Joints And Connections Patents (Class 293/155)
  • Publication number: 20140084609
    Abstract: A fender front-side step portion has first and second fender front-side fixing portions that engage with and fasten a bumper spacer. The bumper spacer is provided with: a spacer body; a bumper-spacer reinforcing portion that extends toward a fender lower-end portion of a fender panel from the bottom end of the spacer body; and a bumper-spacer rear-side fixing portion which is disposed on the bumper-spacer reinforcing portion, and which overlaps with and fastens the front of the fender lower-end portion. The bumper-spacer rear-side fixing portion is disposed in a position further to the rear than the fender front-side step portion in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Momii, Yuuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8632108
    Abstract: A crash box for arrangement between a bumper and a longitudinal beam of a motor vehicle body is provided. The crash box is able to be arranged with a fastening profile at least partially overlapping to a mount profile of the longitudinal beam. The crash box has a support element, which penetrates the fastening profile transversely to its profile longitudinal direction (x) and is able to be brought into abutment in a supporting manner with an end section of the mount profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jens Matuschek, Uwe Eckert, Roland Schirmer, Bardo Braunbeck
  • Patent number: 8622446
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Michael Roll, Ulrich Lüdtke-Bexten, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Patent number: 8616596
    Abstract: A bumper fastening structure is provided for a motor vehicle with a bumper and a fastening for the bumper, which has a screw and a screw cover. The bumper has at a fastening point a depression to receive a head of the screw and a recess for the mounting of the screw cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Martin Likar, Theobald Hock, Fernando Soeiro
  • Patent number: 8608231
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle structural frame with an overlap-barrier-impact deformation scheme, the frame has: a rail defining a first longitudinal axis; a first energy absorption device defining a second longitudinal axis outside of the first longitudinal axis with respect to a vehicle; and a connector extending between the rail and the first energy absorption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andres Gonzalez Mendivil, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Adrian Diaz, Ranny Hamameh, Kirk D. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8608214
    Abstract: A bumper mounting plate secures auxiliary lamps to an upper surface of a vehicle bumper. The bumper mounted plate assembly including a plate adapted to be secured to a bumper of a vehicle, a plurality of mounting holes placed on the back side of the plate, a plurality of orifices placed on the front side of the plate, the orifices are adapted to secure at least one auxiliary lamp to the plate, a first set of fastening devices to secure the plate to the bumper, and a second set of fastening devices to secure the auxiliary lamp to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory James Wallace
  • Publication number: 20130320685
    Abstract: A front stay member is inserted into a through-hole in a bumper reinforcement. A first end of a middle stay member is fitted onto a portion of the front stay member that protrudes from the through-hole until the first end of the middle stay member comes into contact with the bumper reinforcement. A rear stay member is inserted into a second end of the middle stay member until the second end of the middle stay member comes into contact with the step on the rear stay member. A magnetic field shaper is disposed so as to face portions of an outer peripheral surface of the middle stay member that respectively overlap the front stay member and the rear stay member, and the middle stay member is clinched onto the front and rear stay members by applying an electromagnetic force to the magnetic field shaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventor: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
  • Publication number: 20130234457
    Abstract: A connecting part for connecting a bumper covering to a vehicle body is provided. The connecting part is fastenable to the vehicle body and serves as holder for the bumper covering. The connecting part includes a bearing portion that is at least partially brought to bear against a counterpart portion of the vehicle body. The connecting part also includes holding means by which, prior to fastening of the connecting part to the vehicle body, the connecting part is brought into a holding position on the vehicle body subject to the bearing portion bearing against the counterpart portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin Leonhard SACHS, Theobald HOCK, Rolf EWERT
  • Patent number: 8511727
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching and aligning a forward-looking radar (FLR) having a front face is disclosed according to one embodiment. The bracket includes a bracket frame having an attachment feature for attaching the FLR to the bracket frame. The bracket also includes a first mounting feature extending from the bracket frame for coupling the bracket face and the first mounting surface of the conveyance to define a first mounting surface angle. The bracket also includes a bracket member extending from the bracket frame. The bracket member includes an end portion disposed proximate to the bracket face and a distal end portion, which includes a second mounting feature for coupling the bracket member and the second mounting surface thereby defining a second mounting surface angle and aligning the FLR front face to an alignment angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Hartley, Paul Schmitt, John V. Bond, III, John Wuerth, Michael Czarnecki, Joseph Ciaravino, John Juronoc, Aaron Mills, Kurt Peterson, Paul L. Stanko, John Wilds, Sr., Harish Dutt
  • Patent number: 8496287
    Abstract: A front vehicle body structure includes, on each of left and right sides, a front side frame, an upper member, a frame connecting member, an impact absorbing mechanism. The impact absorbing mechanism has a closed cross-sectional shape in frontal view of a vehicle. The impact absorbing mechanism includes an external wall and an internal wall. The external wall is substantially straight with respect to an upper internal wall of the upper member such that the frame connecting member is disposed therebetween. The internal wall has a shape in which at least a front portion of the internal wall between a central portion of the internal wall in its longitudinal direction and the bumper beam is obliquely bent outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuura, Shigeto Yasuhara, Kojiro Okabe, Ryota Abe, Ken Sato
  • Publication number: 20130185837
    Abstract: A protective member such as a helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer interconnected by multiple connectors, such as extension springs, under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axis and allow the outer layer and inner layer to move relative to each other. In the helmet application, the head of a user experiences less impact force, reduced change in momentum or position of the head and neck, reduced head and neck loads and reduced amounts of linear and rotational acceleration. The protective member can be used in numerous applications and environments, including for participants in sports, in applications including bumpers, passenger cabins, car seats and beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Emerson Spalding Phipps, Charles Edward Phipps
  • 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: 8469416
    Abstract: An impact absorbing device for a vehicle includes an impact-absorbing portion including an inner wall surface extending smoothly in an axial direction and configured to compressively deform in the axial direction for absorbing an impact energy, a first attaching portion closing an opening end of the impact-absorbing portion closer to a bumper reinforcement and configured to be attached to the bumper reinforcement, a second attaching portion extending from an opening end of the impact-absorbing portion closer to the side member and configured to be attached to a side member, a readily deformable portion provided at the impact-absorbing portion and formed by forming a plate thickness to be thinner in a partial range of the impact-absorbing portion in the axial direction, and an initial peak load restraining portion provided at the first attaching portion and set to be away from the bumper reinforcement in the axial direction, which are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Keikinzoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Haneda, Shuji Inoue, Makoto Ito, Kenichi Adachi, Kiyoichi Kita, Jun Shobo
  • Patent number: 8454064
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a bumper to a vehicle includes a deformation organ having one end for attachment to the bumper, and another end for sliding into a side member. The insertion section includes an inner wall which is stretchable when subjected to a tensile force. For elongating the inner wall, a material strip is received in a receiving space and equipped with a threaded breakthrough, which is aligned with a breakthrough of the adjacent transverse wall for receiving a tensile screw. The tensile screw extends through a breakthrough in a side member and exerts a force which elongates the inner wall. This initially provides a loose sliding-in of the insertion section in the side member and, following stretching of the inner wall, a tight seat of the insertion section in the side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Publication number: 20130106123
    Abstract: A welded assembly characterized by improved structural integrity includes a first component disposed along a first plane. The first component includes first and second substantially parallel surfaces, and also includes a channel arranged on the first surface. The welded assembly also includes a second component disposed along a second plane, wherein the second component includes a leading edge. The leading edge of the second component is inserted into the channel of the first component such that an interface is formed between the first and second components. A weld generated on the second surface joins the first component with the second component at the interface such that the assembly is formed. The subject weld may be a friction-stir type of a weld. The subject welded assembly may be a vehicle bumper support. A method of forming such a welded assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Blair E. Carlson, Mark Allan Cunningham, Robert T. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 8419116
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a front end frame assembly extending laterally across the vehicle and disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle, and a bumper beam extending laterally across the vehicle and spaced apart longitudinally forward of the front end frame assembly. A first set of spaced apart inner attachment structures connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. A second set of spaced apart outer attachment structures also connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. The second set of outer attachment structures is spaced apart from and flanks the first set of inner attachment structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Jamison Weirup
  • Patent number: 8419091
    Abstract: A bumper for an automobile includes a crossbeam which is formed from at least two separate hollow profiles, wherein the hollow profiles abut one another along a longitudinal wall and are joined with one another. The abutting longitudinal walls form a double web oriented in the longitudinal direction of the automobile. The hollow profiles may have an identical cross-sectional configuration. The hollow profiles may be roll-formed or extruded. The modular construction of the crossbeam from separate hollow profiles allows a lightweight construction and allows the load characteristic of the crossbeam to be functionally adapted to different requirements depending on the vehicle or vehicle class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Roll, Christian Handing, Martin Schröter, Andreas Schiller
  • Patent number: 8408613
    Abstract: An energy absorber for an automotive bumper assembly having an impact beam includes a first component positioned adjacent the impact beam. The energy absorber also includes a second component positioned such that the first component is disposed substantially between the second component and the impact beam. The energy absorber additionally includes a locking feature configured to join the first component and the second component. A vehicle having a bumper assembly with such an energy absorber is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Laura L. Tanton
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130033048
    Abstract: A vehicle collision protection apparatus includes a bracket. The bracket includes a deflecting force generating component provided at a rear end of the bracket. The bracket is disposed in a vehicle front space of a vehicle and extends in a front to rear direction of the vehicle and attach a vehicle component to a body of the vehicle. The deflecting force generating component deflects the rear end of the bracket in a width direction of the vehicle and rotates the bracket together with the vehicle component in the width direction when the deflecting force generating component impinges against a portion of the vehicle body as the rear end of the bracket is displaced in a rearward direction of the vehicle due to crushing of a front end of the vehicle during a collision at the front end of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oyama, Junichi Shimada, Mikito Sawaki
  • Patent number: 8353545
    Abstract: A crash structure is provided that is interposed between a vehicle's bumper and a vehicle side rail, the crash structure providing relatively level loading in a compact structure that is easily removed and replaced during post-collision repairs. The structure includes an actuator member coupled to the bumper, the actuator member passing into, and slidably disposed within, a hollow housing of the crash structure. The hollow housing contains a plurality of deformable members that at least partially surround a first portion of the actuator member. A second portion of the actuator member, which is between the bumper and the first portion of the actuator member, has a larger diameter than that of the first portion of the actuator member and may be coupled to the first portion via a chamfered transition region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8333416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an impact element having at least one carrier and at least one deformation element, wherein the carrier has a strip-shaped insert which is at least partly sheathed with plastic, wherein the strip-shaped insert is slit into at least two strips in at least one profile section and one strip is set back with respect to the other strip by shaping while forming a gap, with the deformation element being able to be fastened or being fastened to the carrier by means of at least one fastening means and the fastening means being guided through the gap between the strips of the insert, with at least one plastic molding being provided which is arranged such that it inhibits and/or prevents a relative movement between the fastening means or the deformation element and the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Jacob Plastics GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Wacker, Joerg Russ
  • Patent number: 8322763
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a front bumper extension to a truck includes a bracket having a mounting flange for mounting to a frame rail of a truck, and an upper flange and lower flange forming a pocket at a front end of the bracket for mounting a bumper center section. The bumper center section may be configured for a single tow pin with an aperture formed at a center of the bumper center section, or for dual tow pins with apertures formed to align with the pockets of respective right and left brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristina Tejler, Jorgen Marken
  • Patent number: 8317240
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle has a cross member disposed transversely in relation to side rails of a vehicle frame and is supported on the side rails by crash boxes. The cross member includes a central longitudinal section having opposite ends, a crash box attachment section with a substantially vertical rear wall and two legs, and an end section having in cross-section a U-shaped configuration defined by two legs and a web which interconnects the legs and forms an outward-projecting bulge. The bulge is joined with the substantially vertical rear wall of the attachment section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Müller, Burkhard Röper
  • Publication number: 20120292932
    Abstract: When a retainer unit is fastened to a body, the rotation of a pin member around its longitudinal axis pushes out and widens the body mounting leg portion of the retainer unit, and the retainer unit is drawn into the body. As a result, the elastic flange of the leg is bent, the insertion hole in the body is sealed by the elastic flange of the leg, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented. By drawing the retainer unit into the body, the pin member is also drawn into the body a slight distance (dimension ?). As a result, the elastic flange of the pin member is bent, the pin insertion hole is sealed by the elastic flange of the pin member, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro SANO
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8313137
    Abstract: A system and method for temporarily attaching an accessory component such as a fog light cover, to a vehicle body panel prior to a painting operation are described. The system and method eliminate the need for jigs or other support structures typically used to support the accessory during painting of the accessory and body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicholas Goldsberry
  • Patent number: 8276953
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a bumper cross member, which is fixed to a stiff frame of the motor vehicle, a pliable bumper shell, a compressible structure which is formed between an upper area of the shell and the cross member and one support section which supports the lower area of the shell, which, together with a crash box holding the cross member is anchored to the flange plates of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst
  • Patent number: 8276954
    Abstract: A bumper system for motor vehicles has a cross-member and two crush boxes. The cross-member is made from steel and the crush boxes are made from aluminum, or vice versa. The bumper member that is made from steel has a zinc coating on at least the joint area thereof. A braze weld fixedly connects the crush boxes to the cross-member along associated joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Michael Wibbeke
  • Publication number: 20120228890
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a bumper to a vehicle includes a deformation organ having one end for attachment to the bumper, and another end for sliding into a side member. The insertion section includes an inner wall which is stretchable when subjected to a tensile force. For elongating the inner wall, a material strip is received in a receiving space and equipped with a threaded breakthrough, which is aligned with a breakthrough of the adjacent transverse wall for receiving a tensile screw. The tensile screw extends through a breakthrough in a side member and exerts a force which elongates the inner wall. This initially provides a loose sliding-in of the insertion section in the side member and, following stretching of the inner wall, a tight seat of the insertion section in the side member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Simon FRANK
  • Publication number: 20120217763
    Abstract: A bumper fastening structure is provided for a motor vehicle with a bumper and a fastening for the bumper, which has a screw and a screw cover. The bumper has at a fastening point a depression to receive a head of the screw and a recess for the mounting of the screw cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Martin LIKAR, Theobold HOCK, Fernando SOEIRO
  • Patent number: 8246092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a profiled element (66) which is designed as a hollow profiled support section and is used for fastening a bumper to longitudinal beams (30) of a vehicle. Said profiled element (66) is assigned to a longitudinal beam (30) made of steel as an insertable section for the interior (32) of the longitudinal beam (30). The final edge (67) of at least two opposite walls (68) of the insertable section of the profiled element (66), which is made of a light metal material, is attached inside an insertion member (70) which, as a separation layer, prevents adjacent surfaces that are made of light metal and iron-carbon alloys from corroding. The insertable section is inserted into the longitudinal beam (30) along with the insertion members (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Patent number: 8226133
    Abstract: A bumper attachment device is provided for attaching a bumper to a vehicle body disposed between the body and the bumper. A bumper support which can support the bumper and an attachment insert that can be rotatably attached to a securing part secured to the body are provided. The attachment insert has an insertion part inserted into and through a through hole in the bumper support, the insertion part is inserted into and through the through hole, and the insertion part is turned in the through hole while supporting the bumper support; in this way, a part of the attachment insert is caused to abut a part of the bumper support, and through that abutment, the position of the bumper support relative to the body is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro Sano
  • Patent number: 8220576
    Abstract: A front end structure for an automobile includes a resin-made shroud panel supporting a heat exchanger. The front end structure further includes: a panel support part supporting the shroud panel against car body members; and a rearward movement allowing part allowing the heat exchanger to move rearward of the automobile relative to the panel support part when an impact load works on the shroud panel from the front of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Sakayu Terada, Nobuyuki Nakayama, Takahiro Tochioka
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120146349
    Abstract: Provided is a connection module, which is designed as an extension of a fastening rail and is configured for connection to a vehicle bumper covering. The connection module includes a fastening arm which is configured for locking engagement to a flange of the bumper covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: DECOMA (Germany) GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Holderle
  • Patent number: 8196998
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure has a pair of right and left apron side members 1 each extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a closed cross section structure, a bumper 2 located on the vehicle front side Fr of the front end portion of the apron side member 1, and a grille 5 attached to air intake openings 3, 4 in the bumper 2. In this vehicle front structure, shock absorbing parts 20 formed integrally with the grille 5 are disposed between the bumper 2 and the front end portions of the apron side members 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Ohno, Taku Sumino, Hironori Shigemasu, Idemitsu Masuda, Akito Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8186750
    Abstract: An automobile that includes: a lower crossbar including longitudinal arms connected by links to vehicle side rails located above the arms; a technical front surface defining a plate, the plate including an inner face and an outer face and being adapted to be attached to a structural member of the vehicle; a shield convergent element including two absorption members capable of absorbing by deformation thereof the energy of a shock to the vehicle; each longitudinal arm of the crossbar being attached by a first fastener to the inner surface of the plate; and each absorption member being attached by a second fastener to the outer face of the plate so that the two absorption members are capable of deformation along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle upon a shock; the inner surface including ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Hicham Challal, Mickael Flandin
  • Patent number: 8172285
    Abstract: The invention refers to a mounting system for attachment of a bumper covering at a motor vehicle body which includes a mounting strip, a guide profile and a locking slider which in mounted condition provides connection between the mounting strip and the guide profile, wherein at least the guide profile is configured as a separate component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Peguform GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Ruder
  • 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: 8167343
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device which is based on thermoplastic material for the attachment of a bumper covering at the body of a motor vehicle which includes a base body and a cover plate as well as a security pin for securing the cover plate; the base body and the cover plate are configured as separate components and the security pin when inserted into safety lugs at the base body locks the cover plate in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Peguform GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Ruder
  • Patent number: 8157066
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an impact absorbing member capable of reinforcing a desired reinforcement object portion. The impact absorbing member includes a long impact absorbing body which absorbs energy at the time of a collision by being deformed itself and a mounting member which is disposed at a reinforcement object portion of the impact absorbing body so that it is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion at the time of the collision and mounted to a mounting object member. When the reinforcement object portion is deformed at the time of the collision, the mounting member is deformed along deformation of the reinforcement object portion. Due to that deformation, the mounting member can reinforce the reinforcement object portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Murayama, Junichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8141917
    Abstract: A bumper system for motor vehicles includes an energy absorption assembly that extends generally perpendicular to the direction of vehicle travel and is connected with the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame by crush boxes. The energy absorption assembly has first and second generally parallel bumper members, which support one another along first and second contact surfaces. The first bumper member is slideably supported by the second bumper member and is configured such that upon impact, the first bumper member is slidingly displaced along the first and second contact surfaces both horizontally relative to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame and vertically relative to the second bumper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Wiedermann, Frank Seifert, Torsten Groning
  • Patent number: 8136855
    Abstract: A bumper assembly for a vehicle and the associated vehicle comprising this bumper assembly are described. The vehicle comprises a chassis. The bumper assembly comprises: a bumper core. The bumper core, in turn, comprises: a first cross member made of a first thermoplastic material and a first and a second substantially undeformable connection device for rigidly fixing the first cross member to the chassis of the vehicle. The first and the second substantially undeformable connection devices co-operate with the first cross member. The bumper core also comprises a second cross member and at least one shock absorbing element arranged between the first cross member and the second cross member. The second cross member is connected to said first and second substantially undeformable connection devices or it is formed as one piece with said substantially undeformable connection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: VM Plastics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Jean Louis Toneatti, Mario Vismara
  • Patent number: 8128139
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper and mounting bracket assembly for a lamp is disclosed. The mounting bracket has a geometry that facilitates mating with flanges disposed on apertures on the bumper. The mounting bracket also includes resilient tab locks configured to receive tabs on the flanges. Ledges of the mounting bracket are used to attach a lamp that is held in cantilever relation with the bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Stoffel, Nick A. Massaro, Steven U. Behm
  • Patent number: 8123265
    Abstract: A bumper beam has a hat shaped profile and is turned with the crown (12-14) towards the vehicle and has a lid (17) that gives the bumper beam a closed profile. The bumper beam has two mountings (20, 21) that usually are adapted to be fitted to the side rails of the vehicle. The mountings (20, 21; 40) consist of a plate formed from one piece that has two standing sides (23, 24; 43, 44) and from these out-turned flanges (25, 26) with holes (28) for mounting to the vehicle, where the standing sides have cut-outs (27) adapted for the bottom and sides of the bumper beam and are welded to these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Johan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8123264
    Abstract: A crash box device and an impact absorption system with a crash box device are provided for motor vehicles. The device includes, but is not limited to: a deformable element for absorbing a collision force impacting in the main direction through a corresponding re-shaping and/or damping movement, an impact limitation device fastened on one final range of the deformable element, a support element connected with the other final range of the deformable element, preferably the final range which is opposite the other final range for the reception of the deformable element and for attaching further building components and fasteners to attach the deformable element with the impact limitation device and/or the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Zielke
  • Patent number: 8118346
    Abstract: The supporting piece is intended to be mounted at the end of a motor vehicle side member, this side member including, in the continuation thereof, a plate for mounting a transverse impact beam. The supporting piece includes a bearing surface for an absorber positioned in front of this bearing surface, the bearing surface being arranged in such a way as to extend under the mounting plate and substantially parallel thereto when the supporting piece is mounted at the end of the side member. The supporting piece is shaped in such a way that it does not deform irreversibly when the vehicle suffers an insurance impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Stéphane Ginja, Sébastien Charnaux, Hugues Cheron
  • Patent number: 8100444
    Abstract: A bumper system for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a bumper cross member, which is fixed to a stiff frame of the motor vehicle, a pliable bumper shell, a compressible structure which is formed between an upper area of the shell and the cross member and one support section which supports the lower area of the shell, which, together with a crash box holding the cross member is anchored to the flange plates of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Erzgräber, Theobald Hock, Heino Wentzien, Stefan Glaser, Andreas Wüst