GB2148207A - Inflatable bumpers streamlining elements and collision sensors - Google Patents
Inflatable bumpers streamlining elements and collision sensors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2148207A GB2148207A GB08325338A GB8325338A GB2148207A GB 2148207 A GB2148207 A GB 2148207A GB 08325338 A GB08325338 A GB 08325338A GB 8325338 A GB8325338 A GB 8325338A GB 2148207 A GB2148207 A GB 2148207A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- envelope
- motor vehicle
- pressure
- inflated
- vehicle according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D35/00—Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- B62D35/001—For commercial vehicles or tractor-trailer combinations, e.g. caravans
- B62D35/004—Inflatable nose or rear cones
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
- B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
- B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
- B60R19/20—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A motor vehicle is provided with an inflated bumper 4, and a pressure sensor 8 which provides an output signal when pressure within the bumper rises, thus indicating an imminent impact to the driver. An inflated element 14 may be provided on the rear of a flat backed lorry to provide a desirable streamlining effect (see Figure 3). The inflatable envelope may be retracted into a roller-blind type arrangement. An inflated envelope mounted on a rigid object, e.g. a parking bay, may be associated with a pressure sensor to provide an output when the envelope is compressed, thus providing an indication of an imminent impact with for example a reversing vehicle. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in or relating to a vehicle accessory
The present invention relates to a vehicle accessory.
It has been proposed to provide vehicles such as motor cars or lorries with bumpers. Traditionally such bumpers are provided at the front and at the rear end of the vehicle and are, at the least theoretically, provided to minimise any damage effected during an impact or collision involving the vehicle in question.
For many years bumpers have been constituted by elements formed of steel, sometimes coated with chrome plating, and, in many accident situations, the bumper has become damaged, necessitating repair or replacement of the bumper if the vehicle is to be maintained in a pristine condition.
Recently bumpers have been proposed incorporating movable components, the bumpers incorporating telescopic members and/or hydraulic shock absorbers. Such bumpers, whilst providing an enhanced degree of protection for the vehicle, and whilst not necessarily being damaged in accident conditions, tend to be expensive. The present invention seeks to provide an improved bumper for use with a motor vehicle.
Many motor lorries are in use in this country at the present time. Whilst some lorries have a rear platform on which goods to be transported may be mounted, a large number of lorries have a rigid body structure. Such a body structure usually has a flat rear face. Also there is a growing use of lorries adapted to transport containers. Such containers are usually constructed in accordance with a predetermined standard, such as the I.S.O. standard, and these containers usually have a flat rear face.
It will be understood, therefore, that a significant number of lorries in use at this time have a flat rear face. Such a rear face is undesirable from the point of view of aerodynamics, and the presence of a flat face at the rear of a lorry contributes significantly to the drag of that lorry. As is well known, a vehicle having a high drag tends to have a relatively high fuel consumption.
The present invention seeks to provide an accessory that may be utilised, for example, with a lorry having a flat back to minimise the drag of the lorry.
Motor vehicles such as motor cars and lorries are usually of a relatively rigid and durable construction. When a motor vehicle, especially a lorry, collides with another object, significant damage can arise. Motor vehicles such as lorries often have to be manoeuvred within confined spaces, such as loading bays or the like, and often have to be reversed up to loading platforms or the like. At the present time it is often necessary to employ the services of a man to stand near the rear of a lorry being reversed up to a loading bay who can indi cats to the driver the precise position of the rear end of the lorry relative to the loading bay to prevent damage being caused to the loading bay andl or to the rear of the lorry by an impact of the lorry against the loading bay.The present invention seeks to reduce or overcome this present problem.
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a motor vehicle or the like provided with at least one bumper mounted on the outer periphery of the vehicle, said bumper comprising an inflated envelope of resilient material.
Preferably pump means are provided for pumping air into said envelope to maintain the envelope in an inflated condition.
Advantageously a conduit between the pump and the envelope is provided with a non return valve.
The motor vehicle may be provided with a pressure sensor to sense the pressure within the inflated envelope and to provide an output signal whenever the pressure in the envelope rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.
Conveniently an audible and/or visual indicator is provided that can be heard and/or seen by the driver of the vehicle, the indicator responding to the output signal of the pressure sensor.
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided motor vehicle, said motor vehicle being provided with an inflatable envelope which, when inflated, constitues an element that improves the streamlining and/or reduces the drag of the vehicle.
Preferably said inflatable envelope may be retracted from the rear of the lorry when it is deflated.
Advantageously said envelope is mounted on a roller and may be rolled up when it is deflated.
Conveniently said bag, when retracted, is stored within a housing, the housing being removably mounted on the vehicle.
Preferably a pressure sensor is provided within the bag, the pressure sensor being adapted to provide an output signal whenever the pressure within the bag rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.
Advantageously an audible and/or visual indicator is provided, to be heard and/or seen by the driver of the motor vehicle, adapted to provide an indication in response to the output signal generated by the pressure sensor.
Conveniently pump means are provided to inflate the envelope, the pump means being controlled in response to the speed of the motor vehicle to inflate the envelope to a predetermined size for each predetermined speed, the envelope becoming larger at higher speeds of the motor vehicle.
According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a proximity sensor arrangement adapted to provide an indication of when a movable object is approaching the vicinity of another object, said proximity sensor comprising an inflated envelope provided on one object, a pressure sensor device adapted to provide an output when the pressure within the envelope rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set level and a visual and/or audible alarm adapted to provide an indication of when such an increase of pressure within the envelope has been detected.
Preferably the proximity sensor is mounted in position on a fixed object.
Advantageously a pump is provided to inflate said envelope, the conduit extending between the pump and the envelope containing a non-return valve, the pump being adapted to inflate the envelope to a pressure which is less than said predetermined set pressure.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a motor vehicle provided with a bumper in accordance with the invention;
Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the bumper shown in Figure 1 and an associated pump and pressure indicator;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rear portion of a lorry provided with an inflatable streamlining device in accordance with the invention, and
Figure 4 is a part sectional perspective view of a loading platform provided with an inflatable proximity sensor in accordance with the invention.
Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings a motor car 1 is provided, at its front end, in the conventional position adapted by a bumper, with an inflatable bumper 2. The bumper is illustrated as being of substantially square cross section but, of course, the bumper may be of any desired configuration. As can be seen more clearly from Figure 2, the inflatable bumper 2 is mounted on a rigid back plate 3 and comprises an inflatable envelope 4. The envelope is secured to the rigid back plate 3. The envelope may be made of any suitable material such as a rubberised fabric or a plastics material sheet.
An air pump 5 is provided which is adapted to pump air through a conduit 6 and a non return valve 7 into the hollow interior of the inflatable bumper 2. The pump 5 may be driven by the fan belt of the engine of the motor car 1, or may be operated in some other convenient way. In any event the arrangement is such that when the motor car 1 is in use the pump is actuated and air is pumped into the interior of the inflatable bumper 2, thus causing the envelope 4 to become fully inflated. The bumper will then be distended forwardly as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
Mounted on the plate 3 is a pressure sensor 8.
The pressure sensor is adapted either to detect a sudden rise in the pressure within the envelope 4, or to detect the presence of a pressure that is higher than a predetermined set pressure. Of course, in such an arrangement the pump 5 will be adapted or arranged so that it cannot inflate the envelope 4 to a pressure greater than the said set pressure.
The pressure sensor 8 is connected by an appropriate lead 9 to an indicator 10. The indicator will be located within the cabin of the motor car and may be an audible indicator or a visual indicator.
It will be appreciated that the indicator will provide an indication whenever the pressure within the inflatable bumper rises suddenly or exceeds said predetermined set pressure. When the motor car is in use and approaches a fixed object, such as a parked car, or a lamp-post, the forwardly distended bumper will initially contact the object, and then the bumper will be deformed inwardly, thus raising the pressure within the bumper. If the pressure rises rapidly, or when the pressure reaches the predetermined set level the indicator will provide an appropriate indication.
In utilising a motor car provided with a bumper in accordance with the present invention it will be possible for the driver to approach a fixed object, such as a parked car, and the driver will be provided with a specific indication when his bumper is in contact with the other car.
It will be understood that an inflatable bumper in accordance with the invention may provide a significant cushioning effect under accident conditions. The bumper is relatively cheap to fabricate and install, and after a minor accident it may well be necessary only to replace the envelope 4, which would not involve significant expenditure.
