Bumper with face-mounted reinforcer

• US 20060061111A1
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shape
• Original Assignee: Shape
• Inventors: Ignafol, Guy M.
• Application Number:
  US11/227,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20060061111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 293/102
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/18 characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/1813 made of metal

Abstract

A bumper includes a tubular primary beam, such as a rollformed D-shaped beam made of high-strength steel, with at least one longitudinal channel formed in its face surface. One or more mild steel thin-wall tube sections are positioned in the channel(s) and welded in place for increased strength in selected areas, while permitting overall weight savings in the bumper.

Claims

1. A bumper comprising:

a bumper beam having a length and a primary impact surface with at least one longitudinal channel formed therein; and

a tubular reinforcer positioned at least partially in the channel and secured to the bumper beam.

2. The bumper defined in claim 1, wherein the bumper beam is made of a first metal and the tubular reinforcer is made of a second metal that is lower in tensile strength than the first metal.

4. The bumper defined in claim 1, wherein the primary impact surface is curved longitudinally, and the tubular reinforcer has a similar longitudinal curvature.

5. The bumper defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular reinforcer extends a distance less than half of the length of the primary impact surface.

6. The bumper defined in claim 1, wherein the channel has a cross section that includes an arcuate section, and the cross section of the tubular reinforcer has a mating arcuate shape.

7. The bumper defined in claim 1, wherein the primary impact surface includes a second channel that extends parallel the first-mentioned channel, and including a second tubular reinforcer that is positioned at least partially in the second channel and that extends parallel the first-mentioned tubular reinforcer.

3. The bumper defined in clam 2, wherein the bumper beam is tubular.

8. A bumper comprising:

a tubular beam having a length and an outer wall, the outer wall having a primary impact surface with at least one longitudinal channel formed therein; and

an elongated reinforcer positioned at least partially in the channel and secured to the beam.

9. A bumper comprising:

a beam having an outer wall defining a first curvature; and

at least one reinforcer having a second curvature different from the first curvature when in an unstressed state, but which is resiliently flexed to a stressed state to match the first curvature and which is attached to the outer wall to reinforce the beam.

10. The bumper defined in claim 9, wherein the beam is tubular.

11. The bumper defined in claim 9, wherein the reinforcer is tubular.