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:
Feb. 26, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1999
R. Clayton McKeon, Holland, MI (US);
Peter Sturrus, Ludington, MI (US);
Mark D. Weissenborn, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Shape Corporation, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Abstract
A method includes rollforming and sweeping a tubular beam with a constant longitudinal cross section, and then reforming the tubular beam to form a tubular beam having a non-constant cross section. The non-constant cross sections have specific shapes chosen to provide particular structural properties and surfaces along the reshaped beam, and also to provide a stylized appearance, such that the reformed beam is useful as a vehicle bumper. In particular, the reshaped beam includes integrally formed vehicle mounting structure, angled end sections forming aerodynamic but impact-resistant bumper ends, and a high-energy absorbing but flexible center section.