US3926462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shock absorbing buffer assembly
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1974-10-11
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-10-11
Abstract
Abstract This buffer assembly forms a shock absorbing system that has a rigid horizontally-extending channeled support beam disposed in the vehicle body which is coupled to the vehicle frame. An elongated one-piece plastic grid of longitudinally extending cells provides a resilient primary energy-absorbing medium which is seated in the support beam and which extends forwardly to an exterior location with respect to the vehicle body for absorbing impact forces. A central portion of the plastic grid provides a yieldable backing for a centralized rubber-covered metal plate that distributes localized impact forces to a large number of cells of the grid to reduce impact penetration. A thin walled flexible plastic facia, fitted over the spreader plate and over horizontally extending wing portions of the cellular grid, is peripherally fastened to the vehicle body to provide a streamlined appearance and to simulate vehicle body work.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald N Burns
- 👤 Dewayne A Landwehr
- 👤 Roger H Schroeder
- 👤 Robert A Vogelei
- 👤 Gary P Zeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:17
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/15; B60R2019/186; B60R2019/1866; B60R2019/1873; B60R2019/1886; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
An energy absorbing system to provide impact protection for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, an elongated support beam extending substantially across the width of said body and secured within the walls of said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece energy absorbing unit coextensive with said beam and seated in said channel and extending longitudinally from said support beam to a position outside of said body, a rigid impact force spreader plate mounted on said energy absorbing unit and in front of a predetermined portion thereof, a flexible plastic facia covering said spreader plate and said energy absorbing unit, means attaching the periphery of said facia directly to a front portion of said body, said energy absorbing unit comprising a grid of longitudinally extending cells which respond to an impact force imparted to said energy absorber system moving said spreader plate by deflecting to absorb the energy of impact, and said grid when deflected up to a predetermined limit possessing a force of recovery to move said spreader plate and said flexible facia to a free state position in response to removal of the impact force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
An energy absorbing system to provide impact protection for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, an elongated support beam extending substantially across the width of said body and secured within the walls of said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece energy absorbing unit coextensive with said beam and seated in said channel and extending longitudinally from said support beam to a position outside of said body, a rigid impact force spreader plate mounted on said energy absorbing unit and in front of a predetermined portion thereof, a flexible plastic facia covering said spreader plate and said energy absorbing unit, means attaching the periphery of said facia directly to a front portion of said body, said energy absorbing unit comprising a grid of longitudinally extending cells which respond to an impact force imparted to said energy absorber system moving said spreader plate by deflecting to absorb the energy of impact, and said grid when deflected up to a predetermined limit possessing a force of recovery to move said spreader plate and said flexible facia to a free state position in response to removal of the impact force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
232 words
An energy absorbing system to provide impact protection for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a vehicle frame supporting said body, an elongated support beam extending substantially across the width of said body and disposed within the walls of said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece energy absorbing unit extending substantially across the width of said body and seated in said channel and extending longitudinally from said channel to a position outside of said body, said energy absorbing unit having an enlarged center portion and left and right wing portions extending from said center portion, a rigid impact force spreader plate mounted directly on said energy absorbing unit in front of said center portion, a flexible plastic facia covering said spreader plate and said energy absorbing unit, means attaching the periphery of said facia directly to a front portion of said body, said energy absorbing unit comprising a grid of longitudinally extending cells, said center portion having a plurality of rows of cells which respond to an impact force imparted to said energy absorber system which displaces said spreader plate by deflecting to absorb the energy of impact, and said grid when deflected up to a predetermined limit possessing a force of recovery to move said spreader plate and said flexible facia to a free state position in response to removal of the impact force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
232 words
An energy absorbing system to provide impact protection for a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a vehicle frame supporting said body, an elongated support beam extending substantially across the width of said body and disposed within the walls of said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece energy absorbing unit extending substantially across the width of said body and seated in said channel and extending longitudinally from said channel to a position outside of said body, said energy absorbing unit having an enlarged center portion and left and right wing portions extending from said center portion, a rigid impact force spreader plate mounted directly on said energy absorbing unit in front of said center portion, a flexible plastic facia covering said spreader plate and said energy absorbing unit, means attaching the periphery of said facia directly to a front portion of said body, said energy absorbing unit comprising a grid of longitudinally extending cells, said center portion having a plurality of rows of cells which respond to an impact force imparted to said energy absorber system which displaces said spreader plate by deflecting to absorb the energy of impact, and said grid when deflected up to a predetermined limit possessing a force of recovery to move said spreader plate and said flexible facia to a free state position in response to removal of the impact force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
241 words
An energy absorbing system for a vehicle to absorb the energy of impact and protect the entire width of one end of a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a vehicle frame supporting said body having a pair of side rails, a support beam, means securing said support beam to said side rails and to mount said support beam laterally in a recessed position in said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece grid of longitudinally extending cells, said grid having an enlarged centEr portion and left and right wing portions seated in said channel and extending substantially across said support beam, said plastic grid extending longitudinally from said channel to a position outside of said body, a steel impact spreader plate mounted on said grid and in front of said central portion of said grid, an elastomeric bumper mounted on said spreader plate and projecting forwardly therefrom, a plastic flexible facia covering said elastomeric bumper and said spreader plate and said grid, means attaching said facia to said front portion of said body of said vehicle to provide an energy absorbing system which absorbs the energy of impact directed to said elastomer bumper and said spreader plate which displaces said spreader plate towards said support beam to effect deflection of said grid so that said grid absorbs energy of impact and subsequently moves said spreader plate and said facia to their extended free state position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
241 words
An energy absorbing system for a vehicle to absorb the energy of impact and protect the entire width of one end of a vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a vehicle frame supporting said body having a pair of side rails, a support beam, means securing said support beam to said side rails and to mount said support beam laterally in a recessed position in said body, said support beam having a laterally extending channel therein, a plastic one-piece grid of longitudinally extending cells, said grid having an enlarged centEr portion and left and right wing portions seated in said channel and extending substantially across said support beam, said plastic grid extending longitudinally from said channel to a position outside of said body, a steel impact spreader plate mounted on said grid and in front of said central portion of said grid, an elastomeric bumper mounted on said spreader plate and projecting forwardly therefrom, a plastic flexible facia covering said elastomeric bumper and said spreader plate and said grid, means attaching said facia to said front portion of said body of said vehicle to provide an energy absorbing system which absorbs the energy of impact directed to said elastomer bumper and said spreader plate which displaces said spreader plate towards said support beam to effect deflection of said grid so that said grid absorbs energy of impact and subsequently moves said spreader plate and said facia to their extended free state position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |