Impact absorbing composites and their production

Abstract

An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for producing a shock absorbing composite and dispersing impacting forces comprising 
       forming a plastic enclosure having a shock absorbing configuration and defining an internal cavity therein,  
       placing within said enclosure a foam core filling said cavity,  
       retaining said core within said cavity such that the composite is generally impermeable to air but includes means for adding and removing pressurizing fluid from the internal cavity and such that the enclosure and the core are prestressed by one another, the core adhered on substantially all of its external surface with a heat activated adhesive to the internal surface of the enclosure, and  
       pressurizing the core through said means for adding and removing pressurizing fluid from the internal cavity to a value between 0 and 20 psig effective to provide efficient impact absorption.  
     
     
       2. A method for producing a shock absorbing composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces comprising 
       forming a flexible plastic enclosure having a shock absorbing configuration and defining an internal cavity therein, impermeable to air  
       placing within said enclosure a preshaped foam core partially filling said cavity,  
       forming in situ between said enclosure and said preshaped foam core a further foam core filling said cavity and joining substantially all of the core's external surface to the internal surface of the enclosure, retaining said cores within said cavity such that the composite is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed and the enclosure and the core are prestressed by one another, and  
       pressurizing the core to a value between 0 and 20 psig effective to provide efficient impact absorption.  
     
     
       3. A method for producing a shock absorbing composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces comprising 
       forming a flexible foam core shaped and sized as required for said shock absorbing composite,  
       applying to the outer surface of said core a flexible plastic layer thereby forming a flexible enclosure surrounding and adhered on all sides to said core, said flexible enclosure and said core being generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed, and  
       pressurizing the core to a value between 0 and 20 psig effective to provide efficient impact absorption.