A bumper as described above may, of course, be fitted to the rear of a motor vehicle such as a car.
This may well facilitate reversing and parking.
Turning now to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, the rear end of a lorry 11 is illustrated.
The lorry has a substantially flat rear face 12.
Mounted across the top of the vertical rear face 12 of the lorry is a housing 13 which contains a spring-loaded roller of the type usually utilised in connection with roller blinds. The roller may accommodate an inflatable envelope 14 which is illustrated in the inflated condition. The envelope 14 is designed to streamline the rear end of the motor lorry, thus reducing the drag of the lorry. In the embodiment illustrated the envelope has a generally curved configuration.
It is to be appreciated that the envelope illustrated in Figure 3 will be inflated by means of a pump 5 as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, and again a pressure sensor may be provided within the envelope, associated with an indicator provided in the cab of the lorry to provide an indication when the inflated envelope 14 is coming into contact with another object.
It is envisaged that it may be necessary to mount the lights of the vehicle on the rear face of the inflated envelope 14. It is also envisaged that it may be practicable to devise an arrangement which will increase the side of the inflated envelope 14, for example by increasing the pressure of air supply to that inflated envelope, as the speed of the lorry increases. Thus the shape or configuration of the inflated envelope will be adjusted in accordance with the speed of the motor vehicle, providing the lowest drag at the highest speed.The presence of a relatively large inflated envelope on the rear of a lorry when it is travelling at high speed will not lead to significant inconvenience whereas, of course, the presence of a large inflated envelope on the rear of a lorry when it is travelling at slow speed, for example through crowded streets in a city, may well be inconvenient.
When the lorry is to be unloaded, the-envelope 14 will be deflated, and when the roller blind mechanism within the housing 13 will be operated so that the envelope is totally retracted, thus providing easy access to any doors provided on the rear end of the lorry.
It is to be appreciated that many modifications of this particular embodiment of the invention may be devised, having regard to the precise type of lorry on which the invention is to be utilised. If the lorry is of the type that has a permanent bodywork defining a flat rear face, for example a large delivery lorry or furniture van, the housing 13 into which the inflatable envelope 14 may be retracted may be permanently mounted on the lorry. Where the lorry is of the type that is always unloaded from one side or the other, that is to say the lorry has no rear access doors, the inflatable envelope may be permanently mounted in position on the vertical rear face of the lorry.Where the invention is to be utilised in connection with lorries that carry containers, the housing 13 may be adapted to be releasably mounted on the upper rear connecting corner pieces of a container mounted on the lorry. Thus the housing 13 may be provided with appropriate couplings adapted to engage with the apertures provided at the uppermost corners of a container mounted on the lorry.
In each case appropriate connections must be provided between the pump 5 and the indicator 10 which would, of course, be permanently mounted within the cab of the lorry.
When the above described embodiment of the invention is utilised it is envisaged that the streamlining effect provided by the inflated envelope 14 will lead to a significant reduction in fuel costs.
Also the presence of the inflated bag on the rear of the lorry will tend to minimise the consequences of any accident involving an impact with the rear of the lorry. Also the presence of the pressure sensitive arrangement and the indicator will facilitate the reversing of the lorry up to, for example, a loading bay, since the driver of the lorry will be able to reverse the lorry until his indicator provides an indication that the inflated envelope 14 is in contact with the edge of the loading bay.
A lorry may of course be provided with both an inflatable bag and a separate inflatable bumper at the rear. The bag may be used to reduce drag, and the bumper, with an associated pressure sensor, may be used to facilitate parking.
Turning now to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment of the invention a loading platform 20 has an overhanging edge 21.
Mounted underneath the overhanging edge 21 is an inflatable envelope 22. The envelope is shown in the inflated condition and it can be seen that one part 23 of the inflated envelope protrudes in front of the overhanging edge 21 of the loading platform 20. A suitable pump (not shown) is provided to inflate the envelope 22 to a predetermined pressure. A pressure sensitive device 24 is provided located within the inflated envelope 22, and the pressure sensitive device is adapted to provide an output signal whenever the pressure within the envelope 22 rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set level. This predetermined set level is in excess of the pressure that can be achieved by the pump that is inflating the envelope 22.
The pressure sensor is connected in some appropriate way to an appropriate alarm device, such as a visual alarm or an audible alarm. The alarm is located so that the alarm can be seen and/or heard by the driver of a motor vehicle reversing his vehicle up to the loading platform 20.
When a vehicle is to be reversed up to the loading platform 20, the driver of the vehicle gradually reverses the vehicle towards the desired position.
As the rear end of the vehicle approaches the edge of the loading platform 20, the inflated envelope 22 will be deformed, thus increasing the pressure within the envelope and causing the pressure sensitive device 24 to provide an output signal. The alarm device is thus actuated and the driver of the vehicle will appreciate that the rear end of the vehicle is now immediately adjacent the edge of the loading platform 20.
Whilst various embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it is to be appreciated that many modifications or improvements may be effected to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the present invention.
For example, whilst the last described embodiment of the invention has been illustrated as being mounted immediately beneath the platform of a loading bay, it is to be appreciated that corresponding embodiments of the invention may be mounted in position on any rigid structure.
It is to be understood, of course, that whilst the invention has been described with reference to a front bumper on a motor car in Figure 1, one embodiment of the invention could comprise a rear bumper for a conventional motor car.
Claims (19)
1. A motor vehicle or the like provided with at least one bumper mounted on the outer periphery of the vehicle, said bumper comprising an inflated envelope of resilient material.
2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1 wherein pump means are provided for pumping air into said envelope to maintain the envelope in an inflated condition.
3. A motor vehicle according to claim 2 wherein a conduit between the pump and the envelope is provided with a non return valve.
4. A motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims provided with a pressure sensor to sense the pressure within the inflated envelope and to provide an output signal whenever the pressure in the envelope rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.
5. A motor vehicle according to claim 4 wherein an audible and/or visual indicator is provided that can be heard and/or seen by the driver of the vehicle, the indicator responding to the output signal of the pressure sensor.
6. A motor vehicle, said motor vehicle being provided with an inflatable envelope which, when inflated, constitues an element that improves the streamlining and our reduces the drag of the vehicle.
7. A motor vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said inflatable envelope may be retracted from the rear of the lorry when it is deflated.
8. A motor vehicle according to claim 7 wherein said envelope is mounted on a roller and may be rolled up when it is deflated.
9. A motor vehicle according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said bag, when retracted, is stored within a housing, the housing being removable mounted on the vehicle.
10. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein a pressure sensor is provided within the bag, the pressure sensor being adapted to provide an output signal whenever the pressure within the bag rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.
11. A motor vehicle according to claim 10 wherein an audible andlor visual indicator is provided, to be heard and/or seen by the driver of the motor vehicle, adapted to provide an indication in response to the output signal generated by the pressure sensor.
12. A motor vehicle according to any one of claims 6 to 11 wherein pump means are provided to inflate the envelope, the pump means being controlled in response to the speed of the motor vehicle to inflate the envelope to a predetermined size for each predetermined speed, the envelope becoming larger at higher speeds of the motor vehicle.
13. A proximity sensor arrangement adapted to provide an indication of when a movable object is approaching the vicinity of another object, said proximity sensor comprising an inflated envelope provided on one object, a pressure sensor device adapted to provide an output when the pressure within the envelope rises rapidly or exceeds a predetermined set level and a visual and/or audible alarm adapted to provide an indication of when such an increase of pressure within the envelope has been detected.
14. A proximity sensor according to claim 13 when mounted in position on a fixed object.
15. A proximity sensor according to claim 13 or 14 wherein a pump is provided to inflate said envelope, the conduit extending between the pump and the envelope containing a non-return valve, the pump being adapted to inflate the envelope to a pressure which is less than said predetermined set pressure.
16. A motor vehicle bumper substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
17. An inflatable envelope for a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
18. A proximity sensor substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
19. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08325338A GB2148207A (en) | 1983-09-21 | 1983-09-21 | Inflatable bumpers streamlining elements and collision sensors |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08325338A GB2148207A (en) | 1983-09-21 | 1983-09-21 | Inflatable bumpers streamlining elements and collision sensors |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8325338D0 GB8325338D0 (en) | 1983-10-26 |
| GB2148207A true GB2148207A (en) | 1985-05-30 |
Family
ID=10549125
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08325338A Withdrawn GB2148207A (en) | 1983-09-21 | 1983-09-21 | Inflatable bumpers streamlining elements and collision sensors |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2148207A (en) |
Cited By (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4216025A1 (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1993-11-18 | Werner Schnaebele | Impact absorbing deflector for front of rail vehicle - incorporates staggered rib-like deformation elements made from foam or honeycomb |
| DE4308021A1 (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1994-09-15 | Fmb Fahrzeug Und Maschinenbau | Device on motor vehicles, especially lorries, for protecting living beings which collide with the motor vehicle |
| US6270130B1 (en) * | 1999-07-26 | 2001-08-07 | Sun Young Kim | Air bumper |
| US6666498B1 (en) * | 2001-10-04 | 2003-12-23 | W. David Whitten | Deployable airfoil for trucks and trailers |
| US6789839B1 (en) * | 2003-03-11 | 2004-09-14 | Alan Samuelson | Wind dam for use with tractor-trailers |
| DE102005039415A1 (en) * | 2005-08-16 | 2007-04-12 | Stefan Golla | Anti turbulence airbag for e.g. lorry, has controller fixed on pressure and speed sensors to manually control condition of airbag and sensor controlled control system, where net shape of airbag is distinct, dual s-shape |
| FR2899863A3 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-19 | Robert Gouverneur | Chassis`s rear part protecting device for commercial vehicle, has cylinder and springs actuating frame to respective positions, where frame is slid to retracted position so that frame is spaced from obstacle when obstacle is detected |
| US7537270B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2009-05-26 | Volare Airfoils, Llc | Air foil |
| WO2010112204A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2010-10-07 | Buffo Rainer M | Flow guide device of a vehicle reducing flow resistance |
| GB2475361A (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2011-05-18 | Alasdair Edward Collins | Extendable and retractable aerodynamic aid |
| WO2012174617A1 (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2012-12-27 | Galin Raychinov | Electronically controlled rear inflatable aerodynamic system for commercial vehicle |
| US8374751B2 (en) * | 2008-06-06 | 2013-02-12 | Chrysler Group Llc | Automotive impact sensing system |
| WO2017036464A1 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-09 | Alpha Team Gmbh | Textile tyre for lowering the drag of vehicles |
| EP3401194A1 (en) | 2017-05-04 | 2018-11-14 | Alpha Team GmbH | Air guidance surface assembly and motor vehicle equipped with same |
| US20210139086A1 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2021-05-13 | Andrus Research Inc. | Deployable fairing for transport vehicle |
Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB299165A (en) * | 1927-09-27 | 1928-10-25 | Ernest Trigg Butcher | Means applicable to vehicles for intimating the presence of obstructions in the path of travel |
| GB487689A (en) * | 1936-12-28 | 1938-06-24 | Frederick Linton Blenkinsop | Improvements in motor car bumpers |
| GB746166A (en) * | 1953-10-03 | 1956-03-07 | Daimler Benz Ag | Improvements relating to stream-lined motor vehicle bodies |
| GB1068835A (en) * | 1963-03-29 | 1967-05-17 | Wilmot Breeden Ltd | Vehicles bodies and bumpers therefor |
| US3764174A (en) * | 1972-01-10 | 1973-10-09 | D Taninecz | Vehicle bumper |
| US3810668A (en) * | 1971-03-19 | 1974-05-14 | Safety Consultants | Energy absorbing bumper system |
| GB1386545A (en) * | 1972-04-22 | 1975-03-05 | Fiat Spa | Pneumatic bumper system for vehicles |
| US3901346A (en) * | 1973-09-26 | 1975-08-26 | Webb Co Jervis B | Safety bumper for a driverless vehicle |
