Bumper for motor vehicles

Claim 2

A bumper for motor vehicles which is connected with a relatively fixed support structure by interposition of elastomermetal elements, characterized in that in the sense of a series connection between the bumper and said support structure, there are provided therebetween shock absorber means, on the one hand, and elastomer block means supporting the bumper in the vehicle transverse direction as well as elastomer insert means receiving an end of the shock absorber means within the area of the forward side of the bumper, on the other hand, each shock absorber means including a shaft portion, the connection of the shaft portion of each shock absorber means with the associated elastomer block means taking place under interposition of a rigidly secured shell-like intermediate member anchored in the elastomer block means by two mutually oppositely disposed extensions.

Claim 3

A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that said extensions extend substantially vertically.

Claim 4

A bumper according to claim 2, characterized in that the extensions have a cross section other than a round cross section.

Claim 5

A bumper according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastomer block means abut with their front faces at a wall rigidly connected with the bumper and are retained by a cover under production of a prestress.

Claim 6

A bumper according to claim 4, characterized in that each elastomer insert means is embedded between two web means disposed one above the other and extending substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 7

A bumper according to claim 5, characterized in that the web means consist of the material of said bumper.

Claim 8

A bumper according to claim 5, characterized in that the end face of each elastomer insert means has a spacing from the bumper which enables pivotal movements about the center longitudinal axes of the extensions.

Claim 9

A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomer block means abut with their front faces at a wall rigidly connected with the bumper and are retained by a cover under production of a prestress.

Claim 10

A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that each elastomer insert means is embedded between two web means disposed one above the other and extending substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 11

A bumper according to claim 9, characterized in that the web means consist of the material of said bumper.

Claim 12

A bumper according to claim 1, characterized in that the end face of each elastomer insert means has a spacing from the bumper which enables pivotal movements about the center longitudinal axes of the extensions.

Claim 13

A bumper system comprising generally U-shaped bumper means, at least one shock absorber means extending from said bumper means in a given direction, and interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends, wherein said generally U-shaped bumper means houses both said transverse and longitudinal elastic support means.

Claim 14

A bumper system comprising generally U-shaped bumper means, at least one shock absorber means extending from said bumper means in a given direction, and interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends, wherein said generally U-shaped bumper means houses both said transverse and longitudinal elastic support means.

Claim 15

A bumper system according to claim 12, wherein said elastic support means are elastomers, and wherein said bumper system is connected to a vehicle fixed support structure.

Claim 16

A bumper system according to claim 13, wherein said shock absorber means include two substantially horizontally extending shock absorbers, which shock absorbers extend with respect to one another at an acute angle in the direction of the bumper means, and wherein said two shock absorbers are interconnected by elastomer means.

Claim 17

A bumper system according to claim 14, wherein the elastomer means interconnecting said two shock absorbers are surrounded by a frame means having a bottom and are inserted into a pocket means, and wherein an aperture means is provided in said bottom, each of said respective shock absorbers having a shaft extending through said aperture means in such a manner as to be pivotal in said transverse direction.

Claim 18

A bumper system according to claim 13, wherein said transverse elastic support means are surrounded by a pocket means which is inserted into said bumper means and which is rigidly connected with said bumper means.

Claim 19

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the pocket means has a substantially rectangular cross section.

Claim 20

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the pocket means has a substantially oval cross section.

Claim 21

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the pocket means is rigidly connected with the bumper by welding.

Claim 22

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein said shock absorber means includes a shock absorber shaft, and wherein the free end of said shock absorber shaft is connected by a bayonet-connectionlike means to said longitudinal elastic support means.

Claim 23

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the transverse elastic support means includes a plurality of transverse elastic support elements which are connected with each other by a metallic part means and which are enclosed on the outside thereof by metallic plate means, said metallic plate means being detachably connected with said bumper means.

Claim 24

A bumper system according to claim 21, characterized in that the metallic part means is made in one piece.

Claim 25

A bumper system according to claim 21, characterized in that the metallic part means is of multi-partite construction.

Claim 26

A bumper system according to claim 21, wherein the metallic plate means are detachably connected with said bumper means under production of a prestress produced by the transverse elastic support means.

Claim 27

A bumper system according to claim 21, wherein said shock absorber means is provided with a shaft with two collars, which collars support the associated transverse elastic support means and the associated longitudinal elastic means.

Claim 28

A bumper system according to claim 25, wherein the bumper means comprises a single rail-like bumper bar with a large aperture provided therein and said pocket means is inserted into said aperture and is rigidly connected with walls of the bumper bar disposed closest to said pocket means.

Claim 29

A bumper system according to claim 26, wherein the pocket means is welded to walls of the bumper bar.

Claim 30

A bumper system according to claim 26, wherein said pocket means project forwardly beyond said bumper means and a front side of the bumper bar is provided with a rubber strip which extends over a part of said pocket means projecting forwardly beyond said bumper means.

Claim 31

A bumper system according to claim 26, wherein the bumper means comprise two rail-like bumpers bars and the pocket means is inserted between the two bumper bars and is rigidly connected with walls of said bumper bars disposed nearest to said pocket means.

Claim 32

A bumper system according to claim 29, wherein the pocket means is connected with said walls by welding.

Claim 33

A bumper system according to claim 29, wherein said pocket means projects forwardly beyond said bumper bars, a continuous uninterrupted rubber strip being carried at the front face of each of said bumper bars, and wherein the portions of said pocket means projecting forwardly beyond said bumper bars are provided with an elastic cover means.

Claim 34

A bumper system according to claim 31, wherein said shock absorber means includes a shock absorber shaft, and wherein the free end of said shock absorber shaft is connected by a bayonet-connectionlike means to said longitudinal elastic support means.

Claim 35

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the bumper means comprises a single rail-like bumper bar with a large aperture provided therein and said pocket means is inserted into said aperture and is rigidly connected with walls of the bumper bar disposed closest to said pocket means.

Claim 36

A bumper system according to claim 33, wherein said pocket means projects beyond a front of said bumper means which front is provided with a rubber strip which extends over a part of said pocket means projecting forwardly beyond said bumper means.

Claim 37

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein the bumper means comprises two rail-like bumper bars and the pocket means is inserted between the two bumper bars and is rigidly connected with walls of said bumper bars disposed nearest to said pocket means.

Claim 38

A bumper according to claim 35, wherein a continuous uninterrupted rubber strip is mounted at a front face of each bumper bar, and wherein portions of said pocket means project forwardly beyond said bumper means which portions are provided with an elastic cover means.

Claim 39

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein said shock absorber means include two substantially horizontally extending shock absorbers which extend with respect to one another at an acute angle in the direction of said bumper means, and wherein elastomer block means interconnect said two shock absorbers.

Claim 40

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein a frame means having a bottom containing an aperture surrounds said transverse elastic support means, said frame means being inserted into said pocket means, and wherein shaft means are provided for said shock absorber means, said shaft means extending through said aperture in such a manner as to be pivotal in said transverse direction.

Claim 41

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein said pocket means is inserted into said bumper means from a front side thereof.

Claim 42

A bumper system according to claim 16, wherein said self-contained structural unit comprises a rigid unitary housing which is fixedly attached to one of said bumper means and said vehicle fixed support structure.

Claim 43

A bumper system accordinng to claim 13, wherein a frame means having a bottom with aperture means therein surrounds said transverse elastic support means, said transverse elastic support means and said frame means being inserted into a pocket means, and wherein a shaft means is provided for said shock absorber means, said shaft means extending through said aperture means in such a manner as to be pivotal in said transverse direction.

Claim 44

A bumper system according to claim 13, wherein said shock absorber means is provided with a shaft with two collars, which collars support the associated transverse elastic support means and the associated longitudinal elastic support means.

Claim 45

A bumper system comprising bumper means, at least one shock absorber means extending from said bumper means in a given direction, interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber extends, and a self-contained structural housing unit housing both said transverse and longitudinal support means, wherein said elastic support means are elastomers, wherein said bumper system is connected to a vehicle fixed support structure, and wherein said shock absorber means includes a shaft portion, a connection of said shaft portion with said transverse elastic support means taking place under interposition of a rigidly secured shell-like intermediate member anchored in said elastomer means of said transverse elastic support means by two mutually oppositely disposed extensions.

Claim 46

A bumper system comprising bumper means, at least one shock absorber means extending from said bumper means in a given direction, interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber means extends and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said at least one shock absorber extends, and a self-contained structural housing unit housing both said transverse and longitudinal support means, wherein said elastic support means are elastomers, wherein said bumper system is connected to a vehicle fixed support structure, and wherein said shock absorber means includes a shaft portion, a connection of said shaft portion with said transverse elastic support means taking place under interposition of a rigidly secured shell-like intermediate member anchored in said elastomer means of said transverse elastic support means by two mutually oppositely disposed extensions.

Claim 47

A bumper according to claim 43, wherein the shell-like intermediate member is a collar on said shaft portion and wherein said extensions are embedded in said elastomer means of said transverse elastic support means.

Claim 48

A bumper according to claim 44, wherein said extensions extend substantially vertically.

Claim 49

A bumper according to claim 45, wherein said extensions have a non-circular cross section.

Claim 50

A bumper according to claim 43, wherein said extensions extend substantially vertically.

Claim 51

A bumper system comprising bumper means, shock absorber means, and interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and said shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said shock absorber means extend and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said shock absorber means extend, said shock absorber means being interconnected with said transsverse elastic support means by two elements extending from said shock absorber means, said elements being anchored in said transverse elastic support means.

Claim 52

A bumper system comprising bumper means, shock absorber means, and interconnecting means elastically interconnecting said bumper means and said shock absorber means, said interconnecting means comprising transverse elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction transverse to the direction in which said shock absorber means extend and longitudinal elastic support means supporting said bumper means in a direction longitudinal to the direction in which said shock absorber means extend, said shock absorber means being interconnected with said transsverse elastic support means by two elements extending from said shock absorber means, said elements being anchored in said transverse elastic support means.

Claim 53

A bumper system according to claim 48, wherein a rigid shell-like means is provided for said shock absorber means, said elements being connected to said shell-like means.

Claim 54

A bumper system according to claim 48, wherein said elements extend substantially vertically when positioned on a vehicle, and are mutually oppositely disposed about the shock absorber means.

Claim 55

A bumper system according to claim 50, wherein said elastic support means are formed of elastomers.

Claim 56

A bumper system according to claim 48, wherein said transverse elastic support means abut with front faces thereof at a wall rigidly connected with said bumper means and are retained by a cover under production of a prestress.

Claim 57

A bumper system according to claim 52, wherein each of said longitudinal elastic support means is embedded between two web means disposed one above the other and extending substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 58

A bumper system according to claim 53, wherein the web means consist of the material of said bumper means.

Claim 59

A bumper system according to claim 53, wherein each of said longitudinal elastic support means has an end face which supports said bumper means in said longitudinal direction, said end face being spaced from said bumper means in such a manner as to enable pivotal movement about the center longitudinal axes of said elements.

Claim 60

A bumper system according to claim 48, wherein each of said longitudinal elastic support means is embedded between two web means disposed one above the other and extending substantially parallel to one another.

Claim 61

A bumper system according to claim 56, wherein said web means consists of the material of said bumper means.

Claim 62

A bumper system according to claim 48, wherein said longitudinal elastic support means includes an end face which is spaced from said bumper means in such a manner as to enable pivotal movement about the center longitudinal axes of said elements.

Claim 63

A bumper system according to claim 1, wherein retaining means are provided for retaining said interconnecting means in a prestressed condition.

Claim 64

A bumper system according to claim 59, wherein said prestressed interconnecting means are prestressed in such a manner as to produce a damping effect on shock forces applied to said shock absorber means through said bumper means.