US 12,460,692 B1
Flexible tensile member with releasable convolutions for absorbing tensile energy
Michael John Lamore, Greensboro, NC (US)
Assigned to Barrier1 Systems, LLC, Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed by Barrier1 Systems, LLC, Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/209,530.
Application 18/209,530 is a continuation of application No. 17/370,254, filed on Jul. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,686,363.
Application 17/370,254 is a continuation of application No. 16/279,197, filed on Feb. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,060,581.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/632,228, filed on Feb. 19, 2018.
Int. Cl. F16F 7/00 (2006.01); F16F 7/12 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 7/003 (2013.01) [F16F 7/128 (2013.01); F16F 2226/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An energy absorber for absorbing tensile energy, the energy absorber comprising:
a flexible tensile member comprising a plurality of lengthwise sections arranged serially along a length of the flexible tensile member, wherein:
along the length of the flexible tensile member, a first lengthwise section of the plurality of lengthwise sections is followed by a second lengthwise section of the plurality of lengthwise sections,
along a length of the first lengthwise section, the first lengthwise section comprises a bend between opposite sections of the first lengthwise section,
the first lengthwise section's opposite sections are adjacent to one another,
along a length of the second lengthwise section, the second lengthwise section comprises a bend between opposite sections of the second lengthwise section,
the second lengthwise section's opposite sections are adjacent to one another, and
the first lengthwise section's bend and the second lengthwise section's bend are spaced apart from one another along the length of the flexible tensile member;
first and second tubes, wherein the first lengthwise section's opposite sections respectively extend through the first and second tubes so that each of the first and second tubes extends completely around the flexible tensile member;
at least one connection between the first and second tubes is configured to both:
restrict straightening of the first lengthwise section by restricting relative movement between the first and second tubes, and
automatically reconfigure, in response to predetermined tension in the flexible tensile member, to allow straightening of the first lengthwise section's bend by allowing relative movement between the first and second tubes;
third and fourth tubes, wherein the second lengthwise section's opposite sections respectively extend through the third and fourth tubes so that each of the third and fourth tubes extends completely around the flexible tensile member; and
at least one connection between the third and fourth tubes is configured to both:
restrict straightening of the second lengthwise section by restricting relative movement between the third and fourth tubes, and
automatically reconfigure, in response to predetermined tension in the flexible tensile member, to allow straightening of the second lengthwise section's bend by allowing relative movement between the third and fourth tubes.