AU1975701A - Retractable vehicle bull bar - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/42057 PCT/AUOO/01499 1 RETRACTABLE VEHICLE BULL BAR Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a protective device for vehicles and in particular to a bull bar assembly for heavy and off-road vehicles. 5 Background Art Most heavy vehicles in Australia such as trucks, semi-trailers, omnibuses and the like.have a bull bar assembly mounted on or just forward of the front of the vehicle. The bull bar assembly normally serves as a supplementary protective device to the bumper bar for the front of the vehicle 10 and is mounted on brackets on the chassis of the vehicle. On long-distance cross-country trips in Australia, bull bars are an essential protective device for vehicles as wildlife and stray animals are often struck by vehicles on country roads. It is to be understood that no protective assembly can protect a vehicle from all impacts. In normal circumstances, a bull bar is adapted to 15 provide a degree of protection to both the vehicle and its occupant or occupants in the event of an impact with wildlife or stray animals. In the case of prime movers, it is normally necessary to tilt the forward portion of the vehicle to allow necessary access to the engine and its workings. In the case of some prime movers, this can be impeded due to the 20 position of the bull bar. Accordingly, it is normally necessary to tilt the standard bull bar forwardly so as to allow clear tilting of the forward portion. Adjustment of some bull bars can be difficult or tedious thereby reducing the frequency with which operators bother to inspect the engine and associated workings. This can be a problem as reduced inspections and routine 25 servicing can adversely impact engine performance and longevity. Further, while bull bars are required on country roads, there has been considerable recent attention given to the problems caused by bull bars on vehicles that enter large population centres, such as large towns and cities. These problems include the significantly increased risk of serious injury or 30 death to pedestrians struck by vehicles having a bull bar assembly compared to those vehicles that do not. Recently, there has also been significant discussion on the use of the bull bar assemblies on recreational and off-road four wheel drive vehicles being that are generally normally driven in urban areas. Statistics are available that suggest that the vast majority of such 35 vehicles are never or only very infrequently driven outside urban areas. In view of the perceived dangers of bull bar assemblies in urban environments, WO 01/42057 PCT/AU00/01499 2 proposals have been raised to ban vehicles carrying bull bar assemblies in large urban areas. The introduction of such a ban would present a significant problem to operators of heavy vehicles as they would either have to not drive their 5 vehicles through urban areas or stop and remove the bull bar assemblies before entering. Either option would present a serious cost impost on the operator. The present invention is directed to providing a bull bar assembly that addresses the problems of existing assemblies. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such 10 as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary of the Invention 15 According to a first aspect, the present invention comprises a protective assembly for a vehicle, the assembly including a first protective means mounted to the vehicle and a second protective means mounted to the first protective means and relatively movable thereto between a first extended position and a second retracted position, the area of protection afforded by 20 the assembly being greater when the second protective means is in the second position compared to the area of protection when the second protective means is in the first position. In a first embodiment, the protective assembly is mounted to and adapted to protect the front of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the 25 assembly could be mounted so as to protect the rear of a vehicle, including the rear of a semi-trailer or pantechnicon. The first protective means can comprise a bumper bar that has an upper and lower edge and extends at least a substantial width of the vehicle. The bumper bar can be fabricated from steel or other suitable materials that 30 will sufficiently protect the vehicle in the event of relatively minor impacts. The bumper bar will normally be mounted to the vehicle such that its lower edge is well clear of the road. The height of the bumper bar between its lower and upper edges will depend on the dimensions of the vehicle to which it is mounted, but will normally be between 500 and 1000mm, more preferably 35 between 600 and 700mm, and most preferably about 650mm.

