Flexible grille
US5205597A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R19/52
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flexible automobile grille which accommodates the movement of an impact-absorbing bumper. The grille is capable of deflecting with the stroke of the impact-absorbing bumper during impact without the need for the grille to be either pivotable about an anchor point or to be mechanically displaceable with special hardware. The material of the grille is selected to have a yield strength which is adequate to sustain a predetermined degree of yielding corresponding to the amount of deflection required with the bumper's stroke. The grille includes a generally elongated body portion having an upper edge and a lower edge which extend horizontally adjacent the engine hood and the bumper, respectively. Both the upper and lower edges may be configured to attach to the automobile. To provide the necessary deflection capability of the grille, the lower edge has a section modulus which varies along its length, having at least one minimum section so as to provide a predetermined degree of yielding at the minimum section without exceeding the predetermined yield strength of the material. As a result, the predetermined degree of yielding of the lower edge provides a degree of resiliency to the ent…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.