Adjustable panel closure bumpers incorporating shape memory polymers
US9290979B1 · kind B1 · utility
6Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05Y2900/536
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An adjustable bumper, adapted for supporting closure panels on a vehicle, is described. The bumper incorporates a shape memory polymer portion, which may be readily permanently reshaped by the steps of: heating above its transition temperature, deforming by application of a load, and cooling, while still under load, below its transition temperature. This behavior is exploited to enable adjustment of the adjustable bumper so that it may provide the desired closure panel support while accommodating vehicle to vehicle variations in the fit of the closure panel and the vehicle body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.