| US3902748A (en) * | 1973-12-12 | 1975-09-02 | Firestone Tire & Rubber Co | Pneumatic energy absorbing bumper system for motor vehicles |
| US4061385A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1977-12-06 | Abraham Schwartzberg | Impact absorbing bumper |
| US4099759A (en) * | 1976-05-18 | 1978-07-11 | Safety Consultants | Energy absorbing bumper system |
-
1983
- 1983-09-21 GB GB08325338A patent/GB2148207A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB299165A (en) * | 1927-09-27 | 1928-10-25 | Ernest Trigg Butcher | Means applicable to vehicles for intimating the presence of obstructions in the path of travel |
| GB487689A (en) * | 1936-12-28 | 1938-06-24 | Frederick Linton Blenkinsop | Improvements in motor car bumpers |
| GB746166A (en) * | 1953-10-03 | 1956-03-07 | Daimler Benz Ag | Improvements relating to stream-lined motor vehicle bodies |
| GB1068835A (en) * | 1963-03-29 | 1967-05-17 | Wilmot Breeden Ltd | Vehicles bodies and bumpers therefor |
| US3810668A (en) * | 1971-03-19 | 1974-05-14 | Safety Consultants | Energy absorbing bumper system |
| US3764174A (en) * | 1972-01-10 | 1973-10-09 | D Taninecz | Vehicle bumper |
| GB1386545A (en) * | 1972-04-22 | 1975-03-05 | Fiat Spa | Pneumatic bumper system for vehicles |
| US3901346A (en) * | 1973-09-26 | 1975-08-26 | Webb Co Jervis B | Safety bumper for a driverless vehicle |
| US3902748A (en) * | 1973-12-12 | 1975-09-02 | Firestone Tire & Rubber Co | Pneumatic energy absorbing bumper system for motor vehicles |
| US4061385A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1977-12-06 | Abraham Schwartzberg | Impact absorbing bumper |
| US4099759A (en) * | 1976-05-18 | 1978-07-11 | Safety Consultants | Energy absorbing bumper system |
Cited By (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4216025A1 (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1993-11-18 | Werner Schnaebele | Impact absorbing deflector for front of rail vehicle - incorporates staggered rib-like deformation elements made from foam or honeycomb |
| DE4308021A1 (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1994-09-15 | Fmb Fahrzeug Und Maschinenbau | Device on motor vehicles, especially lorries, for protecting living beings which collide with the motor vehicle |
| US6270130B1 (en) * | 1999-07-26 | 2001-08-07 | Sun Young Kim | Air bumper |
| US6666498B1 (en) * | 2001-10-04 | 2003-12-23 | W. David Whitten | Deployable airfoil for trucks and trailers |
| US6789839B1 (en) * | 2003-03-11 | 2004-09-14 | Alan Samuelson | Wind dam for use with tractor-trailers |
| DE102005039415A1 (en) * | 2005-08-16 | 2007-04-12 | Stefan Golla | Anti turbulence airbag for e.g. lorry, has controller fixed on pressure and speed sensors to manually control condition of airbag and sensor controlled control system, where net shape of airbag is distinct, dual s-shape |
| FR2899863A3 (en) * | 2006-04-14 | 2007-10-19 | Robert Gouverneur | Chassis`s rear part protecting device for commercial vehicle, has cylinder and springs actuating frame to respective positions, where frame is slid to retracted position so that frame is spaced from obstacle when obstacle is detected |
| US7537270B2 (en) | 2006-11-21 | 2009-05-26 | Volare Airfoils, Llc | Air foil |
| US8374751B2 (en) * | 2008-06-06 | 2013-02-12 | Chrysler Group Llc | Automotive impact sensing system |
| WO2010112204A1 (en) * | 2009-03-30 | 2010-10-07 | Buffo Rainer M | Flow guide device of a vehicle reducing flow resistance |
| GB2475361A (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2011-05-18 | Alasdair Edward Collins | Extendable and retractable aerodynamic aid |
| WO2012174617A1 (en) * | 2011-06-21 | 2012-12-27 | Galin Raychinov | Electronically controlled rear inflatable aerodynamic system for commercial vehicle |
| WO2017036464A1 (en) | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-09 | Alpha Team Gmbh | Textile tyre for lowering the drag of vehicles |
| EP3401194A1 (en) | 2017-05-04 | 2018-11-14 | Alpha Team GmbH | Air guidance surface assembly and motor vehicle equipped with same |
| US20210139086A1 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2021-05-13 | Andrus Research Inc. | Deployable fairing for transport vehicle |
| US11613313B2 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2023-03-28 | Andrus Research Inc. | Deployable fairing for transport vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8325338D0 (en) | 1983-10-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |