Interdigitated cellular cushioning
An interdigitated cellular cushioning system includes an array of void cells protruding from each of two sheet layers interdigitated between the two sheet layers. Peaks of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite sheet layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel and/or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system.
1. A compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system comprising:
a first flexible sheet comprising polymeric material having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of the top surface and the bottom surface being either planar or curved, with a first array of collapsible hollow void cells, having air therein and that do not rely on air pressure to provide resistance to deflection, protruding from the first sheet, each hollow void cell in the first array extending from the top surface and having a base integral with the first sheet, a wall, and a peak;
a second flexible sheet comprising polymeric material having a top surface and a bottom surface, each of the top surface and the bottom surface being either planar or curved, with a second array of collapsible hollow void cells, having air therein and that do not rely on air pressure to provide resistance to deflection, protruding from the second sheet, each hollow void cell in the second array extending from the top surface and having a base integral with the second sheet, a wall, and a peak,
wherein the walls of the void cells in the first array are distinct from and non-contactingly spaced from the walls of the void cells in the second array,
wherein the peaks of the void cells in the first array are attached to the top surface of the second sheet and the peaks of the void cells in the second array are attached to the top surface of the first sheet, and
wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array collapse under a load and return to an uncollapsed state when the load is removed; and
a traction surface attached to the bottom surface of the first sheet.
2. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein each of the void cells ranges from 0.2 to 3 inches in diameter.
3. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 2 , wherein each of the void cells ranges from 0.2 to 3 inches in height.
4. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array have one or more of a conical, truncated conical, and pyramidal shape.
5. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein the peaks of the void cells in the first array are welded to the top surface of the second sheet and the peaks of the void cells in the second array are welded to the top surface of the first sheet.
6. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet are parallel to each other.
7. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is curved.
8. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array monotonically collapse under a load.
9. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 1 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet comprise thermoplastic polyester elastomer material.
10. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 9 , wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array comprise the thermoplastic polyester elastomer material.
11. An interdigitated cellular cushioning system comprising:
a first sheet of resilient material comprising a first binding layer and a first array of void cells contiguous with and protruding from the first binding layer, each void cell in the first array having a base integral with the binding layer, a wall, and a peak and having air therein and not relying on air pressure to provide resistance to deflection;
a second sheet of resilient material comprising a second binding layer and a second array of void cells contiguous with and protruding from the second binding layer, each void cell in the second array having a base integral with the second binding layer, a wall, and a peak and having air therein and not relying on air pressure to provide resistance to deflection, wherein the walls of the void cells in the first array are distinct from the walls of the void cells in the second array, and wherein one or more of the peaks of the void cells in the first array are attached to the second binding layer at first attachment points and one or more of the peaks of the void cells in the second array are attached to the first binding layer at second attachment points; and
a traction surface attached to the first binding layer opposite the first array of void cells.
12. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 11 , wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array have one or more of a conical, truncated conical, and pyramidal shape.
13. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 11 , wherein the peaks of the void cells in the first array are welded to the top surface of the second sheet and the peaks of the void cells in the second array are welded to the top surface of the first sheet.
14. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 11 , wherein the void cells in the first array and the void cells in the second array monotonically collapse under a load.
15. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 11 , wherein the first sheet and the second sheet comprise thermoplastic polyester elastomer material.
16. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 11 , wherein each of the void cells ranges from 0.2 to 3 inches in diameter.
17. The compressible interdigitated cellular cushioning system of claim 16 , wherein each of the void cells ranges from 0.2 to 3 inches in height.