GB2589696A

GB2589696A - Bumper apparatus and method of manufacturing

Info

Publication number: GB2589696A
Application number: GB2013291.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gray Peter; Thomas Summers Scott
Original assignee: Gray and Adams Ltd
Current assignee: Gray and Adams Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-25
Filing date: 2020-08-25
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-08-25
Also published as: GB202013291D0; GB2589696B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bumper apparatus for a trailer (400, figure 4b) comprising a tail lift assembly (450). The bumper apparatus including an attachment member 200. The attachment member being configured to couple to a wall of the trailer and including a first surface 202. The bumper apparatus further including an impact member 100 with a compression surface (102, figure 1a) and at least one coupling portion 126, 128 configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member (figure 3c), such that the compression surface faces the first surface of the attachment member. The bumper apparatus also including a plurality of resilient elements 210 disposed between the first surface of the attachment member and the compression surface of the impact member. Each of the plurality of resilient elements are configured such that a shore value of the resilient element increases upon deformation. Upon external impact to the impact member, the impact member slides with respect to the attachment member such that the plurality of resilient elements are compressed between the compression surface of the impact member and the first surface of the attachment member.

Description

BUMPER APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

The present invention relates to a bumper apparatus and a method of manufacturing. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a bumper apparatus for a trailer, and in particular a trailer which also includes a tail lift assembly.

Traditionally, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are used to transport goods, for example from a supplier to a warehouse. Typically, a warehouse or other recipient location e.g. a supermarket, will have loading/unloading docks. These docks are designed to receive the rear end of the HGV so that goods may be easily transferred out of or into the HGV. To aid with loading and/or unloading, trailers may include a tail lift assembly. A tail lift assembly is a device which can be installed on the rear of a HGV. The tail lift assembly is designed to facilitate the handling of goods from ground level or a loading dock to the level of the vehicle bed, or vice versa. In this way, the tail lift assembly is a moveable platform which can move in a direction vertically away from or toward the ground surface. When a HGV is in transit the tail lift assembly must be stored. In the storage position, the tail lift assembly is folded upwardly against the rear of a trailer. That is, the platform of the tail lift assembly is substantially parallel to the rear wall of the trailer in the storage position. Whereas, in a deployed position, the platform of the tail lift is substantially perpendicular to the rear wall of the trailer.

The rear of a HGV is often a blind spot to the driver. As such, when an HGV reverses rear of the trailer may impact against external surfaces. When a trailer includes a tail lift assembly the tail lift assembly may impact the external surface in place of the rear of the trailer. This is because the tail lift assembly extends away from the surface of the rear wall of the trailer.

As such, it is common for tail lift assemblies to be damaged, increasing the need for regular repair and/or replacement.

Moreover, loading docks may have a space for the tail lift assembly (in an in use position) to slot into, for example a gap under the loading dock. In this case, the rear of the trailer may still impact the walls of the loading dock, causing damage to the trailer body.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bumper apparatus for a trailer comprising a tail lift assembly, the bumper apparatus comprising: an attachment member configured to couple to a wall of the trailer, the attachment member comprising a first surface; an impact member comprising a compression surface; at least one coupling portion configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member such that the compression surface faces the first surface of the attachment member, and a plurality of resilient elements disposed between the first surface of the attachment member and the compression surface of the impact member, wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements are configured such that a shore value of the resilient element increases upon deformation, and wherein, upon external impact to the impact member, the impact member slides with respect to the attachment member such that the plurality of resilient elements are compressed between the compression surface of the impact member and the first surface of the attachment member.

Suitably each of the plurality of resilient elements comprises a cylindrical centre portion and first and second end portions disposed either side of the cylindrical centre portion.

Suitably each of the first and second end portions comprise a contact face extending perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the resilient element.

Suitably each of the first and second end portions flare radially outwardly from the respective contact face towards the cylindrical centre portion.

Suitably the plurality of resilient elements are substantially evenly spaced along a single axis.

Suitably the coupling member is fixably coupled to one of the impact member or attachment member.

Suitably the impact member comprises a plate, and the plate is wider than the cylindrical centre portion of the resilient elements such that the plate is configured to accept a full footprint of the resilient elements.

Suitably the bumper apparatus comprises two coupling members, wherein a first coupling member is configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member at a first end of the bumper apparatus and a second coupling member is configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member at a second end of the bumper apparatus.

Suitably the plurality of resilient members are interspaced along the length of one of the attachment member or impact member between the first and second ends.

Suitably the attachment member and the impact member are longitudinal members, such that the bumper apparatus is configured to be attached to a trailer in a substantially vertical orientation on either side of a tail lift assembly.

Suitably the plurality of resilient elements are positioned substantially inline with one another along the longitudinal length of at least one of the impact member or attachment member.

Suitably the plurality of resilient elements have a compression value range from 45 millimetres to 75 millimetres.

Suitably the impact member further comprises an impact surface opposite the compression surface, and the impact surface comprises a further bumper.

Suitably the further bumper extends substantially over the whole of the impact surface.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, the trailer comprising: a trailer body; and at least one bumper apparatus as discussed above, wherein the bumper apparatus is coupled to a wall of the trailer body such that the bumper apparatus extends outwardly from a rear of the trailer body.

Suitably the trailer further comprises a tail lift assembly, the tail lift assembly configured to move between a storage position and a loading position.

Suitably at least one bumper apparatus is configured to extend further outwardly from the rear of the trailer body than the tail lift assembly when in the storage position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a bumper apparatus for a trailer comprising a tail lift assembly the method comprising: providing an attachment member configured to couple to a wall of the trailer, the attachment member comprising a first surface; providing an impact member comprising a compression surface; positioning a plurality of resilient elements disposed between the first surface of the attachment member and the compression surface of the impact member, wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements is configured such that the shore value of the resilient element increases upon deformation; and slidably coupling the impact member to the attachment member via at least one coupling portion, such that upon external impact to the impact member, the impact member slides with respect to the attachment member such that the compression surface of the impact member compresses the plurality of resilient elements against the first surface of the attachment member.

Suitably the method further comprises attaching a further bumper to an impact surface of the impact member, wherein the impact surface is opposite the compression surface.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide the advantage that the bumper apparatus can absorb the shock force of a trailer reversing onto a loading bay where the tail lift is fully lowered but not deployed.

Certain embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a bumper apparatus that can be used in combination with a tail lift assembly.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. la illustrates a rear view of an impact member of a bumper apparatus; Fig. lb illustrates a side view of the impact member of Fig. la; Fig. lc illustrates a front view of the impact member of Fig. la; Fig. ld illustrates a top view of the impact member of Fig. la; Fig. le illustrates a perspective view of the impact member of Fig la; Fig. 2a illustrates a rear view of an attachment member of the bumper apparatus; Fig. 2b illustrates a front view of the attachment member of Fig. 2a; Fig. 2c illustrates a top view of the attachment member of Fig. 2a; Fig. 2d illustrates a side view of the attachment member of Fig. 2a; Fig. 2e illustrates a perspective view of the attachment member of Fig. 2a; Fig. 3a illustrates a side view of the assembled bumper apparatus; Fig. 3b illustrates a top view of the bumper apparatus of Fig. 3a; Fig. 3c illustrates a perspective view of the bumper apparatus of Fig. 3a; Fig. 4a illustrates a side view of a portion of a trailer including a tail lift assembly and a bumper apparatus; and Fig. 4b illustrates a perspective view of the trailer of Fig. 4a. In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a bumper apparatus for a HGV trailer including a tail lift assembly, it will be appreciated however that the bumper apparatus may be suitable for use in conjunction with other trailers.

Figures la to le show an impact member 100 for a bumper apparatus according to the present invention. The impact member 100 may have a substantially longitudinal body. In this example, the impact member includes a compression surface 102 between a first side surface 104 and a second side surface 106, and an impact surface 108 opposite the compression surface 102. In this way, the impact member 100 may have a substantially rectangular cross section.

The impact member 100 may include a plate 110. In this example the plate 110 is positioned on the compression surface 102. The plate 110 may extend beyond the plane of the first and second side surfaces 104, 106 of the impact member 100. That is, the lateral width of the plate 110 may be greater than the lateral width of the impact member 100. In this example, the plate 110 is positioned substantially centrally on the compression surface 102 such that the portion of the plate which extends beyond the plane of each side face is substantially equal. The plate 110 may cover between 50 percent to 90 percent of the longitudinal length of compression surface 102. In this example, the plate 110 is positioned such that the uncovered portion of the compression surface 102 is equal at each end of the impact member 100. The plate 110 may be fixed to the compression surface 102 via a weld or bolts for example.

The impact surface 108 may be the surface of the impact member 100 which, when attached to a trailer, is furthest from the trailer body. In this example the impact member 100 includes a bumper 112, which may be disposed on the impact surface 108. In this example, the bumper 112 extends over substantially the whole area of the impact surface 108. In this way, the bumper 112 is configured to be the portion of the bumper assembly most distal from the rear surface of the trailer when in use. The bumper 112 may be formed of a rubber or nylon material. The bumper 112 may be affixed to the impact member 100 via any suitable means. For example Fig. 1c shows an example in which the bumper 112 is attached to the impact surface 108 via bolts 114.

The impact member 100 includes a first end 118 and a second end 120. The first end 118 is at one end portion of the longitudinal body of the impact member 100 and the second end is at the opposite end portion of the impact member 100. In this way, the first end 118 is spaced apart from the second end 120 by the compression surface 102 and the impact surface 108, for example.

In this example the impact member 100 includes a link portion 122, 124 at each of the first end 118 and second end 120. The link portion 122, 124 may be integral with the body of the impact member 100 or may be attached by a weld for example. The link portions 122, 124 extend away from the compression surface 102 such that the impact member 100 has a protruding lip 126, 128 at each end 118, 120. The protruding lip 126, 128 of the link portion 122, 124 extends beyond the plane of the compression surface 102. The protruding lips 126, 128 may each include an aperture 130. The aperture 130 may be configured to receive a bolt for example. In this way, the each of the protruding lips 126, 128 is configured to connect with a corresponding flange 222, 224 to form a coupling portion 350 (as shown in Fig. 3c and described below).

Referring now to Fig. 2a to 2e an attachment member 200 of the bumper apparatus is shown with a plurality of resilient elements 210. The attachment member 200 may have a substantially longitudinal shape. For example, the attachment member 200 may be of a similar length to the impact member 100 described above. In some examples, the attachment member 200 may be of a similar width to the impact member 100. In this way the attachment member 200 and the impact member 100 may have similar profiles.

In this example the attachment member 200 includes a first surface 202. The first surface 202 is configured to be in contact with the plurality of resilient elements 210. In this way the first surface 202 is between two side surfaces 204, 206 and opposite an attachment surface 208. The attachment surface 208 is configured to couple to a wall of a trailer. In other examples the attachment surface 208 may be coupled to the tail lift itself, for example a tail lift column frame. In some examples the attachment surface 208 may include a protruding member 212 which can be attached to the trailer (or tail lift) via bolts for example.

Similarly to the impact member 100 described above, the attachment member 200 has a first end 218 and a second end 220. The first end 218 is at one end portion of the longitudinal body shape of the attachment member 200 and the second end 220 is at the opposite end portion of the attachment member 200. In this example the attachment member comprises a link member 222, 224 at each of the first and second ends 218, 220. Each link member 222, 224 includes a flange 226, 228 which protrudes beyond the plane of the first surface 202 of the attachment member 200. A longitudinal aperture 232 is positioned through each flange 226, 228. In this way, the link portion of the impact member 100 and attachment member 200 can be coupled together, for example via a bolt, to form a coupling portion 350 (shown in Fig. 3c).

The attachment member 200 may optionally include at least one pair of guide elements 230.

In this example the guide elements 230 are attached to the sides 204, 208 of the attachment member 200 and extend outwardly past the first surface 202 and the resilient elements 210. The guide elements 230 are configured to maintain alignment between the attachment member 200 and the impact member 100. The guide elements 230 may equally be attached to the impact member 100 instead of the attachment member 200. In some examples, the guide elements 230 may form part of the coupling portion 350 and may also be integral with one or more of the link portions 122, 124, 222, 224 on either the impact member 100 or the attachment member 200.

In this example, the attachment member 200 includes three resilient elements 210a-c, however it will be appreciated that any number of resilient elements 210 may be used. The resilient elements 110 are configured such that the shore value of the resilient element increases as the resilient element is compressed in the axial direction.

For example, each of the resilient elements 210 may include a substantially cylindrical centre portion, and first and second end portions either side of the centre portion. Each of the resilient elements 210 may include a substantially planar contact face at each end, for contacting the compression surface 102 of the impact member 100 and the first surface 202 of the attachment member 200 respectively. Thus, the contact faces of the resilient elements 210 extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the resilient element.

Each of the first and second end portions may taper radially inwardly towards a central longitudinal axis of the resilient element 210 as they extend away from the centre portion towards the respective contact face. In other words, the resilient elements 210 flare radially outwardly from the contact faces, to a maximum radius at the cylindrical centre portion. Thus, each of the first and second end portions may be substantially frustoconical in shape. Aptly, the resilient elements are substantially hollow. Aptly, at least one of the contact faces includes an aperture therethrough to enable attachment of the resilient member to the attachment member 200 or impact member 100 by, e.g. bolts extending therethrough.

In use, the cylindrical centre portion defining the maximum radius may be positioned equidistant from the impact member 100 and the attachment member 200. The resilient 20 elements may have a compression value from 30mm to 100mm and aptly from 45mm to 75mm.

The resilient elements 210 are interspaced along the longitudinal length of the first surface 202 of the attachment member 200 between the first and second ends 218, 220. That is, the plurality of resilient elements 210 are spaced apart from one another. For example, the resilient elements 210 may be between 100 mm and 200 mm apart. In this example, the resilient elements 210 are substantially in line with one another. That is, the centre point of each resilient element 210a-c is positioned along the same axis (or line) as the centre points of the other resilient elements 210a-c. This means that compression can be applied to the resilient elements 210 equally.

Fig. 3a to Fig. 3c show the assembled bumper apparatus 300. That is, the bumper apparatus 300 including the impact member 100 slidably coupled to the attachment member 200 via the coupling portion 350 with a plurality of resilient elements 210 positioned between the two members.

In examples where the impact member 100 includes a plate 110, the plate 110 may be positioned between the plurality of resilient elements 210 and the contact surface 102. The plate 110 may be wider than a footprint of one of the resilient elements when compressed.

As discussed above, the plate 110 may be wider than the compression surface 102. In other words, the edges of the plate 110 extend beyond the side surfaces 104, 106 of the impact member 100. In this way, during compression of the resilient elements the plate 110 prevents the resilient elements from folding around the side surfaces 104, 106. This therefore allows for a more compact design of the impact member 100 and attachment member 200.

The impact member 100 is coupled to the attachment member 200 in such a way that the impact member 100 can slide in relation to the attachment member 200. This may be achieved using the coupling portion 350. For example, as shown in Fig. 3b the flanges 226, 228 of the attachment member 200 are positioned over the protruding lips 126, 128 of the impact member 100. The aperture 130 of the impact member 100 is aligned with the longitudinal aperture 232 of the attachment member 200 and a bolt 352 is threaded therethrough. The longitudinal aperture 232 is sized to allow movement of the bolt 352 such that the impact member 100 can slideably move with respect to the attachment member 200 along an axis perpendicular to the impact surface.

As explained above, the protruding lips 126, 128 and flanges 226, 228 extend away from the compression surface 102 and the first surface 202. In this way, there is a space maintained between the compression surface 102 of the impact member 100 and the first surface 202 of the attachment member 200. The resilient elements 210 are disposed in this space. In this example the resilient elements 210 are attached to the first surface 202 of the attachment member 200.

As briefly discussed above, the longitudinal nature of the aperture 232 in the attachment member 200 means the impact member 100 can move in relation to the attachment member 200. That is, movement of the bolt 352 is fixed in relation to one member (in this case the impact member 100) and is able to move within the aperture of the other member On this case the attachment member 200). The longitudinal aperture may be sized such that the bolt 352 only has a single axis of movement. That is, the impact member 100 is limited to movement only directly toward or away from the attachment member 200 in a direction perpendicular to the first surface 202.

It will be understood that the coupling portion 350 of the bumper apparatus 300 can be arranged in any suitable manner to allow a slidable coupling between the attachment member 200 and the impact member 100. The slidable coupling between the impact member 100 and the attachment member 200 means that when a force is applied to the impact surface 108 (via the bumper 112), for example when the trailer reverses into a loading dock wall, the impact member 100 is pushed towards the attachment member 200. This compresses the resilient members 210 between the impact member 100 and the attachment member 200.

As shown in Fig. 4a and 4b, the bumper apparatus 300 can be attached to a trailer 410 including a trailer body 400 and a tail lift assembly 450. In this example, the trailer 410 includes two bumper apparatuses 300. The bumper apparatuses 300 may be coupled to the trailer body 400 on each side of the trailer, so that the tail lift assembly 450 is between two bumper apparatuses 300. The bumper apparatus 300 is substantially longitudinal in shape, such that it can extend along the outermost edges of the rear wall 402 of the trailer 400 in a substantially vertical orientation. This means that there is the maximum opening space for a door in the rear wall 402 of the trailer and maximum platform space for the tail lift assembly whilst also providing protection to the trailer via the bumper apparatus.

The bumper apparatus 300 extends outwardly from the rear of the trailer body such that the impact surface 108 (or optional additional bumper 112) is the rearmost surface of the trailer.

That is, the impact surface 108 (or optional additional bumper 112) is the surface of the bumper apparatus most distal from the rear surface 402 of the trailer body 400. In this example, the bumper apparatuses 300 are positioned in the lower corners of the rear wall 402 of the trailer body 400 and extend upward towards the trailer roof 404 along the sides of the rear wall 402.

The tail lift assembly 450 is configured to alternate between a storage position and a loading position as is known in the art. When held in the storage position, the tail lift assembly 450 does not extend rearwardly beyond the impact surface 108 of the bumper apparatus 300. This means that the bumper apparatus 300 also provides protection to the tail lift assembly 450 when in the stored position.

Various modifications to the detailed designs as described above are possible. For example, although in the examples described above the resilient elements are attached to the attachment member, in other alternative examples one or more of the resilient elements may be attached to any of the impact member or attachment member. For example, all the resilient elements may be attached to one of the impact member or attachment member or one or more resilient elements may be attached to the impact member whilst the remaining resilient elements may be attached to the attachment member.

Although described above that the attachment member includes a longitudinal aperture at each end and the impact member includes a aperture configured to fix a bolt, in alternative examples the impact member may include the longitudinal aperture at one or both ends and the attachment member include the corresponding alternative aperture.

Although described above as having two coupling portions, a bumper apparatus may have any suitable number of coupling portions.

Although described above as having a pair of guide elements, any suitable number of guide elements may be used for the bumper apparatus, for example one guide element placed centrally along the longitudinal length of the bumper apparatus.

Although described above as the impact member including a plate in some examples the attachment member may include a plate, or both the impact member and the attachment member may each include a plate.

Although described as one plate, some examples may include a plurality of plates on either or both of the impact member and the attachment member.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that features described in relation to any of the embodiments described above can be applicable interchangeably between the different embodiments. The embodiments described above are examples to illustrate various features of the invention.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bumper apparatus for a trailer comprising a tail lift assembly, the bumper apparatus comprising: an attachment member configured to couple to a wall of the trailer, the attachment member comprising a first surface; an impact member comprising a compression surface; at least one coupling portion configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member such that the compression surface faces the first surface of the attachment member, and a plurality of resilient elements disposed between the first surface of the attachment member and the compression surface of the impact member, wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements are configured such that a shore value of the resilient element increases upon deformation, and wherein, upon external impact to the impact member, the impact member slides with respect to the attachment member such that the plurality of resilient elements are compressed between the compression surface of the impact member and the first surface of the attachment member.
2. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements comprises a cylindrical centre portion and first and second end portions disposed either side of the cylindrical centre portion.
3. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the first and second end portions comprise a contact face extending perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the resilient element.
4. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the first and second end portions flare radially outwardly from the respective contact face towards the cylindrical centre portion.
5. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of resilient elements are substantially evenly spaced along a single axis.
6. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member is fixably coupled to one of the impact member or attachment member.
7. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the impact member comprises a plate, and wherein the plate is wider than the cylindrical centre portion of the resilient elements such that the plate is configured to accept a full footprint of the resilient elements.
8. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bumper apparatus comprises two coupling members, wherein a first coupling member is configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member at a first end of the bumper apparatus and a second coupling member is configured to slidably couple the impact member to the attachment member at a second end of the bumper apparatus.
9. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of resilient members are interspaced along the length of one of the attachment member or impact member between the first and second ends.
10. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment member and the impact member are longitudinal members, such that the bumper apparatus is configured to be attached to a trailer in a substantially vertical orientation on either side of a tail lift assembly.
11. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the plurality of resilient elements are positioned substantially inline with one another along the longitudinal length of at least one of the impact member or attachment member.
12. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plurality of resilient elements have a compression value range from 45 millimetres to 75 millimetres.
13. A bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the impact member further comprises an impact surface opposite the compression surface, and wherein the impact surface comprises a further bumper.
14. A bumper apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the further bumper extends substantially over the whole of the impact surface.
15. A trailer for a heavy goods vehicle, the trailer comprising: a trailer body; and at least one bumper apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bumper apparatus is coupled to a wall of the trailer body such that the bumper apparatus extends outwardly from a rear of the trailer body.
16. A trailer as claimed in claim 15, wherein the trailer further comprises a tail lift assembly, the tail lift assembly configured to move between a storage position and a loading position.
17. A trailer as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one bumper apparatus is configured to extend further outwardly from the rear of the trailer body than the tail lift assembly when in the storage position.
18. A method of manufacturing a bumper apparatus for a trailer comprising a tail lift assembly the method comprising: providing an attachment member configured to couple to a wall of the trailer, the attachment member comprising a first surface; providing an impact member comprising a compression surface; positioning a plurality of resilient elements disposed between the first surface of the attachment member and the compression surface of the impact member, wherein each of the plurality of resilient elements is configured such that the shore value of the resilient element increases upon deformation and slidably coupling the impact member to the attachment member via at least one coupling portion, such that upon external impact to the impact member, the impact member slides with respect to the attachment member such that the compression surface of the impact member compresses the plurality of resilient elements against the first surface of the attachment member.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plurality of resilient elements are positioned substantially inline with one another along the longitudinal length of at least one of the impact member or attachment member.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the method further comprises attaching a further bumper to an impact surface of the impact member, wherein the impact surface is opposite the compression surface.