UNDERRUN ENERGY-ABSORBING STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An underrun energy-absorbing structure for a vehicle, comprising:
- a rail member formed from an inboard panel and an outboard panel;
a deformable crush tube sandwiched between said inboard panel and said outboard panel;
said deformable crush tube extending perpendicularly from said rail member; and
a plate adjacent to said deformable crush tube and extending perpendicularly from said rail member by a predetermined distance;
said deformable crush tube supporting said plate in a vehicle collision.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An underrun energy-absorbing structure (14) (“structure”) for a vehicle (10) includes a rail member (16), a deformable crush tube (18), and a plate (20). Rail member (16) is formed from an inboard panel (22) and an outboard panel (24). Crush tube (18) is sandwiched between inboard panel (22) and outboard panel (24) and extends perpendicularly from rail member (16). Plate (20) is adjacent to crush tube (18) and extends perpendicularly from rail member (16). Plate (20) is supported by crush tube (18) during a vehicle collision.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An underrun energy-absorbing structure for a vehicle, comprising:
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a rail member formed from an inboard panel and an outboard panel; a deformable crush tube sandwiched between said inboard panel and said outboard panel; said deformable crush tube extending perpendicularly from said rail member; and a plate adjacent to said deformable crush tube and extending perpendicularly from said rail member by a predetermined distance; said deformable crush tube supporting said plate in a vehicle collision. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An underrun energy-absorbing structure for a vehicle, comprising:
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a rail member formed from an inboard panel and an outboard panel; said inboard panel and said outboard panel each having a stepped flange; said stepped flange defining a seat; a deformable crush tube in said seat and sandwiched between said inboard panel and said outboard panel; said deformable crush tube extending perpendicularly from said rail member; and a plate adjacent to said deformable crush tube and extending perpendicularly from said rail member by a predetermined distance; said deformable crush tube supporting said plate in a vehicle collision. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An underrun energy-absorbing structure for a vehicle, comprising:
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a rail member formed from an inboard panel and an outboard panel; a deformable crush tube sandwiched between said inboard panel and said outboard panel; said deformable crush tube extending perpendicularly from said rail member; a plate adjacent to said deformable crush tube and extending perpendicularly from said rail member by a predetermined distance; said deformable crush tube supporting said plate in a vehicle collision; a first series of bolt members attaching said deformable crush tube to said rail member; and a second series of bolt members attaching said plate to said rail member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification