AU2013101091A4 - A Bumper Bar and Mounting Assembly for a Bus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A bumper bar and mounting assembly (10, 110) for a bus, including a first or central sub component (18, 118) and second or corner sub-components (20, 120), is provided. The bumper bar and mounting assembly (10) includes, in one form: a mounting bracket (12) that is attachable to a bus chassis, the bracket having a first set of mounting holes (14) and a second set of mounting holes (16); a first bumper sub-component (18) that has at least two first attachment holes (24) that align with the first set of the mounting holes (14), the first bumper sub-component being attachable to the bracket (12) by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the first attachment holes and the first set of mounting holes; and a second bumper sub-component (20) that has at least two second attachment holes (32) that align with the second set of the mounting holes, the second bumper sub-component being attachable to the bracket (12) by a second set of fasteners that extend through both the second attachment holes (32) and the second set of mounting holes (16). Each of the first and second bumper sub-components (18, 20) has at least one of a rebated edge portion (26), and at least one enlarged hole (34), which are aligned with at least some of the set of mounting holes for the other of the second and first bumper subcomponents, the rebated edge portion (26) and/or at least one enlarged hole (34) providing free space around fasteners attaching the other of the second and first bumper subcomponents to the mounting bracket (12), and each of the sub-components is removable by removing the respective first or second fasteners whilst leaving the other of the second or first bumper sub-components and the respective second or first set of fasteners attached to the bracket (12). -2/7 Fiur ----- --- - --- FIture2 -5/7 Z" 1 . ........... Figure 7 Figure 8Figure 9

Description

53690671 - 22/09/2011 A Bumper Bar and Mounting Assembly for a Bus Field of the invention The present invention relates to a bumper bar and mounting assembly for a bus. 5 Background A bumper bar is a lower front-most or rear-most part of a vehicle that is provided to sustain light to moderate impacts with minimal damage to the either the vehicle, or other 10 property or person involved in the collision. Bumper bars for buses are attached to the bus chassis either directly, or via brackets. When the bumper bar is to be removed for replacement or repair, the fasteners securing the bumper bar are removed. In fleet vehicles there is a need to minimize the 15 time that a damaged vehicle is out of service. Bumper bar removal and re-installation can be a time-consuming process. Accordingly, it is desired to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative. 20 Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a bumper bar and mounting assembly for a bus, the assembly comprising: 25 a mounting bracket that is attachable to the bus chassis, the bracket having a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes; a first bumper sub-component that has at least two first attachment holes that align with the first set of the mounting holes, the first bumper sub-component being attachable to the bracket by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the first attachment holes 30 and the first set of mounting holes; and a second bumper sub-component that has at least two second attachment holes that align with the second set of the mounting holes, the second bumper sub-component 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -2 being attachable to the bracket by a second set of fasteners that extend through both the second attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes, wherein each of the first and second bumper sub-components has at least one of a rebated edge portion, and at least one enlarged hole, which are aligned with at least 5 some of the set of mounting holes for the other of the second and first bumper sub components, the rebated edge portion and/or at least one enlarged hole providing free space around fasteners attaching the other of the second and first bumper sub components to the mounting bracket, and wherein each of the first and second bumper sub-components is removable 10 by removing the respective first or second fasteners whilst leaving the other of the second or first bumper sub-components and the respective second or first set of fasteners attached to the bracket. Each of the bumper sub-components includes a major outer surface, and has at 15 least one flange that extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface, and wherein the respective set of attachment holes are provided in the flange. Preferably, the rebated edge portion and/or at least one enlarged hole are also provided in the flange of each of the bumper sub-components. 20 In certain embodiments: the mounting bracket is one of two like mounting brackets that are each attachable to the bus chassis; the first bumper sub-component has opposing ends and a first set of mounting 25 holes at each end, the first bumper sub-component being attachable to each of the two mounting brackets, with the first set of fasteners extending through a respective one of the first sets of mounting holes and the first attachment holes of the respective mounting bracket; and the second bumper sub-component is one two like second bumper sub 30 components that are each attachable to one of the mounting brackets, and wherein the first bumper sub-component has at least one of a rebated edge portion and/or at least one enlarged hole at the opposing ends, the rebated edge portion and/or at least one enlarged hole being aligned with at least some of the set of mounting 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -3 holes of the other of the second bumper sub-components to provide free space around fasteners of the second bumper sub-components. Preferably, the first bumper sub-component is a central bumper sub-component 5 for mounting centrally relative to the bus. Preferably, the two second bumper sub-components are corner bumper sub component that are each to be mounted at a respective corner of the bus. 10 In some embodiments, the second bumper sub-components further have a third set of the mounting holes for attaching the second bumper sub-components to the bus chassis. In some embodiments, the first bumper sub-component has two flanges that each 15 have a rebated edge portion, each rebated edge portion being aligned with the second set of mounting holes of the second bumper sub-components to provide free space around second sets of fasteners. In such embodiments, each of the second bumper sub components has a flange that has one or more enlarged holes that are each aligned with a respective one of the first set of mounting holes of the first bumper sub-component to 20 provide free space around respective first set of fasteners. Preferably, the second bumper sub-components each have two enlarged holes. In such embodiments, the assembly can provide a front bumper of the bus. In at least some alternative embodiments, the first bumper sub-component has 25 two flanges that each have one or more enlarged holes, each enlarged hole being aligned with the one of the second set of mounting holes of the second bumper sub-components to provide free space around second sets of fasteners. Preferably, each flange of the first bumper sub-component has one enlarged hole. In such embodiments, each of the second bumper sub-components has a flange with a rebated edge portion that is aligned 30 with the first set of mounting holes of the first bumper sub-component to provide free space around respective first set of fasteners. In such embodiments, the assembly can provide a rear bumper of the bus.

53690671 - 22/09/2011 -4 In certain embodiments, the or each mounting bracket has chassis mounting holes for use in attaching the respective mounting bracket to the bus chassis, and the bracket further includes adjustment means that enable the position of the first and second sets of mounting holes relative to the chassis mounting holes to be adjusted and retained in a 5 desired relative position. Preferably, the adjustment means enables the first and second sets of mounting holes to be adjusted relative to the chassis mounting holes in two generally orthogonal planes. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a bus 10 including at least one bumper bar and mounting assembly according to the first aspect. In some embodiments, the bus includes two bumper bar and mounting assemblies, one to each of the front and rear of the bus. 15 According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a mounting bracket for mounting one or more bumper sub-components on the chassis of a bus, the bracket comprising: chassis mounting holes for use in attaching the mounting bracket to the chassis; at least one set of sub-component mounting holes, each set being for use in 20 mounting a respective one of the bumper sub-components; and adjustment means to enable the position of the first and second sets of mounting holes relative to the chassis mounting holes to be adjusted and retained in a desired relative position. 25 Preferably, the adjustment means enables the first and second sets of mounting holes to be adjusted relative to the chassis mounting holes in two generally orthogonal planes. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a central 30 bumper sub-component for a front bumper assembly of a bus, the central bumper sub component is configured to be attached to two mounting brackets that each have a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: 53690671 - 22/09/2011 at least two attachment holes that are to align with the first sets of mounting holes, such that the central bumper sub-component is attachable to the brackets by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the first sets of mounting holes; and 5 a rebated edge portion that is to align with the second set of mounting holes, the rebated edge portion providing free space around fasteners that extend through the second set of mounting holes to secure a corner bumper sub-component of the front bumper assembly to the respective mounting bracket, wherein the central bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by 10 removing the first set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst leaving each corner bumper sub-component and the second set of fasteners attached to the respective bracket. Preferably, the central bumper sub-component includes a major outer surface, and 15 has a flange at each end, wherein each flange extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface, and wherein the attachment holes and the rebated edge are provided in the flanges. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a corner 20 bumper sub-component for a front bumper assembly of a bus, the corner bumper sub component is configured to be attached to a mounting bracket that has a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with the second set of mounting holes, such that the corner bumper sub-component is attachable to the bracket by a 25 second set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes; and at least two enlarged holes that are each to align with one of the first set of mounting holes, the enlarged holes providing free space around a first set of fasteners that extend through the first set of mounting holes to secure a central bumper sub 30 component of the front bumper assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the corner bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the second set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -6 leaving the central bumper sub-component and the first set of fasteners attached to the bracket. Preferably, the corner bumper sub-component includes a major outer surface, and 5 a flange at an inner end, wherein the flange extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface in the region of the inner end, and wherein the attachment holes and the enlarged holes are provided in the flanges. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a central 10 bumper sub-component for a rear bumper assembly of a bus, the central bumper sub component is configured to be attached to two mounting brackets that each have a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with each of the first sets of mounting holes, such that the central bumper sub-component is attachable to the 15 brackets by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the first sets of mounting holes; and an enlarged hole that is to align with one of the mounting holes in the second set of mounting holes, the enlarged hole providing free space around one of a second set of fasteners that extend through the second set of mounting holes to secure a corner 20 bumper sub-component of the rear bumper assembly to the respective mounting bracket, wherein the central bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the first set of fasteners from the first set of mounting holes, whilst leaving the corner bumper sub-components and the second set of fasteners attached to the respective bracket. 25 Preferably, the central bumper sub-component includes a major outer surface, and has a flange at each end, wherein each flange extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface, and wherein the attachment holes and the enlarged hole are provided in the flanges. 30 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a corner bumper sub-component for a rear bumper assembly of a bus, the corner bumper sub- 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -7 component being configured to be attached to a mounting bracket that has a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with the second set of mounting holes, such that the corner bumper sub-component is attachable to the bracket by a 5 second set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes; and a rebated edge portion that is to align with the first set of mounting holes, the rebated edge portion providing free space around a first set of fasteners that extend through the first set of mounting holes to secure a central bumper sub-component of the 10 rear bumper assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the corner bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the second set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst leaving the central bumper sub-component and the first set of fasteners attached to the bracket. 15 Preferably, the corner bumper sub-component includes a major outer surface, and a flange at an inner end, wherein the flange extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface in the region of the inner end, and wherein the attachment holes and the rebated edge portion are provided in the flanges. 20 Brief description of the drawings In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 25 which: Figure 1: is a front perspective view of a bus incorporating a bumper and mounting assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: is an exploded view of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 1; 30 Figure 3: is a perspective view of the right front corner bumper sub-component of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4: is a perspective view of the central front bumper sub-component of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 1; 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -8 Figure 5: is a perspective view of the mount of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 1; Figure 6: is a rear perspective view of a bus incorporating a bumper and mounting assembly according to a second embodiment of the present 5 invention; Figure 7: is an exploded view of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 6; Figure 8: is a right side view of the left rear corner bumper sub-component of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 6; Figure 9: is an enlarged view of region C in Figure 8; 10 Figure 10: is a right side view of the central rear bumper sub-component of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 6; Figure 11: is a perspective view of the mount of the bumper and mounting assembly of Figure 6; and Figure 12: is a vertical section of the left rear corner and central rear bumper sub 15 component of the bumper and mounting assembly, as viewed along line X-X in Figure 6. Detailed description of the drawings 20 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a bus B incorporating a bumper bar and mounting assembly 10. Figures 2 to 5 show the assembly 10 in further detail. The assembly 10 includes a mounting bracket 12 that is attachable to the chassis (not shown) of the bus B, and in this embodiment there are two mounting brackets 12 that are each a mirror image of the other. The mounting brackets 12 each have a first set of mounting 25 holes 14 and a second set of mounting holes 16. The mounting brackets 12 are described in further detail in connection with Figure 5. The assembly 10 includes a first bumper sub-component, which in this embodiment is a central bumper sub-component 18, and two second bumper sub 30 components. As shown in Figure 1, the central bumper sub-component is mounted centrally with respect to the bus B, and the two second bumper sub-components are mounted on opposing front corners of the bus B and thus provide corner bumper sub components 20.

53690671 - 22/09/2011 -9 The central bumper sub-component 18 has a major outer surface 22 that is visible when the central bumper sub-component 18 is mounted on the bus. Further, that major outer surface 22 is the part of the central bumper sub-component 18 that is exposed to contact in the event of a collision. The central bumper sub-component 18 also has 5 flanges 24 at opposing ends, with each flange 24 extending generally orthogonally to the major outer surface 22 in the lateral regions of the sub-component 18. Each of the flanges 24 has first attachment holes 25 that are to align with the first set of the mounting holes 14 on the mounting brackets 12. A first set of fasteners (not 10 shown) is to extend through both the first attachment holes 25 and the first set of mounting holes 14 on the respective mounting bracket 12, in order to mount the central bumper sub-component 18 to the mounting brackets 12. Each of the flanges 24 also has a rebated edge portion 26, which is described below in further detail. 15 Each of the bumper sub-components 20 has a major outer surface 28 that is visible when the respective corner bumper sub-component 20 is mounted on the bus B. Further, each of the major outer surfaces 28 is the part of the corner bumper sub component 20 that is exposed to contact in the event of a collision. Each corner bumper sub-component 20 also has a flanges 30 on the inner end, with each flange 30 extends 20 generally orthogonally to the major outer surface 28 in the inner regions of the sub component 20. Each flange 30 has second attachment holes 32 that align with the second set of the mounting holes 16. For each corner bumper sub-component 20 and mounting 25 bracket 12 pair, a second set of fasteners (not shown) is to extend through both the second attachment holes 32 and the second set of mounting holes 16, in order to attach the respective corner bumper sub-component 20 to the bracket 12. The flange 32 of each corner bumper sub-component 20 has two enlarged holes 34, which are described below in further detail. 30 The fasteners of the first and second sets include a nut and bolt, and optionally washers as required.

53690671 - 22/09/2011 -10 When the central and corner bumper sub-components 18, 20 are mounted on the mounting brackets 12, the rebated edge portions 26 of the central bumper sub-component 18 aligns with the mounting holes 16 and second attachment holes 32. The rebated edge portions 26 provide free space around the second set of fasteners. Accordingly, when the 5 corner bumper sub-components 20 are attached to the mounting bracket 12, the second set of fasteners do not engage with any part of the central bumper sub-component 18. In other words, the rebated edge portions 26 are shaped such that the peripheral edge of the flange 32 is spaced from the second set of fasteners. This free space enables the central bumper sub-component 18 to be removed by removing the first set of fasteners 10 only, and leaving the corner bumper sub-components 20 attached to the brackets 12 with the second set of fasteners. Similarly, the two enlarged holes 34 of each corner bumper sub-component 20 align with the mounting holes 14 and first attachment holes 25. The enlarged holes 34 15 provide free space around the first set of fasteners. Accordingly, when the central bumper sub-component 18 is attached to the mounting brackets 12, the first set of fasteners do not engage with any part of either corner bumper sub-component 20. In other words, the enlarged holes have a diameter that is greater than that of the fasteners, such that edge of the flange 32 around the enlarged holes 34 are spaced from the second 20 set of fasteners. This free space enables either or both corner bumper sub-components 20 to be removed by removing the respective second set of fasteners only, and leaving the central bumper sub-component 18 attached to the brackets 12 with the first set of fasteners. 25 The ability to remove any one of the bumper sub-components 18, 20 individually, and without necessitating removal of the other bumper sub-components has several advantages. Firstly, in many collisions only a portion of the entire bumper is damaged. For example, the corners portions are often damaged in offset collisions. Thus, the cost to replace a damaged bumper sub-component is less than that of the entire bumper, 30 which mitigates the cost of repair. Further, the ability to remove a bumper sub-component individually and without requiring partial or full removal of the adjacent bumper sub component(s) can significantly reduce the time required to make the repair. Accordingly, 53690671 - 22/09/2011 - 11 the downtime of the bus is reduced, which reduces the financial and logistical impact on a bus fleet operator caused by the need to repair a damaged bus. Each mounting bracket 12 has chassis mounting holes 36 that enable attaching 5 the mounting bracket 12 to the bus chassis. Adjustment means is provided to enable the position of the first and second sets of mounting holes 14, 16 relative to the chassis mounting holes 36 to be adjusted and retained in a desired relative position. To this end, each mounting bracket 12 includes first and second members 38, 50. The first member 38 has first and second sections 40, 42 that are disposed at 90 to one another. 10 The first section 40 has apertures 44 through which fasteners 46 extend to secure the first member 38 to the chassis. The apertures 44 are elongate, and in this particular embodiment have a stadium shape. Further, the apertures 44 are orientated such that the position of the first section 40 can be adjusted relative to the bus chassis and in a 15 direction parallel to the apertures 44 (which is the fore and aft direction relative to the bus B), and retained in place by tightening the fasteners 46. The second section 42 of first member 38 has apertures 48, and the second member 50 has apertures 52 that align with the apertures 48. Fasteners 54 extend 20 through the apertures 48, 52 to secure the second member 42 to the second section 42 of the first member 38. The apertures 38, 52 in at least one of the second section 42 and the second member 50 are elongate, and in this particular embodiment have a stadium shape. Thus, the position of the second member 42 can be adjusted relative to the second section 42 in a direction parallel to the second section 42 (which is transverse to 25 the fore and aft direction relative to the bus B), and retained in place by tightening the fasteners 54. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the apertures 52 formed in the second section 42 of the first member 38 are elongate. The first and second sets of mounting holes 14, 16 are formed in the second 30 member 50 of the mounting bracket 12 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -12 As the first member 38 of the mounting bracket 12 is arranged with the first and second sections 40, 42 at 902, the first and second sets of mounting holes 14, 16 can be adjusted relative to the chassis mounting holes 36 in two orthogonal planes. 5 Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of a bus B incorporating a bumper bar and mounting assembly 110. Figures 7 to 12 show the assembly 110 in further detail. The assembly 110 is substantially similar to the assembly 10 of Figures 1 to 5. In Figures 6 to 12, the features of the assembly 110 that are substantially similar to those of the assembly 10 have the same reference numeral with the prefix "1". 10 In the assembly 110 the central bumper sub-component 118 is mounted centrally with respect to the bus B, and the two corner bumper sub-components 120 are mounted on opposing front corners of the bus B. 15 The corner bumper sub-components 120 are shown in further detail in Figures 8 and 9. Each of the bumper sub-components 120 has a major outer surface 128 that is visible when the respective corner bumper sub-component 120 is mounted on the bus B. Further, each of the major outer surfaces 128 is the part of the corner bumper sub component 120 that are exposed to contact in the event of a collision. Each corner 20 bumper sub-component 120 also has a flanges 130 on the inner end, with each flange 130 extending generally orthogonally to the major outer surface 128 in the inner regions of the sub-component 120. Each flange 130 has second attachment holes 132 that align with the second set 25 of the mounting holes 116. For each pair of corner bumper sub-component 120 and mounting bracket 112, a second set of fasteners 162 is to through both the second attachment holes 132 and the second set of mounting holes 116, in order to attach the respective corner bumper sub-component 120 to the bracket 112. The flange 132 of each corner bumper sub-component 120 has a rebated edge portion 126. 30 In each corner bumper sub-component 120, the attachment holes 132 are elongate such that the position of the corner bumper sub-component 120 relative to the 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -13 mounting bracket 112 can be adjusted parallel to the elongate direction of the attachment holes 132, and retained in place by tightening the second set of fasteners 162. The central bumper sub-component 118, which is shown in further detail in Figure 5 10, has flanges 124 at opposing ends. Each flange 124 extends generally orthogonally to the major outer surface 122 in the lateral regions of the sub-component 118. Each of the flanges 124 has first attachment holes 125 that are to align with the first set of the mounting holes 114 on the mounting brackets 112. A first set of fasteners 10 160 is to extend through both the first attachment holes 125 and the first set of mounting holes 114 on the respective mounting bracket 112, in order to mount the central bumper sub-component 118 to the mounting brackets 112. Each of the flanges 124 also has an enlarged hole 134. 15 In the central bumper sub-component 118, the attachment holes 125 are elongate such that the position of the central bumper sub-component 118 relative to the mounting brackets 112 can be adjusted parallel to the elongate direction of the attachment holes 125, and retained in place by tightening the first set of fasteners 160. 20 When the central and corner bumper sub-components 118, 120 are mounted on the mounting brackets 112, each enlarged hole 134 of the central bumper sub-component 118 aligns with one of the mounting holes 116 and the second attachment holes 132. As is evident from Figure 12, the upper end of the flanges 124 terminates below the upper of the two mounting holes 116 in the second set at each end of the central bumper sub 25 component 118. The enlarged holes 134, and also the length of the flanges 124 provides free space around the second set of fasteners 162. Accordingly, when the corner bumper sub-components 120 are attached to the mounting bracket 112, the second set of 30 fasteners 162 do not engage with any part of the central bumper sub-component 118. This enables the central bumper sub-component 118 to be removed by removing the first set of fasteners 160 only, and leaving the corner bumper sub-components 20 attached to the brackets 12 with the second set of fasteners 162.

53690671 - 22/09/2011 -14 Similarly, the rebated edge portions 126 of each corner bumper sub-component 120 aligns with the mounting holes 114 and the first attachment holes 125. The rebated edge portions 126 provide free space around the first set of fasteners 160. Accordingly, 5 when the central bumper sub-component 118 is attached to the mounting brackets 112, the first set of fasteners 160 do not engage with any part of either corner bumper sub component 120. This enables either or both corner bumper sub-components 120 to be removed by removing the respective second set of fasteners 162 only, and leaving the central bumper sub-component 118 attached to the brackets 112 with the first set of 10 fasteners 160. Figure 12 is a vertical cross section taken through the rear central and corner bumper sub-components 118, 120 of the assembly 110. The free space around the first and attachment holes 125, 132 that is provided by the rebated edge 126 and the enlarged 15 hole 134 is apparent in Figure 12. When both the central and corner bumper sub components 118, 120 are attached to the mounting brackets 112, one of the bumper sub components 118, 120 can be removed by removing the respective first or second set of fasteners 160, 162. Since the other set of fasteners do not engage with the bumper sub component to be removed, that bumper sub-component can simply be lifted away from 20 the mounting bracket(s) 112, which is to the left in Figure 12. As will be appreciated, the flange(s) 124, 130 may need to be deflected slightly to achieve the removal. Significantly though, the other bumper sub-component(s) and the set of fasteners that attaching the bumper sub-component(s) to the mounting bracket(s) can be left in place, if removal is not required. 25 The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 30 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group 53690671 - 22/09/2011 - 15 of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A bumper bar and mounting assembly for a bus, the assembly comprising: a mounting bracket that is attachable to the bus chassis, the bracket having a first 5 set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes; a first bumper sub-component that has at least two first attachment holes that align with the first set of the mounting holes, the first bumper sub-component being attachable to the bracket by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the first attachment holes and the first set of mounting holes; and 10 a second bumper sub-component that has at least two second attachment holes that align with the second set of the mounting holes, the second bumper sub-component being attachable to the bracket by a second set of fasteners that extend through both the second attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes, wherein each of the first and second bumper sub-components has at least one of 15 a rebated edge portion, and at least one enlarged hole, which are aligned with at least some of the set of mounting holes for the other of the second and first bumper sub components, the rebated edge portion and/or at least one enlarged hole providing free space around fasteners attaching the other of the second and first bumper sub components to the mounting bracket, 20 and wherein each of the first and second bumper sub-components is removable by removing the respective first or second fasteners whilst leaving the other of the second or first bumper sub-components and the respective second or first set of fasteners attached to the bracket. 25

2. A central bumper sub-component for a front bumper assembly of a bus, the central bumper sub-component is configured to be attached to two mounting brackets that each have a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with the first sets of mounting holes, such that the central bumper sub-component is attachable to the brackets by a first set of 30 fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the first sets of mounting holes; and a rebated edge portion that is to align with the second set of mounting holes, the rebated edge portion providing free space around fasteners that extend through the 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -17 second set of mounting holes to secure a corner bumper sub-component of the front bumper assembly to the respective mounting bracket, wherein the central bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the first set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst leaving 5 each corner bumper sub-component and the second set of fasteners attached to the respective bracket.

3. A corner bumper sub-component for a front bumper assembly of a bus, the corner bumper sub-component is configured to be attached to a mounting bracket that has a first 10 set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with the second set of mounting holes, such that the corner bumper sub-component is attachable to the bracket by a second set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes; and 15 at least two enlarged holes that are each to align with one of the first set of mounting holes, the enlarged holes providing free space around a first set of fasteners that extend through the first set of mounting holes to secure a central bumper sub component of the front bumper assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the corner bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by 20 removing the second set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst leaving the central bumper sub-component and the first set of fasteners attached to the bracket.

4. A central bumper sub-component for a rear bumper assembly of a bus, the central 25 bumper sub-component is configured to be attached to two mounting brackets that each have a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: at least two attachment holes that are to align with each of the first sets of mounting holes, such that the central bumper sub-component is attachable to the brackets by a first set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the 30 first sets of mounting holes; and an enlarged hole that is to align with one of the mounting holes in the second set of mounting holes, the enlarged hole providing free space around one of a second set of 53690671 - 22/09/2011 -18 fasteners that extend through the second set of mounting holes to secure a corner bumper sub-component of the rear bumper assembly to the respective mounting bracket, wherein the central bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the first set of fasteners from the first set of mounting holes, whilst leaving the corner bumper 5 sub-components and the second set of fasteners attached to the respective bracket.

5. A corner bumper sub-component for a rear bumper assembly of a bus, the corner bumper sub-component being configured to be attached to a mounting bracket that has a first set of mounting holes and a second set of mounting holes, and includes: 10 at least two attachment holes that are to align with the second set of mounting holes, such that the corner bumper sub-component is attachable to the bracket by a second set of fasteners that extend through both the attachment holes and the second set of mounting holes; and a rebated edge portion that is to align with the first set of mounting holes, the 15 rebated edge portion providing free space around a first set of fasteners that extend through the first set of mounting holes to secure a central bumper sub-component of the rear bumper assembly to the mounting bracket, wherein the corner bumper sub-component is removable from the bus by removing the second set of fasteners from the second set of mounting holes, whilst 20 leaving the central bumper sub-component and the first set of fasteners attached to the bracket.