Adjustable safety bumper

• US 6,764,116 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transfreight Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Transfreight Technology LLC
• Inventors: Ledford, Kimble Eddie, Stephens, Mack D., Gaddis, John Aaron, Warchol, Alexander Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/293,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137156A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 293/102, 293/140, 293/131, 293/118, 293/117, 182/89, 410/59, 372/31, 180/251
• US Class Current: 293/102
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/32 Fluid shock absorbers , e.g. with coaxial coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0011 Rear collision or recoiling bounce after frontal collision

Abstract

A fully adjustable bumper system that absorbs impact and thereby, avoiding damage to the bumper. The bumper system includes a bumper assembly mounted to a vertically pivoting assembly through horizontally and vertically adjustable assemblies. A stop assembly is attached to the vertically pivoting assembly and allows the bumper assembly to pivot away from an applied force and then causes the bumper assembly to return to its position with the force is removed. The bumper system can be bolted, welded or otherwise fixedly attached to either the frame or rails of a trailer or truck for ease of installation.

Claims

1. A bumper system for installation on a vehicle, the bumper system comprising:

a bumper assembly;

a vertical pivoting assembly substantially perpendicularly coupled to the bumper assembly and pivotally coupled to a fixed surface;

a stop assembly, the stop assembly including a shock-absorbing means with one end of the shock absorbing means coupled to the vertical pivoting means and the other end of the shock absorbing means coupled to a fixed surface;

wherein upon applying a force to the bumper assembly, the vertical pivoting assembly will pivot away from the force and the shock-absorbing means will compress; and

a horizontal adjustment assembly used to couple the bumper assembly to the vertical pivoting assembly so that the bumper assembly can be adjusted substantially parallel to the ground.

2. A bumper system for installation on a vehicle, the bumper system comprising:

a bumper assembly;

a vertical pivoting assembly substantially perpendicularly coupled to the bumper assembly and pivotally coupled to a fixed surface;

a stop assembly, the stop assembly including a shock-absorbing means with one end of the shock absorbing means coupled to the vertical pivoting means and the other end of the shock absorbing means coupled to a fixed surface;

wherein upon applying a force to the bumper assembly, the vertical pivoting assembly will pivot away from the force and the shock-absorbing means will compress; and

a vertical adjustment assembly used to couple the bumper assembly to the vertical pivoting assembly so that the bumper assembly can be adjusted vertically with respect to the ground.

3. A bumper system for installation on a vehicle, the bumper system comprising:

a bumper assembly;

a vertical pivoting assembly substantially perpendicularly coupled to the bumper assembly and pivotally coupled to a fixed surface;

a stop assembly, the stop assembly including a shock-absorbing means with one end of the shock absorbing means coupled to the vertical pivoting means and the other end of the shock absorbing means coupled to a fixed surface;

wherein upon applying a force to the bumper assembly, the vertical pivoting assembly will pivot away from the force and the shock-absorbing means will compress;

a vertical adjustment assembly; and

a horizontal adjustment assembly, the horizontal adjustment assembly being coupled to the bumper assembly to allow adjustment of the bumper parallel to the ground and the vertical adjustment assembly being coupled to the horizontal adjustment assembly and the vertical pivoting assembly so that the bumper assembly can be adjusted vertically with respect to the ground.

4. The bumper system of claim 3 further comprising a sensor that is operative to detect when a force is applied to the bumper assembly and provide a notice indicator.

5. The bumper system of claim 4, wherein the bumper assembly is attached to a vehicle by a plurality of bolts.

6. The bumper system of claim 5, wherein when no force is applied to the bumper assembly, the pivoting assembly resides in an extended position and when a force is applied to the bumper assembly, the pivoting assembly resides in a retracted position and the pivoting assembly is positioned with relationship to the bumper assembly in such a manner that as the pivoting assembly moves from the extended position to the retracted position, the distance between the ground and the bumper assembly does not increase.