US3831997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled collapse vehicle front end structure
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1973-03-22
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A controlled collapse vehicle front end structure comprising a laterally corrugated loop means extending from the front end of the vehicle frame structure toward the dash panel. Upon a high speed frontal impact, the corrugations fold flat upon themselves providing longitudinal deformation with a constant load rate.
Inventors
- 👤 R Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:56
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/15; B62D21/152; F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/12; F16F7/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A controlled collapse front end structure for a vehicle having a forward compartment defined by a dash panel extending laterally of the vehicle and by rail members extending longitudinally forwardly of the dash panel, the rail members being connected forwardly of the dash panel by a laterally extending cross member, wherein the improvement comprises: a corrugated means extending from the front end of the longitudinal rail members toward the vehicle dash panel, the corrugated means being formed as a closed loop having its longitudinal axis paralleling the rail members, the corrugated means terminating forwardly of the laterally extending cross member, the corrugated means comprising a substantially horizontal lower panel extending between the rail members, side panels extending from the lower panel upwardly and outwardly over the rail members, and an upper horizontal panel having its lateral ends attached to the upper ends of the side panels, the corrugations of the corrugated means being constructed and arranged to fold flat upon themselves upon frontal impact to provide energy absorbing longitudinal deformation with a controlled load rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A controlled collapse front end structure for a vehicle having a forward compartment defined by a dash panel extending laterally of the vehicle and by rail members extending longitudinally forwardly of the dash panel, the rail members being connected forwardly of the dash panel by a laterally extending cross member, wherein the improvement comprises: a corrugated means extending from the front end of the longitudinal rail members toward the vehicle dash panel, the corrugated means being formed as a closed loop having its longitudinal axis paralleling the rail members, the corrugated means terminating forwardly of the laterally extending cross member, the corrugated means comprising a substantially horizontal lower panel extending between the rail members, side panels extending from the lower panel upwardly and outwardly over the rail members, and an upper horizontal panel having its lateral ends attached to the upper ends of the side panels, the corrugations of the corrugated means being constructed and arranged to fold flat upon themselves upon frontal impact to provide energy absorbing longitudinal deformation with a controlled load rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A controlled collapse front end structure according to claim 1, in which: the inclined side panels terminate in substantially elliptical half-shell sections facing downwardly, the half-shells being closed across the bottom by panel sections, and the upper horizontal panel is removably secured at each end to the upper surface of respective half-shell sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
A controlled collapse front end structure for a vehicle having a forward compartment defined by a dash panel extending laterally of the vehicle and by rail members extending longitudinally forwardly of the dash panel, the rail members being connected forwardly of the dash panel by a laterally extending cross member, wherein the improvement comprises: a corrugated fender apron structure extending from the front end of the longitudinal rail members toward the vehicle dash panel, the corrugated fender apron structure being formed as a closed loop having its longitudinal axis paralleling the rail members, the corrugated fender apron structure comprises a substantially horizontal lower panel extending between the rail members, side panels extending from the lower panel upwardly and outwardly over the rail members, and an upper horizontal panel having its lateral ends attached to the upper ends of the side panels, the corrugations of the corrugated fender apron structure being constructed and arranged to fold flat upon themselves upon frontal impact to provide energy absorbing longitudinal deformation with a controlled load rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
A controlled collapse front end structure for a vehicle having a forward compartment defined by a dash panel extending laterally of the vehicle and by rail members extending longitudinally forwardly of the dash panel, the rail members being connected forwardly of the dash panel by a laterally extending cross member, wherein the improvement comprises: a corrugated fender apron structure extending from the front end of the longitudinal rail members toward the vehicle dash panel, the corrugated fender apron structure being formed as a closed loop having its longitudinal axis paralleling the rail members, the corrugated fender apron structure comprises a substantially horizontal lower panel extending between the rail members, side panels extending from the lower panel upwardly and outwardly over the rail members, and an upper horizontal panel having its lateral ends attached to the upper ends of the side panels, the corrugations of the corrugated fender apron structure being constructed and arranged to fold flat upon themselves upon frontal impact to provide energy absorbing longitudinal deformation with a controlled load rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A controlled collapse front end structure according to claim 3, in which: the inclined side panels terminate in substantially elliptical half-shell sections facing downwardly, the half-shells being closed across the bottom by panel sections, and the upper horizontal panel is removably secured at each end to the upper surface of a respective half-shell section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |