WO2003057538A1 - Bumper system and kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted - Google Patents

Bumper system and kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003057538A1
WO2003057538A1 PCT/EP2003/000382 EP0300382W WO03057538A1 WO 2003057538 A1 WO2003057538 A1 WO 2003057538A1 EP 0300382 W EP0300382 W EP 0300382W WO 03057538 A1 WO03057538 A1 WO 03057538A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bumper system
bumper
bumpers
chassis
kart
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2003/000382
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joost Boxoen
Original Assignee
Joost Boxoen
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Joost Boxoen filed Critical Joost Boxoen
Priority to AU2003210160A priority Critical patent/AU2003210160A1/en
Publication of WO2003057538A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003057538A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D29/00—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof
    • B62D29/04—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof predominantly of synthetic material
    • B62D29/041—Understructures
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C70/00—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts
    • B29C70/04—Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts comprising reinforcements only, e.g. self-reinforcing plastics
    • B29C70/28—Shaping operations therefor
    • B29C70/40—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied
    • B29C70/42—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C70/46—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
    • B29C70/48—Shaping or impregnating by compression not applied for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM], e.g. by vacuum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B21/00—Rims
    • B60B21/02—Rims characterised by transverse section
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C3/00—Tyres characterised by the transverse section
    • B60C3/04—Tyres characterised by the transverse section characterised by the relative dimensions of the section, e.g. low profile
    • 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
    • B60R19/24—Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles
    • B60R19/26—Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles comprising yieldable mounting means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
    • B62D21/18—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17
    • B62D21/183—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted characterised by the vehicle type and not provided for in groups B62D21/02 - B62D21/17 specially adapted for sports vehicles, e.g. race, dune buggies, go-karts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2075/00—Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
    • B29K2101/10—Thermosetting resins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/12—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
    • B29K2105/128—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles in the form of a mat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/20—Inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2705/00—Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
    • B29K2705/02—Aluminium
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0079—Torsion strength; Torsion stiffness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0082—Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/30—Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof
    • B29L2031/3055—Cars

