Energy absorbing devise

Abstract

Disclosed is a devise to absorb the impact of objects or surfaces struck for sporting purposes. A combination of geometric shapes connects to form a framework consisting of voids that enlarge the volume of the impact area. Energy from an impact filters from one shape to the next reducing the shock waves associated with the connection of the object struck. Name of Invention: Energy Absorbing Devise Inventor: David A. Budzynski Filed under Provisional 60/226,321 Application No. Filed: January 30, 2002 Current U.S. Class: 473/273 Intern’l Class: A63B 053/69 Field of Search: 473/273,342,329,186,183,173,36,76 References Cited U.S. Patent Documents: 5464212 Nov. 1995 Cook 273/173 4886275 Dec. 1989 Walker 5083778 Jan. 1992 Douglass 5766093 Feb. 1996 Rohrer 473/329 6302807 Oct. 2001 Robrer 5720118 Feb. 1998 Mayer 36/76

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An energy absorbing device for sporting activities comprising: 
 a. an energy-absorbing matrix comprising of geometric shapes directly connected or adjoining with empty or filled voids surrounding said directly connected or adjoining shapes in a random or set pattern.    b. a strike plate flat in area covering the energy-absorbing matrix.    c. a protective housing with a cavity surrounding the energy-absorbing matrix with a strike zone flat in area comprising of the strike plate.    
     
     
         2 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein said geometric shapes may be unique or symmetrical with flat, sharp or rounded surfaces of varying or symmetrical size forming one complete matrix or a series of random or symmetrical shapes until the protective cavity is connected on each side by at least one or more geometric shapes and one or more voids.  
     
     
         3 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein said geometric shapes are comprised of a malleable material.  
     
     
         4 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein voids consist of no material or consist of a material fifty percent in hardness or less of said geometric shapes or a combination or combinations of both said configurations.  
     
     
         5 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein the protective housing with a cavity and flat area for strike plate insert is comprised of material in hardness greater than the energy-absorbing matrix and strike plate.  
     
     
         6 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein the strike plate is comprised of a flat area of material equal to or less in hardness than said geometric shapes intended for impacting objects or surfaces.  
     
     
         7 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein the combination of shapes and voids that make up the matrix enable energy to be absorbed in a greater area with less mass than an object of similar volume consisting of a solid material. As shock waves from said impact pass through the geometric shapes the capacity of the energy absorption may be greater than the geometric shapes can sustain. The voids enable excess shock waves to be absorbed into the voids or material in said voids that is less dense than the material comprising the geometric shapes therefore reducing the force of impact faster than a solid object of equal volume.  
     
     
         8 . The energy absorbing devise of  claim 1 , wherein the devise strikes object or objects or a surface or surfaces on a portion of or the entire strike face absorbing the force of impact through the strike plate into the energy-absorbing matrix.