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. 15, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
Shui Fang Chou, Troy, MI (US);
Todd W. J. Tjoelker, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Alessandro Libriani, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Assignee:
Other;
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R 1/934 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R 1/934 ;
Abstract
A channeled energy absorption unit for a vehicle bumper impact system to absorb impact energy and forestall or minimize damage to vehicle frame rails under impact. The basic embodiment is a tube with one end flared and welded at a hole in one end plate or directly to the vehicle frame rail. When loaded axially, the tube splits, peels and is inverted to absorb impact in a generally square wave energy absorption. Preferred channels in the tube stabilize the failure mode during this process to assure a predetermined energy absorption characteristic.