Impact absorbing vehicle bumper

Claim 1

In a vehicle bumper a. an inner cross beam mounted on the vehicle frame to extend transversely across one end of the vehicle, b. an outer bumper bar extending generally parallel to the beam in horizontally spaced relation thereto, c. the end portions of the bumper bar angling inwardly beyond the beam with the ends of the beam engaging outwardly thereagainst to resist inward collapse of said end portions, d. the bumper bar being connected to the beam by a plurality of U-shaped brackets mounted in pairs spaced longitudinally of the beam with the brackets in each pair being vertically spaced and opening toward each other and each bracket having one leg bolted to the beam and the other leg bolted to the bumper bar with the bight portion of the bracket extending therebetween, and e. said brackets being formed of relatively nonresilient sheet steel and having the bight portion thereof provided with a medial bend facing the open end of the bracket and extending parallel to the beam so that a collision impact on the outer side of the bumper bar will cause the brackets to resistably collapse about said bend and absorb said impact.