Buffer Or Bumper Type Patents (Class 293/102)
  • Publication number: 20130285396
    Abstract: The motor vehicle front assembly (10) according to the invention comprises a first relatively deformable trim element (12), and a second relatively deformable trim element (14), separate from the first (12). The front assembly (10) comprises a rigid fastener element (18) for fastening trim elements (12, 14) to the body shell of the vehicle, the fastener element (18) comprising: fastener means (62) for fixing the fastener element (18) to the body shell of the vehicle; fastener means for fixing the first trim element (12) to the fastener element (18); and fastener means for fixing the second trim element (14) to the fastener element (18); the fastener element (18) forming a one-piece assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Faurecia Bloc Avant
    Inventors: Jérôme Herve, Yves Schultz
  • Publication number: 20130278016
    Abstract: A segmented tube formed of a magnesium-based alloy and wrapped or jacketed with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the tube for resisting fragmentation of the tube by the compressive force applied to the end of the tube serves as a structural member for receiving a compressive stress applied to an end of the tube and acting along the axis of the tube toward the opposing end of the tube. The magnesium alloy tube is comparatively light, and the segmented and wrapped or jacketed tube has an increased capacity to absorb compressive forces. The tubes are useful as components of automotive vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hamid G. Kia, Aihua A. Luo, John N. Owens, James F. Quinn
  • Patent number: 8562041
    Abstract: A bumper structure which as a whole has a reduced weight and which has sufficient buckling strength. A bumper structure has a box-like outer shape constituted of a front flange (2), a rear flange (3), an upper web (4), and a lower web (5) which consist of a steel material. An intermediate web (6) consisting of a material other than the steel material is disposed between the upper web (4) and the lower web (5). If the Young's modulus of the steel material is E1, the density of the steel material is ?1, the Young's modulus of the material which forms the intermediate web (6) is E2, and the density of the material which forms the intermediate web (6) is ?2, the bumper structure satisfies E1/?13<E2/?23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kinefuchi, Tomokazu Nakagawa, Takunori Yamaguchi, Mie Tachibana, Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8505990
    Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a corner energy absorber. In one embodiment the corner energy absorber includes a body portion and an arm portion. The body portion comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and a front wall that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface. The corner energy absorber further includes a crush member extending from the front wall of the body portion between the top surface and the bottom surface of the body portion. In another embodiment, at least one of the body portion and the arm portion comprises an attachment feature. The invention also provides for various embodiments of a bumper system comprising a corner energy absorber connected to a bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Czopek, Eric Jon Jaarda, Eric D. Kowal
  • Patent number: 8500178
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bumper structure equipped with an inner plate (42) in a hollow section (41) formed by a bumper beam (15) and a safety plate (16). The safety plate (16) comprises a top plate (35), a bottom plate (36), and a load input plate (37) connecting both. The inner plate (42) comprises a mounted section (46) that is mounted to the bumper beam (15), a leg section (48) that continues from the mounted section (46) and extends downward, a back support section (51) that continues from the leg section (48) and is approximately parallel to the top plate (35), and a load input flange (52) that continues from the back support section (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Manabu Ishizono, Takashi Chirifu, Iwao Imaizumi, Yuji Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20130175813
    Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for impact energy absorption can comprise: an elongated plastic member having a major axis, a first side and a second side, comprising a central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second side defines a channel extending from the first end portion to the second end portion; and an elongated insert having a front, edges, tips, and a rear, wherein the insert is configured to flex upon impact, and is removably friction fit within the channel such that the plastic member surrounds the front, and greater than or equal to 50% of the edges and tips. The energy absorbing assembly can be configured to attach to a vehicle to absorb energy absorption impact. A vehicle can comprise: a vehicle rail and the energy absorbing assembly attached to the vehicle rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS IP B.V.
    Inventors: Dinesh Mana, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20130175812
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle bumper structure. The vehicle bumper structure includes a bumper face exposed outward from a vehicle at a front end of a vehicle body, and a load transmission member having a front end opposing a surface of the bumper face at a vehicle rear side and a rear end secured to a vehicle body structural member. The load transmission member has a groove in either of an upper portion and a lower portion thereof. The groove serves as a starting point for bending the load transmission member in response to a compressive load in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Patent number: 8480160
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for mounting an attachment for vehicle capable of absorbing the marginal difference of a front spoiler and reducing the procedures for controlling the dimension of the front spoiler. The structure for mounting a front spoiler on a front bumper includes: a male clip provided on the front spoiler; an insertion hole provided on the front bumper for inserting the male clip therethrough; and a female clip engaged with the male clip and allowing the front spoiler to be held by the front bumper. The male clip is loosely inserted through the insertion hole and engaged with the female clip around the insertion hole via an abutting brim, thereby producing a gap between the insertion hole and the male clip, thus increasing the degree of freedom of positional adjustment, reducing the steps for mounting and controlling the accuracy of the attachment, reducing the overall cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Access Corp.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Mitsuo, Ryoichi Adachi, Jun Takada, Masanori Seo
  • Patent number: 8469415
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement having end portions in a width direction of a vehicle, includes a main wall extending in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction, first and second walls protruding from the main wall in the first direction to extend toward an interior side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, flanges protruding from respective ends of the first and second walls along the first direction, the main wall, the first and second walls, and the flanges being integrally formed with one another, and gradually narrowing portions formed, in the width direction, at end portions of each of the first and second walls, wherein respective protruding lengths of the first and second walls in the longitudinal direction gradually decrease from an intermediate portion of the bumper reinforcement to the end portions of the bumper reinforcement in the width direction to form the gradually narrowing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Kiyoichi Kita, Tamaki Ohbayashi
  • Patent number: 8453786
    Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle body features a main frame that includes, but is not limited to an upper bumper carrier, a lower reinforcing element for the bumper that extends underneath the upper bumper carrier and a sub-frame that is elastically fixed on the main frame by means of a buffer. The buffer is held between an end piece of the reinforcing element and the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Theobald Hock, Viet-Hung Nguyen, Martin Leonhard Sachs
  • Publication number: 20130127187
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear bumper that extends in a vehicle width direction at a rear section of a vehicle body and that has a recess bulging toward a front side of the vehicle body, and a reflector attached to the recess. The recess has an opening for fixing the reflector to the rear bumper. The reflector has an attachment portion attached to the opening and a guide wall portion extending in the vertical direction. The recess has a first return hole at a position corresponding to an area below the vertical wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
  • Publication number: 20130127188
    Abstract: A method for punching bodywork components, in particular a skin in order to install parking-assistance sensors or headlight washers therein. The invention also relates to a punching machine having an anvil for receiving the bodywork component, a punch, and movement means for moving the punch, initially over a first stroke in order to bring it into a utilization position, and then over a second stroke in order to pierce said component. The movement of the punch over the second stroke takes place at a travel speed not exceeding 10 mm/s and less than the travel speed of the punch over the first stroke. The means for moving the punch over the second stroke comprise a punching actuator coupled to a force-multiplication mechanism. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a machine and to a bodywork component obtained by performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM
    Inventor: David Tresse
  • Publication number: 20130119680
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement structure capable of achieving a weight reduction while still securing required bending strength in a bumper reinforcement structure with closed cross-section structure configured by joining together an inside member and an outside member. A bumper reinforcement is formed with two closed cross-sections configured by joining together three top-to-bottom flanges of an inner panel to three top-to-bottom flanges of an outer panel. The flanges of the inner panel are disposed in the same front-rear direction position as that of the wall portions that configure the closed cross-sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Kosaka, Shinji Miwa, Keisuke Shibata
  • Patent number: 8439411
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an energy absorbing component externally mounted to a vehicle having a beam structural member and at least one energy absorber operably connected to the beam structural member. The energy absorber absorbs energy when the vehicle undergoes a collision. Also included is a beam cover plate connected to the beam structural member through the use of resistive implant welding, which simplifies the manufacturing process, and improves manufacturing costs. There are two vehicle attachment plates which are overmolded to the beam cover plate, the vehicle attachment plates allow for the beam cover plate to be attached to a vehicle. The beam cover plate, beam structural member, and energy absorber form a component that is operable to function as a bumper that is connected to a vehicle, which absorbs energy during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Cave, Robert Dernovsek, Richard W. Haveman
  • Publication number: 20130113224
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement includes end portions and an intermediate portion, wherein the bumper reinforcement is made of a light alloy extruded material including a hollow cross-section and is configured to be arranged at a vehicle, the bumper reinforcement is configured to be assembled on and supported by a supporting member at each of the end portions bent toward a vehicle body side, the hollow cross-section includes a closed cross-section at the intermediate portion and includes an open cross-section provided with an opening at each of the end portions, each of the end portions is formed in a manner that a thickness of the hollow cross-section thereof in a vehicle front-rear direction is gradually reduced toward an end, and each of the openings is configured to be at least partially closed with a connecting portion of the supporting member and is restricted from being expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN KEIKINZOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130093199
    Abstract: Methods of providing a corrosion-resistant plating on a steel bumper are provided. A galvanized zinc layer is deposited over a steel substrate. A plurality of nickel layers is deposited over the zinc layer. The plurality of zinc layers has at least a first porosity and a second porosity. A chrome layer is applied over the plurality of nickel layers. The porous nickel layer is immediately adjacent the chrome layer such that a stress applied to the chrome layer is distributed over the porous nickel layer. The porous nickel layer delocalizes a stress applied at an impact area to a dispersed area and the dispersed area is larger than the impact area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Guangling Song, William A. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8408636
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a first side member having first lower and upper darts. The motor vehicle also includes a second side member parallel with and spaced apart from the first side member, the second side member having second lower and upper darts. The upper darts are positioned between the lower darts and end portions of the respective first or second side members. The motor vehicle further includes first and second bumper brackets coupled to the end portion of the respective first or second side members, a bumper reinforcement member coupled to the first and second bumper brackets, and a counter rotation bracket coupled to the bumper reinforcement member and extending upwards from the bumper reinforcement member. The lower darts and the upper darts form a preferential buckling zone of the first and the second side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Maria-Antonius Slaats, Kanichi Saito, Paxton Steven Williams, Joseph Charles Walusek, Sagar Vilas Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8393656
    Abstract: A modular reconfigurable bumper system for an off road vehicle includes a center base mountable to the front of the vehicle. The center base has ends, a top face, and a front face. A pair of first mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the front face of the center base adjacent its ends and a pair of second mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the top face adjacent the ends of the center base. A pair of third mounting locations are located on the ends of the center base. A plurality of optional accessories including end plates, end extenders, an overrider, a prerunner, a stinger, and D-rings are selectively mountable to the center base, all via the first, second, and third mounting locations. The system also includes a rear bumper assembly mountable to the back of the vehicle and having a hinged spare tire carrier and D-rings selectively attachable to the rear bumper via common fourth mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: OMIX-Ada, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Hardy, Patrick W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8376426
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle, which can achieve a reduction in weight and cost and has improved mechanical properties, structural strength, and crash performance, load introduction, load distribution to the fixation points, thus reducing the thickness of the bumper, compared to conventional plastic composite bumper beams. Therefore, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design and the marketability due to the reduction in thickness of the bumper. More specifically, the plastic composite bumper beam for a vehicle includes a bumper beam body having the shape of a bumper beam and formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material; and an insert reinforcing member inserted into the bumper beam body, the insert reinforcing member having a loop shape and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, EELCEE SA
    Inventors: Chihoon Choi, Yohan Hahm, Jan-Anders Manson, Tony Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20130026772
