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:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2000
Enamul Haque, Gastonia, NC (US);
Walt Bassett, Gastonia, NC (US);
Thomas F. Lewis, Trumbull, CT (US);
Azdel, Inc., Shelby, NC (US);
Abstract
The invention is a fiber reinforced thermoplastic automotive bumper wherein the reduced fiber additions consist of a long, chopped glass mat with the addition of mineral fillers such as mica, talc or clay. The modified thermoplastic is used to produce I-section bumpers. The improved reinforced thermoplastic material has favorable flow characteristics which enable the material to substantially fill the deep ribs and mounting stay structures used in I-section bumpers during compression molding while improving the modulus or cross-face stiffness of the finished part. For the first time, improved flow characteristics during molding permit the material to flow evenly into small ribs, bosses and other features. The invention makes it possible to increase part integration, molding pencil braces, fascia supports, mounting holes and mounting stays. The front surface of the bumper may be covered with a conformal energy absorber made of plastic foarn. Moreover, the absorber serves to mount appearance fascia. The result is a cost-reduced, weight-reduced bumper with improved impact resistance.