Bumper System for motor vehicles

A bumper system for motor vehicles and the like of the type having a vehicle frame with longitudinal supports, comprising:

• a cross-member disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame;
• at least one crush box adapted to be supported by the vehicle frame, and disposed generally between said cross-member and the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame for selectively supporting said cross-member;
• at least two coupling levers having first ends thereof operably pivotally connected with said crush box and second ends thereof operably pivotally connected with said cross-member;
• said coupling levers being arranged in a mutually parallel relationship and oriented at an angle relative to vehicle travel, whereby said cross-member is operably supported by said crush box for displacement from a ready position toward the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to said crush box;
• and
• an energy absorption element constructed from a foamed material, disposed generally between said cross-member and said crush box, and being clamped between said coupling levers to selectively resist inward movement of said cross-member from said ready position upon impact, and thereby absorb impact energy.

A bumper system for motor vehicles and the like of the type having a vehicle frame with longitudinal supports, comprising:

• a cross-member disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame;
• at least one crush box adapted to be supported by the vehicle frame, and disposed generally between said cross-member and the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame;
• and wherein
• said cross-member is operably pivotally supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis that extends beneath said crush box for displacement from a ready position toward the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to said crush box;
• and including
• an energy absorption element constructed from a foamed material, disposed generally between and operably connected with said cross-member and said crush box, and movably supporting said cross-member to selectively resist inward movement of said cross-member from said ready position upon impact, and thereby absorb impact energy.

A bumper system for motor vehicles and the like of the type having a vehicle frame with longitudinal supports, comprising:

• a cross-member disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame;
• at least one crush box adapted to be supported by the vehicle frame, and disposed generally between said cross-member and the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame;
• an angled guide having a first end thereof operably supported by said crush box and a second end thereof connected with said cross-member for displacement of said cross-member from a ready position toward the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to said crush box;
• and
• an energy absorption element constructed from a foamed material, disposed in said crush box, and being operatively connected with said second end of said angled guide to selectively resist inward movement of said cross-member from said ready position upon impact, and thereby absorb impact energy.