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a bumper fascia panel, a fender body panel and a mounting flange attachment arrangement. The fascia panel includes a fascia mounting flange forming a first outboard abutment edge visible from an exterior of the vehicle body structure. The fender body panel includes a fender mounting flange forming a second outboard abutment edge visible from the exterior. The mounting flange attachment arrangement includes first and second fastening members overlying the fascia and fender mounting flanges, respectively, and a fastening element coupling the first and second fastening members together while sandwiching the mounting flanges. The fastening element has a tool engagement portion at a first end on an inboard side of the attachment arrangement and a second end opposite to the first end, with a center fastening axis extending from the second to first end in an upward direction of the vehicle body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Huber
  • Patent number: 8360490
    Abstract: A bumper crossbeam for a motor vehicle includes an outer section configured as a roll-formed hollow profile which is closed at least in some areas. At least one inner section, configured as a separate component, is arranged in the outer section and connected to the outer section. The inner section has at least one wall extending from a front section zone of the outer section to a rear section zone of the outer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Michael Roll, Stephan Possberg
  • Publication number: 20120306221
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bumper structure equipped with an inner plate (42) in a hollow section (41) formed by a bumper beam (15) and a safety plate (16). The safety plate (16) comprises a top plate (35), a bottom plate (36), and a load input plate (37) connecting both. The inner plate (42) comprises a mounted section (46) that is mounted to the bumper beam (15), a leg section (48) that continues from the mounted section (46) and extends downward, a back support section (51) that continues from the leg section (48) and is approximately parallel to the top plate (35), and a load input flange (52) that continues from the back support section (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Tsuyuzaki, Manabu Ishizono, Takashi Chirifu, Iwao Imaizumi, Yuji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8317239
    Abstract: A flip-up bumper assembly for a motor vehicle having a at least one attachment assembly, a support member, a bumper frame, a lift height adjustment member, an extendable member. Additionally, the flip-up bumper assembly may further include a variable height bumper frame and/or a pivot member. The flip up bumper assembly is generally coupled to the motor vehicle. The bumper frame is operably connected to the support member wherein the bumper frame rotates about a pivot point on the support member. The extendable member is coupled to both the attachment member and the bumper frame. The extendable member extends in a generally horizontal direction and causes the bottom of the bumper frame to angularly deflect about the pivot point, resulting in an outward and upward translation. The variable height flip-up bumper assembly of the present invention allows for the use of a plurality of bumper sizes as selected by the vehicle owner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Four State International Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Martin, Brice E. Martin
  • Publication number: 20120292931
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper is provided that can increase the rigidity while ensuring a superior drainage capability in the vicinity of the location where the bumper is attached to a side face member. A vehicle bumper includes a middle portion extending in vehicle width direction, two lateral portions extending from the two ends of the middle portion towards side face members (front fender panels), an upper flange protruding inward, with respect to a vehicle body, from an upper edge of the lateral portions, an attachment flange that is continuous with the upper flange near an end of the lateral portions and protruding further inside the vehicle body than the upper flange, a long groove formed by a depression in an upper face of the upper flange, at least one rib that partitions the long groove in vehicle width direction into depressions, and water drainage holes formed in the depressions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroo MIZOGUCHI, Yusuke Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20120292930
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle to which a towing hook member can be removably coupled includes a bumper beam having a cavity defined at least partially by a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls are separated at a distance. Also, the bumper assembly includes a receiver having a receiver opening operable to removably couple to and removably receive the towing hook member. The receiver opening is exposed from the bumper beam, and the receiver also has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is removably coupled to the first wall of the bumper beam, and the second portion is removably coupled to the second wall of the bumper beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Michael C. Hermanson, Dennis E. Runyon, Alfred J. Gryn, Ronald S. Lazarevich
  • Patent number: 8287012
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bumper reinforcement for vehicles having a fixing portion 11 to be fixed to a vehicle structural member at a part of the bumper reinforcement in a longitudinal direction. The bumper reinforcement is constituted by an integrally molded product obtained by deforming a hollow extruded product by plastic working. When the fixing portion 11 and vicinities thereof is defined as a reinforced portion 1, light-weighted portion 21s and 22 smaller in second moment of area and cross-sectional area than the reinforced portion 1 are provided at least part of a non-reinforced portion constituted by a portion other than the reinforced portion. This makes it possible to decrease the number of parts and trim the weight while securing strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Sadao Kokubo
  • Patent number: 8287011
    Abstract: An energy absorbing structure 10 for protecting an impacted body, such as a pedestrian 12. The structure has an incident surface that meets the pedestrian and has at least some expanded metallic structure 18. A pair of wall support surfaces 20, 22 lie substantially in-plane with respect to a normal component of the impacting force. They extend from the incident surface in a direction opposite to the direction of the impact. The substantially in-plane surfaces also have at least some expanded metallic structure. A pair of basal surfaces 26, 28 support the in-plane surfaces, and also have at least some expanded metallic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Oakwood Energy Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Matthew Cormier, Donald Scott Smith, Richard Francois Audi
  • Patent number: 8251414
    Abstract: A tow hook cover for concealing an opening formed in a bumper cover of an automotive vehicle is provided. The tow hook cover includes a generally planar member having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface. A tether hook is disposed on the inner surface of the generally planar member. The tether hook has an elongated leg having a proximate end attached to the inner surface of the generally planar member and a distal end spaced apart from the inner surface. The distal end has a first arm extending generally normal from the elongated leg and a second arm defining an acute angle between the elongated leg and the second arm. Upon installation, the first arm extends through an aperture formed adjacent the tow hook opening prior to the second arm which deflects upon insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Patrick Brown
  • Patent number: 8246103
    Abstract: An automotive air deflector is substantially V-shaped with a pair of opposed wing panels configured such that impinging air is directed around the deflector. The deflector is configured for placement at various locations on a vehicle, including on the front end of the vehicle, on the rear end of the vehicle, and in front of the tires of the vehicle. The air deflector is constructed of a lightweight material that is sufficiently rigid for the service environment but is flexible enough to be configured in varying shapes so as to accommodate being placed on various types of vehicles and in the various locations on those vehicles. By reducing turbulence and providing for the smooth flow of air around the vehicle, the air deflector reduces the effect of aerodynamic drag, and thus improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, thereby leading to reduced vehicle operating costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Demetrios Tavlarides
  • Patent number: 8246090
    Abstract: A bumper beam has an open hat beam profile with a central flange (11), two webs (12, 13) and two side flanges (14, 15), and it has two fastening portions (16, 17) in which the central flange has transverse recesses (30, 31), which continue along the webs for a maximum of 40% of the extent of the webs in the transverse direction. These recesses strengthen the profile and provide controlled deformation in response to collision loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Stefan Loveborn
  • Patent number: 8240725
    Abstract: A bumper system for motor vehicles includes a cross member, and at least one crush box positioned between the cross member and the vehicle frame. Two coupling levers have opposite ends operably and pivotally connected with a crush box and cross member. The coupling levers are arranged in a mutually parallel relationship and oriented at an angle relative to vehicle travel, such that the cross member is supported by the crush box for displacement from a ready position toward the vehicle frame in both horizontal and vertical directions. An energy absorption element constructed from a foam material was positioned between a cross member and the crush box, and is clamped between the coupling levers to selectively resist inward movement of the cross member from the ready position upon impact to absorb impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Wiedermann, Frank Seifert, Torsten Groning
  • Publication number: 20120200097
    Abstract: A mold structure used to form a molded object having an undercut portion includes a fixed mold as a first mold having a first molding surface for molding an obverse surface of the molded object; a slide core having an undercut molding surface used to mold the undercut portion as part of the obverse surface of the molded object; and a movable mold as a second mold having a second molding surface used to mold the reverse surface of the molded object. The first molding surface and the undercut molding surface form a cavity surface. A step is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface at a parting position between the fixed mold and the slide core on the cavity surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Seto, Shinichi Shimada, Shinichi Hanada, Akira Izumi, Sumio Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8231155
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes a cross-member having a U-shape that opens away from the motor vehicle and includes a pair of outer flanges. At least one crush box is connected with the cross-member and supports the same on the motor vehicle. A closure member is operably connected with the outer flanges of the cross-member, and includes first and second longitudinal segments, each of which has a generally U-shaped configuration which opens toward the cross-member, and includes a base, a pair of legs, and a pair of flanges. A coupling member attaches the first and second segments of the closure member to the outer flanges of the cross-member and includes a connecting bar that extends in a generally vertical plane and is connected with the base of each of the first and second segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Arns
  • Publication number: 20120169075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety bar having a resiliently flexible neck connecting a shaft to a head. The head includes a surface connected to at least one pair of spaced apart opposing legs. The surface and the spaced apart opposing legs define a passage and a channel intermediate the surface and the passage. Also disclosed is a method of making such a safety bar. The safety bar can be installed in a reach lift truck for protecting an operator of the reach lift truck from injury due to accidental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Lakeport Metalcraft and Welding
    Inventor: Roland Stefan Nopper
  • Patent number: 8210582
    Abstract: A structural arrangement of a motor vehicle, of type including a cabin and a loading bed, between which a substantially vertical partition extends, of type including a cabin floor that extends at a first height, and a loading floor of the bed that extends at a second height that differs from the first height of the cabin floor, and of type including a hollow body that stiffens the structure and extends substantially vertically between the first height of the cabin floor and the second height of the loading floor. The hollow body includes two substantially vertical structural elements, and the first structural element is formed by the lower portion of the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Sylvain Parfut, Pierre Cailleaux
  • Patent number: 8205921
    Abstract: An energy absorbing extruded bumper for a vehicle is formed from a lightweight metal, preferably aluminum base alloy material. The extruded bumper includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a top wall connecting the outer and inner walls, and a bottom wall connecting the outer and inner walls. Extending between the outer and inner walls are two or more s-curved trigger stiffeners. The trigger stiffeners include an upper s-curved trigger stiffener connecting the outer and inner walls and a lower s-curved trigger stiffener connecting the outer and inner walls. The lower s-curved trigger stiffener is spaced apart from the upper s-curved trigger stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saied Nusier
  • Patent number: 8191943
    Abstract: A crash box for a vehicle is made from a sheet blank (10) which is bent in a U to form the front plate (11), a top side (12) and a bottom side (13), and the top side and bottom side are bent to form overlapping flaps (16-19) which are joined together at the overlapping, and to form rear fastening plates (14,15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Jonas Hellstrom
  • Patent number: 8191944
    Abstract: A bumper attachment (1) for a motor vehicle (3) has: a base attachment part (4) with a front side (5) for installation of a license plate (8) and a rear side (6) for installation of the bumper attachment (1) in a license plate trough (2) of the motor vehicle (3). At least one impact protection element (9, 10) extends from the front (5) of the base attachment part (4) and has a reinforcing insert (11, 12) and a receiving section (13, 14) for receiving the reinforcing insert (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Rinklin
  • Publication number: 20120126553
    Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a first chamber located in driving direction at the front and a second chamber located in driving direction behind the first chamber. The first and the second chamber are embodied as hollow sheet metal profiles and the first chamber has a higher deformability than the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Udo MILDNER, Lothar TESKE
  • Publication number: 20120112004
    Abstract: It is desired to make a shock absorbing structure small in size. The shock absorbing structure includes a beam-like structural member having a concave section; and a shock absorbing member, one end of which is arranged in the concave section to abut to the structural member and the other end of which is arranged outside the structural member. Even in a case of a dead stroke when the shock absorbing member is bottomed out, the concave section overlaps with the structural member supporting the structure, so that there is no wasteful space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Atsumi Tanaka, Naoki Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20120112478
    Abstract: An energy absorbing beam structure has controlled crush characteristics. The beam is an elongated structure in which at least a portion of the length of the beam is configured so that a cross section taken transverse to the length of the beam defines a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first hollow flange projecting from the first sidewall and a second hollow flange projecting from the second sidewall together with a front wall extending between the first and second sidewalls. The beam may be configured to define an open or closed tubular structure and may define one or more central lobes. In an impact condition the beam crushes in a reliable and controlled manner so as to absorb a large amount of kinetic energy. Further disclosed are motor vehicles which include the energy absorbing beams as well as roll forming processes for fabricating the beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Vikstrom
  • Publication number: 20120104779
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a crossbeam having a hat profile defined by a bottom wall, legs respectively adjoining the bottom wall, and flanges respectively extending from the legs. The hat profile has sections of varying cross sectional configuration in a longitudinal direction. A face plate closes the hat profile to define a hollow space, with the crossbeam being mountable with the face plate such as to point outwards. An upper one of the legs has a width which is greater than a width of a lower one of the legs in a center section of the crossbeam. The crossbeam has curved ends oriented in a direction of the motor vehicle, and the face plate includes in the center section a stiffening embossment which is oriented into the hollow space defined by the hat profile and the face plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN HANDING, Michael Roll, Ulrich Lüdtke-Bexten, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Patent number: 8152210
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a lightweight cross member attachable transversely to the longitudinal rails of the motor vehicle frame. The cross member includes two longitudinal profiles which are displaceable relative to each other and support each other during the displacement. The bumper provides improved functionality and increased energy absorption capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Lütke-Bexten, Michael Roll, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Patent number: 8152211
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front structure is provided with at least one front frame having two side members and an impact cross member structure. Two crash boxes are fixed between the respective front end of the side members and the impact cross member structure. Each of the crash boxes includes, but is not limited to a first and a second leg that are jointly fixed to the front end of each side member and in the shape of a V merge with ends spread from each other in the direction of the impact cross member structure. The spread ends are fixed on end regions of the impact cross member structure. A connecting structure with honeycomb construction is arranged between the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stanislaw Klimek
  • Publication number: 20120074720
    Abstract: A reinforcement beam for a vehicle bumper system comprises a single sheet deformed to define first and second tubes sharing a common single center wall. A channel rib is formed on each tubes and a crevice rib over the center leg forms a third rib. Edges of the sheet are deformed to a radius so that their surface consistently engages an associated radiused corner formed on ends of the center leg, which facilitates consistent abutting line engagement of material surfaces, and thus facilitates consistent welding. In a preferred beam, front wall sections of each tube are coplanar and form a face of the beam, with each channel rib and crevice rib providing added stiffness to the beam, and yet nothing extends forward of the coplanar front wall sections. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Johnson, Doug Witte, Daniel Gatti, Brian Oxley, Brian Malkowski, Kannan Ramamoorthy, Ed Pendergrass
  • Publication number: 20120066979
    Abstract: A tow hook cover for concealing an opening formed in a bumper cover of an automotive vehicle is provided. The tow hook cover includes a generally planar member having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface. A tether hook is disposed on the inner surface of the generally planar member. The tether hook has an elongated leg having a proximate end attached to the inner surface of the generally planar member and a distal end spaced apart from the inner surface. The distal end has a first arm extending generally normal from the elongated leg and a second arm defining an acute angle between the elongated leg and the second arm. Upon installation, the first arm extends through an aperture formed adjacent the tow hook opening prior to the second arm which deflects upon insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Patrick Brown
  • Publication number: 20120043771
    Abstract: With a front structure for a motor vehicle, a holding mechanism for connecting a bumper to a fender includes a fastening strip and a guide rail. The fastening strip spring-elastically supports itself on the fender and is screwed to the guide rail. The bumper is latched to the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Leonhard SACHS, Theobald HOCK, Rolf EWERT
  • Publication number: 20120043772
    Abstract: A bumper structure which as a whole has a reduced weight and which has sufficient buckling strength. A bumper structure has a box-like outer shape constituted of a front flange (2), a rear flange (3), an upper web (4), and a lower web (5) which consist of a steel material. An intermediate web (6) consisting of a material other than the steel material is disposed between the upper web (4) and the lower web (5). If the Young's modulus of the steel material is E1, the density of the steel material is ?1, the Young's modulus of the material which forms the intermediate web (6) is E2, and the density of the material which forms the intermediate web (6) is ?2, the bumper structure satisfies E1/?13<E2/?23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL LTD)
    Inventors: Masao Kinefuchi, Tomokazu Nakagawa, Takunori Yamaguchi, Mie Tachibana, Kenichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120025545
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement having end portions in a width direction of a vehicle, includes a main wall extending in a first direction perpendicular to the width direction, first and second walls protruding from the main wall in the first direction to extend toward an interior side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, flanges protruding from respective ends of the first and second walls along the first direction, the main wall, the first and second walls, and the flanges being integrally formed with one another, and gradually narrowing portions formed, in the width direction, at end portions of each of the first and second walls, wherein respective protruding lengths of the first and second walls in the longitudinal direction gradually decrease from an intermediate portion of the bumper reinforcement to the end portions of the bumper reinforcement in the width direction to form the gradually narrowing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichi HANEDA, Kiyoichi KITA, Tamaki OHBAYASHI
  • Patent number: D684508
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Wallace A. Peltola, Jonathan Duncan, Scott D. Hite, William Johnson, Jameson L. Longman