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:
May. 16, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 17, 1997
Alan S Aloe, Waterford, MI (US);
Keith Redden, Pointe Aux Pins, MI (US);
James J Johnson, Metamora, MI (US);
Richard A Sokol, Harrison City, PA (US);
Matthew P Kiley, Pittsburg, PA (US);
Andrew B Trageser, Pittsburg, PA (US);
Gerald Budnick, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
James J Shavrnoch, Frankenmuth, MI (US);
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa Center, PA (US);
Abstract
Automotive front end structure adapted to be mounted on an automotive vehicle frame to absorb impact energy. The structure includes first and second crush hoops each having a central portion and side portions extending rearwardly from the central portion. The rear ends of the side portions of each hoop are connected to brackets and then to first and second crush boxes. Brackets connect the crush boxes to the vehicle frame. The crush hoops and the crush boxes are adapted to crush and collapse to absorb energy in a frontal impact. The central portion of the first crush hoop projects forwardly a greater distance than the central portion of the second crush hoop so that the first crush hoop is first to deform in a front impact. Thereafter, the other hoop begins to load and dissipate energy to provide a smooth, continuous and progressive reaction force to front end deformation.