US3771824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle bumper
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-02-14
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1992-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular bumper comprising means for absorbing impacts by a combination of springs and hydraulic energy absorption activated by mechanical linkage that increases the rate of energy absorption and resistance to impact as functions of the displacement of the bumper relative to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 L Applegate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A vehicle bumper system comprising a bumper bar supported on a vehicle frame and adapted to be displaced upon impact toward said frame, a link pivotally connected at one end to said bumper bar and at the other end to a lever pivoted at one end on said vehicle frame and at the opposite end to the piston of a hydraulic damper cylinder pivoted at the end of said cylinder to said vehicle frame, said link being connected to said lever between the middle of said lever and the pivot of said lever to said frame, whereby in operation said lever is initially substantially parallel to said bumper bar and perpendicular to said link and colinear with said piston and cylinder, and upon impact and movement of said bumper bar said lever is rotated about said pivot to frame imparting movement to said piston relative to said cylinder at an accelerating rate as said bumper bar is moved toward said vehicle frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vehicle bumper system comprising a bumper bar supported on a vehicle frame and adapted to be displaced upon impact toward said frame, a link pivotally connected at one end to said bumper bar and at the other end to a lever pivoted at one end on said vehicle frame and at the opposite end to the piston of a hydraulic damper cylinder pivoted at the end of said cylinder to said vehicle frame, said link being connected to said lever between the middle of said lever and the pivot of said lever to said frame, whereby in operation said lever is initially substantially parallel to said bumper bar and perpendicular to said link and colinear with said piston and cylinder, and upon impact and movement of said bumper bar said lever is rotated about said pivot to frame imparting movement to said piston relative to said cylinder at an accelerating rate as said bumper bar is moved toward said vehicle frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a vehicle bumper, the combination of a bumper bar, a link connected perpendicular thereto and connected to a lever substantially parallel to said bumper bar pivoted at one end on the vehicle frame and at the other end to the piston of a hydraulic damper cylinder, said link being connected to said lever between the middle thereof and said pivot on said vehicle frame, whereby displacement of said bumper bar relative to said vehicle frame rotates said lever at an angular rate which increases with increased bumper bar displacement thereby actuating said hydraulic damper relatively slowly when said bumper displacement begins and increasing the rate of hydraulic damping as a function of bumper displacement at any rate of increase of bumper displacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a vehicle bumper, the combination of a bumper bar, a link connected perpendicular thereto and connected to a lever substantially parallel to said bumper bar pivoted at one end on the vehicle frame and at the other end to the piston of a hydraulic damper cylinder, said link being connected to said lever between the middle thereof and said pivot on said vehicle frame, whereby displacement of said bumper bar relative to said vehicle frame rotates said lever at an angular rate which increases with increased bumper bar displacement thereby actuating said hydraulic damper relatively slowly when said bumper displacement begins and increasing the rate of hydraulic damping as a function of bumper displacement at any rate of increase of bumper displacement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a vehicle bumper, a bumper bar, a lever pivoted at one end on the vehicle frame and at the other end to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected, at the end opposite the piston rod, to said vehicle frame, and a link connecting said bumper bar to said lever between the middle thereof and the end pivoted on said vehicle frame, whereby displacement of said bumper bar relative to said frame rotates said lever around the pivot on said vehicle frame producing a displacement in said hydraulic cylinder which increases at a rate which is approximately determined by the product of said displacement of said bumper bar and the tangent of the angle of displacement of said lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a vehicle bumper, a bumper bar, a lever pivoted at one end on the vehicle frame and at the other end to the piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected, at the end opposite the piston rod, to said vehicle frame, and a link connecting said bumper bar to said lever between the middle thereof and the end pivoted on said vehicle frame, whereby displacement of said bumper bar relative to said frame rotates said lever around the pivot on said vehicle frame producing a displacement in said hydraulic cylinder which increases at a rate which is approximately determined by the product of said displacement of said bumper bar and the tangent of the angle of displacement of said lever.
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) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |