US4422680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing curved sections
Assignee: Renault SA
•
Filing: 1981-06-03
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2001-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an energy absorbing bumper formed of curved sections manufactured by pultrusion. The sections have perpendicular borders whose raised edges are connected by closure plates in areas of high stress. The face of the section can be formed with ripples so as to insure that reinforcing wires remain in areas subjected to high stresses.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcel Goupy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/04; B60R19/18; B60R19/24; B60R19/26; B60R19/36; B60R19/28; B60R19/285; B60R19/30; B60R2019/1806; B60R2019/1833; B60R2019/1853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of forming a composite vehicle bumper comprising: forming an elongated section which is curved along the elongate axis thereof, said section defining a frontal face as well as upper and lower borders extending perpendicular to said frontal face, providing said upper and lower borders with a first edge formed unitary with an edge of said frontal face which is transverse to said axis and a free edge which is opposite said first edge and which includes a raised portion, wherein said section is formed by pultrusion molding of glass strands impregnated with hardening synthetic resin, including the drawing of said impregnated strands through a draw plate having a constant curve radius; and providing at least one closure plate having edges shaped to matingly engage said free edge by connecting each said closure plate between said free edges at an axial portion of said section which is subject to maximum stress during use.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of forming a composite vehicle bumper comprising: forming an elongated section which is curved along the elongate axis thereof, said section defining a frontal face as well as upper and lower borders extending perpendicular to said frontal face, providing said upper and lower borders with a first edge formed unitary with an edge of said frontal face which is transverse to said axis and a free edge which is opposite said first edge and which includes a raised portion, wherein said section is formed by pultrusion molding of glass strands impregnated with hardening synthetic resin, including the drawing of said impregnated strands through a draw plate having a constant curve radius; and providing at least one closure plate having edges shaped to matingly engage said free edge by connecting each said closure plate between said free edges at an axial portion of said section which is subject to maximum stress during use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of forming the axial ends of said raised edges for attaching associated elements to said section.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
46 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 including the step of providing at least one of the surfaces of said frontal face with ripples formed by a ripple face of said draw plate, whereby the stability of the location of wires in said section is assured.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
65 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 including the steps of providing at least one of the surfaces of said frontal face with ripples formed by a ripple face of said draw plate during an intermediate stage in the manufacturing of said frontal face, and subsequently passing said section through a smooth face of said draw plate to provide a frontal face having smooth surfaces.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 including the step of modifying the radius of curvature of said curved section such that it is not constant along the axial length of said section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of thermally modifying the radius of curvature of at least a portion of said section by local heating of the core of said portion when said section is in a thermoplastic state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of mechanically modifying the radius of curvature of at least a portion of said section when said portion of said section is partially cured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 including the step of modifying the radius of curvature of at least a portion of said section by removing portions of said section extending transverse to said axis to locally weaken said section, and mechanically modifying said radius of curvature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of molding additional material into said bumper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4050689A
Cited
FR2256656A5
Cited
FR2258987B1
Cited
FR2266595A1
Cited
US4022505A
Cited
US4090728A
Cited
US4208069A
Cited
US4305770A
Cited
US4361352A
Cited
US4296060A
Cited
US4318762A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |