Molded bumper system with reinforcement beam

Abstract

The bumper system includes an elongated body member with a cavity extending along at least a portion of a length of the body member, a beam member positioned in the cavity in close fitting engagement, and an attachment device for attaching the bumper system to a preselected structure. The body member cavity has a predetermined cavity cross-sectional shape and the beam member has a corresponding cross-sectional shape. The body member is constructed in one piece of a resilient, moldable material. The corresponding cross-sectional shapes of the body member cavity and the beam member are adapted to maximize torsional force transfer between the body member and the beam member. The beam member is configured to meet strength requirement with minimal mass. In one embodiment, at least one absorber member is interposed between the body member and the preselected supporting structure. The absorber member is resilient and adapted to deform to absorb an impact force and to return to its original configuration when the force is removed. Further, the body member defines a cooperating receptacle for each absorber member to receive the absorber member in force fit engagement. Each of the body member and the beam member may also include a void that is filled with a foam material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.