BUMPER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A bumper for the front or rear section of a motor vehicle includes a cross member having a shell of U shaped cross section so as to define two legs interconnected by a crosspiece, and a mounting plate joined to the shell. The mounting plate has a U shaped configuration to define a longitudinal wall and two flanged portions which extend from the wall in a direction of the shell so that passageways are formed between the legs of the shell and the flanged portions of the mounting plate. A buffer is disposed anteriorly of the cross member and constructed for a snap fit to the mounting plate, with the buffer having spring legs for acceptance in the passageways.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a bumper according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a cross member of the bumper of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective illustration of the cross member of the bumper, without illustration of a buffer on a front side of the cross member.

Claims

1. A bumper for the front or rear section of a motor vehicle, comprising: a cross member having a shell of U shaped cross section so as to define two legs interconnected by a crosspiece, and a mounting plate joined to the shell and having a U shaped configuration to define a longitudinal wall and two flanged portions extending from the wall in a direction of the shell so that passageways are formed between the legs of the shell and the flanged portions of the mounting plate; anda buffer disposed anteriorly of the cross member and constructed for a snap fit to the mounting plate, said buffer having spring legs for acceptance in the passageways.

2. The bumper of claim 1, wherein the buffer includes catches for engagement in undercuts of the mounting plate to implement the snap fit, when the buffer is installed.

3. The bumper of claim 2, wherein the undercuts are formed at latch openings of the mounting plate.

4. The bumper of claim 3, wherein the latch openings are provided in the flanged portions.

5. The bumper of claim 1, wherein the legs of the shell have ends respectively extended by flanges, with the mounting plate being joined to the flanges of the shell.

6. The bumper of claim 5, wherein the flanges of the legs point inwardly toward one another.

7. The bumper of claim 1, wherein the cross member is made of steel sheet and the buffer is made of plastic.