Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Bumper having impact force absorbing means directly...
Patent
1997-03-14
2000-02-08
Dayoan, D. Glenn
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Bumper having impact force absorbing means directly...
293137, 293142, 293145, 293146, B60R 1926, B60R 1928
Patent
active
060220570
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for fixing to the front part of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Existing constructions for fixing to the front side of a vehicle usually consist of a grid structure or bar assembly to protect the front part of the vehicle. The construction must protect the vehicle against for example wildlife, stray cattle, branches etc, and is generally attached to cross-country vehicles or types of vehicles derived therefrom.
Such a construction is a functionally superfluous attribute for vehicles on the public highway but contributes to a particular image of the vehicle to which it is fixed. Many "cross-country vehicles" are only used in an environment where a car crash protector is functionally superfluous, but wherein a car crash protector is indispensable to the image of the vehicle. For fellow road-users (for instance pedestrians or cyclists) the danger of serious injury is increased in the case of a collision with such a "cross-country vehicle".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to manufacture a construction for fixing to the front part of a vehicle, without adversely affecting the appearance of the construction, such that the danger of "serious" injury to fellow road-users is limited.
The invention provides to this end a device for fixing to the front part of a vehicle comprising a support construction which is assembled from profile parts manufactured from metal plate material and provided with attachment points for fixing thereof to the vehicle, a plastic cover element for separately covering the sides of each profile part facing away from the vehicle and means for connecting the cover element to the support construction, wherein between the profile parts of the support construction and the cover element free spaces are present and the cover element is manufactured from deformable plastic.
The free spaces are preferably located on the side of the profile parts located at the greatest distance from the vehicle.
The thus manufactured construction has a robust appearance but is also capable of absorbing energy during a collision. In the case of a light collision only the plastic cover element of the construction will deform. After the collision the cover element will then be able to reassume its original form. In the case of a heavier collision not only the plastic cover element deforms but the support construction manufactured from metal plate material also deforms. This deformation is permanent but absorbs a relatively large amount of energy, whereby an object involved in the collision (for instance a fellow road-user) will be less badly damaged.
The support construction is preferably connected to the vehicle with interposing of at least one element absorbing energy during deformation. In a preferred embodiment the energy-absorbing element is formed by a deformable mounting bracket. In another preferred embodiment the energy-absorbing element is a spring. The energy-absorbing elements increase the total capacity of the energy-absorbing power of the construction. This enhances the above stated advantages.
The parts of the cover element located closest to the sides of the vehicle preferably project over the support construction. The cover element is hereby not supported on the sides by the support construction, whereby they will fold over in the case of a collision.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals are designated by primed reference numerals to designate like parts.
The invention is further elucidated with reference to the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle provided with a car crash protector according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a car crash protector disassembled into parts,
FIG. 3 is a cross section along secti
REFERENCES:
patent: 3827741 (1974-08-01), Howell et al.
patent: 4944540 (1990-07-01), Mansoor et al.
patent: 5566777 (1996-10-01), Trommer et al.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 10, No. 62 (M-460) [2119], Mar. 12, 1986 of JP, A, 60 209344 (NISSAN) Oct. 21, 1985.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Engle Patricia
Kelowna Hectares B.V.
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