Hydraulic shock absorbing bumper mounting arrangement

Claim 1

A mounting assembly for connecting an end portion of a channel-shaped bumper member in limited spaced relation to a vehicle member and adapted for cushioning impacts against the bumper member, said assembly including a telescopic hydraulic shock absorber comprising a cylinder having one attachment end and a piston rod projecting from the opposite end, spring means associated with the shock absorber to restore the shock absorber to uncompressed initial position after compression thereof with the piston rod projecting beyond said opposite end, and wherein the improvements comprise: a bracket on said vehicle member projecting toward said bumper member; a bracket on said bumper member projecting toward said vehicle member; at least portions of the brackets being in spaced general alignment opposite each other in generally the direction of the longitudinal axis of the member; means pivotally connecting said one end of the shock absorber to one of said members in a fixed position in the space between said members and substantially spaced from said brackets; said shock absorber in its uncompressed condition and in the neutral condition of the mounting assembly being disposed on an axis extending transversely and normal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle member and with the extended end of the piston rod disposed in said space between the members and offset toward the bumper member from said bracket mounted on the vehicle member; a main pivot element located in said space between the members and pivotally connected at one point thereof to one of said brackets; means establishing a pivotal connection between said pivot element and the other said bracket at another point on said pivot element; means pivotally connecting said extended end of said piston rod to a third point on said pivot element; means associated with said pivot element to prevent pivotal movement thereof in one direction from neutral position; said means pivotally connecting said piston rod to said pivot member being positioned to resist pivotal movement of the pivot element caused by impact on said bumper member and thereby to effect cushioning of the force of said impact by operation of said shock absorber; and most of said assembly including at least a substantial portion of said pivot member and a substantial portion of said shock absorber being concealed in the channel of said bumper member whereby the overall length of the vehicle including the bumper member is adapted to be maintained within narrow limits.