Claims
- 1. A bumper system for a motor vehicle comprising:
an energy absorber; a bumper beam connected to said energy absorber and for connection to vehicle structure; and a push bar disposed below and operatively connected to said bumper beam to deflect and rotate during an impact with an object by said bumper system.
- 2. A bumper system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bumper beam is made of a metal material.
- 3. A bumper system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said push bar has a push bar member extending laterally.
- 4. A bumper system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said push bar member includes at least one attachment portion extending outwardly therefrom.
- 5. A bumper system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said push bar includes at least one attachment device interconnecting said at least one attachment portion and either one of said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
- 6. A bumper system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said at least one attachment device includes a housing attached to said bumper beam and the vehicle structure and a pin extending through said at least one attachment portion and said housing to allow said push bar member to rotate.
- 7. A bumper system as set forth in claim 3 including at least one spring to urge said push bar member forward.
- 8. A bumper system as set forth in claim 1 including a spring device connected to said push bar and either one of said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
- 9. A bumper system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring device has a base wall and side walls extending perpendicularly from said base wall to form a “U” shaped cross section with notches in said side walls.
- 10. A bumper system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said base wall has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough.
- 11. A bumper system as set forth in claim 10 including a plurality of fasteners extending through said apertures, one of said fasteners connecting said spring device to said push bar and one of said fasteners connecting said spring device to either one said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
- 12. A bumper system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said spring device is made of a high strength spring steel.
- 13. A bumper system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said push bar is made of either one of a metal material and a composite material.
- 14. A bumper system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said energy absorber is made of a deformable material.
- 15. A bumper system for a motor vehicle comprising:
an energy absorber; a bumper beam interconnecting said energy absorber and vehicle structure; and a push bar disposed below and operatively connected to said bumper beam to deflect and rotate during an impact with an object by said bumper system; and said push bar comprising a push bar member made of a relatively rigid material extending laterally across a front of the motor vehicle.
- 16. A bumper system as set forth in claim 15 including a spring device connected to said push bar and either one of said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
- 17. A bumper system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said spring device is made of a high strength spring steel.
- 18. A bumper system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said push bar includes at least one attachment portion extending outwardly therefrom from said push bar member.
- 19. A bumper system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said push bar includes at least one attachment device interconnecting said at least one attachment portion and either one of said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
- 20. A bumper system for a motor vehicle comprising:
an energy absorber; a bumper beam interconnecting said energy absorber and vehicle structure; and a push bar disposed below and operatively connected to said bumper beam to deflect and rotate during an impact with an object by said bumper system; and a spring device connected to said push bar and either one of said bumper beam and the vehicle structure.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims the priority date of co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/170,935, filed Dec. 15,1999.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60170935 |
Dec 1999 |
US |