GB1567564A - Bumpers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO BUMPERS (71) We, TERAKAT LIMITED, a Company organised and existing under the laws of Jersey, of Normandy House, P.O.

Box 75, St. Helier, Jersey do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particulary described in and by the following statement : - The invention relates to bumpers for motor vehicles.

According to the invention there is provided a bumper for a motor vehicle, comprising a rebate in the boundary surface of the bumper and a tow hitch mounted in the rebate.

Using the invention it is possible to provide a bumper which can take the load of a person standing on it, and can take the load of a towed vehicle in virtually any direction.

The tow hitch may be a tow ball mounted as by welding in the hole.

The bumper may be a box section.

The rebated part may be formed by a flat plate which is, in use of the bumper, a bottom plate.

Two bumpers embodying the invention are diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view from above of a first embodiment of a bumper; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of a second embodiment of a bumper; Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the bumper of figure 2; Figure 4 shows an end elevational view of the bumper of Figures 2 and 3 mounted on a vehicle; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the vehicle and bumper of Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the bumper 1 is of the shape shown and has in its boundary surface a centre rebate 2 formed by a plate 3 in which there is a hole 4 in which a tow hitch (i.e. a ball, not shown) is mounted.

The bumper 1 is constructed from a welded framework which includes a strengthening strut of 'V- configuration extending from the corners to the apex at the rear (when the bumper is mounted in a vehicle) of the plate.

The hole 4 passes through three superimposed plates of the framework.

A cladding of pressed steel, which may be painted or chromed is mounted on the framework.

Caps of steel, rubber or plastics can be mounted on the ends 5 of the bumper 1.

The plate 3 is wrapped round the top plate of the framework at the top and bottom to provide added strength.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 5, the bumper 5 is generally rectangular in plan. It has an impact-receiving and load-spreading frame 6 with means in the form of end plates 7 with bolt holes 8 so that it can be rigidly secured to the chassis or other structural part of a vehicle 9. The frame 6 which is made of metal e.g. steel or wrought iron, has a plate 10 which extends in the direction of the length of the bumper 5 between a bottom transverse plate 11 of the bumper and a plate 12 which forms a bottom horizontal (as considered in Figures 4 and 5) part of a box 13 which forms a rebate 14 in the boundary surface of the bumper. The part 12 is bent over and extends downwardly beyond the transverse plate to provide a lip 15.

Arms 16 carrying the end plates 8 also support the upper surface 17 of the bumper 5 and are also integral with or extensions of the plate 10. A hole 18 for receiving a towing hitch 19 (Figure 2, dotted lines) passes through the three superimposed plates or parts 10, 11 and 12.

The box 13 has a rear plate 20 which extends upwardly from the part 12 and is folded over at its upper edge 21 where it is secured to the upper surface of the bumper as by welding. The folded over edge 21 provides additional strength. The box 13 is completed by side plates or cheeks 23.

The bumper 5 has end stops or caps 23.

It will be understood that the bumper top surface 17, front surface 24, box 13 and end caps 23 are made of metal or other suitable or specified material. The bumper can take the load of a person standing on it.

It will also be understood that the towing hitch 19 such as a ball can easily be mounted in the hole 18 and when it is so mounted and secured as by welding, the bumper itself becomes the tow hitch and can take the load of a towed vehicle from virtually any direction.

Futhermore, the part 12 and the upper surface 17 of the bumper act as steps. This is very important for a large vehicle or when towing, to enable a user to reach high points of the vehicle, for example to secure a load.

The bumpers embodying the invention are thus sturdy and can be used both as steps and as towing hitches for a load to be towed by a vehicle to which the bumper is attached, or the load of a person standing on it.

The load is spread by the frame 6.

The bumpers are particularly suitable in heavy duty applications on heavy vehicles.

Also the towing hitch is protected as it is inset in the rebate 14 and also cannot easily damage property or people as it does not project beyond the extremity of the vehicle as is usually the case with conventional hitches and bumpers.

A Number Plate 25 (Figure 5) can also be housed in the rebate 14, supported by the plate 20.

It will be understood that in each illustrated embodiment, the towing hitch can be removably mounted in the hole 4, 18 or can be secured in that hole as by welding in which case it becomes integral with the bumper and with the frame 6. Also, the bumper can be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A bumper for a motor vehicle, compris ing a rebate in the boundary surface of the bumper and a tow hitch mounted in the rebate.

2. A bumper according to Claim 1, having a frame for spreading imposed loads including means for connecting it to the chassis or other structural member(s) of a vehicle, the tow hitch being mounted in a hole passing through the frame.

3. A bumper according to Claim 2, the frame comprising a flat plate which lies between the horizontal part of the rebate and a flat bottom plate of the bumper, the hole passing through both plates and the horizontal part of the rebate.

4. A bumper according to any preceding Claim, the rebate comprising a box set in the bumper bar of a towed vehicle to enable a tow bar to swing in a wide arc about a towing hitch set in the hole.

5. A bumper according to any preceding Claim, having a generally flat upper (in use) surface and a generally flat impact receiving surface at substantially 900 to the upper surface.

6. A bumper according to claim 5, including end caps.

7. A bumper for a motor vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the load of a person standing on it. It will also be understood that the towing hitch 19 such as a ball can easily be mounted in the hole 18 and when it is so mounted and secured as by welding, the bumper itself becomes the tow hitch and can take the load of a towed vehicle from virtually any direction. Futhermore, the part 12 and the upper surface 17 of the bumper act as steps. This is very important for a large vehicle or when towing, to enable a user to reach high points of the vehicle, for example to secure a load. The bumpers embodying the invention are thus sturdy and can be used both as steps and as towing hitches for a load to be towed by a vehicle to which the bumper is attached, or the load of a person standing on it. The load is spread by the frame 6. The bumpers are particularly suitable in heavy duty applications on heavy vehicles. Also the towing hitch is protected as it is inset in the rebate 14 and also cannot easily damage property or people as it does not project beyond the extremity of the vehicle as is usually the case with conventional hitches and bumpers. A Number Plate 25 (Figure 5) can also be housed in the rebate 14, supported by the plate 20. It will be understood that in each illustrated embodiment, the towing hitch can be removably mounted in the hole 4, 18 or can be secured in that hole as by welding in which case it becomes integral with the bumper and with the frame 6. Also, the bumper can be mounted at the front or rear of the vehicle. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A bumper for a motor vehicle, compris ing a rebate in the boundary surface of the bumper and a tow hitch mounted in the rebate.

2. A bumper according to Claim 1, having a frame for spreading imposed loads including means for connecting it to the chassis or other structural member(s) of a vehicle, the tow hitch being mounted in a hole passing through the frame.

3. A bumper according to Claim 2, the frame comprising a flat plate which lies between the horizontal part of the rebate and a flat bottom plate of the bumper, the hole passing through both plates and the horizontal part of the rebate.

4. A bumper according to any preceding Claim, the rebate comprising a box set in the bumper bar of a towed vehicle to enable a tow bar to swing in a wide arc about a towing hitch set in the hole.

5. A bumper according to any preceding Claim, having a generally flat upper (in use) surface and a generally flat impact receiving surface at substantially 900 to the upper surface.

6. A bumper according to claim 5, including end caps.

7. A bumper for a motor vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.