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:
Nov. 20, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 21, 1999
David W. Heatherington, Spring Lake, MI (US);
James Lupone, Fruitport, MI (US);
Les Lewis, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Shape Corporation, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Abstract
A bumper construction for vehicles includes an elongated high-strength metal beam roll-formed from sheet steel, and at least one structural molded piece made of polymeric material attached to opposing end sections of the beam. Each structural piece has a rearwardly swept front surface that forms aerodynamically stylized corners at the ends of the beam. Each structural piece further provides attachment structure for attaching the beam to a vehicle, with the attachment structure being configured to transmit front impact forces compressively through the structural pieces to the vehicle frame, while minimizing the torsional and tensile forces on the attachment structure. The structural pieces further include a recess for closely receiving and supporting an impact-resisting flange on the beam to stabilize the beam during impact. The mateable engagement simplifies assembly, and further provides for high-energy absorption upon front impact of a vehicle.