Abstract: A bumper strip, adapted for insertion inside a cut-out portion made in a door of a motor vehicle, has an outer plastic skin and an inner resilient pad. Preferably, the outer plastic skin has a triangular cross section and the inner resilient pad has a rectangular cross section. Also preferably, the outer plastic skin is flexible and the inner resilient pad is made of rubber. Furthermore, the outer plastic skin has a triangular tip at its narrow end. Moreover, the outer plastic skin is flushly mounted and color matched to the door. When the door is opened and it strikes an adjacent object, such as a parked car or a garage wall, instead of causing damage thereto, the outer plastic skin flexes and the inner resilient pad compresses like a sponge so that the bumper strip absorbs the shock of the impact without damaging the adjacent object.

Abstract: A retractable guard mechanism is provided for a vehicle door having a front hinge and a rear edge. The mechanism includes a bumper guard and a first group of elements, secured near to the rear edge of the door, for pivoting the bumper guard to an extended position beyond the rear edge of the door. A second group of elements is secured to the first group of pivoting elements in order to pivot the bumper guard upon impact around the first group. A cable is secured between the front hinge and the rear edge of the door and retracts the bumper guard from its extended position beyond the rear edge of the door. A spring arrangement is secured to the second group of pivoting elements and retracts the bumper guard from rotating around the second group of pivoting elements after the impact is alleviated.