US4613177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle bumper
Assignee: Melea Ltd
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Filing: 1985-10-25
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Granted: 1986-09-23
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Expires: 2005-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle bumper is adapted to provide energy management of impact forces. In a basic embodiment the bumper includes a fascia having a front portion adapted to receive impact forces and upper and lower flanges extending rearwardly from the front portion. A backing member is positioned rearwardly from the fascia and includes means for mounting the bumper on the vehicle. The volume bounded by the backing member and the fascia has a resiliently compressible plastic foam molded in situ and features an integral skin bonded to adjacent surfaces of the fascia and the backing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman S. Loren
- 👤 William E. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A vehicle bumper, comprising: a fascia having a front portion adapted to receive impact forces and upper and lower flanges extending rearwardly from said front portion; a backing member positioned rearwardly of the front portion of the fascia and extending verically relative to said upper and lower flanges, said member including means for mounting the bumper on the vehicle; a resiliently compressible plastic foam molded in situ in at least the volume enclosed by the backing member and the fascia, said foam having an integral skin bonded generally to the interior surfaces of the enclosed volume, but unbonded proximate the joinder of said backing plate and flanges, thereby allowing the bumper to respond to an impact to the fascia by controlled separation of the backing plate and flanges to permit flow therethrough of the resiliently compressible plastic foam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A vehicle bumper, comprising: a fascia having a front portion adapted to receive impact forces and upper and lower flanges extending rearwardly from said front portion; a backing member positioned rearwardly of the front portion of the fascia and extending verically relative to said upper and lower flanges, said member including means for mounting the bumper on the vehicle; a resiliently compressible plastic foam molded in situ in at least the volume enclosed by the backing member and the fascia, said foam having an integral skin bonded generally to the interior surfaces of the enclosed volume, but unbonded proximate the joinder of said backing plate and flanges, thereby allowing the bumper to respond to an impact to the fascia by controlled separation of the backing plate and flanges to permit flow therethrough of the resiliently compressible plastic foam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the backing member has at least one aperture formed therein, and said resiliently compressible plastic foam further comprises an integral extrudate extending through each of said apertures, and attached to an inner surface of the fascia to respond to impact to the fascia by elongation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the bumper is bound as a unitary assembly solely by the adhesion of the integral foam skin to the fascia and backing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the plastic foam is an integral skin polyurethane foam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 4 wherein the fascia and backing plate are formed members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 5 wherein the fascia and the backing member are plastic members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 6 wherein the fascia and the backing member are injection molded plastic members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the backing member includes at least one integral rib to add rigidity to the backing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 8 wherein the rib is canted in its relaxed state relative to the vertical dimension of the backing member to facilitate deflection upon impact of the fascia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the plastic foam has a varying density within its cross sectional area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle bumper as defined in claim 1 wherein the backing member is formed of metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3856613A
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US4070052A
Cited
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Cited
US4482180A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-22 | 1990-03-24 | 1990-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-22 | 1994-03-24 | 1994-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-22 | 1998-03-24 | 1998-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |