The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition

The shock absorber comprises a metal strip which includes a bend and two legs extending from said bend and including an angle at said bend. Said legs are profiled in cross-section opposite to each other at said bend so that the strip is formed with folds at said bend. Said legs are adapted to be forced toward each other so as to reduce said angle and to dislocate at least part of at least one of said folds. The guide rail assembly comprises a guide rail, a stationary support and said shock absorber, one of the legs of which is connected to said guide rail and the other of the legs of which is connected to said support.