Bumper assemblies and vehicles comprising same

A bumper assembly that is configured to couple to a body of a vehicle, the bumper assembly comprising:

• a transverse bumper body having opposed first and second side ends spaced apart relative to a transverse axis;
• first and second wing extensions configured for pivotal movement relative to the first and second side ends of the transverse bumper body so that an entirety of each of the first and second wing extensions is pivotable with respect to the transverse bumper body, wherein the first and second wing extensions have inner and outer surfaces and are moveable from a rest position to an impact position in response to an impact force acting within a horizontal plane, wherein a portion of each of the first and second wing extensions overlaps a respective portion of the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis so that a respective horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the transverse axis passes through both the transverse bumper body and the respective portions of the first and second wing extensions that overlap the respective portions of the transverse bumper body, wherein each of the first and second wing extensions comprises an outer end portion that does not overlap the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis;
• first and second elastic plates coupled to the transverse bumper body and extending laterally from the respective first and second side ends of the transverse bumper body, wherein the first and second elastic plates are positioned to contact the inner surfaces of the first and second wing extensions as the first and second wing extensions move from the rest position to the impact position;
• and
• a mounting bracket secured to the transverse bumper body, wherein the mounting bracket defines first and second stop elements that are configured to restrict deformation of the first and second elastic plates beyond respective first and second stop positions, wherein the first and second wing extensions are pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket,
• wherein, in the rest position, the outer surfaces of the first and second wing extensions are substantially parallel to the transverse axis,
• wherein, in the impact position, the outer surfaces of the first and second wing extensions are positioned at an acute angle relative to the transverse axis within the horizontal plane, and the outer ends portions of the first and second wing extensions are pivoted toward the body of the vehicle,
• wherein, following removal of the impact force, the first and second elastic plates are configured to apply respective spring-back forces to the first and second wing extensions to return the first and second wing extensions to the rest position, and
• wherein the transverse bumper body has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the portion of the first and second wing extensions that overlaps the respective portions of the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis are outward of the outer surface of the bumper body with respect to the respective horizontal axes that are perpendicular to the transverse axis.

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle body;
• and
• at least one bumper assembly coupled to the vehicle body, wherein each bumper assembly comprises:
• a transverse bumper body having opposed first and second side ends spaced apart relative to a transverse axis;
• and
• first and second wing extensions pivotally coupled to the transverse bumper body so that an entirety of each of the first and second wing extensions is configured for pivotal movement relative to the first and second side ends of the transverse bumper body, wherein the first and second wing extensions have inner and outer surfaces and are moveable from a rest position to an impact position in response to an impact force acting within a horizontal plane, wherein a portion of each of the first and second wing extensions overlaps a respective portion of the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis so that a respective horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the transverse axis passes through both the transverse bumper body and the respective portions of the first and second wing extensions that overlap the respective portions of the transverse bumper body, wherein each of the first and second wing extensions comprises an outer end portion that does not overlap the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis,
• wherein, in the rest position, the outer surfaces of the first and second wing extensions are substantially parallel to the transverse axis,
• wherein, in the impact position, the outer surfaces of the first and second wing extensions are positioned at an acute angle relative to the transverse axis within the horizontal plane, and the outer ends portions of the first and second wing extensions are pivoted toward the body of the vehicle,
• wherein the first and second wing extensions are configured to return to the rest position in response to removal of the impact force, and
• wherein the transverse bumper body has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the portion of the first and second wing extensions that overlaps the respective portions of the transverse bumper body along the transverse axis are outward of the outer surface of the bumper body with respect to the respective horizontal axes that are perpendicular to the transverse axis.