US3865417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact absorber for bumpers
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1973-06-12
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-06-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for absorbing impact, especially for a vehicle bumper, having two elements, one of which moves toward the other upon impact. This relative movement is controlled by energy dissipating means which simultaneously dissipate impact energy through deformation and friction. The controlled combination of these energy dissipation methods results in a desirably stepped characteristic curve of impact force versus the distance of relative movement of the two elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Johann Zwickl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An impact Absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means including a first elastomer and having two ends, said first energy absorbing means being arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation of said first elastomer upon relative movement of said two ends; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including: 1. a pressure plate connected to one of said ends of said first energy absorbing means; and 2. a friction layer, comprising a second elastomer of greater density than said first elastomer, connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An impact Absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means including a first elastomer and having two ends, said first energy absorbing means being arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation of said first elastomer upon relative movement of said two ends; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including: 1. a pressure plate connected to one of said ends of said first energy absorbing means; and 2. a friction layer, comprising a second elastomer of greater density than said first elastomer, connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
a friction layer connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, said pressure plate being provided with two edge elements which are foldable in one direction, so that the return of the impact absorber to its original shape after impact is substantially frictionless, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
a friction layer connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, said pressure plate being provided with two edge elements which are foldable in one direction, so that the return of the impact absorber to its original shape after impact is substantially frictionless, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
a friction layer connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, wherein the front portion of said piston abutting said first energy absorbing means is provided with a hole which slidingly engages a rod, wherein one end of said rod is fastened to said pressure plate and the other end of said rod is fastened to the opposite bottom surface of said cylinder, said rod extending in the direction of the relative motion, which occurs upon impact, between said opposite bottom surface and said front portion, and wherein said piston is interiorly lined with said friction layer, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
a friction layer connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, wherein the front portion of said piston abutting said first energy absorbing means is provided with a hole which slidingly engages a rod, wherein one end of said rod is fastened to said pressure plate and the other end of said rod is fastened to the opposite bottom surface of said cylinder, said rod extending in the direction of the relative motion, which occurs upon impact, between said opposite bottom surface and said front portion, and wherein said piston is interiorly lined with said friction layer, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein said first elastomer of the first energy absorbing means in somewhat compacted when said impact absorber is in the rest position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
a friction layer, comprising a second elastomer of greater density than said first elastomer, connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
a friction layer, comprising a second elastomer of greater density than said first elastomer, connected to the other of said ends and arranged to frictionally coact with said pressure plate upon relative movement of said two ends, whereby, upon impact, said impact absorber dissipates energy through a combination of deformation and friction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein the size of the friction area formed by said friction layer differs along the direction of the relative movement between said pressure plate and said friction layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said friction layer differs along the direction of the relative movement between said pressure plate and said friction layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
Impact absorber according to claim 1, wherein said first energy absorbing means is arranged in a cylinder in the path of a piston whereby said piston compresses said first energy absorbing means within said cylinder upon impact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Impact absorber according to claim 5, wherein said cylinder is lined with said friction layer and said pressure plate includes said piston.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
An impact absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means having two ends and arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation upon relative movement of said two ends, said first energy absorbing means being arranged in a cylinder in the path of a piston whereby said piston compresses said first energy absorbing means within said cylinder upon impact; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
An impact absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means having two ends and arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation upon relative movement of said two ends, said first energy absorbing means being arranged in a cylinder in the path of a piston whereby said piston compresses said first energy absorbing means within said cylinder upon impact; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
Impact absorber according to claim 7, wherein said piston is enclosed and an additional first energy absorbing means is included in the path of said pressure plate whereby it is compressed by said pressure plate in the event of impact.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Impact absorber according to claim 8, wherein said additional first energy absorbing means includes an elastomer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Impact absorber according to claim 9, wherein the elastomer used for said friction layer is denser than the elastomer used for said additional first energy absorbing meanS.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
An impact absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means having two ends and arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation upon relative movement of said two ends; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
An impact absorber for a vehicle bumper comprising, in combination: a. first energy absorbing means having two ends and arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by deformation upon relative movement of said two ends; and b. second energy absorbing means arranged in said impact absorber to dissipate energy caused by friction upon relative movement of said two ends, said second energy absorbing means including:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
Impact absorber according to claim 11, wherein beyond a stop point said edge elements are not foldable beyond a stop point in the direction of impact whereby said edge elements make contact with the friction layer when relative movements occur as the result of an impact.
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) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |