End Connections Patents (Class 293/154)
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Patent number: 7461878Abstract: A vehicle bumper system having a mounting bracket disposed between a vehicle frame and a bumper having angulated walls. The angulated walls are disposed at selected cross-sectional elevations, to avoid parallelograming under impact and provide maximum energy absorption. The mounting bracket includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of mounting bracket is adapted to be secured to the vehicle frame. The second surface of the mounting bracket is adapted to be secured to the bumper. The walls of the mounting bracket absorb an impact to the bumper.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Continental Structural PlasticsInventors: Hongliang Ji, Mohan Parthasarathy, Regu Ramoo
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Patent number: 7448658Abstract: A vehicle bumper beam, attached at its ends to side members of a vehicle through respective impact absorbing members. The bumper beam is press-formed into a predetermined shape. A width W2 of a connecting portion at an end portion thereof is larger than a width W1 of a connecting portion at a center portion thereof. A height H1 of a protruding portion at an end portion thereof is smaller than a height H2 of a protruding portion at a center portion thereof. A connecting portion between the protruding portions cooperates with the protruding portions to define an M-shaped configuration. The opposite end portions have a bending strength higher than a crush strength of the impact absorbing members.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsutoshi Takagi, Mitsutoshi Kano
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Patent number: 7287788Abstract: A single component bumper beam and lower frame midrail structure, is formed through a hydroforming process to create a uniform “B-shaped” cross-sectional configuration with internal crash triggers to enhance crash performance. The mounting legs of the integral bumper structure are formed with a reduced cross-section at the terminal ends thereof to facilitate insertion into lower frame midrails formed from a pair of horizontally disposed tubes. The terminal end portions of the mounting legs are formed with a longitudinally extending slot to receive a central co-joined wall member formed through the welding of the two vertically oriented tubular members in the lower frame midrails. The single component bumper and longitudinally extending mounting leg structure can be formed by welding together two vertically oriented tubes.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Vari-Form, Inc.Inventors: Ari Caliskan, Dean Gericke
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Patent number: 7210717Abstract: A bumper beam is formed from a tailor welded blank with thinner gage sheet metal laser welded to thicker gage sheet metal at opposing sides thereof. The tailor welded blank is then formed into a bumper beam having a uniform B-shaped cross-sectional configuration from one terminal end to the other. The heavier gage material in the tailor welded blank corresponds to the terminal ends of the bumper beam where the bumper beam is affixed to the lower frame rails of the vehicle chassis thus placing the greater energy absorption qualities for the bumper beam only at the locations in which they are needed without requiring reinforcement inserts.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ridha Baccouche, Hikmat Mahmood, Chelliah Madasamy, David Wagner
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Patent number: 7080862Abstract: A bumper beam structure includes a beam extending transversely of a vehicle and right and left corned members attached to right and left ends of the beam. The beam is mountable to front ends of right and left vehicle frame members via the right and left corner members. The beam and the right and left corner members are all extruded members. The beam is disposed with its axis in an extrusion direction oriented transversely of the vehicle. The right and left corner members are disposed with their axes in an extrusion direction oriented vertically of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Suzuki, Yoshiharu Itai, Kazuo Omura
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Patent number: 7077441Abstract: The present invention provides a bumper reinforcement comprising a body having a upper plate, a front plate connected with a front end of the upper plate and extended downward, and a lower plate connected with a lower end of the front plate; towers, each of which including a base plate provided in a rear part thereof to be mounted on a body frame of a vehicle and a lateral plate formed at one end of the base plate to be connected to the body; and a connecting part to connect the body and the towers, wherein the front plate of the body has a upper part, a lower part and a middle part, and the connecting part comprises parallel parts to connect the upper and lower parts of the front plate of the body with a front end of the lateral plate of the tower, and a slant part to connect the middle part of the front plate of the body with a rear end of the lateral plate of the tower.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Inventor: Hwa Sun Lee
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Patent number: 7063364Abstract: A moveable bumper arrangement. The moveable bumper arrangement includes an elongated bumper member, an end bumper member, and a mechanism coupled to the end bumper member. The mechanism allows substantially translational movement of the end bumper member with respect to the elongated bumper member from a first position where the end bumper member is positioned at an end of the elongated bumper member to a second position where the end bumper member is spaced apart from the elongated bumper member.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventors: James Bird, Karl Duckett
