An energy absorber 10 that has a spine 12 which has a relaxed configuration and a deployment configuration. In the deployment configuration, the spine 12 lies proximate to a substrate 14 to protect the substrate 14 from an impacting object 16. Preferably, the spine 12 is bendable to conform to the substrate 14. The spine includes a number (N) of energy absorbing modules 18, 20, 22, 24, . . . , where 1<=N<=1000. At least some of the modules have a number (L) of mutually supporting energy absorbing vertebral members 30, where 1<=L<=100. Each vertebral member 30 includes a number (U) of coalesced energy absorbing units 32, 34, were 2<=U<=10. At least some of the energy absorbing units 32, 34 have a base 36 that preferably but not necessarily is oriented toward the impacting object 16.
CONFORMABLE ENERGY ABSORBER
Patent
Elektronische Ressource