Abstract An energy absorbing bumper assembly which includes a bumper means and a pair of connecting links connected to the bumper means at the first ends thereof and converging toward one another in the direction of the second ends thereof. Various support means extend from the second ends of the connecting links and are connected or attached to the frame of a vehicle. Energy absorbing means are included to allow the second ends of the connecting links to move apart and together as the bumper means moves toward and away from the frame. In a number of embodiments, the connecting means are attached to the frame by first and second pairs of support links which are normally disposed in generally parallel relationship with one another. In these embodiments, the connecting links interconnect each pair of support links and the bumper means and move the support links toward and away from one another in response to movement of the bumper means. Various means are utilized in these embodiments for resisting relative movement between the support links to absorb energy as the bumper means moves rearwardly. In yet another embodiment, each pair of connecting links are attached to the vehicle frame by support links which are each pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and have arms extending from the pivotal connection with a connecting link connected to each arm. The energy absorbing means is disposed between one arm of each support link and the vehicle frame.
An energy absorbing bumper assembly comprising: bumper means; support means including first and second arms forming a crank and being adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame of an automobile; a pair of connecting links connected to said bumper means at first ends thereof and converging toward one another in the direction of second ends thereof, one of said connecting links being pivotally connected at the second end thereof to one of said first and second arms of said crank and the other link being pivotally connected at the second end thereof to the other of said first and second arms such that upon impact of said bumper means, force is transmitted through said connecting links to said arms, thus causing said crank to pivot; and energy absorbing means disposed between one of said arms of said support means and said frame such that when said support means pivots upon impact, the energy of said impact is absorbed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An energy absorbing bumper assembly comprising: bumper means; support means including first and second arms forming a crank and being adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame of an automobile; a pair of connecting links connected to said bumper means at first ends thereof and converging toward one another in the direction of second ends thereof, one of said connecting links being pivotally connected at the second end thereof to one of said first and second arms of said crank and the other link being pivotally connected at the second end thereof to the other of said first and second arms such that upon impact of said bumper means, force is transmitted through said connecting links to said arms, thus causing said crank to pivot; and energy absorbing means disposed between one of said arms of said support means and said frame such that when said support means pivots upon impact, the energy of said impact is absorbed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly according to claim 1, including a second support means with first and second arms and a pair of connecting links connected to said arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly according to claim 2, including rod means operatively interconnecting at least one link of one pair of connecting links to at least one link of the other pair of coNnecting links for moving said connecting links in unison.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing means includes yieldable means for disposition between an arm of each support link and the vehicle frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing means comprises blocks of resilient energy absorbing material which is adapted to be compressed between said support links and said frame.