Blocks for absorption of collision energy

Abstract

An energy-absorbing block is described for use as (or in conjunction with) bumpers and similar objects used to receive and dissipate large amounts of impact energy. The block includes an inner core at least partially formed of elastomeric materials, such as rubber from discarded vehicle tires, with the core being at least substantially surrounded by an outer shell which is preferably at least partially formed of a rigid thermoplastic material. The block may also contain a reinforcing layer of material, such as glass fiber or fabric, positioned between the core and the shell or interspersed within the shell. The block may be mounted to a bumper such as a guardrail, and/or to a mounting structure such as a guardrail post or loading dock, via a fastener inserted through a mounting bore in the block.

1 . A block for absorption of impact energy comprising: 
 a) an inner core made at least partially of an elastic material; and    b) an outer shell made of a rigid material, the shell at least substantially enclosing the core.    
   
   
       2 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the core has an outer surface including at least one elongated groove depressed inwardly into the surface.  
   
   
       3 . The block of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated groove extends along the entire length of the outer surface of the core.  
   
   
       4 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is at least partially formed of thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       5 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the core is at least partially formed of tire material.  
   
   
       6 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein the shell has a fibrous reinforcing material embedded therein.  
   
   
       7 . The block of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing material is cloth.  
   
   
       8 . The block of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing fiber is individual strands of material.  
   
   
       9 . The block of  claim 1 , wherein a layer of a fibrous reinforcing material is interposed between the outer shell and the inner core.  
   
   
       10 . The block of  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing material is cloth.  
   
   
       11 . The block of  claim 1 , in combination with a bumper on which the block is mounted.  
   
   
       12 . The block of  claim 1 , in combination with a mounting structure on which the block is mounted, the mounting structure being immovably anchored to its surroundings.  
   
   
       13 . The block of  claim 1 , in combination with a bumper and an immovable mounting structure, the block being interposed between the bumper and mounting structure.  
   
   
       14 . Two or more of the blocks of  claim 1 , the blocks being adjacently affixed together.  
   
   
       15 . The blocks of  claim 14 , wherein the two or more blocks are interposed between a bumper and an immovable mounting structure.  
   
   
       16 . A block for absorption of impact energy, the block being situated on an immovable mounting structure, the block comprising: 
 a) an elastic inner core;    b) a rigid shell about the core, the shell including opposing side walls, opposing top and bottom walls extending between the side walls, and opposing front and rear faces having the side walls and top and bottom walls extending therebetween; and    c) at least one mounting bore extending through the front face to the rear face through which a fastener may be inserted to engage the block to the mounting structure.    
   
   
       17 . The block of  claim 16 , wherein the shell is made at least partially from thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       18 . The block of  claim 16 , wherein the shell at least substantially covers the inner core.  
   
   
       19 . The block of  claim 16  further comprising a reinforcing material embedded within the shell.  
   
   
       20 . A block for absorption of impact energy, the block being situated on a bumper, the block comprising: 
 a) an at least partially elastic core;    b) a shell of rigid material at least substantially enclosing the core;    c) a reinforcing material interposed between the core and the shell; and    d) a mounting bore extending through the bumper through which a fastener may be inserted to engage the block to the bumper.    
   
   
       21 . The block of  claim 20 , wherein the core is made from recycled elastomeric materials.  
   
   
       22 . The block of  claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing material includes at least partially continuous fibers.  
   
   
       23 . The block of  claim 20 , wherein the shell is made at least partially from recycled thermoplastic material.