An energy absorber 10 that has a spine 12 which has a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration. In the deployment configuration, the spine 12 lies proximate to a substrate 14 to protect the substrate 14 from an impacting object 16. Preferably, the spine 12 is bendable to conform to the s
An energy absorber 10 that has a spine 12 which has a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration. In the deployment configuration, the spine 12 lies proximate to a substrate 14 to protect the substrate 14 from an impacting object 16. Preferably, the spine 12 is bendable to conform to the substrate 14. The spine includes a number (N) of energy absorbing modules 18, 20, 22, 24, . . ., where 1=N=1000. At least some of the modules have a number (L) of mutually supporting energy absorbing vertebral members 30, where 1=L=100. Each vertebral member 30 includes a number (U) of coalesced energy absorbing units 32,34, were 2=U=10. At least some of the energy absorbing units 32, 34 have a base 36 that preferably but not necessarily is oriented toward the impacting object 16.
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1. An energy absorber in combination with a seat component and a substrate to be protected, the energy absorber having a spine with a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration, so that in the deployment configuration, the spine lies adjacent to the substrate to protect the substrate from
1. An energy absorber in combination with a seat component and a substrate to be protected, the energy absorber having a spine with a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration, so that in the deployment configuration, the spine lies adjacent to the substrate to protect the substrate from an impacting object, the spine being bendable to conform to the substrate, the relaxed configuration of the spine having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and an orthogonal axis, the spine comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and includinga number (N) of energy absorbing modules, where 1<=N<=1000, at least some of the modules having a number (L) of mutually supporting energy absorbing vertebral members, where 1<=L<=100;at least some of the vertebral members, including a number (U) of coalesced energy absorbing units, were 2<=U<=10, at least some of the energy absorbing units including a base that is oriented toward the impacting object,a curvilinear wall extending from the base in a direction away from the impacting object, anda bottom that extends across the curvilinear wall at a bottom end thereof so that the bottom can be positioned toward the substrate to be protected;a curved shoulder in at least some vertebral members that lies between adjacent coalesced energy absorbing units, the curved shoulder being adapted to allow the at least some vertebral members to be placed adjacent to the substrate; andone or more living hinges that link adjacent energy absorbing vertebral members, the living hinges being flexible about one or more of the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis and the orthogonal axis of the spine so that in the deployed configuration, the spine can protect the substrate, and absorb forces associated with impact,the substrate including a seat frame with a cylindrical member, a portion of the cylindrical member being placed adjacent to the spine, a pair of spines being provided on opposed sides of the cylindrical member,the seat component being selected from the group consisting of a seat cushion, a seat back, and a headrest, anda tether that extends from a seat component to the substrate. 2. The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein each energy absorbing module has an average energy absorbing characteristic (E), the average energy absorbing characteristics (E1, E2) of adjacent energy absorbing modules being different so that the spine has a gradient of energy absorbing characteristics. 3. The energy absorber of claim 1, wherein there is a pair of energy absorbing units in the vertebral member. 4. The energy absorber of claim 3, wherein the shoulder is concave so that the shoulder can accommodate a substrate with a convex region. 5. The energy absorber of claim 1, further including a rib that extends between the curvilinear walls of energy absorbing units in adjacent vertebral members in a module. 6. The energy absorber of claim 5, wherein the rib has a ceiling that is below the bottom of an energy absorbing unit. 7. The energy absorber of claim 1, further including a skirt that extends around a curvilinear wall of an energy absorbing unit between the wall and the base.
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