Extendable bumpers for vehicles

US10343634B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Erik Mikael Fermer · Sunnyvale, US
• Alice C. Watts · Cupertino, US
• Joel Frederic Jensen · Sunnyvale, US
• Ronald J. Smith · Menlo Park, US
• Mark B. Rober · Sunnyvale, US
• Sung Hoon Kim · Seoul, KR
• David Jennings Dostal · Sunnyvale, US
• Russell C. Mead, Jr. · San Francisco, US
• Todd Elliot Lewis · Sunnyvale, US
• Jesse T. Buehler · Los Altos, US
• Nathaniel J. Dennis · Grand Blanc, US
• Tommaso P. Rivellini · Cupertino, US
• Robert R. Mayer · Pleasanton, US
• Anthony S. Montevirgen · Cupertino, US
• Donald J. Parr · San Francisco, US
• Bryce A. Woollard · Carpentersville, US
• Adam J. Golman · San Jose, US
• Kevin P. Makowski · Simi Valley, US
• Daniel Rivera · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 27, 2017
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2019
• Expiry date: Mar 21, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R19/34
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus includes a vehicle structure, a bumper, an elongate structural member, and an extension portion. The elongate structural member is able to crush longitudinally in response to application of force in a longitudinal direction. The extension portion is able to crush longitudinally in response to application of force in the longitudinal direction, is connected to the elongate structural member such that the elongate structural member and the extension portion support the bumper with respect to the vehicle structure, and is operable to move the bumper between an extended position and a retracted position with respect to the vehicle structure to change a distance between the bumper and the vehicle structure.