Patent US3841679A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3841679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resilient bumper assembly
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1972-03-13
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1992-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Retaining means for mounting a flexible trim strip in a resilient bumper assembly suitable for use on an automotive vehicle. The means includes a track in which the flexible trim strip is received. The track is undercut at its ends and sides to form lip means that conceal the ends and edges of the trim strip. The length of the flexible trim strip may be somewhat shorter than the length of the track to provide end clearance for the trim strip enabling longitudinal displacement of the trim strip relative to the track during deformation of the bumper assembly. The back of the track may be ribbed or corrugated to achieve a substantial reduction in friction between the trim strip and the track surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 G Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/12; F16B5/126; B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Means for retaining a flexible trim strip within a resiliently deformable bumper member, a longitudinally extending track formed in an impact receiving side of said bumper member, said track having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of longitudinally separated ends determining the length of said track, said bumper member including lip means overlapping and enveloping the side edges and ends of said track, the inner periphery of said lip means defining a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible trim strip being positioned between the side edges of said track and retained in position by said lip means, portions of said flexible strip being covered by said lip means, a remaining portion of said trim strip being exposed and visible through said opening, friction reducing means formed on the back of said track means between said side edges, said flexible trim strip being longitudinally displaceable within said track upon deformation of said bumper member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Means for retaining a flexible trim strip within a resiliently deformable bumper member, a longitudinally extending track formed in an impact receiving side of said bumper member, said track having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of longitudinally separated ends determining the length of said track, said bumper member including lip means overlapping and enveloping the side edges and ends of said track, the inner periphery of said lip means defining a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible trim strip being positioned between the side edges of said track and retained in position by said lip means, portions of said flexible strip being covered by said lip means, a remaining portion of said trim strip being exposed and visible through said opening, friction reducing means formed on the back of said track means between said side edges, said flexible trim strip being longitudinally displaceable within said track upon deformation of said bumper member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Means according to claim 1, said friction reducing means including a nonplanar surface on the back of said track between the longitudinally extending side edges thereof, said surface including a plurality of relatively protruding and recessed portions, the backside of said flexible trim strip engaging substantially only the protruding portions of said track back surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Means according to claim 1, the length of said flexible trim strip being less than the length of said track receiving the trim strip to permit relative longitudinally directed movement between the trim strip and the track under impact conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel side edges, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track side edges, said back having non-planar surface formations including a plurality of relatively protruding and relatively recessed portions, a pair of longitudinally extending lips positioned adjacent said edges, respectively, overlapping and enveloping said edges, said lips being spaced to form a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being received within said track, said lips overlying and concealing the side edge portions of said strip, the backside of said flexible strip engaging substantially only the protruding portions of said track back surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel side edges, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track side edges, said back having non-planar surface formations including a plurality of relatively protruding and relatively recessed portions, a pair of longitudinally extending lips positioned adjacent said edges, respectively, overlapping and enveloping said edges, said lips being spaced to form a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being received within said track, said lips overlying and concealing the side edge portions of said strip, the backside of said flexible strip engaging substantially only the protruding portions of said track back surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel side edges, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track edges said back having a corrugated surface, a pair of longitudinally extending lips positioned adjacent said edges, respectively, overlapping and enveloping said edges, said lips being spaced to form a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being received within said track, said lips overlying and concealing the side edge portions of said strip, the backside of said trim strip engaging the apices of said corrugated surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of longitudinally extending parallel side edges, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track edges said back having a corrugated surface, a pair of longitudinally extending lips positioned adjacent said edges, respectively, overlapping and enveloping said edges, said lips being spaced to form a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being received within said track, said lips overlying and concealing the side edge portions of said strip, the backside of said trim strip engaging the apices of said corrugated surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of longitudinally separated ends determining the length of said track, lip means overlapping and enveloping the side edges and ends of said track, the inner periphery of said lip means defining a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being positioned between the side edges of said track and retained in position by said lip means, a portion of said flexible strip being exposed through said opening, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track side edges, said back having a non-planar surface including a plurality of relatively protruding and relatively recessed portions, said flexible strip having a back engaging substantially only the protruding portions of said track back surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
Means for retaining a flexible strip to a resiliently deformable member comprising a longitudinally extending track formed in said resilient member having a pair of substantially parallel longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of longitudinally separated ends determining the length of said track, lip means overlapping and enveloping the side edges and ends of said track, the inner periphery of said lip means defining a longitudinally extending opening to said track, said flexible strip being positioned between the side edges of said track and retained in position by said lip means, a portion of said flexible strip being exposed through said opening, said track having a longitudinally extending back between said pair of track side edges, said back having a non-planar surface including a plurality of relatively protruding and relatively recessed portions, said flexible strip having a back engaging substantially only the protruding portions of said track back surface.
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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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |