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US 7,086,674 B2Granted
Underride protection bumper for a trailer
OwnerAlan R. Goertzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underride protection bumper for a trailer is provided which functions as two separate bumpers during different stages of impact to provide optimal energy absorption, impact vehicle ride-down and underride protection characteristics. Another underride protection bumper provides a support member extending diagonally inboard to counteract inboard-directed forces on trailer attachment member, thereby absorbing impact energy and minimizing underride of an impacting vehicle.
Claims15
An underride protection bumper for a trailer comprising:
- first and second substantially parallel, elongated trailer attachment members, each having a proximal portion adapted for connection to the trailer and a distal portion laterally extending from said proximal portion;
- an impact member spanning between and connected to said distal portions;
- and
- said distal portions being substantially horizontal and relatively outboard of said proximal portions in one of a substantially rearward and a substantially lateral direction when said attachment members are connected to the trailer such that said impact member is presented at a level for energy-absorbing contact with an impacting vehicle;
- and said trailer attachment members being pivotable to move said impact member to a position in which said distal portions are substantially vertical and said impact member continues to be presented at said level for energy-absorbing contact with the vehicle.
2 more elements
A truck trailer in combination with an underride protection bumper comprising:
- trailer structure;
- an elongated, substantially horizontal impact member;
- first and second substantially parallel, energy-absorbing structures, each having a substantially vertical upper portion and a substantially horizontal lower portion extending outboard from said upper portion in one of a substantially rearward and a substantially lateral direction;
- said upper portion being operatively connected to said trailer structure and extending downward therefrom;
- said lower portion being operatively connected to said impact member such that said impact member is presented in a first position at a level for engagement with an impacting vehicle;
- wherein said upper portion and said lower portion are a substantially similar length and are arranged in an L-shape;
- and
- said energy-absorbing members absorbing impact energy and being pivotable upon an amount of impact energy to move said impact member to a second position in which said lower portion is substantially vertical, is substantially inboard of said upper portion in one of a substantially forward and a substantially lateral direction, and remains substantially at said level due to said substantially similar length and in engagement with said impacting vehicle to continue absorbing impact energy.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.