Bumper with integrated energy absorber and beam
AssigneeNetshape Corporation
InventorDarin Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bumper system includes a tubular beam with flattened end sections, and further includes an energy absorber having a rear recess mateably receiving the tubular beam in a nested relationship, with the recess also including flat mating surfaces engaging the flattened end sections. Mounts engage a rear of the flattened end sections, and fasteners secure the tubular beam and energy absorber to the mounts. In one modified bumper system, corner sections on the energy absorber are shaped to slidingly engage a side surface of the mount and simultaneously an end of the beam upon corner impact of the vehicle. In another modified bumper system, offset ends of the tubular beam fit into a recess in an energy absorber, with its center section being between vehicle mounts.
Claims21
A bumper system comprising:
- a tubular beam with front, rear, top, and bottom walls, the front and rear walls being reformed at ends of the tubular beam to form flattened end sections;
- an energy absorber having a rear surface with a recess mateably receiving the tubular beam, the recess including mating flat surfaces engaging a front of the flattened end sections;
- mounts engaging a rear of the flattened end sections;
- and
- fasteners securing the tubular beam and energy absorber to the mounts.
A bumper system for a vehicle comprising:
- a beam having front, rear, top, and bottom walls defining a tubular center section and having end sections;
- a one-piece energy absorber having an absorber center section with a rear-facing recess mateably receiving the tubular center section and engaging portions of the front, top and bottom walls;
- and further having corner sections with an interior surface located proximate an outer end of the end sections of the beam;
- mounts engaging a rear of the end sections, the interior surface of the corner sections being positioned to engage the outer end of the beam and to simultaneously engage an outer side surface of the mounts when the vehicle experiences a corner impact;
- and
- fasteners that secure the tubular beam and energy absorber to the mounts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.