WO 01/42057 PCT/AUOO/01499 3 The bumper bar preferably comprises a compartment that substantially surrounds the second protective means when the second protective means is in its second retracted position. A moving means is preferably mounted in the bumper bar and used to 5 move the second protective means relative to the bumper bar when required. The moving means can be a manual mechanism that requires an operator to exit the vehicle and manually extend or retract the second protective means relative to the bumper bar. In a more preferred embodiment, the moving means can be operated from within the vehicle so ensuring that the driver 10 does not need to exit the vehicle to effect suitable adjustment to the position of the second protective means. The moving means can comprise one or more pneumatic or hydraulic rams mounted within the bumper bar. The ram can be adapted to extend substantially vertically out of a drive cylinder mounted within the bumper 15 bar. A distal end of the ram can be attached to the second protective means so causing it to extend in a telescopic fashion out of the bumper bar when the ram is extended outwardly from the cylinder. The bull bar frame preferably extends substantially vertically, more preferably vertically, from the bumper bar when in its extended position. 20 The second protective means preferably comprises a frame having at least one transverse member mounted to at least one vertical member. In a more preferred embodiment, the second protective means comprises one transverse member mounted to the distal ends of four vertical members. The members can comprise steel tubes or other suitable frame members approved 25 for mounting to vehicles. The distance between the top of the frame and the bumper bar when the second protective means is in its second extended position will depend on the dimensions of the vehicle and the size of the bumper bar on which it is mounted. In one embodiment, the height will be between about 500 and 700mm, more preferably about 550mm. 30 The protective assembly can be mounted to any suitable vehicle. It is envisaged that the assembly would be suitable for heavy vehicles such as prime movers and omnibuses. The assembly could also be mounted to the front of recreational vehicles, such as utility, sports utility and four wheel drive vehicles. It can also be envisaged that the assembly could be mountable 35 to a two-wheel drive sedan, station wagon or utility.

WO 01/42057 PCT/AUOO/01499 4 In urban areas, the second protective means would be in its second retracted position. On leaving an urban area, the operator of the vehicle could, if desired, activate the moving means and raise the second protective means to increase the area of protection offered by the protective assembly. 5 On re-entering an urban area, the operator would again activate the moving means and lower the second protective means such that it retracts at least substantially back into the bumper bar. If desired, the assembly could allow the operator to move the second protective means to a position intermediate the fully retracted and extended positions. 10 According to a second aspect, the present invention is a vehicle having a protective assembly as defined herein mounted thereto. In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the protective assembly is mounted to the front of the vehicle. The assembly can, however, be mounted at other positions including the rear of the vehicle. 15 The vehicle in the second aspect can be a prime mover for a semi trailer or pantechnicon. In another embodiment, the vehicle can be a truck or recreational vehicle. Brief Description of the Drawings By way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the invention is 20 described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a prime mover having one embodiment of a protective assembly according to the present invention mounted thereto, the second protective means being in its retracted position; Fig. la is a side elevational view of the protective assembly depicted in 25 Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the prime mover of Fig. 1 depicting the second protective means in its extended position; Fig. 2a is a side elevational view of the protective assembly depicted in Fig. 2; 30 Fig. 3a is an enlarged side elevational view of the protective assembly with the second protective means in its extended position; Fig. 3b is an enlarged side elevational view of the protective assembly with the second protective means in its retracted position; and Fig. 3c is a top elevational view of a portion of the protective assembly. 35 WO 01/42057 PCT/AUO0/01499 5 Preferred Mode of Carrying Out the Invention A prime mover is generally depicted as 10 in the drawings. Such a prime mover is an example of the type of vehicle to which the protective assembly of the present invention can be mounted. It will be appreciated that 5 the assembly could be mounted to other vehicles, including omnibuses, four wheel drive vehicles and even normal two-wheel drive sedans, station wagons and utilities. The protective assembly is generally depicted as 20 in the drawings. The assembly 20 comprises a bumper bar 21 and a bull bar frame 22. The 10 bumper bar 21 is fabricated from metal plate and extends the substantial width of the vehicle 10. The bumper bar 21 provides a recess in which the bull bar frame 22 can be retracted as is depicted in Figs. 1 and la. The bull bar frame 22 comprises a number of vertical tubular members 23 welded to an upper transverse member 24. 15 As is depicted in Figs. 3a to 3c, the bull bar frame 22 is movable relative to bumper bar 21 under the control of a pneumatic ram 25. The ram is mounted to the frame 22 by pin 26 and extends into a cylinder 27 mounted within the bumper bar 21. Control of movement of the ram 25 is preferably possible from within the vehicle 10. 20 As is best depicted in Fig. 3c, frame member 23 preferably extends from a tubular support 28 mounted within the bumper bar 21. The support 28 in turn is welded and held in place by plates 29 extending vertically within the bumper bar 21. In urban areas, the operator will operate the vehicle 10 with the bull 25 bar frame 22 in the retracted position such as is depicted in Figs. 1 and la. On leaving an urban area, the operator, if desired, can activate the ram 25 and extend the frame 22 to its extended position as is depicted in Figs. 2 and 2a. If desired, the operator may operate the ram 25 so as to move the frame 22 to an intermediate position that is somewhere between the fully extended 30 position depicted in Fig. 2 and the retracted position depicted in Fig. 1. In the case of prime movers 10, the present invention provides a further advantage. To access the engine of the prime mover, it is normally necessary to tilt the cabin of the prime mover forwardly. By retracting the bull bar frame 22 to within the bumper bar 21, ready tilting of the cabin is 35 possible thereby allowing the operator ready access to the engine and its associated workings.

WO 01/42057 PCT/AUO0/01499 6 It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to 5 be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (21)

1. A protective assembly for a vehicle, the assembly including a first protective means mounted to the vehicle and a second protective means mounted to the first protective means and relatively movable thereto between 5 a first extended position and a second retracted position, the area of protection afforded by the assembly being greater when the second protective means is in the second position compared to the area of protection when the second protective means is in the first position.

2. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the first 10 protective means is a bumper bar that has an upper and lower edge and extends at least a substantial width of the vehicle.

3. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 2 wherein the bumper bar is fabricated from steel or other suitable materials that will sufficiently protect the vehicle in the event of relatively minor impacts. 15

4. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 2 wherein the height of the bumper bar between its lower and upper edges is between 500 and 1000mm.

5. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 4 wherein the height of the bumper bar between its upper and lower edges is between 600 and 20 700mm.

6. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 5 wherein the height of the bumper bar between its upper and lower edges is about 650mm.

7. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the bumper bar comprises a compartment that substantially surrounds the second 25 protective means when the second protective means is in its second retracted position.

8. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein a moving means is mounted in the bumper bar and used to move the second protective means relative to the bumper bar. 30

9. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 8 wherein the moving means is operable from within the vehicle.

10. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 8 wherein the moving means comprises one or more pneumatic or hydraulic rams mounted within the bumper bar. WO 01/42057 PCT/AUOO/01499 8

11. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 10 wherein said one or more rams extends substantially vertically out of a respective drive cylinder mounted within the bumper bar.

12. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 11 wherein a distal end 5 of said one or more rams is attached to the second protective means so causing the second protective means to extend in a telescopic fashion out of the bumper bar when said one or more rams is extended outwardly from its respective cylinder.

13. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 12 wherein the second 10 protective means extends substantially vertically from the first protective means when in its extended position.

14. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the second protective means comprises a frame having at least one transverse member mounted to at least one vertical member.

15 15. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 14 wherein the second protective means comprises one transverse member mounted to the distal ends of four vertical members.

16. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 14 wherein the members comprise steel tubes or other suitable frame members approved for mounting 20 to vehicles.

17. The protective assembly for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the distance between an upper edge of the second protective means and an upper edge of the first protective means when the second protective means is in its second extended position is between about 500 and 700mm, more preferably about 25 550mm.

18. A vehicle having a protective assembly according to claim 1 mounted thereto.

19. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the protective assembly is mounted to the front of the vehicle. 30

20. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the vehicle is a prime mover.

21. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the vehicle is a recreational vehicle.