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Patent number: 6997491Abstract: A bottom plate mounting hole is formed in one end side of a bottom plate portion of the fender panel with this bottom plate portion forming a line of partition between the fender panel and the bumper. A side plate mounting hole is also formed in the fender panel facing an inward surface in the vehicle transverse direction of the bumper. An upward protruding portion that is rotatably fittable in the bottom plate mounting hole is formed on one end side of the bumper spacer. A sideways protruding portion is also formed on the bumper spacer that, in a state in which the upward protruding portion has been fitted in the bottom plate mounting hole, is fittable into the side plate mounting hole as a result of the bumper spacer being rotated around the upward protruding portion. The bumper mounting structure enables a bumper spacer to be mounted accurately and easily on a fender panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Makoto Takahashi
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Patent number: 6971691Abstract: A bumper beam includes an open front section made from a high-strength material such as ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) material, and further includes a mating back section made of lower-strength material attached to a rear side of the front section along abutting flanges. The front and back sections combine to define different tubular cross sections. The front section can be roll-formed, and the back section can be stamped, thus taking advantage of roll-forming processes' ability to form high-strength materials, while allowing the back section to have a more complicated shape and be stamped. The abutting flanges telescopingly overlap in a fore-aft direction of the vehicle and are welded together at locations that potentially experience shear upon impact, but the flanges of the front section are captured within the flanges of the backs section, thus providing impact strength even if the attachment locations shear off.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: David W. Heatherington, Scott C. Glasgow, Bruce W. Lyons
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Patent number: 6971694Abstract: A bumper apparatus for a vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and a bumper stay fastened to one side of the bumper reinforcement and including a body extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle and a first plate fastened to one end of the body. The first plate includes a contacting surface portion provided along the bumper reinforcement, a slanting surface portion branching from the bumper reinforcement, a first flange portion extending outside the body of the bumper stay, and second flange portions provided at both side ends of the first plate contacting with side surfaces of the body of the bumper stay.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuzi Sakuma, Shinichi Haneda, Kazunari Azuchi, Kiyoichi Kita, Gen Nishida
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Patent number: 6959950Abstract: A vehicle bumper system defined principally by outboard and inboard elongate beams which project transversely across the vehicle. The ends of the front and rear beams are joined by connecting points which function as energy-absorbing fulcrums or hinges, with the remainder of the front and rear beams initially being free of direct structural connection. The front beam is outwardly curved so that the center portions of the front and rear beams define a gap therebetween. The rear beam has connections to the vehicle at two points spaced transversely inwardly from the end connections, which connections define inboard fulcrum or hinge points. The front and rear beams are each formed as elongate monolithic structures, such as of high strength steel, and have configurations which enable them to nest one within the other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bladow, Tad V. Machrowicz, Steven N. Fidh
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Patent number: 6926327Abstract: A side member and bumper beam attaching structure has a side member adapted to retain the strength of a vehicle body in a longitudinal direction thereof, a bracket attached to the side member from a front or rear of the vehicle body, and a bumper beam attached to the bracket from the front or rear of the vehicle body. The side member has a closed cross-sectioned end portion at either a front end or a rear end of the vehicle body. The bracket is fitted into an inside of the closed cross-sectioned end portion for fixation to the side member.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Shibata
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Patent number: 6923484Abstract: A flange connection between a longitudinal beam of a vehicle as a first component and a carrier element, which can be mounted to it, as a second component, whereby a flange plate operatively mounted to either the first or second component and a counter flange plate operatively mounted to the other of the first or second component. To hold the flange plate tight to the counter flange plate, a wedge effect is used. A connection bolt having a wedge slope protrudes from the flange plate, wherein the wedge slope extends in a cross direction. The counter flange plate has a feed-through opening for the connection bolt, and wherein a locking component is placed at its inner side. In the connected position, the locking component surrounds the locking bolt and establishes a wedge surface that interacts with its wedge slope. Furthermore, the locking component exhibits at a side opposite the wedge surface, a clamping screw that can be tightened against the connection bolt.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Hella-Behr FahrzeugsystemeInventors: Dieter Braun, Cornelia Wiehen, Robert Raulf
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Patent number: 6905153Abstract: A push bumper apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Pro-Gard Industries, L.P.Inventors: Kurt R. Murray, Ben Muilenburg, Jeffrey T. Bounds
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Patent number: 6886873Abstract: A bumper system for vehicles includes a tubular beam having front, top, bottom, and rear walls, and further having open tubular ends. The bumper system further includes a pair of mounting brackets each attached to the rear wall and extending around the associated ends and forwardly to a location where it attaches to the front wall of the one end. One or more crush initiating apertures are formed in one or more of the walls of the ends of the beam to provide more controlled energy absorption upon corner impost so as to reduce or better control damage to the vehicle's frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: Robert Weykamp, Michael J. Hall, David Powell
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Publication number: 20040217606Abstract: A bumper system for vehicles includes a tubular beam having front, top, bottom, and rear walls, and further having open tubular ends. The bumper system further includes a pair of mounting brackets each attached to the rear wall and extending around the associated ends and forwardly to a location where it attaches to the front wall of the one end. One or more crush initiating apertures are formed in one or more of the walls of the ends of the beam to provide more controlled energy absorption upon corner impost so as to reduce or better control damage to the vehicle's frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Robert Weykamp, Michael J. Hall, David Powell
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Patent number: 6767039Abstract: A bumper assembly of an over the highway vehicle. The bumper assembly includes first and second mounting flanges coupled to a chassis component of the over the highway vehicle. A first bumper section is connected to the first mounting flange. A second bumper section is connected to the second bracket. The second bumper section is also be connected to the first bumper section by a detachable connection. The first bumper section detaches from the second bumper section when the first bumper section is involved in a collision to reduce or eliminate damage to the second bumper section.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventor: James Bird
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Patent number: 6712411Abstract: A bumper device can reduce a weight of a reinforcement member more than a weight of a conventional reinforcement member while sufficiently absorbing a given impact energy. A size “b” between both side mounting portions where the reinforcement member is mounted on a stay is set greater than a size “a” between both side longitudinal wall portions of a side frame, both outer longitudinal walls of the stay are inclined such that both outer longitudinal walls are opened toward the reinforcement member, and the distance between the inner longitudinal walls is set substantially equal to the distance between the both side longitudinal wall portions of the side frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Terutsugu Gotanda, Shinichi Haneda, Kazuo Mori, Kazunari Azuchi, Kiyoichi Kita, Kazunobu Nuno
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Patent number: 6695368Abstract: A bumper system for vehicles includes a tubular beam having front, top, bottom, and rear walls, and further having open tubular ends. The bumper system further includes a pair of mounting brackets each having a V-shaped mounting section attached to the rear wall of the open tubular ends and having an integral corner-forming section extending from the mounting section laterally around the associated ends and forwardly to a location where the corner-forming section attaches to the front wall of the one end. The corner-forming section includes a resilient portion shaped to flex and absorb energy upon corner impact, and further is adapted to transfer energy directly to the vehicle frame, thus providing efficient and effective energy absorption upon corner impact.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: Robert Weykamp, Michael J. Hall, David Powell
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Publication number: 20040032133Abstract: A bumper assembly of an over the highway vehicle. The bumper assembly includes first and second mounting flanges coupled to a chassis component of the over the highway vehicle. A first bumper section is connected to the first mounting flange. A second bumper section is connected to the second bracket. The second bumper section is also be connected to the first bumper section by a detachable connection. The first bumper section detaches from the second bumper section when the first bumper section is involved in a collision to reduce or eliminate damage to the second bumper section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.Inventor: James Bird
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Patent number: 6672635Abstract: A bumper system includes a bumper beam having a face and ends, and an energy absorber mounted on the face. The energy absorber has a one-piece injection-molded non-foam piece with box sections and interconnecting straps, and a one-piece or multi-piece foam component securely insert-molded onto the injection-molded non-foam piece. Different foam molds can be used to form differently shaped front surfaces on the foam component. By this arrangement, different energy absorbing systems are provided for vehicles, such as to satisfy the need for different styling and shapes, while still using the same non-foam piece. By this arrangement, the energy absorber is a single unit that can be handled and attached to the bumper beam. At the same time, capital investment in molding dies and tooling is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Netshape CorporationInventors: Mark Weissenborn, Darin Evans, Robert Weykamp, David Powell
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Patent number: 6644701Abstract: A bumper system includes a bumper beam having a face and ends, and an energy absorber mounted on the face. The energy absorber has a foam piece engaging the face and an injection-molded end piece securely attached to each end of the foam piece and also engaging the face. By this arrangement, the energy absorber is a single unit that can be handled and attached to the bumper beam, and also can include different end pieces while still using the same foam piece. In one form, the energy absorber also includes a center injection-molded piece and, in another form, includes a long injection-molded piece having foam sections molded onto it.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: Mark Weissenborn, Robert Weykamp, David Powell
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Patent number: 6520469Abstract: A safety attachment for utility pole transport having a mid bracket and an end bracket that attach around a utility pole. The mid bracket is situated along the unsupported length of the pole, and the end bracket is positioned at the rear end of the pole. A plate is attached to the end bracket, covering the end of the utility pole. A horizontal impact beam is situated below the pole, and is attached to the plate with a plurality of vertical members. A pair of diagonal arms extend from the mid bracket to the impact beam and help distribute impact forces on the utility pole. Accordingly, if a vehicle were to collide with the pole, the bumper of the vehicle would strike the impact beam, reducing the severity of damage. Reflectors or lighting devices are positioned along the impact beam to help reduce the chance of a collision.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Inventor: Gerard DiMauro
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Patent number: 6520553Abstract: An insertion portion is provided substantially at the center portion of a rear bumper, and guiding portions are provided at corners of the front end of the insertion portion. A bumper guide is provided substantially at the center portion in the lateral direction of a rear panel of an automobile body. The bumper guide has a lateral guiding portion and a vertical guiding portion, so that the insertion portion of the rear bumper can be positioned in the bumper guide. Flange portions provided on the bumper guide engage lateral walls of the insertion portion so that the rear bumper can be attached to an automobile body with accuracy and stability. The insertion portion of the rear bumper may be placed on the upper surface of the bumper guide, so that the rear bumper can be temporarily held and is prevented from hanging down after it is fixed to the automobile body. Cutouts are provided on the insertion portion, so that clearance is provided to absorb deformation of the rear bumper caused by impact.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Kazushige Muramatsu
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Publication number: 20030015882Abstract: A recessed portion is formed partially in an outer panel. The recessed portion has an inner wall which inclines slightly downwardly toward the inside of a body and an inner-most wall extending vertically. A retaining member is mounted on the inner-most wall. Formed on the retaining member is a locking face confronting the inner wall and a raised portion. A flange portion is provided on a bumper face. The flange portion is formed into a tapered configuration in which the thickness thereof decreases as it extends toward a distal end thereof and has a lock hole formed at a position corresponding to the raised portion. The flange portion is held between the locking face and the inner wall and is locked on the locking face by fitting the raised portion in the lock hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Akira Nagae, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Tomoshi Uesaki
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Patent number: 6467831Abstract: A bumper apparatus for a vehicle includes a first reinforcement, and a second reinforcement extending in the vehicle width-wise direction. The second reinforcement has a first outer wall at a side remote relative to the vehicle body, an inner wall at a near side relative to the vehicle body, and a first top wall and a first bottom wall connecting the first outer wall with the inner wall. The second reinforcement further includes two end portions and an intermediate portion located between the end portions, with both end portions being fixed to the vehicle body via the first reinforcement. At least a portion of the inner wall disposed in the intermediate portion being caved in to gradually approach toward the first outer wall from the both end portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuo Mori, Tsuyoshi Kamiya, Shinichi Haneda, Terutsugu Gotanda, Kazunari Azuchi, Kiyoichi Kita, Kazunobu Nuno
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Publication number: 20020030368Abstract: The invention concerns a front or rear bumper (1) for a motor vehicle, said bumper having a main part which is disposed transversely to the vehicle and side parts which extend approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the bumper (1) being secured at points on the vehicle. According to the invention, to prevent the side parts of the bumper (1) from permanently deforming the sheet metal bodywork or mudguard (5) in the event of an accident, the system for securing the side parts, in particular at their ends, is designed so as to be detachable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 1999Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: GERHARD KUREK, DIETMAR PREISSLER
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Patent number: 6338510Abstract: An improvement on a vehicle body is provided which includes bumper brackets joining a bumper reinforcement to ends of side members extending longitudinally of the vehicle body. Each of the bumper brackets has a boss. The boss has formed therein a vertical hole extending vertically of the vehicle body and establishes a connection of the bumper reinforcement and a corresponding one of the side members through a bolt which is fitted within the vertical hole of the boss so as to allow the bumper bracket to rotate inwardly of the vehicle body within a given angular range when the impact acts on the bumper bracket upon occurrence of a font-end collision for ensuring transmission of axial collapsing pressure arising from the impact to the side members.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Kanamori, Hironori Saito, Manabu Sato
