US3856613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compressible energy absorbing article
Assignee: Davidson Rubber Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-28
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-08-28
Abstract
Abstract An energy absorbing article taking the form of an automotive bumper having a core means made of compressible energy absorbing plastic material. The cross section of the bumper is contoured such that the upper portion is of a major thickness thicker than the lower portion which is of a minor thickness. Two embodiments of energy transfer means for transferring and distributing energy between the minor and major thicknesses are disclosed. In the first embodiment there is included a plurality of overlapping first and second plates disposed in a scissors-like fashion whereby upon impact against the energy absorbing material at the minor thickness, the energy absorbing material between the upper portion of the plates will be compressed thus transferring energy to the major thickness. In the other embodiment, a plate-like member is attached to a pivot point at its lower end and as the minor thickness is compressed the plate will pivot about its lower end to compress the material in the major thickness of the bumper. The employment of the subject invention allows a bumper to be configured having a relatively thin thickness but which will meet energy absorbing requirements.
Inventors
- 👤 P Weller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:38
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/22; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/50; B32B2307/56; B32B2605/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An energy absorbing arTicle comprising: core means made of compressible energy absorbing material and having a top and bottom interconnected by a front and back with one of said top and bottom being thinner in thickness than the other as viewed in cross section, and energy transfer means for transferring energy between said top and bottom, and vice versa, in response to a frontal impact, said energy transfer means including at least one member embedded within said energy absorbing material and fulcrum means for establishing a position about which said member may rotate in response to said impact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An energy absorbing arTicle comprising: core means made of compressible energy absorbing material and having a top and bottom interconnected by a front and back with one of said top and bottom being thinner in thickness than the other as viewed in cross section, and energy transfer means for transferring energy between said top and bottom, and vice versa, in response to a frontal impact, said energy transfer means including at least one member embedded within said energy absorbing material and fulcrum means for establishing a position about which said member may rotate in response to said impact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a compressible plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy transfer means is embedded in said energy absorbing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article as set forth in claim 3 wherein said energy transfer means includes at least one member extending between said minor and major thicknesses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article as set forth in claim 4 wherein said member includes a surface which moves to compress said material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as set forth in claim 5 wherein said surface is disposed in said major thickness for compressing the material of said major thickness as energy is transferred thereto from said minor thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article as set forth in claim 6 wherein said surface extends in the same general direction as said member extends from said minor thickness to said major thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
An article as set forth in claim 7 including fulcrum means for establishing a position about which said member rotates for moving said surface to compress the material of said major thickness in response to a compressive force being applied to said minor thickness.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article as set forth in claim 8 wherein said member comprises a first plate and said fulcrum means comprises a like second plate, and scissor means for disposing said plates in crossing scissors-like relationship with one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as set forth in claim 9 wherein said scissor means includes slots extending into said plates with said first plate being disposed in the slot of said second plate and vice versa.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as set forth in claim 9 including a plurality of said first and second plates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first plates are adjacent one another and overlap similarly disposed second plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as set forth in claim 12 wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a compressible plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as set forth in claim 13 including a skin disposed about said plastic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article as set forth in claim 8 wherein said fulcrum means is disposed at the first end of said member which is disposed in said minor thickness.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article as set forth in claim 15 wherein said member comprises a plate having its second end disposed in said major thickness.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An article as set forth in claim 16 wherein said plate extends generally outwardly from said first end thereof toward the surface of said minor thickness and then generally parallel to said surface to said second end thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article as set forth in claim 17 wherein said fulcrum means comprises a plate extending from said first end of said plate toward said major thickness and in spaced relationship with said plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An article as set forth in claim 8 wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a compressible plastic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article as set forth in claim 19 including a skin disposed about said plastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
121 words
An energy absorbing assembly comprising: core means made of compressible energy absorbing material, and energy transfer means for transferring energy between different portions of said material, said transfer means including first and second plates and scissors means for disposing said plates in crossing scissors-like relationship with one another so that the portions of said plates on one side of said scissors means will move relative to one another in response tO movement of the portions of said plates on the opposite side of said scissors means whereby energy may be transferred by said plates to said energy absorbing material on said one side of said scissors means in response to said movement thereof on said opposite side of said scissors means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
121 words
An energy absorbing assembly comprising: core means made of compressible energy absorbing material, and energy transfer means for transferring energy between different portions of said material, said transfer means including first and second plates and scissors means for disposing said plates in crossing scissors-like relationship with one another so that the portions of said plates on one side of said scissors means will move relative to one another in response tO movement of the portions of said plates on the opposite side of said scissors means whereby energy may be transferred by said plates to said energy absorbing material on said one side of said scissors means in response to said movement thereof on said opposite side of said scissors means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 21 including a plurality of said first and second plates.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said first plates are adjacent one another and overlap similarly disposed second plates.
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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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |