US3677595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile bumper
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-30
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The modern ornamental automobile bumper which is notoriously ineffective to withstand the impact of even a low speed collision is equipped with a sturdy spring steel impact receiving bar that is projected from a retracted position unobstrusively seated in a recess in the bumper to an operative position outwardly of the bumper as a consequence of the sudden forceful depression of the brake pedal by a driver attempting to avoid a collision.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas L P Hamilton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/38; B60R19/40; B60R19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
In an automotive vehicle equipped with brakes that are activated by depression of a brake pedal, a source of pressure fluid, and an ornamental bumper, the improvement by which the ornamental bumper as well as the vehicle is protected from damage in the event of collision, and which comprises the combination of: A. a movable impact receiving bar normally occupying a retracted position seated in an elongated pocket in the ornamental bumper but projectable from said pocket to an impact receiving position outwardly of the ornamental bumper, said impact receiving bar having a capability considerably greater than that of the ornamental bumper to withstand impact; B. a hydraulic cylinder connected between each end portion of the impact receiving bar and the adjacent portion of the vehicle frame, which when activated by the application of fluid pressure thereto projects the impact receiving bar to its impact receiving position; and C. means for connecting said hydraulic cylinders with the fluid pressure source, said means comprising 1. a solenoId actuated control valve, 2. an electric switch on the brake which upon closure energizes the solenoid of the control valve, and 3. switch actuating means mounted on the brake pedal and operable to close the switch in response to sudden forcefully applied pressure upon the brake pedal, while leaving the switch unaffected by the application of normal brake applying pressure upon the brake pedal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
In an automotive vehicle equipped with brakes that are activated by depression of a brake pedal, a source of pressure fluid, and an ornamental bumper, the improvement by which the ornamental bumper as well as the vehicle is protected from damage in the event of collision, and which comprises the combination of: A. a movable impact receiving bar normally occupying a retracted position seated in an elongated pocket in the ornamental bumper but projectable from said pocket to an impact receiving position outwardly of the ornamental bumper, said impact receiving bar having a capability considerably greater than that of the ornamental bumper to withstand impact; B. a hydraulic cylinder connected between each end portion of the impact receiving bar and the adjacent portion of the vehicle frame, which when activated by the application of fluid pressure thereto projects the impact receiving bar to its impact receiving position; and C. means for connecting said hydraulic cylinders with the fluid pressure source, said means comprising 1. a solenoId actuated control valve, 2. an electric switch on the brake which upon closure energizes the solenoid of the control valve, and 3. switch actuating means mounted on the brake pedal and operable to close the switch in response to sudden forcefully applied pressure upon the brake pedal, while leaving the switch unaffected by the application of normal brake applying pressure upon the brake pedal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
an electric switch on the brake which upon closure energizes the solenoid of the control valve, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
an electric switch on the brake which upon closure energizes the solenoid of the control valve, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
In an automotive vehicle, the improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said switch actuating means comprises a depressible actuator, and resiliently yieldable motion imparting means on the brake pedal and through which foot-applied pressure is imparted to the depressible actuator, said resiliently yieldable motion imparting means being capable of unyieldingly withstanding ordinary brake applying pressure but being incapable of withstanding pressure characteristic of an effort to avoid a collision.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
In an automotive vehicle, the improvement set forth in claim 1, wherein said hydraulic cylinders are of the double acting type, wherein said control valve has two operative positions, in one of which it so connects the cylinders with the fluid pressure source as to hold the impact receiving bar in its retracted position seated in the pocket in the ornamental bumper, and in the other of which it reverses the connections between the cylinder and the fluid pressure source to project the bar to its operative impact receiving position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
switch actuating means mounted on the brake pedal and operable to close the switch in response to sudden forcefully applied pressure upon the brake pedal, while leaving the switch unaffected by the application of normal brake applying pressure upon the brake pedal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
switch actuating means mounted on the brake pedal and operable to close the switch in response to sudden forcefully applied pressure upon the brake pedal, while leaving the switch unaffected by the application of normal brake applying pressure upon the brake pedal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
In an automotive vehicle, the improvement set forth in claim 3, further characterized by the inclusion of a pressure relief valve in the connection between the cylinders and the fluid pressure source which exists when the impact receiving bar is in its projected operative position, said pressure relief valve being set to open in response to pressure in excess of that needed to project the bar to its operative position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |