Abstract: A bumper system includes a “W” or “C” shaped beam having a back wall and mounts along the back wall adapted for attaching the beam to rails of a vehicle frame. An energy absorber engages a face of the beam and has rearwardly-extending energy-absorbing sections that extend through the face into contact with the back wall at each of the mounts for improved energy absorption. The horizontal walls of the beam have front and rear sections that align, but also have a U-shaped intermediate section that weakens the walls for promoting a more uniform and predictable collapse. A one-piece brace includes diagonal straps that hold free ends of top and bottom walls together to prevent premature spreading apart upon impact. The energy absorber includes energy-absorbing sections that extend past the straps to detentingly engage the intermediate sections of the beam.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 9, 2004
Publication date:
December 23, 2004
Inventors:
Darin Evans, Thomas J. Johnson, Robert J. Dornbos, Mark P. White
Abstract: A fully adjustable bumper system that absorbs impact and thereby, avoiding damage to the bumper. The bumper system includes a bumper assembly mounted to a vertically pivoting assembly through horizontally and vertically adjustable assemblies. A stop assembly is attached to the vertically pivoting assembly and allows the bumper assembly to pivot away from an applied force and then causes the bumper assembly to return to its position with the force is removed. The bumper system can be bolted, welded or otherwise fixedly attached to either the frame or rails of a trailer or truck for ease of installation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 3, 2004
Publication date:
November 4, 2004
Inventors:
Kimble Eddie Ledford, John Aaron Gaddis, Alexander Frank Warchol, Mack D. Stephens
Abstract: An adjustable bumper system that can be easily attached to a vehicle and removed and replaced if damaged. The bumper system includes housings that are mounted to the rails of the vehicle. The housings are independently mounted and thus can be mounted to any vehicle regardless of the spacing of the rails. A vertically extending member is attached to the housing and includes a face plate that is operable to receive a bracket. The bracket and the face plate are used to attach a step portion of the bumper assembly. The combination of the housing and the mounting brackets allow for a bumper system that can be universally mounted to any trailer or vehicle.
Abstract: According to the current invention, a bumper apparatus for vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement made of an extruded aluminum base alloy material being formed in cross-section having two separated vertical portions, an upper horizontal rib, an intermediate horizontal rib, and a lower horizontal rib provided therebetween, each end of the upper, intermediate and lower horizontal ribs are connected to upper portions, middle portions and lower portions of the vertical portions respectively. In this configuration, the thickness of the intermediate rib is thicker than the thicknesses of the upper rib and the lower rib to make the upper rib and the lower rib be buckled to deform earlier than the intermediate rib when load is applied to the bumper apparatus, and the thickness of the intermediate rib is not more than to make a strength of the bumper apparatus be over a vehicle body tolerable force.
Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an underrun protection arrangement for a vehicle (1) having a frame (3), an impact element (7) arranged in a position that corresponds to an anticipated stress from a force, F, in the event of a possible collision with another vehicle (2). At least one link element (8) is also included that is firmly connected to the impact element (7) and is fixed so that it can pivot in relation to the said frame (3). An energy-absorbing element (11) is provided that connects the impact element (7) to the frame (3) and which is designed to compress in the event of a pivoting movement on the part of the impact element (7). At least one locking element (10) is included that is designed to permit the pivoting movement only in the event of a stress acting on the impact element (7) with a force that exceeds a predetermined limit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2003
Date of Patent:
October 5, 2004
Assignee:
Volvo Lastvagnar AB
Inventors:
Peter Gollungberg, Lars Forsman, Carl Rohdén
Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle includes a hat beam (10) with a cover (14). The hat beam has a crown (11) and side flanges (12, 13), and the cover (14) is fastened to the side flanges. The crown is fastened to the vehicle body. The cover (14) extends past one of the side flanges (12, 13) and is stiffened by being transversely corrugated.
Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bumper with an inside bumper unit which can be fastened to a vehicle body and a bumper outside unit which is fastened section-wise to the bumper inside part. According to the invention the inside bumper unit supports the outside bumper unit solely in the area of its sill portion which is to be arranged under a vehicle trunk lid. Use for lightweight bumpers for motor vehicles.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2002
Date of Patent:
September 7, 2004
Assignee:
Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH
Inventors:
Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
Abstract: A bumper beam and method of manufacture which includes roll-forming the bumper beam with a constant longitudinal cross section, and then reforming the roll-formed beam to form a tubular bumper beam having a constant area. The bumper beam area is designed to incorporate a longitudinal “curvature” to form angular surfaces consistent with many modern automobile fascias, thereby, enabling high impact absorption efficiency.
Abstract: The present invention provides a golf car bumper assembly which is mounted on a front axle of a golf car in order to reduce extensive damage to the body of the golf car in the event of a collision, comprising a bumper beam having a first end and a second end, a front surface and a back surface, and extending in a longitudinal direction, a pair of bumper guards, each having depending ends, a pair of mounting plates, a pair of bumper brackets, and at least two fasteners. Also provided is a kit comprised of the separate components of the bumper assembly and a method for attaching the bumper assembly components on the front axle of a golf car.
Abstract: A lightweight support for a bumper is formed by an extruded profile with a plurality of chambers. In order to provide a profile which, along with an extremely low weight, meets all the static requirements, is easy to bend and is suited to the properties of a light-metal alloy, the profile (1) comprises four walls (2, 3, 5, 6), which preferably form an isosceles trapezoid, and two webs (7, 8), which are arranged in the interior of the profile, parallel to the side walls (5, 6) and likewise symmetrically. The side walls (5, 6) of the support (1) have stiffening ribs (25) which are produced in the same operation as the support (1) is bent. A description is given of the associated process.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 9, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 27, 2004
Assignee:
Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
Inventors:
Klaus Hausberger, Guntram Ruef, Bruno Götzinger, Thomas Friesenbichler
Abstract: A fully adjustable bumper system that absorbs impact and thereby, avoiding damage to the bumper. The bumper system includes a bumper assembly mounted to a vertically pivoting assembly through horizontally and vertically adjustable assemblies. A stop assembly is attached to the vertically pivoting assembly and allows the bumper assembly to pivot away from an applied force and then causes the bumper assembly to return to its position with the force is removed. The bumper system can be bolted, welded or otherwise fixedly attached to either the frame or rails of a trailer or truck for ease of installation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2002
Date of Patent:
July 20, 2004
Assignee:
Transfreight Technology, LLC
Inventors:
Kimble Eddie Ledford, John Aaron Gaddis, Alexander Frank Warchol, Mack D. Stephens
Abstract: 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:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 20, 2004
Assignee:
Pullman Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey L. Bladow, Tad V. Machrowicz, Steven N. Fidh
Abstract: In order to prevent a rear bumper from penetrating in the event of a crash so far into the vehicle body that a rear flap can no longer be operated, a so-called supporting element is arranged within the bumper in the area of the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle and/or at the ends, which supporting element constructs the bumper in a rigid manner in this area.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 20, 2003
Publication date:
July 15, 2004
Inventors:
Peter Reutlinger, Eberhard Palmer, Andreas Piede
Abstract: According to the current invention, a bumper apparatus for vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement made of an extruded aluminum base alloy material being formed in cross-section having two separated vertical portions, an upper horizontal rib, an intermediate horizontal rib, and a lower horizontal rib provided therebetween, each end of the upper, intermediate and lower horizontal ribs are connected to upper portions, middle portions and lower portions of the vertical portions respectively. In this configuration, the thickness of the intermediate rib is thicker than the thicknesses of the upper rib and the lower rib to make the upper rib and the lower rib be buckled to deform earlier than the intermediate rib when load is applied to the bumper apparatus, and the thickness of the intermediate rib is not more than to make a strength of the bumper apparatus be over a vehicle body tolerable force.
Abstract: This profile (14) for a structural element of an automobile extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and includes an outer envelope (15A) defining a closed content in cross-section. It includes a transverse rigidification core (15B) inside the envelope (15A) linking opposite points of the envelope. The profile is made from a metal sheet blank with two longitudinal edges (44, 46). The blank includes an area (32) forming the rigidification core (15B) of the profile, and a longitudinal margin (40, 34, 36, 29A, 38, 30, 42, 29B) folded longitudinally, the two longitudinal edges (44, 46) of the blank being joined to the said metal sheet blank in its running part.
Abstract: A bumper structure comprise a bumper reinforcement, a bumper fascia extending along and located in front of the bumper reinforcement, and an impact absorber arranged between the bumper reinforcement and the bumper fascia. The bumper reinforcement extends in a lateral direction of a vehicular body and attached to the vehicular body. The bumper reinforcement has a front surface in a stepped or tapered shape so that retreats at the lower portion thereof than at the upper portion. The impact absorber has upper and lower portions so that the lower portion becomes longer and stronger than upper portion. The impact absorber has a rear surface in a stepped or tapered shape such that the rear surface of the lower portion projects toward the bumper reinforcement with respect to the rear surface of the upper portion to face the front surface of the bumper reinforcement.
Abstract: The energy absorber is provided for interposing between a rigid beam and a bumper skin in order to absorb, by compression, the energy of impacts directed in a crumpling direction. The energy absorber comprises a set of ribs each of which extends parallel to the crumpling direction and each of which possesses a free edge for pressing against the beam. The set of ribs includes at least one rib arranged in the event of an impact so that its free edge remains pressed against the beam, while the rib itself buckles, and at least one other rib arranged in such a manner that in the event of an impact, its free end escapes from the beam, causing the rib to bend.
Abstract: To provide a shock absorber that can effectively absorb a large amount of energy generated in case of a collision. A lattice body of synthetic resin is formed by reducing the thickness of a plurality of plate ribs gradually from the proximal ends to the distal ends and disposing the plate ribs intersecting with each other. The lattice bodies are arranged in a stack such that the direction of the plate ribs extending from the proximal ends toward the distal ends is oriented in an impact direction.
Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a beam, and an energy absorber with top and bottom horizontal sections and a mid-horizontal section. The horizontal sections form top and bottom nose portions that are semi-rigid but initially collapsible with a parallelogram motion that shifts the top and bottom portions vertically up (or down) upon-impact. Horizontal impact forces are converted in part to vertical forces during an initial stroke of a frontal impact, “catching” an impacted human being. Then during a further continuing impact stroke, the top and bottom horizontal sections provide a “throwing” action. End sections of the energy absorber extend around ends of a bumper beam, forming a collapsible corner that, during impact, initially absorbs energy at a low rate to “catch” a person, and then develops increasing lateral forces that “throw” the person during a continuing impact stroke.
Abstract: A composite material with high resistance to impact energy, comprising expanded polypropylene, dispersed in a resin chosen among melaminic resin, phenolic resin and polyurethane resin and mixtures thereof.
Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bumper which comprises a shield and a spoiler hinged between two positions of stable equilibrium, namely a high position in which at least a part of the spoiler projects from the shield, and a low position in which the spoiler extends the shield downwards. The spoiler is suitable for adopting a third position of stable equilibrium, in which it is completely retracted behind the shield.
Abstract: A lightweight support for a bumper is formed by an extruded profile with a plurality of chambers. In order to provide a profile which, along with an extremely low weight, meets all the static requirements, is easy to bend and is suited to the properties of a light-metal alloy, the profile (1) comprises four walls (2, 3, 5, 6), which preferably form an isosceles trapezoid, and two webs (7, 8), which are arranged in the interior of the profile, parallel to the side walls (5, 6) and likewise symmetrically. The side walls (5, 6) of the support (1) have stiffening ribs (25) which are produced in the same operation as the support (1) is bent. A description is given of the associated process.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 9, 2002
Publication date:
June 10, 2004
Inventors:
Klaus Hausberger, Guntram Ruef, Bruno Gotzinger, Thomas Friesenbichler
Abstract: A bumper assembly, alone and in combination with a vehicle, comprising an integral fascia and energy absorber. The integral fascia preferably being thermoformed with the energy absorber. The energy absorber preferably is made from expanded foam beads.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 21, 2001
Date of Patent:
May 18, 2004
Assignee:
Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey A. Anderson, Brian P. Allenspach, Jon F. Baker, Benjamin R. Zabik
Abstract: A bumper beam reinforcement structure has plurality of pairs or plate insertion holes formed side by side in a longitudinal direction of a bumper beam. These insertion holes are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the bumper stay mounting part. Inverted U-shaped steel plates are inserted into the plurality of plate insertion holes. When an impact occurs, the deformation and the rotation of the bumper stay mounting part of the bumper beam is effectively prevented. In addition, parts such as a headlight, a corresponding panel and the like are preferably hardly damaged. Further, the cost for manufacturing the bumper beam reinforcement structure can be significantly reduced.
Abstract: An automotive bumper structure includes a hollow bumper beam extending in a widthwise direction of a vehicle, a pair of left and right stays fixed to a vehicle body and supporting the bumper beam and beam protector provided at the left and right ends of the bumper beam for protecting the bumper beam so as to be easily formed due to a straight configuration and accordingly reduced the production cost thereof.
Abstract: A bumper beam for automobiles is composed in cross section of a top wall, a bottom wall opposed to the top wall, a pair of lateral walls connecting the top and bottom walls at opposite ends, one of the lateral walls being a collision side lateral wall and the other a vehicle-mounted side lateral wall, and a connection rib provided intermediate between the top and bottom walls and connecting the lateral walls. The collision side lateral wall is thicker than the vehicle-mounted side lateral wall, and both corners at opposite ends of the collision side lateral wall are curved with a radius of curvature R of 0.1-0.3 of the length of the collision side lateral wall and both corners at opposite ends of the vehicle-mounted side lateral wall are curved with a radius of curvature of 0.6-2.0 of the thickness of the vehicle-mounted side lateral wall. Alternatively, radius of curvature R may be 0.2-0.6 of the length of the bottom wall.
Abstract: A distance measuring sensor mounting structure includes a bulkhead upper frame, a front bumper beam situated below the bulkhead upper frame and diagonally to the front thereof and at least two sensor brackets each having a distance measuring sensor fixedly supported thereon. At least two sensor brackets are installed at predetermined positions between the bulkhead upper frame and the front bumper beam to connect the bulkhead upper frame to the front bumper beam.
Abstract: The energy absorber is for interposing between a rigid beam and a bumper skin in order to absorb, by compression, the energy of impacts directed in a crumpling direction. The energy absorber comprises a set of ribs each of which extends parallel to the crumpling direction and each of which possesses a free edge for pressing against the beam. The set of ribs includes at least one rib arranged in the event of an impact so that its free edge remains pressed against the beam, while the rib itself buckles, and at least one other rib arranged in such a manner that in the event of an impact, its free end escapes from the beam, causing said rib to bend.
Abstract: In a method of making a steel crossbeam for use as component of a bumper for motor vehicles, a composite element is formed by attaching sheet metal strips in parallel disposition onto a broadside of a steel sheet strand across an entire length thereof, whereby the sheet metal strips have a width which is narrower than a width of the steel sheet strand. The composite element is then shaped through roll-forming in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the composite element into a crossbeam.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 27, 2004
Assignee:
Benteler AG
Inventors:
Markus Kettler, Udo Klasfauseweh, Peter Goer
Abstract: A vehicle is subjected to many requirements and wishes. One of these is that the vehicle is to protect passengers and load during a collision. This is achieved in that different parts in and on the vehicle are designed and constructed such that they, in different ways, absorb, distribute and channel energy during a collision. A bumper bar for a vehicle must be deformed both elastically and/or plastically during a collision. This invention offers a bumper bar that in its basic construction provides these properties. The invention concerns a bumper bar for vehicles where the bar is extended and has a closed cross-section with at least one forward flange (1) facing forwards in the normal direction of motion of the vehicle, an upper web (3) and a lower web (4). The forward flange (1) of the bumper bar is provided with elastically deformable grooves (6).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 2002
Date of Patent:
April 27, 2004
Assignee:
Accra Teknik AB
Inventors:
Anders Sundgren, Mats Lindberg, Göran Berglund
Abstract: The invention relates to an assemblage of two pieces of bodywork (1, 2) each having a flange (5, 6) for pressing against the flange of the other piece. Each flange carries at least one tongue (11, 12) extending towards the other piece. A fastener member (20) is suitable for engaging around the tongues so to prevent them from moving relative to one another once said two pieces of bodywork are in a predetermined position in which they are united flange against flange. The invention also provides the pieces of bodywork constituting said assemblage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 2002
Date of Patent:
April 6, 2004
Assignee:
Compagnie Plastic Omnium
Inventors:
Dominique Delavalle, Francis Cordebar, Gerald Andre, Claude Jacquemard
Abstract: An extruded bumper for a vehicle includes a top face, a bottom face generally opposing the top face, a front face, and a rear face generally opposing the front face. A bumper interior cavity is generally bounded by and defined between the top face, the bottom face, the front face, and the rear face. The bumper interior cavity has at least one partition located therein which is aligned in a longitudinal plane defined by a vehicle rail. The bumper can be extruded along either the x-axis or the z-axis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 21, 2001
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2004
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Conrad Michael Kudelko, Gregory Allen Kaepp, Peter John Schuster
Abstract: An integrated mounting system for mounting the bumper, recovery rings and a selectively removable winch to the frame of a motor vehicle. Left and right mounting plates are attached to the front ends of the left and right frame rails, wherein each mounting plate has a plate aperture. Left and right mounting brackets each have a bracket aperture formed in a planar base and a clevis perpendicularly upstanding in relation to the base. The front bumper also has a pair of bumper apertures. With the apertures aligned, the left and right mounting brackets are attached, respectively, to the left and right mounting plates, the bumper being sandwiched therebetween. Recovery rings are attached pivotally by a connector to each clevis. Removing a recovery ring allows a winch stinger to be received into the bracket, bumper and plate apertures at the selected mounting bracket, and be secured thereto via the connector at the clevis.
Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper has an internal bumper part mountable on a motor vehicle body. An external bumper part is fastened to the internal bumper part. The internal bumper part includes a base body fastened to the motor vehicle body and a holding bar fastened by a releasable fastener to the base body. An edge of the external bumper part is releasably fastened thereto. The holding bar is unfastened from the base body by the application of force to the external bumper part on the lengthwise direction of a motor vehicle and to the vehicle body.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2002
Date of Patent:
March 2, 2004
Assignee:
Dynamit Nobel Kunstsoff GmbH
Inventors:
Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
Abstract: The present invention provides a blow-molded vehicle part and a blow-molding process for generating a one-piece vehicle part with improved strength, aesthetic appearance and reduced weight and cost. The blow-molded vehicle part includes a front vehicle part portion and a back vehicle part portion, wherein the front vehicle part and the back vehicle part have at least an outer unreinforced layer of a thermoplastic that forms a smooth outer surface of the vehicle part and a reinforced inner layer.
Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, safe bumper beam (10) has an optimum strength characteristic and is capable of effectively coping with all kinds of collisions including slight collisions and strong collisions. The bumper beam (10) is disposed on a front or rear end part of a vehicle. Joining parts of the bumper beam (10) are attached to stays (2a, 2b) attached to, for example, front end parts of longitudinal frames (1a, 1b) of a body of a vehicle so that the bumper beam (10) extends laterally. The bumper beam (10) includes a bumper beam body (3) extended laterally and having a closed section and a reinforcing beam (4) extended in and along the bumper beam body (3). The reinforcing beam (4) includes a lateral upper wall (4a), a lateral lower wall (4b) and a front wall (4c) formed integrally with the upper and the lower walls (4a, 4b) to receive a longitudinal shock exerted on the vehicle.
Abstract: A vehicle body guard for a receiver assembly includes an intermediate body section and a pair of mounting ends carried on that intermediate body section. A protective plastic sleeve may be provided over a portion of the intermediate body section.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 13, 2003
Date of Patent:
February 3, 2004
Assignee:
Cequent Towing Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Richard W. McCoy, Jacob S. Belinky, George O. Snook, Thomas J. Rudasics
Abstract: A vehicle bumper system includes a beam, and an energy absorber with top and bottom horizontal sections and a mid-horizontal section. The horizontal sections form top and bottom nose portions that are semi-rigid but initially collapsible with a parallelogram motion that shifts the top and bottom portions vertically up (or down) upon impact. Horizontal impact forces are converted in part to vertical forces during an initial stroke of a frontal impact, “catching” an impacted human being. Then during a further continuing impact stroke, the top and bottom horizontal sections provide a “throwing” action. End sections of the energy absorber extend around ends of a bumper beam, forming a collapsible corner that, during impact, initially absorbs energy at a low rate to “catch” a person, and then develops increasing lateral forces that “throw” the person during a continuing impact stroke.
Abstract: A bumper arrantement for a vehicle comprises a bumper beam (17) fastened in two crash boxes (11, 12). The bumper beam (17) has a U-profile with a central flange (18) and two webs (19, 20) and has its opening towards the vehicle. The central flange has a recess (21) that is shallow at the mountings to the crash boxes (11, 12) and deepens therebetween so that the bumper beam will be so stiff that it will transfer substantial force to both crash boxes also in an off-set crash. This design makes the width of the part of the bumper beam adjacent the vehicle small.
Abstract: Structure for protecting landfill compactor machines against damage during operation is provided. In one aspect, deflector structure is provided for deflecting debris away from the cab of the machine. In another aspect, a rear bumper is provided for protecting the radiator and engine of the machine and for providing a catwalk for a worker to walk across the rear of the machine.
Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes an energy absorber and a bumper beam interconnecting the energy absorber and vehicle structure. The bumper system also includes a push bar disposed below and operatively connected to the bumper beam to deflect and rotate during an impact with an object by the bumper system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 26, 2002
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2003
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Dhafer Mansoor, Jeffrey Leonard Bladow, Peter John Schuster, Shui-Fang (Ray) Chou
Abstract: A bumper reinforcement comprises an outer reinforcement and an inner reinforcement wherein the outer reinforcement of an open section is formed by a front face, an upper face, and a lower face; and the inner reinforcement housed in the outer reinforcement is formed symmetrically from the center in vertical direction by a intermediate portion formed by edge portions of inner skirt plate portions confronting each other, the inner skirt plate portion, a top portion, an outer skirt plate portion, and an outer contact face portion. The outer reinforcement comprises a concave groove portion in the front face, and a pair of ribs in the upper/lower face. Accordingly, the bumper reinforcement of the invention has achieved high rigidity against the impact applied and easy manufacturing with high cost performance and capability of various designing of the vehicles.
Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper bar (2) for a motor vehicle, comprising front (4) and rear (6) walls and an intermediate web (14) extending from the front wall to the rear wall so as to form with the latter an “H”-shaped section. The web has an undulating shape in cross section.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2002
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2003
Assignee:
Peguform France
Inventors:
Jean-Philippe Ponsonnaille, Thierry Renault
Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly (10) comprising a hoop-like support (11) having a central aperture (19) surrounded by an upper beam (15) and lower beam (16) connected by outer portions (17 & 18), a resilient shell (12), and an undertray (13). The shell (12) is shaped to the support (11) and its lower portion (41) is backed by foam material (14) mounted on the lower beam (15) and its upper portion (42) is collapsible onto the upper beam (16). The undertray (13) and foam backed lower portion (41) provide spaced supports for the lower leg of a pedestrian.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2002
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2003
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Christophe Bastien, Mitchell John Haberfield, Stephen Faithfull
Abstract: A bumper beam for a vehicle comprises a hat beam (10) with a cover (14). The hat beam has a crown (11) and side flanges (11, 13), and the cover (14) is fastened to the side flanges. The crown is fastened to the vehicle body. The cover (14) extends past at least one of the side flanges (12, 13) and it is stiffened by being transversely corrugated.
Abstract: A rear impact guard assembly for trailers for absorbing the energy of a rear impact from another vehicle including a pair of tubular vertical guards having a lower tubular horizontal tube mounted at their lower ends. The upper ends of the vertical guards are attached to a horizontal beam, which in turn is affixed to longitudinally extending side rails. The vertical guards are removably affixed to the horizontal beam and respectively removable affixed to the slide rails.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 2000
Date of Patent:
November 25, 2003
Assignee:
Great Dane Limited Partnership
Inventors:
Thomas Huddle, Timothy C. Gossett, Raymond D. Fox
Abstract: A bumper beam assembly comprising a center beam and at least two end caps that mount the center beam between structural components extending outward from a vehicle and a method of selectively altering side or offset impact resistance of a bumper beam assembly separate from the bumper beam assembly's front impact resistance by providing crush zones in the end caps and adjusting parameters for said end caps to alter the side or offset impact resistance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2001
Date of Patent:
November 11, 2003
Assignee:
Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeffrey A. Anderson, Sherry LaPeer, Chris Pelto
Abstract: To provide a shock absorber for a two-wheeled vehicle that can effectively absorb a large amount of energy generated in case of a collision, and can be mounted easily on the two-wheeled vehicle. A lattice body of synthetic resin is formed by reducing the thickness of a plurality of plate ribs gradually from the proximal ends to the distal ends and disposing the plate ribs intersecting with each other. The lattice bodies are arranged in a stack such that the direction of the plate ribs extending from the proximal ends toward the distal ends is oriented along the fore-and-aft direction of the two-wheeled vehicle. The shock absorber is mountable at the front end of the two-wheeled vehicle.
Abstract: The invention relates to a front end module for a motor vehicle with a front end assembly support (2) between the bumper seats (3) and with a bumper transverse support (5) connecting the longitudinal supports (4) of the motor vehicle. In order to reduce the individual parts and the weight, it is proposed that the bumper transverse support (5) and the assembly support (2) are integrally manufactured in a plastics material injection moulding process as a hybrid component with sheet metal parts (6, 7) placed into the casting mould.
Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle, includes a cross member for attachment to longitudinal members of a vehicle chassis. The cross member is defined by a length and has a shell element extending over a major part of the length of the cross member, wherein the shell element has incorporated therein at least one deep-drawn reinforcement member of cup shape configuration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 16, 2001
Date of Patent:
September 23, 2003
Assignee:
Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors:
Hans-Jürgen Knaup, Oliver Müller, Hui Wang