Multiple stage flexible bumper

Claim 1

In a highway type motor vehicle, a Multiple Stage Flexible Bumper comprising in combination a bumper bar mounted transversely across the front of the motor vehicle, a plurality of multiple stage telescoping coil compression springs, each comprising a primary spring and at least one helper spring, a pair of spring seats for each compression spring, means for securing the ends of the compression springs in the seats, means for securing the seats on one end of the compression springs to the vehicle frame and means for securing the seats on the other end of the compression springs to the vehicle bumper bar in longitudinal alignment by means of one end of the primary springs and the helper springs anchored firmly at the inward ends by the seats located at the longitudinal frame of the vehicle, each seat at the longitudinal frame comprising a flat base plate with an inside collar and outside collar, retainer bolts parallel to the flat base plate, located inside the last loop of wire at the spring ends, said retainer bolts passing through the outside collar and inside collar, having longitudinal mounting holes through the flat base plate for rigidly securing the flat side of the spring seat against the flat end of the vehicle frame and the outward ends of the primary springs, stage one, anchored firmly by the seats located at the bumper bar so as to have the helper springs, stage two, shorter in length and smaller in diameter than the primary springs, with the outward ends of stage two floating unattached inside the inside diameter of the primary springs stage one until they are moved against laterally or longitudinally to form a completely flexible, 360° unencumbered movement of the bumper bar around the axis of the longitudinal frame of the motor vehicle and allow the bumper bar to provide maximum protection from all types of angular collisions when the bumper bar strikes an obstruction before it or at the corner of it by means of the long coil compression springs absorbing the energy of motion into stages one and two so as to increase the resistance as the load increases causing a cushioning effect of deceleration and help prevent bent frames, broken welds and dented sheet metal in minor accidents and to help save the operator and occupants of the motor vehicle unnecessary death, injury, damage, expense and frustration in high-speed accidents.