	US 12,104,674 B1
	Soft-to-hard goods connections with dynamic energy dissipation enhanced through friction
Paul V Cavallaro, Raynham, MA (US); Michael P Smith, Warwick, RI (US); Megan A Matson, Virginia Beach, VA (US); and Christine C Schleicher, Virginia Beach, VA (US)
Assigned to The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Filed by The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Newport, RI (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/421,520.
Application 18/421,520 is a division of application No. 17/313,218, filed on May 6, 2021, granted, now 11,920,654.
Int. Cl. F16F 9/00 (2006.01); E01D 15/20 (2006.01); F16F 9/32 (2006.01)

CPC F16F 9/32 (2013.01) [E01D 15/20 (2013.01); F16F 2230/105 (2013.01)]

1 Claim

1. A soft-to-hard goods connector comprising:

an elastomeric bladder with a preform layer, an outer textile layer enclosing said preform layer with said outer textile layer having at least one skin extension layer extending beyond a periphery of said elastomeric bladder wherein said at least one skin extension layer has a chord attached at a distal end with said chord being perpendicular to said at least one skin extension layer; and

at least one host structure with a receiver of viscoelastic material having slotted apertures therethrough with said viscoelastic material partially encased in a rigid disclosure and wherein said at least one host structure includes a mounting track with said chord mountable in said mounting track;

wherein said at least one host structure permits said chord to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said chord with a limited range of motion;

wherein said slotted apertures in said viscoelastic material allow selective control of stiffness within said receiver to promote finite relative motions and produce contacting surfaces within said viscoelastic material in order to maximize energy dissipation through friction.