US4126344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compressive bumper assembly
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1978-11-21
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A compressive bumper assembly is disclosed for an electrically powered vehicle in which a bumper is resiliently supported in spaced relationship from the vehicle proper by means of a plurality of springs. The maximum displacement of the bumper from the vehicle is defined by means of inextensible members such as cables, chains or the like, which are secured to the bumper and to the vehicle. Levers are attached to the bumper at one end, the other ends having cam surfaces and being pivotally supported on the vehicle. Switches, electrically in series with the power supply for the vehicle, are provided with followers which are placed contiguously with the cam surfaces on the levers. The position of each follower determines the closed or open position of the associated switch. When the bumper comes in contact with personnel or any object, the bumper is compressed and the follower disciplined by the cam surface is displaced to open the proximate switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E. Vaill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/48; B60R19/483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A compressive bumper assembly for an electrically powered vehicle comprising: (a) bumper means for said vehicle; (b) tensile force means comprising four cantilever springs, one pair of said springs being rigidly secured at the ends between said bumper means and said vehicle, respectively, the other pair of springs respectively having one end connected to said bumper means, the other end being contiguous with said bumper means and free for sliding displacement thereon; (c) inextensible means connected between said bumper means and said vehicle to limit the maximum displacement of said bumper means from said vehicle, said inextensible means being collapsible under slightly compressive forces on said bumper means; (d) lever means, connected to said bumper means at one end, and having a cam surface at the other end, said lever means yieldingly collapsing under compressive substantially vertical forces; (e) switching means connected in series with the electric power source for said vehicle, comprising follower means, the displacement of said follower means defining the closed and open positions of said switching means, said follower means being contiguous with said cam surface, whereby when said bumper means is compressed, said follower means is displaced by said cam surface to said open position of said switching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A compressive bumper assembly for an electrically powered vehicle comprising: (a) bumper means for said vehicle; (b) tensile force means comprising four cantilever springs, one pair of said springs being rigidly secured at the ends between said bumper means and said vehicle, respectively, the other pair of springs respectively having one end connected to said bumper means, the other end being contiguous with said bumper means and free for sliding displacement thereon; (c) inextensible means connected between said bumper means and said vehicle to limit the maximum displacement of said bumper means from said vehicle, said inextensible means being collapsible under slightly compressive forces on said bumper means; (d) lever means, connected to said bumper means at one end, and having a cam surface at the other end, said lever means yieldingly collapsing under compressive substantially vertical forces; (e) switching means connected in series with the electric power source for said vehicle, comprising follower means, the displacement of said follower means defining the closed and open positions of said switching means, said follower means being contiguous with said cam surface, whereby when said bumper means is compressed, said follower means is displaced by said cam surface to said open position of said switching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A compressive bumper assembly for an electrically powered vehicle comprising: (a) bumper means for said vehicle; (b) means for providing a tensile force interposed between said bumper means and said vehicle; (c) inextensible means connected between said bumper means and said vehicle to limit the maximum displacement of said bumper means from said vehicle, said inextensible means being collapsible under slightly compressive forces on said bumper means; (d) a lever rod member pivotally secured at one end to said bumper means and having a cam surface at the other end, said cam surface end being rotatably supported on a compression stopblock secured to said vehicle; (e) switching means connected in series with the electric power source for said vehicle, comprising follower means, the displacement of said follower means defining the closed and open positions of said switching means, said follower means being contiguous with said cam surface, whereby when said bumper means is compressed, said follower means is displaced by said cam surface to said open position of said switching means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A compressive bumper assembly for an electrically powered vehicle comprising: (a) bumper means for said vehicle; (b) means for providing a tensile force interposed between said bumper means and said vehicle; (c) inextensible means connected between said bumper means and said vehicle to limit the maximum displacement of said bumper means from said vehicle, said inextensible means being collapsible under slightly compressive forces on said bumper means; (d) a lever rod member pivotally secured at one end to said bumper means and having a cam surface at the other end, said cam surface end being rotatably supported on a compression stopblock secured to said vehicle; (e) switching means connected in series with the electric power source for said vehicle, comprising follower means, the displacement of said follower means defining the closed and open positions of said switching means, said follower means being contiguous with said cam surface, whereby when said bumper means is compressed, said follower means is displaced by said cam surface to said open position of said switching means.
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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) | 1981-11-20 | 1982-05-22 | 1982-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-20 | 1986-05-22 | 1986-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-20 | 1990-05-22 | 1990-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |