Push bar mounting system

• US 20010015559A1
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industria Disenadora de Autopartes, S.A. de C.V.
• Original Assignee: Ron D. Storer
• Inventors: Storer, Ron D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,318,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 293/115
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/52 Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles cooling aspects B60K11/08

Abstract

A push bar mounting system for mounting a push bar to vehicle'"'"'s bumper without significant damage to the bumper. The system comprises a front and rear bracket mounted to an inner bumper of the vehicle and having top and bottom mounting tabs that extend away from the inner bumper. The brackets are configured to attach to the inner bumper without drilling mounting holes therein. Additionally, the mounting tabs are configured to extend through a bumper fascia that surrounds the inner bumper. As such, the bottom mounting tab extends through a grille opening in the fascia, and the upper mounting tab extends through a small horizontal opening cut out of the bumper fascia'"'"'s chrome trim channel. Upon removal of the push bar from the vehicle, the opening cut in the bumper fascia can be covered by replacing the chrome trim that is mounted in the trim channel.

Claims

1. A push bar mounting system for a bumper of a vehicle, said bumper having a front exterior and a rear exterior, said system comprising:

a first front bracket formed complementary in shape to the front exterior and having a first mounting tab;

a first rear bracket formed complementary in shape to the rear exterior and having a second mounting tab, the first rear bracket attached to the first front bracket such that the bumper is disposed therebetween; and

a first elongate push bar member attached to the first and the second mounting tabs, the first push bar member disposed generally vertically in front of the vehicle to prevent damage thereto.

2. The push bar mounting system of

claim 1

wherein the first and second mounting tabs are configured to extend through a respective exit opening situated in a fascia associated with the bumper.

3. The push bar mounting system of

claim 2

wherein:

the first front bracket is generally C-shaped; and

the first rear bracket is generally planar.

4. The push bar mounting system of

claim 1

further comprising:

a second front bracket formed complementary in shape to the front exterior and having a third mounting tab;

a second rear bracket formed complementary in shape to the rear exterior and having a fourth mounting tab, the second rear bracket attached to the second front bracket such that the bumper is disposed therebetween; and

a second elongate push bar member attached to the third and the fourth mounting tabs, the second push bar member disposed generally vertically in front of the vehicle.

5. The push bar mounting system of

claim 4

wherein:

the second front bracket is generally C-shaped; and

the second rear bracket is generally planar.

6. The push bar mounting system of

claim 4

further comprising a first generally horizontal grille guard member attached to the first and the second push bar members.

7. The push bar mounting system of

claim 6

further comprising a second generally horizontal grille guard member attached to the first and the second push bar members.

8. The push bar mounting system of

claim 7

wherein the first and second push bar members and the first and second horizontal grille guard members are configured to form a grille guard.

9. The push bar mounting system of

claim 4

wherein the first, second, third and the fourth mounting tabs are configured to extend through a respective exit opening situated in a fascia associated with the bumper.

10. A method of mounting a push bar to a vehicle bumper having a fascia cover, comprising the steps:

a) removing the fascia cover from the bumper;

b) removing a section of the fascia to provide an opening therein;

c) attaching a first front mounting bracket with a first mounting tab to a first rear mounting bracket with a second mounting tab such that the bumper is disposed between the first front and first rear brackets;

d) attaching the fascia to the bumper such that the first mounting tab projects through the fascia opening and the second mounting tab projects through a grille opening of the fascia; and

e) attaching a first generally vertical push bar member to the first and second mounting tabs.

11. The method of

claim 10

wherein:

step (b) further comprises removing a second section of the fascia to provide a second opening therein;

step (c) further comprises attaching a second front mounting bracket with a third mounting tab to a second rear mounting bracket with a fourth mounting tab such that the bumper is disposed between the second front and second rear brackets;

step (d) further comprises attaching the fascia to the bumper such that the third mounting tab projects through the second opening and the fourth mounting tab projects through a grille opening of the fascia; and

step (e) further comprises attaching a second generally vertical push bar member to the third and fourth mounting tabs.

12. The method of

claim 11

further comprising the step of:

f) attaching a first generally horizontal grille guard member to the first and second vertical push bar members.

13. The method of

claim 12

further comprising the step of:

g) attaching a second generally horizontal grille guard member to the first and second vertical push bar members.

14. The method of

claim 10

wherein said fascia of step (b) comprises a section of a fascia trim channel.