{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "A self-locking telescoping device (10) including an outer tube (12), an inner tube (16) telescoped into the outer tube (12) having a cone-shaped ramp (34) at an inboard end, and a plurality of metal spheres (36) between the ramp (34) and the outer tube (12).The metal spheres (36) wedge between the…",
  "path": "/patents/1104873",
  "publishedAt": "2002-05-02T00:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:oql6ds5vnff4ugar6rruliwd/site.standard.publication/3mn3ohu7oxx5w",
  "tags": [
    "B60R19/40",
    "GEN MOTORS CORP [US]"
  ],
  "textContent": "A self-locking telescoping device (10) including an outer tube (12), an inner tube (16) telescoped into the outer tube (12) having a cone-shaped ramp (34) at an inboard end, and a plurality of metal spheres (36) between the ramp (34) and the outer tube (12).The metal spheres (36) wedge between the ramp (34) and the outer tube (12) when the inner tube (16) is thrust into the outer tube (12) in a collapse direction (C) thereby locking the tubes together. When the thrust is attributable to a severe impact, the spheres (36) plastically deform the outer tube by plowing tracks therein thereby to absorb energy. The self-locking telescoping device (10) further includes an actuator rod (38), a driver which translates the actuator in the collapse direction (C) and in an expansion direction, a first clutch which translates the inner tube with the actuator rod in the expansion direction, a second clutch which translates the inner tube (16) with the actuator rod (38) in the collapse direction (C), and a tubular retainer on the actuator rod (38) having a plurality of closed-ended slots around the metal spheres (36). The closed ends of the slots prevent the spheres (36) from becoming wedged between the ramp and the outer tube when the second clutch translates the inner tube with the actuator rod (38) in the collapse direction (C).",
  "title": "Self-locking telescoping bumper"
}