US3937508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle body and bumper assembly
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1974-12-26
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1994-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle body and bumper assembly comprising a vehicle body having rigid side panels. A vehicle bumper is supported by an energy absorber in spaced relationship to the vehicle body for movement longitudinally of the latter upon impact. The bumper extends across the width of the body and has curved end portions terminating substantially in alignment with the side panels, the end of each curved end portion being spaced from the adjacent end of a side panel. A bridging panel bridges the space between each curved end portion and the side panel aligned with the latter. Each bumper curved end portion is movable during energy absorbing movement of the bumper into engagement with and along the inner side of the bridging panel. Preferably, the bridging panel comprises a flexible elastomeric panel adapted to flex outwardly as the bumper curved end portion abuts its inner side. Also, the bridging panel includes a molding supported externally of the body side panel and extending toward the bumper curved end portion, the molding being constructed and arranged to accommodate outward flexing movement of the flexible panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick M. Glance
- 👤 James E. Moroney
- 👤 Peter M. Ross, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/24; B60R19/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly comprising: a vehicle body having rigid side panels, a bumper, and energy absorbing means extending between the vehicle body and the bumper supporting the latter in spaced relationship to the vehicle body for movement longitudinally of the latter upon impact, the bumper extending across the width of the body and having curved end portions terminating substantially in alignment with the side panels, each bumper curved end portion having its end spaced from the adjacent end of a side panel, bridging means bridging the space between each bumper curved end portion and the side panel aligned with the latter, each bumper curved end portion being movable during energy absorbing movement of the bumper into engagement with and along the inner side of the bridging means, the bridging means comprising a flexible elastomeric panel adapted to flex outwardly as the bumper curved end portion moves along the inner side thereof, and a molding means supported externally of the body side panel and extending toward the bumper curved end portion, the molding means being constructed and arranged to accommodate outward flexing movement of the flexible panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly comprising: a vehicle body having rigid side panels, a bumper, and energy absorbing means extending between the vehicle body and the bumper supporting the latter in spaced relationship to the vehicle body for movement longitudinally of the latter upon impact, the bumper extending across the width of the body and having curved end portions terminating substantially in alignment with the side panels, each bumper curved end portion having its end spaced from the adjacent end of a side panel, bridging means bridging the space between each bumper curved end portion and the side panel aligned with the latter, each bumper curved end portion being movable during energy absorbing movement of the bumper into engagement with and along the inner side of the bridging means, the bridging means comprising a flexible elastomeric panel adapted to flex outwardly as the bumper curved end portion moves along the inner side thereof, and a molding means supported externally of the body side panel and extending toward the bumper curved end portion, the molding means being constructed and arranged to accommodate outward flexing movement of the flexible panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly, according to claim 1, in which: the molding means comprises a base member having elongated rigid base sections longitudinally separated from each other, a unitary elastomeric strip extending substantially the length of the rigid base sections and providing a hinge therebetween, and fastening means securing the base section on one side of the hinge to the body side panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly according to claim 1, in which: the molding means comprises an elongated rigid base member and an elastomeric strip extending the length of the latter, and a spring-loaded fastening means securing the base member to the body side panel, the fastening means permitting the base member to move angularly out of the plane of the body side panel upon outward flexure of the flexible panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly, according to claim 1, in which: the molding means comprises a flexible molding strip that is either stamped, cold formed or vacuum formed from a bright flexible sheet, the sheet being either aluminum foil co-extruded with cellulose acetate butyrate or co-extruded with surlyn; or a vacuum metallized mylar sheet bonded to clear polycarbonate, and fastening means securing at least a portion of the molding strip overlying the body side panel to the latter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A vehicle body and bumper assembly according to claim 1 in which: the molding means comprises an elongated flexible base member and an elastomeric strip extending the latter, the flexible base member being adapted to bow outwardly from its point of attachment to the side panel upon outward flexure of the flexible panel, and fastening means securing at least a portion of the base member overlying the body side panel to the latter.
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) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |