spaced relation to the floor, wherein energy absorption is maximized for a distance between the first metal sheet and the floor; anda second metal sheet having an incident surface arranged to support the torso, the second metal sheet positioned between the torso and the first metal sheet and supported by a plurality of pins attached to a second support means, each pin inserted through a hole positioned a spaced distance from a second metal sheet perimeter, wherein each pin shears through an area of the second metal sheet between the pin and the second metal sheet perimeter when the magnitude of the load exceeds the predetermined threshold value, and each pin rigidly supports the second metal sheet when the magnitude of the load is less than the predetermined threshold value.11. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 10, wherein the first support means and the second support means are the same support means.12. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 10, wherein at least one of the first support means and the second support means is rigid.13. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 10, wherein the first metal sheet is constructed of expanded metal.14. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 13, wherein the first metal sheet is configured to plastically deform when the load greater in magnitude than the predetermined threshold value is applied to the incident surface, whereby the pins supporting the second metal sheet shear through their respective areas of the second metal sheet to permit the second metal sheet to become unsupported and therefore allow the incident force to be applied to the first metal sheet.15. An energy-absorbing seat for use in a vehicle, the seat supporting the torso of a seated person a distance from a solid portion of the vehicle, the seat comprisinga frame;a seat back attached to the frame and supporting the back of the person;a seat pan attached to the frame, the seat pan supporting the torso of the seated person, the seat pan further comprisinga first metal sheet in spaced relation to the solid portion, wherein energy absorption is maximized for a distance between the first metal sheet and the solid portion; anda second metal sheet having an incident surface arranged to support the torso, the second metal sheet positioned between the torso and the first metal sheet and supported by a plurality of pins attached to the frame, each pin inserted through a hole positioned a spaced distance from a second metal sheet perimeter, wherein each pin shears through an area of the second metal sheet between the pin and the second metal sheet perimeter when the magnitude of the force exceeds the predetermined threshold value and each pin rigidly supports the second metal sheet when the force is less than the predetermined threshold value.16. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 15, wherein the first metal sheet is constructed of expanded metal.17. The energy-absorbing structure described in claim 15, wherein the vehicle is selected from a group consisting of an aircraft, a helicopter, a glider, a space vehicle, a submarine, a truck, a car, and a balloon.18. An airborne vehicle with energy-absorbing seats, at least one of the energy-absorbing seats comprising a rigid frame attached to a basal surface of the airborne vehicle;a seat back attached to the frame, the seat back supporting the back of a person occupying the seat;a seat pan held in spaced relation to the basal surface, the seat pan supporting the torso of the person, the seat pan comprisingan expanded metal sheet held in spaced relation to the basal surface by the frame, wherein energy absorption is maximized for a distance between the expanded metal sheet and the basal surface; anda solid metal sheet having an incident surface located against the torso, the solid metal sheet positioned between the torso and the expanded metal sheet, the solid metal sheet supported by a plurality of pins attached to the frame, each pin inserted through a hole with an area between the hole and a perimeter of the solid metal sheet, wherein each pin shears through its respective area when the magnitude of a force exerted on the incident surface exceeds a predetermined threshold value and each pin rigidly supports the solid metal sheet when the force is less than the predetermined threshold value.19. The airborne vehicle described in claim 18, wherein the force exerted by the torso on the incident surface results from a vertical component of airborne vehicle movement.20. The airborne vehicle described in claim 18, wherein the expanded metal sheet plastically deforms when the pins shear through their respective areas and allow the force to be applied to the expanded metal sheet.21. A method of absorbing energy, the method comprising the steps ofproviding an expanded metal sheet that is rigidly supported so as to permit the expanded metal sheet to elastically deform when the magnitude of a force exerted upon its incident surface is less than a first threshold value;supporting a solid metal sheet by a plurality of pins inserted through holes in the solid metal sheet that shear through the solid metal sheet when the magnitude of the force exceeds a second threshold value;positioning the solid metal sheet to prevent the force from elastically deforming the expanded metal sheet when the force is less than the predetermined threshold value; andallowing the expanded metal sheet to plastically deform to absorb the force when the magnitude of the force exceeds the first threshold value and causes the pins to shear through the solid metal sheet, wherein the solid metal sheet no longer supports the expanded metal sheet and allows it to plastically deform.