Energy absorbing bumper support

Claim 2

An energy absorbing bumper support for connecting an automotive vehicle bumper means to the vehicle frame means, said bumper support comprising a first tubular member adapted to be connected to one of said means, a second tubular member adapted to be connected to the other of said means, said first tubular member being telescoped and slideable in said second tubular member, said first member being closed at one end and having a flexible seal adjacent its other end, fluid in said first tubular member, a piston in said fluid, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through said seal and connected to one end of said second tubular member, means slideably and sealingly engaging said piston rod, a coil spring biasing said piston and said one end of said first tubular member apart, said piston having at least one passage therethrough, movable valve means attached to said piston and normally closing said passage, said valve means opening to permit fluid to flow through said passage and said first tubular member to telescope into said second tubular member when the pressure of the fluid in said first tubular member is increased as a result of the application of an externally applied force of a predetermined magnitude to said one end of said first tubular member, said piston rod sliding through said seal as said tubular members telescope.

Claim 3

An energy absorbing bumper support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seal includes a flexible ring-shaped section, said means slideably and sealingly engaging said piston rod including an enlarged beaded section on the inner edge of said flexible section, a reinforcing ring embedded in said beaded section, said beaded section sealingly and slidingly engaging said piston rod.

Claim 4

An energy absorbing bumper support as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seal includes a flexible ring-shaped sealing member surrounding said piston rod, said sealing member being adapted to assume a position in which the total volume between said seal and said one end of said first tubular member is enlarged to accommodate the displacement of fluid caused by movement of said piston rod into said first tubular member.

Claim 5

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to one of said tubular members and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end thereof, at least one passage through said piston, the other of said tubular members containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said other tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said other tubular member, said seal means having means surrounding and having a sealing and sliding relationship with said piston rod, said seal means further being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said other tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said other tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another.

Claim 6

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to one of said tubular members and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end thereof, at least one passage through said piston, the other of said tubular members containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said other tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said other tubular member, said seal means having means surrounding and having a sealing and sliding relationship with said piston rod, said seal means further being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said other tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said other tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another.

Claim 7

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said valve means includes an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat.

Claim 8

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to said first tubular member and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end of said rod, at least one passage through said piston, said second tubular member containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said second tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said second tubular member, said seal means having means surrounding and having a sliding and sealing relationship with said piston rod, said seal means further being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said second tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said second tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another.

Claim 9

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to said first tubular member and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end of said rod, at least one passage through said piston, said second tubular member containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said second tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said second tubular member, said seal means having means surrounding and having a sliding and sealing relationship with said piston rod, said seal means further being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said second tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said second tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another.

Claim 10

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 6 further comprising means generally pivotally connecting each of said bumper supports to said reinforcing means.

Claim 11

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means generally pivotally connecting each of said bumper supports to said reinforcing means includes a reinforcing bracket having a curved surface, a fastener extending through said reinforcing bracket and connected to said second tubular member, said fastener having a head thereon, said head mating with said curved surface.

Claim 12

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said valve means includes an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat.

Claim 13

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to one of said tubular members and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end thereof, at least one passage through said piston, the other of said tubular members containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said other tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said other tubular member, said seal means being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said other tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said other tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another, said valve means including an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat, said seal means incLuding an annular ring portion located adjacent the inside diameter of one of said tubular members, said ring member having a first circumferential portion in contact with the inside surface of said one tubular member and a second circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface, said ring member having a plurality of openings therethrough, a resilient and flexible sealing member having a plurality of relatively small diameter neck portions extending through said openings, enlarged head portions on the radially outer end of said neck portions between said inside diameter and the outside diameter of said second circumferential portion.

Claim 14

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to one of said tubular members and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end thereof, at least one passage through said piston, the other of said tubular members containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said other tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said other tubular member, said seal means being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said other tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said other tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another, said valve means including an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat, said seal means incLuding an annular ring portion located adjacent the inside diameter of one of said tubular members, said ring member having a first circumferential portion in contact with the inside surface of said one tubular member and a second circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface, said ring member having a plurality of openings therethrough, a resilient and flexible sealing member having a plurality of relatively small diameter neck portions extending through said openings, enlarged head portions on the radially outer end of said neck portions between said inside diameter and the outside diameter of said second circumferential portion.

Claim 15

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said seal includes a sealing portion surrounding said piston rod, and a fluid accommodating section extending from said sealing portion to said neck portions, the width of said fluid accommodating section being greater than the distance between said sealing portion and said neck portions, said fluid accommodating section being adapted to assume a position in which the volume of said other tubular member is increased over its normal volume under the influence of the pressure of the fluid in said other cylinder.

Claim 16

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve means includes an annular valve plate and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said passage.

Claim 17

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to said first tubular member and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end of said rod, at least one passage through said piston, said second tubular member containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said second tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said second tubular member, said seal means being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said second tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said second tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another, said valve means including an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat, said seal means including an annular ring portion located adjacent the inside diameter of said second tubular member, said ring member having a first circumferential portion in contact with the inside surface of said second tubular member and a second circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface, said ring member having a plurality of openings therethrough, a resilient and flexible sealing member having plurality of relatively small diameter neck portions extending through said openings, enlarged head portions on the radially outer end of said neck portions between said inside diameter and the outside diameter of said second circumferential portion.

Claim 18

An energy absorbing bumper system for an automotive vehicle having frame means comprising an elongated face bar, reinforcement means for supporting and reinforcing said face bar, at least two bumper supports connecting said reinforcement means to said frame means, each bumper support including first and second tubular members having a telescopic relationship with one another, a piston rod connected at one end to said first tubular member and extending axially thereof, a piston connected to the other end of said rod, at least one passage through said piston, said second tubular member containing fluid, valve means in said piston normally closing said passage and adapted to open when the pressure of the fluid thereon reaches a predetermined value, said piston rod relatively moving into the said second tubular member as said tubular members are telescoped together, seal means for inhibiting the egress of fluid from said second tubular member, said seal means being flexible and adapted to enlarge the total volume within said second tubular member to accommodate the fluid displaced by said rod as the latter enters said second tubular member, and means for biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another, said valve means including an annular valve plate, a seat on the outlet end of said passage, and an annular spring biasing said valve plate toward said seat, said seal means including an annular ring portion located adjacent the inside diameter of said second tubular member, said ring member having a first circumferential portion in contact with the inside surface of said second tubular member and a second circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface, said ring member having a plurality of openings therethrough, a resilient and flexible sealing member having plurality of relatively small diameter neck portions extending through said openings, enlarged head portions on the radially outer end of said neck portions between said inside diameter and the outside diameter of said second circumferential portion.

Claim 19

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said seal includes a sealing portion surrounding said piston rod, and a fluid accommodating section extending from said sealing portion to said neck portions, the width of said fluid accommodating section being greater than the distance between said sealing portion and said neck portions, said fluid accommodating section being adapted to assume a position in which the volume of said second tubular member is increased over its nOrmal volume under the influence of the pressure of the fluid in said second tubular member.

Claim 20

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said tubular members each have one surface adjacent the other tubular member, one of said surfaces having a coating of material thereon adapted to facilitate sliding and telescoping movement between said tubular members.

Claim 21

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said means biasing said tubular members toward one position relative to one another comprises a coil spring, a projection extending toward said piston from one end of said second tubular member, said coil spring surrounding said projection.

Claim 22

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second tubular member has a plurality of indentations formed in its open end to prevent removal of said piston therefrom.

Claim 23

An energy absorbing bumper system as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a first bracket connected to said second tubular member securing it to said reinforcement means, a second bracket secured to said one end of said first tubular member and connecting it to said frame means, and a third bracket extending around said first tubular member at a point spaced from said second bracket and secured to said frame means.

Claim 24

An energy absorbing bumper support for connecting an automotive vehicle bumper means to the vehicle frame means, said bumper support comprising a first tubular member adapted to be connected to one of said means, a second tubular member adapted to be connected to the other of said means, said first tubular member being telescoped and slideable in said second tubular member, one of said members being closed at one end and having a seal adjacent its other end, fluid in said one member, a piston in said fluid, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through said seal and connected to one end of the other member, means biasing said piston and said one end of said one tubular member apart, said piston having at least one passage therethrough, valve means attached to said piston and normally closing said passage, said passage, said valve means opening to permit fluid to flow through said passage and said first tubular member to telescope into said second tubular member when the pressure of the fluid in said one tubular member is increased as a result of the application of an externally applied force of a predetermined magnitude to said one end of said one tubular member, said seal including a flexible ring-shaped sealing member surrounding said piston rod, said sealing member being adapted to assume a position in which the total volume between said seal and said one end of said one tubular member is enlarged to accommodate the displacement of fluid caused by movement of said piston rod into said one tubular member, said seal including a rigid ring-shaped member adjacent the inside surface of said one tubular member, said rigid ring-shaped member having a first circumferential portion engaging said inside surface and a second circumferential portion engaging said inside surface and a second circumferential portion adjacent said first circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface to provide an annular space, said second circumferential portion having openings therein, said seal further including a flexible sealing member surrounding said piston rod and having neck portions extending through said openings, and a ring portion attached to said neck portions and located in said annular space, said sealing member being adapted to assume a position in which the total volume between said seal and said one end of said one tubular member is enlarged to accommodate the displacement of fluid caused by movement of said piston rod into said one tubular member.

Claim 25

An energy absorbing bumper support for connecting an automotive vehicle bumper means to the vehicle frame means, said bumper support comprising a first tubular member adapted to be connected to one of said means, a second tubular member adapted to be connected to the other of said means, said first tubular member being telescoped and slideable in said second tubular member, one of said members being closed at one end and having a seal adjacent its other end, fluid in said one member, a piston in said fluid, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending through said seal and connected to one end of the other member, means biasing said piston and said one end of said one tubular member apart, said piston having at least one passage therethrough, valve means attached to said piston and normally closing said passage, said passage, said valve means opening to permit fluid to flow through said passage and said first tubular member to telescope into said second tubular member when the pressure of the fluid in said one tubular member is increased as a result of the application of an externally applied force of a predetermined magnitude to said one end of said one tubular member, said seal including a flexible ring-shaped sealing member surrounding said piston rod, said sealing member being adapted to assume a position in which the total volume between said seal and said one end of said one tubular member is enlarged to accommodate the displacement of fluid caused by movement of said piston rod into said one tubular member, said seal including a rigid ring-shaped member adjacent the inside surface of said one tubular member, said rigid ring-shaped member having a first circumferential portion engaging said inside surface and a second circumferential portion engaging said inside surface and a second circumferential portion adjacent said first circumferential portion spaced radially inwardly from said inside surface to provide an annular space, said second circumferential portion having openings therein, said seal further including a flexible sealing member surrounding said piston rod and having neck portions extending through said openings, and a ring portion attached to said neck portions and located in said annular space, said sealing member being adapted to assume a position in which the total volume between said seal and said one end of said one tubular member is enlarged to accommodate the displacement of fluid caused by movement of said piston rod into said one tubular member.

Claim 26

An energy absorbing bumper support as set forth in claim 19 wherein said sealing member includes an enlarged beaded section on the inner edge thereof a reinforcing ring embedded in saiD beaded section, said beaded section sealingly engaging said piston rod.