Extending bumper with combined stiffener and method
First Claim
1. A method of placing a bumper system in a pre-impact state, comprising:
- extending a bumper member outwardly from a retracted position prior to an impact, the bumper member being adapted to engage an object; and
extending a stiffener member downwardly from a retracted position prior to an impact, the stiffener member being adapted to engage an object.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pre-impact mode of a bumper system is provided by extending a bumper member outwardly and extending a stiffener member downwardly. Both the bumper member and the stiffener member are separately adapted to engage an object. The bumper system includes a bumper member movable between a retracted position and a laterally extended position. A stiffener member is movable between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position. An actuator mechanism is adapted to move the bumper member between the retracted and laterally extended positions and to cause the stiffener member to move between the retracted and downwardly extended positions as a result of moving the bumper member.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of placing a bumper system in a pre-impact state, comprising:
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extending a bumper member outwardly from a retracted position prior to an impact, the bumper member being adapted to engage an object; and
extending a stiffener member downwardly from a retracted position prior to an impact, the stiffener member being adapted to engage an object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A motor vehicle bumper system comprising:
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a bumper member adapted to engage an object movable between a retracted position and a laterally extended position;
a stiffener member adapted to engage an object movable between a retracted position and a downwardly extended position;
an actuator mechanism adapted to move the bumper member between the retracted and laterally extended positions and to cause the stiffener member to move between the retracted and downwardly extended positions as a result of moving the bumper member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification