Patent · US Expired

Vehicle bumper including end section and method of manufacture

US6042163A · kind A · utility

76Cited by
23References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 28, 1998
Grant dateMar 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 28, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R2019/1826
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle bumper bar includes a swept B-shaped beam section and one-piece end pieces attached to opposing ends of the beam section for forming a compound angle along a front of the bumper bar. The end pieces are tubular and include circumferentially overlapping flanges that allow the shape of the end piece to be circumferentially adjusted to a best-fit condition on the ends of the beam section, and further include attachment tabs that longitudinally engage the ends of the beam section. The attachment tabs extend from the end piece longitudinally and circumferentially onto the beam section, in order to provide optimal impact and attachment strength of the end piece on the beam section. A method includes positioning the end piece on an end of the beam section, clamping the end piece onto the end including shaping the end piece circumferentially to a best-fit shape, and securing the end piece to the beam section by welding.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.