The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 10, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 26, 1997
Wolfgang Zahn, Ludwigsburg, DE;
Jon W Harwood, Toledo, OH (US);
AP Parts Manufacturing Company, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A bumper/muffler assembly is provided to simultaneously perform noise attenuation functions and impact protection for an automotive vehicle. The bumper/muffler assembly is formed at least in part from stamped sheets of metal. The sheets include an internal plate formed with inlet and outlet channels therein. Inlet and outlet tube plates are secured to portions of the internal plate adjacent the inlet and outlet channels such that inlet and outlet tubes are defined. A front external shell is disposed in proximity to the rear end of the vehicle and is configured to be spaced from portions of the internal plate to define a front chamber. A rear external shell also is spaced from the internal plate to define a rear chamber. A plastic material may be nested over the rear external shell for aesthetic attractiveness of the assembly.