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Publication number: 20020000729Abstract: A lower fender extension brace for mounting on truck hood fenders to prevent lower fender breakage and cracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: Geoffrey Lynn Phillips, Michael Dale Rhodes
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Patent number: 6334638Abstract: In an attachment structure of a bumper beam of the present invention, in which a bumper stay is attached to the end portion of each of rear side frames of an automobile and a bumper beam 23 is attached to the bumper stays, each of the bumper stays 22 is formed as a combined unit formed by an impact absorbing member 26 which is deformed to absorb impact when the impact force is applied to the bumper beam 23 and a holding member 25 having rigidity larger than the impact absorbing member 26, the holding members 25 are attached to the end portions 21, 21 of the rear side frames 17, 17, the holding member 25 is combined with the impact absorbing member 26, and the bumper beam 23 is attached to the impact absorbing members 26.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shirou Yamamuro, Shigeo Fujita
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Patent number: 6318775Abstract: A bumper construction for vehicles includes an elongated high-strength metal beam roll-formed from sheet steel, and at least one structural molded piece made of polymeric material attached to opposing end sections of the beam. Each structural piece has a rearwardly swept front surface that forms aerodynamically stylized corners at the ends of the beam. Each structural piece further provides attachment structure for attaching the beam to a vehicle, with the attachment structure being configured to transmit front impact forces compressively through the structural pieces to the vehicle frame, while minimizing the torsional and tensile forces on the attachment structure. The structural pieces further include a recess for closely receiving and supporting an impact-resisting flange on the beam to stabilize the beam during impact. The mateable engagement simplifies assembly, and further provides for high-energy absorption upon front impact of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: David W. Heatherington, James Lupone, Les Lewis
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Patent number: 6206439Abstract: Auxiliary structural bumpers are adapted to be attached to a main protective bumper assembly for a refrigeration unit of the type adapted to be mounted on the front wall of a trailer. The main protective bumper protects the front of the unit while the auxiliary bumpers are adapted to protect the left and right-hand sides of the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit includes an outer cover, and a structural framework, which includes a pair of vertically extending structural elements located at opposite rear corners of the refrigeration unit adjacent to the front wall of the trailer. The main bumper assembly includes two vertically extending structural members, each of which is adapted to be structurally coupled to one of the vertically extending structural elements of the refrigeration unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: David D. Kiefer, Michael E. Davis, Douglas E. Moore
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Patent number: 6179353Abstract: A bumper beam construction including an elongated tubular beam of high strength but characteristically flexible to absorb substantial energy on impact having a mounting bracket attached at each end of the center section and at least one stiffening bracket attached to each mounting bracket. The mounting brackets extend from the rear wall of the tubular beam and facilitate attachment to a vehicle frame. The stiffening brackets are attached to the mounting brackets and the end sections of the tubular beam outboard of the center section. The stiffening brackets improve the comer impact strength of the tubular beam without adversely affecting the flexibility of the center section. This comer construction arrangement provides for optimal distribution of stress during corner impacts.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: David W. Heatherington, James Lupone
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Patent number: 6155633Abstract: A bumper-mounting bracket 3, comprising a cab mount bracket lower 1 and a cab mount bracket upper 2 which are fixedly connected together, and a bumper-mounting side bracket 4 are fixedly secured to each deflector panel 24 of a front end panel 21 of a frame-mounted-body vehicle. A bumper reinforcement 15 is fixedly secured to the front end panel 21 in such a manner that each upper bumper stay 16 and each lower bumper stay 17 are connected respectively to the bumper-mounting bracket 3 and a front end lower panel 23, and that mounting holes 18, formed in each of opposite end edge portions of the bumper reinforcement, are engaged with the bumper-mounting side bracket 4.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Hidekazu Minami, Akinao Shibata
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Patent number: 6135517Abstract: A device for fastening bumper fairings to the fenders of a motor vehicle. A window is formed in the rim of the bumper fairing and a resilient tongue is provided in the fender to penetrate into said window when the bumper is in place, thereby holding the rim in its housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventor: Francis Cordebar
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Patent number: 6113164Abstract: An auxiliary push bumper for a motor vehicle which is clamped to the original bumper by brackets attached to bumper guards on such push bumper. The push bumper is made of a plurality of bumper sections made of extruded aluminum whose ends are releaseably attached to the bumper guards for easy repair of the push bumper by replacement of a damaged bumper section. In one embodiment the push bumper includes a center section formed of an extruded aluminum u-shaped channel with an diagonal stiffening plate inserted into such channel. The center section is fastened at its opposite ends to a pair of bumper guards which may each be formed of a metal loop and a metal reinforcing plate attached to such loop and to the ends of the center section. A pair of curved side sections of the bumper are fastened at their inner end to the bumper guard plates and fastened at their outer end to the frame of the vehicle. A pair of side lights may be mounted on the bumper guards to transmit light beams from the sides of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Setina Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Terry L Setina
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Patent number: 6042163Abstract: A vehicle bumper bar includes a swept B-shaped beam section and one-piece end pieces attached to opposing ends of the beam section for forming a compound angle along a front of the bumper bar. The end pieces are tubular and include circumferentially overlapping flanges that allow the shape of the end piece to be circumferentially adjusted to a best-fit condition on the ends of the beam section, and further include attachment tabs that longitudinally engage the ends of the beam section. The attachment tabs extend from the end piece longitudinally and circumferentially onto the beam section, in order to provide optimal impact and attachment strength of the end piece on the beam section. A method includes positioning the end piece on an end of the beam section, clamping the end piece onto the end including shaping the end piece circumferentially to a best-fit shape, and securing the end piece to the beam section by welding.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Shape CorporationInventor: Raymond C. Reiffer
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Covering part made of a flexible material for an end area of a vehicle, particularly a passenger car
Patent number: 6003933Abstract: A covering part made of a flexible material for an end area of a vehicle, particularly a passenger car, in sections, forms the outer skin of the vehicle body and, by way of laterally exterior, longitudinally directed sections, extends to adjoining wheel housings of the vehicle body. A simple fastening, which includes few components, for the laterally exterior, longitudinally directed sections of the covering part as well as an improved mounting and a relative insensitivity to tolerances are achieved. On each longitudinal side of the vehicle adjacent to the wheel housing, a holder is provided which is made of plastic. The holder is fastened on the vehicle body side. At the same time, the holder is used for fastening the upper edge area and the lower edge area of the longitudinally directed covering parts. In addition, the holder forms a partial wheel housing shell.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AGInventor: Gerhard Rinklin -
Patent number: 5915767Abstract: In a bumper side supporting structure of the present invention, an outer panel of a wheel house is extended toward the outside of a body beyond an outer panel of a side body, and a bumper side is fastened to the extended portion via a supporting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Hosoda, Kengo Miyawaki
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Patent number: 5799976Abstract: A guard assembly for a snowmobile having two forwardly extending skis includes a first support mountable to a first ski and a second support mountable to a second ski. A slide assembly is mounted to and between the first and second supports. The slide assembly includes a first slide member joined to the first support and a second slide member joined to the second support. The first slide member moves relative to the second slide member during operation of the snowmobile.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Inventor: Walter D. Tischer
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Patent number: 5788297Abstract: A resin-made shock absorbing member for a vehicle used as a bumper bean of the vehicle and the like and the method for producing the same. The resin-made shock absorbing member for the vehicle is structured to include an elongated curved portion (20) having a hollow portion, and an attachment portion (30) for fixing to a vehicle body (11) to be united and thus continuously formed with the curved portion (20) at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion (20). By structuring the attachment portions (30) to have a hollow portion and a solid portion, at least extending in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion (20), attachment work can be carried out from the outer side of the vehicle, and the shock absorbing function can be ensured along the whole length of the member (10).Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignees: Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Minoru Sugawara, Tetsuya Nakamura, Katsuhiko Tada, Hiroshi Takai, Hiroshi Jounishi, Yoshihide Endou, Ken Fukuda
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Patent number: 5683128Abstract: A motor vehicle front end protector is provided in which a plurality of vertically spaced protective bars are supported by a pair of laterally spaced uprights. In most cases the ends of the protective bars are also interconnected by upright end pieces, preferably of channel or box-shape in cross-section. Additional spacers can be fitted between the uprights to fix their position relative to each other. The protector is characterised in that all connections between protective bars and uprights; protective bars and upright end pieces; and uprights or upright end pieces and spacer bars are effected by releasable fasteners, usually bolts. This enables damaged parts to be replaced individually as and when required in an easy and effective manner without requiring surface treatment of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Megabar CCInventor: Andrew Heyns
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Patent number: 5603541Abstract: A bumper beam which can be formed easily by simple bending works is provided. The bumper beam is formed into a U-shaped sectional shape having a vertical wall and upper and lower horizontal walls connected to the vertical wall by bending a sheet of metal plate. Each lengthwise end portion of the metal plate is formed with upper and lower tapering horizontal wall extension parts and an intermediate part separated from the horizontal wall extension parts by cut-out spaces. The intermediate part comprises upper and lower horizontal wall remaining parts separated from the horizontal wall extension parts by the cut-out spaces and a vertical wall extension part. The intermediate part is bent toward opening side of the U-shaped section with the horizontal wall remaining parts stacked and welded to the horizontal wall extension parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1995Date of Patent: February 18, 1997Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsuneyuki Wada, Hideki Akiyama
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Patent number: 5584518Abstract: A bumper with brackets attached for mounting it onto a vehicle, in particular a private car, is such that, at least in the region of the brackets, the bumper is bowed with respect to the front line of the vehicle, and features section walls a distance apart in the form of a compression wall and a tension wall and a pair of transverse walls joining them making up a hollow section. The brackets feature a wedge-shaped support, the sloping face of which lies against the tension wall and is connected to this in region at the highest point of the sloping face.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.Inventors: Simon Frank, Werner Graf
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Patent number: 5560662Abstract: A bumper cover overlies a longitudinally extending bumper frame to establish a bumper corner in a vehicle bumper assembly and includes a unitary member of resilient elastomeric material, the member having a generally L-shaped overall configuration including a front leg extending longitudinally along the bumper frame and a side leg extending laterally relative to the bumper frame and across a corresponding end of the bumper frame, a pair of parallel splines of a relatively rigid, relatively higher strength structural material integral with the front leg of the cover member, the splines each including an engagement portion projecting from the cover member and complementary to a corresponding groove in the bumper frame for engagement with the groove to secure the spline to the bumper frame, and a securing arrangement securing the splines in the bumper cover such that by virtue of affixing the engagement portion of each spline to the bumper frame, the bumper cover is affixed to the bumper frame to complete the buType: GrantFiled: December 29, 1993Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Boda Industries, Inc.Inventors: John L. Apgar, Jr., Keff I. Dank
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Patent number: 5425561Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper system including a closed cross section impact beam having at least one open end and a reinforcing insert in the open end. The reinforcing insert has a central flat wall and a pair of flat, flexible wings attached to the central wall which cooperate with the latter in achieving energy absorbing performance similar to the more complex impact beam inserts having molded, egg crate-type constructions. The flat flexible wings and the central flat wall afford simple press-in installation and frictional retention in the open end of the impact beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Terry B. Morgan
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Patent number: 5306058Abstract: A bumper bar for vehicles formed from rolled sheet steel having a closed tubular profile designed to have a high impact resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and a low cost of manufacture. The bar is preferably swept along its longitudinal axis to create a curvature consistent with modern automotive designs.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1990Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: Shape CorporationInventors: Peter Sturrus, Richard Heinz
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Patent number: 5242200Abstract: In order to arrange molded parts such as bumpers or their trim for automotive vehicles with maximum integration into the body, i.e. in order to attain a most extensively contour-hugging transition from the sheet-metal to the plastic geometry of the vehicles, the juncture between the topside of the molded part and the body panel located thereabove must be kept as narrow as possible. For this purpose, a guide rail to be attached to the body panel of the vehicle is provided which has an elongated slot formed between two webs. The molded part is inserted with a sliding seat with its strip-shaped projection into the elongated slot. The thickness of the top web determines the dimension of the juncture, i.e. the web serves as a spacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1992Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Inventors: Artur Kamm, Otto Schmidt, Karl-Peter Schutt, Udo Waltemade
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Patent number: 5230543Abstract: A band-like safety bumper for an automatic guided vehicle has a hinge pin rigidly attached at either end with a lever rigidly attached to the pin. A proximity switch is located near the lever and sends control signals to stop the vehicle as a result of obstacle induced movement of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: July 27, 1993Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Barry D. Douglas, John M. Kuzmission
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Patent number: 5213383Abstract: Safety device for forklift trucks comprises a bumper fixed to a telescopic support fitted to the vehicle chassis, the support being able to traverse and rotate to a limited extent in relation to the chassis. The support is connected to equipment designed to activate devices which stop the vehicle if the movements and/or rotations of the support exceed a preset value.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1992Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignees: Jobs S.p.A., G.D. S.p.A.Inventors: Roberto Muselli, Armando Neri, Gianluigi Orsi