US3733096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bumper device
Assignee: Karl Kaessbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH
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Filing: 1971-03-15
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorbing, or bumper, device, particularly for vehicles and especially to resist under-running by smaller vehicles of larger vehicles, as trucks, having a substantial overhang. An impact member has an impact receiving surface and an oppositely facing angular surface. A support holds the impact member in a suitable position and so bears against the angular surface in such a manner as to resist with a progressively increasing force movement of the impact member in response to impact. Springs, compression resistant materials and other means, including progressively collapsible structural means, can be added to the support device for further progressively resisting movement of the impact member.
Inventors
- 👤 K Kassbohrer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A bumper device for use adjacent the rear endS of vehicles wherein a vehicle frame structure projects rearwardly of the vehicle wheels and the spacing between the ground and said vehicle frame structure is approximately equal to or greater than the diameter of said vehicle wheels, comprising: support frame means mounted in said spacing between the ground and said vehicle frame structure; means defining a recepticle on said support frame means adjacent said rear end of said vehicle and having means defining an opening therein opening rearwardly of said vehicle; and deformable impact absorbing means mounted in said recepticle means, said impact absorbing means including a deformable first part larger in size that said opening into said recepticle means and extending rearwardly of said opening into said recepticle means and a second deformable part integral with said first part received in said recepticle means, said first and second deformable parts of said deformable impact absorbing means being both adapted to be deformed when an external force is applied thereto in a direction generally toward the interior of said recepticle means, both said first and second parts being drivable into said recepticle means by said external force and frictionly engaging a portion of said recepticle means as they are driven into said recepticle means to thereby absorb the kinetic energy of said force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A bumper device for use adjacent the rear endS of vehicles wherein a vehicle frame structure projects rearwardly of the vehicle wheels and the spacing between the ground and said vehicle frame structure is approximately equal to or greater than the diameter of said vehicle wheels, comprising: support frame means mounted in said spacing between the ground and said vehicle frame structure; means defining a recepticle on said support frame means adjacent said rear end of said vehicle and having means defining an opening therein opening rearwardly of said vehicle; and deformable impact absorbing means mounted in said recepticle means, said impact absorbing means including a deformable first part larger in size that said opening into said recepticle means and extending rearwardly of said opening into said recepticle means and a second deformable part integral with said first part received in said recepticle means, said first and second deformable parts of said deformable impact absorbing means being both adapted to be deformed when an external force is applied thereto in a direction generally toward the interior of said recepticle means, both said first and second parts being drivable into said recepticle means by said external force and frictionly engaging a portion of said recepticle means as they are driven into said recepticle means to thereby absorb the kinetic energy of said force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said opening into said recepticle means is generally rectangular and opens rearwardly across at least a major portion of the width of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A bumper device according to claim 2, wherein said rectangular opening comprises means defining a pair of vertically spaced edges; and wherein said recepticle means includes resilient means for resiliently supporting at least one of said edge means for movement away from the other of saId edge means against the force of said resilient means as said deformable impact absorbing means is driven into said recepticle means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bumper device according to claim 3, wherein said resilient means further includes at least one breakable tensioning member which extends between said edge means adjacent the opening into said recepticle means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bumper device according to claim 4, wherein said deformable impact absorbing means comprises means defining at least one vertically extending opening therein for receiving said tensioning member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bumper device according to claim 5, wherein said tensioning member becomes breakable only after said edge has reached a point of maximum resiliency offered by said resilient means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said recepticle means comprises a trough-shaped member secured to said support frame means, said trough-shaped member opening rearwardly of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A bumper device according to claim 3, wherein said support frame means comprises a transverse suspension means secured to said vehicle frame structure; and wherein said tensioning member is secured at one end to said suspension means and to said one edge means at the other end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bumper device according to claim 8, wherein said suspension means comprises bracing members secured to said vehicle frame structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said recepticle means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced U-shaped members secured to said support frame means and opening rearwardly of said vehicle and an elongated, laterally extending trough-shaped member received in the U-shaped members, is secured thereto and extends therebetween, said deformable impact absorbing means being mounted in said trough-shaped member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bumper device according to claim 10, wherein said trough-shaped member has a roughened surface on the interior thereof to resist the movement of said deformable impact absorbing means into said trough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A bumper device according to claim 11, wherein said trough-shaped member includes means defining a wedge-like member extending from the interior bottom wall of said trough-shaped rearwardly and terminating adjacent the frontwardly most portion of said second part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bumper device according to claim 12, wherein said wedge-like member has a roughed surface inside said trough-shaped member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said deformable impact absorbing means has means thereon defining a horizontally aligned opening therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bumper device according to claim 14, wherein the axis of said opening is longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of said vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bumper device according to claim 14, wherein the axis of said opening is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said support frame means is breakable upon the application of a force thereto which exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bumper device according to claim 17, wherein the resistance to deformation of said impact absorbing means is less than the resistance to breakage of said support frame means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bumper device according to claim 1, wherein said first part of said deformable impact absorbing means forms an arcuate surface extending from top to bottom, the total height of said first part being at least greater than said opening into said recepticle means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |