SHOCK ABSORBING BUMPER SYSTEM

• US 3,834,483 A
• Filed: 08/09/1973
• Issued: 09/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: J. F. Palmer
• Original Assignee: J. F. Palmer
• Inventors: Palmer, J. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. Henson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saifer, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/386,926
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 293/30,73,85,86,DIG.2 180/91,95
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/40 in the direction of an obstacle before a collision , or extending during driving of the vehicle, i.e. to increase the energy absorption capacity of the bumper inflatable bumpers B60R19/20
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/50 Inputs being a function of the status of the machine, e.g. position of doors or safety belts

Abstract

A compound shock absorbing bumper system for automotive vehicles and the like, including a plurality of fluid operating cylinders surrounded by coil springs with the combination being housed and attached between the vehicle frame and bumper. The coil springs normally urge the bumper and cylinders to an extended operative shock absorbing position. Controls are provided in the vehicle to selectively move the bumper to a retracted position or release it for movement to the extended position. Means can be combined with the controls to simultaneously downshift the vehicle drive system.

Claims

1. In combination:

A. an automotive vehicle;

B. a vehicle frame;

C. a vehicle bumper;

D. a plurality of cylindrical fluid operating shock absorbers operatively interconnecting said vehicle frame and said vehicle bumper;

E. a two part telescopic housing surrounding each said shock absorber with one part thereof connected to said frame and the other part thereof to said bumper;

F. coil springs mounted in said housings and surrounding said shock absorbers, and normally urging said shock absorbers to extended positions and spacing said bumper from the vehicle into a position to receive an impact, said coil springs and said shock absorbers conjointly forming compound shock absorbers operable to absorb impact forces against said bumper while moving to a retracted position within said housings, with said surrounding housing parts telescoping one within the other;

G. control means including a transverse shaft rotatably mounted on said vehicle, and having attached thereto;

i. a lever arm, and ii. a pedal for selective rotation of said shaft by a vehicle operator;

H. a rod connecting the end of said lever arm and said bumper, selective actuation of said pedal rotating said shaft and moving said rod, through said lever arm, to retract said compound shock absorbers and said bumper to an inactive position proximate said vehicle, or release said compound shock absorbers for extension of said bumper to extended position; and

I. said telescopic housing parts having a plurality of mating guiding and strengthening splines thereon, coacting upon extension and retraction of said shock absorbers, said springs, and said housing parts.

2. The combination of claim 1, including end members mounted respectively in the front and rear parts of said telescopic housing, said end members being engageable by the ends of said shock absorbers and providing limits of movement and abutments for said compound shock absorbers.

3. The combination of claim 2, including lateral frame members attached respectively to said vehicle frame and said bumper, rods mounting said compound shock absorbers between said lateral frame members, said member attached to said vehicle frame having openings therethrough, said rods slidably extending through said openings thereby permitting rearward retraction of said bumper and retraction of said compound shock absorbers.

4. The combination of claim 3, including means interconnecting said control means and a vehicle transmission to cause, upon actuation of said control means to extend said compound shock absorbers and said bumper, simultaneous downshifting of said transmission for slowing of the vehicle.