Abstract: A vehicle includes a bumper. The vehicle includes a pair of swing arms. The vehicle includes a beam pivotally supported by the swing arms. The vehicle includes a crossmember fixed to the beam and movable from a retracted position toward the bumper to an extended position. The vehicle includes a lock operatively engaging one of the swing arms when the crossmember is in the extended position.

Abstract: A vehicular structural element that includes: a plurality of elongated tube-shaped members; and a retaining member that retains the plurality of elongated tube-shaped members, such that they are disposed alongside each other in a circumferential direction with respect to a predetermined central axis. A tubular assembly configured by an assembly of the plurality of elongated tube-shaped members has inner locations disposed at an inner region viewed along an axial direction set with a lower rigidity in the axial direction than outer locations disposed at an outer region viewed along the axial direction.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a push bar, and a damper connecting the push bar to the body structure. The damper includes a base and a rod that are movable relative to each other. The rod is attached to one of the push bar and the body structure, and the base is attached to the other of the push bar and the body structure. The damper is controllable to adjust a damping ratio of the damper and/or adjust a resting position of the rod relative to the base to axially move the push bar.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle impact mitigation system. The impact mitigation system can be configured to mitigate front impact situations. A main rail and an extendable rail—configured to move with respect to the main rail—are provided. A front module is attached to the extendable rail and attachable to the main rail. A spring is positioned between the front module and main rail, the spring is configured to apply a force to the front module when the front module is detached from the main rail. An actuator is configured to control attachment of the front module to the main rail.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for extending a bumper on a motor vehicle having driven wheels. The apparatus includes a drive to derive power from the rotating wheels, an actuator for extending the bumper, and a controller for connecting the actuator to the drive. When bumper extension is desired, drive power is transferred from the motor vehicle's rotating wheels to the actuator to effect deployment of the bumper.

Abstract: An apparatus for externally controlling one or more brakes on a vehicle having a pressurized fluid braking system. The apparatus can include a pressurizable vessel that is adapted for fluid-tight coupling to the braking system. Impact to the rear of the vehicle by a pursuit vehicle, shooting a target mounted on the vehicle or sending a signal from a remote control can all result in the fluid pressures in the braking system of the vehicle being modified so that the vehicle is stopped and rendered temporarily inoperable. A control device can also be provided in the driver's compartment of the vehicle for similarly rendering the vehicle inoperable. A driver or hijacker of the vehicle preferably cannot overcome the stopping action from the driver's compartment.

Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper system includes a bumper unit having pairs of hydraulic cylinders controlled to move a bumper between an extended position and a retracted position, a pump controlled to pump the oil from an oil tank to the hydraulic cylinders to move the bumper between the extended position and the retracted position, a pressure-setup pipe unit connected between the hydraulic cylinders, the pump and the oil tank and equipped with a decompression valve and controlled by a direction control valve to let the oil be alternatively pumped to the upper oil chambers and lower oil chambers of the hydraulic cylinders to retract or extend out the bumper, and a pressure-relief pipe unit using a relief valve and an accumulator to release pressure from the hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic oil pressure sensor to control the explosion time of the air bag of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A road vehicle is disclosed having a bumper assembly fitted to the rear end of the vehicle. The bumper assembly includes a beam extending across the rear end of the vehicle and supported by an arm from the vehicle so that the beam is displaceable from a rest position in a direction towards or beneath the vehicle in the event of contact with an obstacle.

Abstract: Safety device for forklift trucks comprises a bumper fixed to a telescopic support fitted to the vehicle chassis, the support being able to traverse and rotate to a limited extent in relation to the chassis. The support is connected to equipment designed to activate devices which stop the vehicle if the movements and/or rotations of the support exceed a preset value.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle includes a conduit subsystem for conducting hydraulic fluid therein, a supply subsystem for supplying hydraulic fluid, a pressure-balancing subsystem for regulating the pressure of hydraulic fluid, front and rear bumper subsystems for respectively extending and retracting front and rear bumpers and for absorbing shock, a switching subsystem for directing hydraulic fluid, and a feedback subsystem for absorbing shock.

Abstract: A safety vehicle bumper includes a bumper mounted on two guide rods secured to several driving pistons reciprocating in at least one set of twin cylinders, which bumper can be operatively extended outwardly to prevent a close hit on a car body by another object by deeply treading a brake pedal for pneumatically or hydraulically moving the piston and the secured guide rods and the bumper outwardly for safety purpose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating the braking system of a vehicle, in which the system is automatically, on movement of the vehicle, pneumatically armed for actuation by a detector signal to cause brake application, and the armed brake system is actuated by a contact of the moving vehicle with an obstruction to generate a pneumatic signal, the braking system being releasable and automatically rearmable. In another mode the braking system is constantly armed.

