Rear under-ride protection device

• US 6,604,765 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schwing America, Inc. (XCMG Construction Machinery Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Schwing America, Inc. (XCMG Construction Machinery Company Limited)
• Inventors: Eull, Thomas E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran
• Application Number:
  US10/099,318
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 293/118, 293/119, 293/133, 293/112, 293/117, 293/126, 293/146, 224/924, 224/532, 224/42.21, 224/521, 224/495, 414/462, 296/204
• US Class Current: 293/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/34 destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/56 Fittings damping bouncing force in truck collisions, e.g. bumpers; Arrangements on high-riding vehicles, e.g. lorries, for preventing vehicles or objects from running thereunder

Abstract

An improved bumper system includes a pair of brackets connected to the spaced frame members of a motor vehicle. A support arm is pivotally connected at one end to each of the brackets. The opposite end of each support arm is connected to a transverse beam that forms separate first and second bumper sections. The brackets support the support arms and bumper sections at a desired height above the ground. Each support arm is maintained relative to the respective bracket by gravity. A shear pin provides a redundant retention of the arm relative to the bracket. The arms and bumper sections of the improved bumper system remain in position relative to the bracket even in the event of a horizontal impact. A vertical impact of one or both bumper sections by obstacles or terrain causes the shear pin to be severed, allowing the bumper section(s) to pivot relative to the bracket, rather than to bend or deform.

Claims

1. A bumper system for connection to a motor vehicle frame having spaced frame members, the system comprising:

a pair of brackets, each bracket comprising;

a first portion which is connected to one of the frame members; and

a second portion connected to the first portion, the second portion comprising a support surface;

a pair of arms extending rearwardly from the motor vehicle frame, each arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of each arm pivotally connected to the second portion of each respective bracket, wherein each arm rests upon the support surface when the arm is in a first position, and wherein each arm is movable about the pivotal connection;

a pair of spaced bumper sections, each bumper section connected to the second end of each respective arm.

2. The bumper system of claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises a U-shaped portion having spaced walls and a base wall connected to the spaced walls, the base wall defining the support surface.

3. The bumper system of claim 2 wherein the U-shaped portion comprises a forward-facing edge and a rearward-facing edge, and wherein the base wall slopes downward from the forward-facing edge to the rearward-facing edge.

4. The bumper system of claim 1 and further comprising:

means for retaining each arm relative to the base wall.

5. The bumper system of claim 1 wherein each arm is configured to be capable of pivotal movement independent of the other arm.