Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Vertically extending only
Patent
1997-11-13
2000-06-20
Pape, Joseph D.
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Vertically extending only
293102, 256 131, 404 6, B60R 1902
Patent
active
060768711
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a U.S. national application of international application serial No. PCT/GB96/00949 filed Apr. 19, 1996, which claims priority to British Serial No. 9507996.8 filed Apr. 19, 1995, and British Serial No. 9522497.8 filed Nov. 2, 1995.
The invention relates to a resilient buffer and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a buffer for reducing the effects of vehicular impact.
A resilient buffer for reducing the effect of vehicular impact is known from GB-A-2 112 040. The buffer is formed from a resilient material and is in U-shaped form. Limbs of the U-shape define a space between free ends thereof which closes when the buffer is subjected to sufficient impact. Such an arrangement relies on the resilience of a single vertical limb of the buffer to provide the initial impact resistance. The displacement of that limb following impact is resisted only by a single flex zone at the foot of the limb between the limb and a fixing section and at which bending occurs following the impact. Only after the space closes will the other limb provide further resistance. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved form of buffer.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a buffer comprising a length of resilient material bent to form a closed loop, the loop having a fixing section and an impact section transverse to the fixing section.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a resilient buffer comprising hollow elongate first and second sections which extend transverse to each other, the first section having spaced apart limbs, and the second section also having spaced apart limbs, the spaced apart limbs of the first section being joined at one pair of adjacent ends, the spaced apart limbs of the second section also being joined at one pair of adjacent ends, the spaced apart limbs of the first section being joined to the respective spaced apart limbs of the second section to form a closed loop, which enables relative flexing to take place between the first and second sections.
The closed loop arrangement is advantageous as it provides a progressively increasing resistance to impact dissipating energy to all the elements of the loop.
Preferably, the closed loop defines a plurality of flex zones about which flexing of the buffer occurs. In such a case, relative displacement may occur between two of such flex zones during flexing of the buffer. Preferably at least one of the flex zones is formed at a juncture between the first and second sections.
In one embodiment the elongate first and second sections are arranged such that the closed loop is substantially L-shaped. In that case the flex zones are preferably defined at inboard positions on the L-shaped closed loop.
The L-shaped loop may comprise two spaced apart L-shaped portions and two end portions extending between ends of the two L-shaped portions. The end portions comprise further flex zones.
Preferably the first section defines an impact section and the second section defines a fixing section. The fixing section is preferably shorter than the impact section of the L-shaped loop. The second section may define two fixing sections, one said fixing section being transverse to the other. An end portion between the two L-shaped portions, where provided, may form a second fixing section. The first and second fixing sections are preferably arranged adjacent each other.
Preferably, corners at a mid position of the L-shape are rounded and form flex zones. Where the loop comprises two L-shaped portions and end portions, the end portions may also be rounded at least in part. Where one of the end portions forms a said fixing section, the fixing section is preferably formed in a flat part of that end portion.
The impact section may carry an impact element such as a crash rail, a rubber bumper pad, a bumper bar or the like.
In another embodiment, the loop may be substantially I-shaped. In such an arrangement it is preferred that the first section forms a ba
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Jarvis Barry Michael Frank
Morse Carolyn Elice
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