Abstract: A shock absorbing system for an automotive vehicle having a chassis and front and rear bumpers which are movable relative to the chassis is provided. The system comprises an hydraulic oil circuit which includes a storage tank for storing hydraulic oil, a pump for pumping hydraulic oil from the tank into the circuit and an electric motor for driving the pump. An actuator for extending or retracting the front and rear bumpers away or toward the chassis is provided downstream of the pump and comprises an upper oil chamber and a lower oil chamber, the arrangement being such that when a predetermined oil pressure is maintained in the upper chamber, the bumpers are maintained in a retracted position relative to the chassis and when the pressure is switched to the lower oil chamber, the bumpers are moved to positions in which they are extended from the chassis.

Abstract: A retractable safety bumper and air brake actuator is provided in which a bumper is carried at the rear of a trailer such that as the bumper is engaged by an obstruction at the rear of the trailer, the bumper drives a piston to which it is attached into a sleeve, activating a switch and solenoid which release air from the trailer emergency air tank, through the trailer triple valve and into the brake pots of the trailer, thereby immediately locking the trailer brakes without affecting the tractor brakes.

Abstract: An auxiliary air brake system is provided for a mobile vehicle which has a drive selector having reverse and other positions and which has a main air brake system which includes a plurality of compressed air tanks, main conduit including a foot brake line and a hand brake line for connecting at least one of the tanks to wheel brake chambers, and air control valves in the main conduit for controlling air pressure at the wheel brake chambers.

Abstract: This invention provides a safety arrangement for a dumping vehicle which may include a bumper movable to energize a brake actuator, the bumper being retractable upon tilting of the dumping bed. Modified bumper mounting arrangements are provided for various kinds of vehicles. A latching relay may be included to cause the brake actuator to hold the brakes locked, irrespective of disengagement of the obstruction. The bumper may include a pneumtic chamber with a flexible wall, with a pressure-operated switch for operating the brake actuator. Also, an exteriorly actuated switch may be used in a two-man operation in lieu of a bumper.

Abstract: Downwardly depending contact members are secured to the undercarriage of railroad cars and positioned inboard from the wheels of the cars and also positioned above the level at which the wheels contact the underlying tracks. These contact members are upwardly displaceable when the train derails upon contact with a rail or ground debris to release fluid pressure in the train brake system and thereby activate the brakes of all of the cars.

Abstract: A truck comprises a frame with a driver's cab fixed on the frame and a load carrier which is normally fixed on the frame but is frictionally slidable longitudinally of the frame in the event of a longitudinal impact exceeding a predetermined value. A first hydraulic unit connected between the frame and the load carrier comprises a cylinder and piston of which one is fixed to the frame and the other to the load carrier. A front bumper is mounted on the front of the frame with a second hydraulic unit and a rear bumper is mounted on the rear of the frame with a third hydraulic unit. The second and third hydraulic units are connected with the first hydraulic unit so that fluid pressure is transmitted to the first hydraulic unit in the event of impact with either bumper.

Abstract: This invention provides a safety arrangement for a dumping vehicle which may include a bumper movable to energize a brake actuator, the bumping being retractable upon tilting of the dumping bed. Modified bumper mounting arrangements are provided for various kinds of vehicles. A latching relay may be included to cause the brake actuator to hold the brakes locked, irrespective of disengagement of the obstruction. The bumper may include a pneumatic chamber with a flexible wall, with a pressure-operated switch for operating the brake actuator. Also, an exteriorly actuated switch may be used in a two-man operation in lieu of a bumper.

Abstract: A dump truck has a carrier that is placed on its body frame so as to be longitudinally movable thereon when longitudinal impact force exceeding a given value works on the truck's body. Energy absorbing means are interposed between said frame and carrier, for absorbing kinetic energy of said carrier by the use of hydraulic pressure produced by the relative displacement therebetween.

Abstract: A bumper for motor vehicles which is operated by hydraulic slave cylinders connected to the master brake cylinder to extend the bumper upon the application of a predetermined amount of force to the brake to provide the bumper with a greater shock absorbing length of travel under collision conditions while permitting the retraction of the bumper to facilitate in-town maneuvering and parking under normal driving conditions.

Abstract: An impact braking device adapted for use with the standard braking systems provided in motor vehicles, the device comprising a slidable bumper operably attached to the vehicle frame structure by an actuator means, wherein at least one actuator is provided with a releasable locking lug. A brake cable is releasably attached to the standard vehicle brake pedal at one end thereof, the other end being secured to a spring-biased locking lever which is held in a locked position by said locking lug. When the bumper is moved inwardly, the locking lug releases the locking lever and allows it to rotate under spring tension, thus causing the brake cable to apply sufficient force to operate the foot brake pedal of the vehicle braking system.

Abstract: This is a machine for doing work on railroad track and includes a mechanism for setting new tie plates on top of ties so that a new rail may be accurately positioned thereon. The machine is specifically constructed and arranged to accurately set the tie plates so that they do not require further adjustment prior to laying the new rail. The machine is self-propelled and automatic so that it does not require an attendant, other than possibly personnel to feed tie plates to it.