Fuel tank protector shield
US7281597B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D29/041
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shield (20) for an automotive vehicle (10) is provided to lessen the impact force to a foreign body by absorbing energy or converting energy from the foreign body with the shield (20). The shield (20) has a ramped surface (22), an inner surface (24), and a periphery (26) delineating the inner surface (24) from the ramped surface (22). The inner surface (24) is further refined into an upper area (28) and a lower area (30), where a ridge (32) extends from the inner surface (24) portioning the upper area (28) from the lower area (30). At least one rib (34) is connected to the ridge (32) and extends from the inner surface (24), whereby the ridge (32) or the rib (34) may absorb energy or divert direct contact into sliding contact when the ramped surface (22) is impacted by a foreign body reducing the impact force upon the foreign body. Also, a method of using a shield (20) in an automotive vehicle 10 is provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.