Progressive energy absorber

An energy absorbing device includes a longitudinal extending tubular outer shell assembly tapered from a smaller end to a larger end so that upon the imposition of a longitudinal applied force on the ends thereof the tubular outer shell will collapse progressively from the smaller end toward the larger end. At least one reinforcing web is located within the tubular structure and is shorter in length than the tubular structure and has an end spaced from the one smaller end of the tubular structure that first collapses so that the web is subjected to progressive energy absorbing collapse only after the tubular outer shell assembly has begun to collapse. One or more such webs can be employed to sequentially and progressively collapse and deform to absorb the longitudinal applied force in a preferred manner.