Hybrid bumper with trim
AssigneeNetShape Energy Management LLC
InventorDarin Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid bumper system includes a polymeric reinforcement beam with end sections and structural covers attached to the end sections to considerably strengthen the end sections. Bracketry stably supports the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame. A fascia covers at least part of the reinforcement beam but leaves a portion of the structural covers in a visible position. The structural covers are treated for aesthetics, such as by painting, chroming, or other surface treatment. In one aspect, the beam includes a molded polymeric beam component, structural L-shaped covers attached to its end sections, and a tie bar along its rear side that stiffens and rigidifies a center of the polymeric beam component. In another aspect, a tow bar or rail-to-rail metal reinforcement beam front system (or rear with tow bar) is incorporated.
Claims18
A hybrid bumper system for a vehicle comprising:
- a polymeric reinforcement beam having a center section and end sections;
- bracketry stably engaging the reinforcement beam and adapted for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame in a stable condition;
- a fascia covering at least a top portion of the reinforcement beam;
- and
- structural covers attached to and covering at least part of the end sections of the reinforcement beam, the structural covers combining with the end sections to provide corner structures of greater strength than the end sections alone, but also including a visible surface revealed by the fascia, wherein the reinforcement beam includes a recess shaped to receive a license plate and includes attachment locations for attaching the license plate.
A hybrid bumber system for a vehicle comprising:
- a polymeric reinforcement beam having a center section and end section;
- bracketry stably engaging the reinforcement beam and adapted for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame in a stable condition;
- a fascia covering at least a top portion of the reinforcement beam;
- and
- structural covers attached to and covering at least part of the end sections of the reinforcement beam, the structural covers combining with the end sections to provide corner structures of greater strength than the end sections alone, but also including a visible surface revealed by the fascia, including a horizontally extending bar, and wherein at least one of the reinforcement beam and the bracketry includes structure for engaging and supporting the bar, wherein the bar is a tow bar and includes holes for receiving a ball hitch.
A hybrid bumper system for a vehicle comprising:
- a polymeric reinforcement beam having a center section and end section;
- bracketry stably engaging the reinforcement beam and adapted for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame in a stable condition;
- a fascia covering at least a top portion of the reinforcement beam;
- and
- structural covers attached to and covering at least part of the end sections of the reinforcement beam, the structural covers combining with the end sections to provide corner structures of greater strength than the end sections alone, but also including a visible surface revealed by the fascia, and a tie bar secured to the reinforcement beam.
A hybrid bumper system for a vehicle comprising:
- a polymeric reinforcement beam having a center section and end section;
- bracketry stably engaging the reinforcement beam and adapted for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame in a stable condition;
- a fascia covering at least a top portion of the reinforcement beam;
- and
- structural covers attached to and covering at least part of the end sections of the reinforcement beam, the structural covers combining with the end sections to provide corner structures of greater strength than the end sections alone, but also including a visible surface revealed by the fascia, wherein the reinforcement beam includes integrally formed structural mounts for engaging and supporting an accessory selected from a group consisting of a vehicle license illuminating lamp, a fog lamp, a cornering lamp, a grill, a stone shield, and a wire management clip.
A bumper system for a vehicle comprising:
- a hybrid reinforcement beam including a polymeric beam component and L-shaped structural cover components secured to outer end sections of the polymeric beam component to provide corner structures of greater strength than the end sections alone, but also including a visible surface revealed by the fascia, wherein the reinforcement beam includes integrally formed structural mounts for engaging and supporting an accessory selected from a group consisting of a vehicle license illuminating lamp, a fog lamp, a cornering lamp, a grill, a stone shield, and a wire management clip;
- a tie bar secured to the reinforcement beam;
- bracketry stably engaging the reinforcement beam and adapted for attachment to the vehicle for supporting the reinforcement beam on a vehicle frame in a stable condition;
- a fascia covering at least part of a center section of the reinforcement beam and not revealing a visible portion of the L-shaped structural cover components;
- and
- at least one of the fascia and structural cover components including a surface treatment different than the other of the fascia and structural cover components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.