Definitions

  • the invention relates on the one hand to a bumper system, comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers.
  • the invention relates to a kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted.
  • a kart comprises a bumper system comprising front, rear and side bumpers which are mounted on the chassis of the kart.
  • rotation moulded bumpers for instance a plastic cover made of polyethylene (PE), are fixed to a chassis in the form of a steel frame by bolts with some small rubber rings.
  • PE polyethylene
  • U.S 5,806,901 describes a bumper system for a go-kart which has a plurality of bumper sections which have a sufficient rigidity that displacement to one bumper section transmits motion to other bumper sections, and which can effectively dampen the shock experienced during an impact by providing shock absorbers which may be any material or device which provides both a resilient spring effect and a dampening effect, to absorb the impact energy.
  • shock absorbers are for instance made of rubber.
  • transverse motions guides are provided to support a rear bumper section, and to maintain various bumper sections about a horizontal plane relative to the frame, while permitting the necessary horizontal motions, both longitudinally and laterally.
  • the bumper sections may be connected together at their ends by pivots. Alternatively, the bumper sections may be continuous.
  • the bumper sections may be formed from steel or a fibre reinforced composite material.
  • a first disadvantage of such a system is that when there is an impact of the kart, the kart will be subjected to big rebound forces and is bounced back because of the use of a type of shock absorbers such as rubber. If the kart bounces back directly, accelerations take longer and there is a bigger risk of head injuries.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide a bumper system, comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers, and a kart provided with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted, in which during an impact the accelerations of the driver are as low as possible, and in which furthermore the energy is absorbed and is not elastically returned by spring back.
  • a bumper system comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers, in which said shock absorbers are compressible through collision forces of an impact of said body and restore slowly to their original state after said compression.
  • the movable body won't be subjected to big rebound forces and isn't bounced back because of the fact that the shock absorbers first compress through the collision forces of an impact and afterwards restore slowly to their original state. In this way, the accelerations on the driver of the movable body are very low and the energy is dissipated.
  • said shock absorbers are made from a resilient foam.
  • Said shock absorbers are preferably neopolene foam blocks.
  • said bumpers are slidably mounted over the chassis.
  • one or more slots are provided in which by means of bolts said bumpers are slidably mounted over the chassis.
  • said bolts are countersunk bolts.
  • the driver of the movable body can't be wounded, and at the underside of the chassis, the movable body can't hook on protrusions in the surface onto which it moves.
  • said bumpers have a box structure in which the shock absorbers are brought.
  • the bumpers of a bumper system according to the invention are made of rotation moulded plastic.
  • Said plastic is preferably polyethylene.
  • the bumper system according to the invention is provided with a curving.
  • the purpose of the invention is achieved by providing a kart provided with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted.
  • figure 1 is a view from above of a chassis of a kart over which a bumper system according to the invention is mounted;
  • figure 2 is a perspective view of a chassis as shown is figure 1 and neopolene foam blocks which are provided in the bumpers of the bumper system as shown in figure 1 ;
  • figure 3 is a section according to line A- A as indicated in figure 2;
  • figure 4 is a side view of a part of a front bumper with a curving from one kart and a rear bumper with a curving from another kart when there is a rear-end collision of the two karts;
  • figure 5 is a view from above of a chassis from a kart as shown in figure 1, and further provided with protection for a front and a rear wheel;
  • figure 6 is a perspective view of a protection of a front wheel as shown in figure
  • FIG. 5; - figure 7 is a perspective view of a protection of a rear wheel as shown in figure
  • a bumper system (1) exists out of a front bumper (la), a rear bumper (lb), and two side bumpers, i.e. a left (lc) and a right side bumper (Id).
  • the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) are mounted over a chassis
  • the chassis (2) is preferably made out of a composite material manufactured by RTM-process, although this doesn't exclude any other type of chassis onto which such a bumper system (1) can be mounted.
  • the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) have a box structure in which the shock absorbers are brought.
  • the box structure of the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) is obtained by making the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) out of rotation moulded plastic.
  • Rotation moulding is a technique in which in a hollow mould a plastic powder is deposited and afterwards heated while the mould circles around. In this way, the plastic powder melts and becomes liquid, and accordingly goes to the outside of the mould. The plastic is then cured and a bumper (la, lb, lc or Id) having a box structure is obtained.
  • the plastic which preferably is used is polyethylene (PE).
  • a resilient foam is used such as neopolene foam.
  • neopolene foam As is shown in figure 2, in each bumper (la, lb, lc and Id) one or more blocks of neopolene foam with a suitable form are provided. In the front bumper (la) and the two side bumpers (lc, Id), one block (3a, 3c, 3d) of neopolene foam is provided. In the rear bumper (lb), three blocks (3b) of neopolene foam are provided.
  • the bumper (lc) has a box structure in which a neopolene foam block (3c) is provided.
  • the bumper (lc) is slidably mounted over the chassis (2). Therefore, the chassis (2) is provided with one or more slots (4) (as also can be seen in figure 2) in which by means of bolts (not shown on the figure) the bumper (lc) is slidably mounted over the chassis (2).
  • a slot (4) By providing a slot (4), a play is created so that the bumper (lc) can move over the chassis (2) when there is an impact of the kart.
  • the play depends on the kind of bumper (la, lb, lc or Id) (for instance for front and rear bumpers (la, lb) a slot of 4 cm is provided, while for side bumpers (lc and Id) a slot of 2,5 cm is provided).
  • the bolts that are used are preferably countersunk bolts. In figure 3, the cavities (5) to bring the countersunk bolts in are shown. By using countersunk bolts, the driver of the kart can't be wounded. Furthermore, at the underside of the chassis, the chassis can't hook on protrusions in the driving surface. All further bumper (la, lb and Id) are produced and mounted in the same way as this left bumper (lc).
  • the neopolene foam block(s) (3a, 3b, 3c or 3d) will quickly compress due to the collision forces which are exerted during the impact, and will then restore slowly to its (their) original state after said compression. In this way, the kart won't be bounced back, and the accelerations of the driver of the kart will be kept low during the collision, through which the risk of for instance head injuries or other injuries will seriously be decreased.
  • the mounting of the bumper system (1) on the chassis (2) happens very quickly, which results in saving a lot of time, and is furthermore easy to execute.
  • Each bumper (la, lb, lc and Id) is provided with a certain curving, this in order to protect the kart from being lifted up when there is for instance an impact with an other kart. In this way, parts of the body of the driver are protected from being wounded.
  • FIG 4 the curving of a rear (lb) and a front bumper (la) is shown when there is a rear-end collision of two karts.
  • the front of the front bumper (la) has an outwardly curving (10), while the back of the rear bumper (lb) has an inwardly curving (11).
  • the bumpers (la, lb) have a curving (10, 11) in such a way that the bumpers (la, lb) fit into each other, as can be seen in figure 4. Also the side bumpers have an inwardly curving (not shown on the figures).
  • a protection for the front wheels and a protection for the rear wheels are attached to the bumper system (1), as is shown in figure 5.
  • the protection (6) for the right front wheel (7) (said protection (6) also shown in figure 6) is attached to the front bumper (la) and a the right side bumper (Id). Also the left front wheel is protected with such a protection (is not shown on figure 5).
  • the protection (8) for the right rear wheel (9) (said protection (8) also shown in figure 7) is attached to the right side bumper (Id) and the rear bumper (lb). Also the left rear wheel is protected with such a protection (is not shown on figure 5).
  • protection (6, 8) are made of FfDPE (high density polyethylene), which is a flexible product through which the protections (6, 8) adapt the right shape between the bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id).
  • FfDPE high density polyethylene
  • the bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) slide over the chassis (2) through which one or more of the wheel protections (6, 8) bend outwardly.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Composite Materials (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to the one hand to a bumper system (1), comprising a plurality of bumpers (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for mounting onto a chassis (2) of a movable body, in which said bumpers (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are provided with one or more shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), in which said shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are compressible through collision forces of an impact of said body and restore slowly to their original state after said compression. On the other hand, the invention relates to a kart provided with a chassis (2) onto which a bumper system (1) according to the invention is mounted.

Description

BUMPER SYSTEM AND KART WITH A CHASSIS ONTO WHICH SUCH A
BUMPER SYSTEM IS MOUNTED
The invention relates on the one hand to a bumper system, comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers. On the other hand, the invention relates to a kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted.
A kart comprises a bumper system comprising front, rear and side bumpers which are mounted on the chassis of the kart. Until now, rotation moulded bumpers, for instance a plastic cover made of polyethylene (PE), are fixed to a chassis in the form of a steel frame by bolts with some small rubber rings.
The disadvantage of such a system is that, when there is an impact of the kart with other karts or for instance with a wall, the collision forces are completely transmitted to the chassis, and accordingly all the energy is absorbed by the steel frame, which effects in much higher rebound forces. In such a way, high loads and high accelerations are induced to the driver.
To transmit the impact at any one point throughout the bumper system, U.S 5,806,901 describes a bumper system for a go-kart which has a plurality of bumper sections which have a sufficient rigidity that displacement to one bumper section transmits motion to other bumper sections, and which can effectively dampen the shock experienced during an impact by providing shock absorbers which may be any material or device which provides both a resilient spring effect and a dampening effect, to absorb the impact energy. These shock absorbers are for instance made of rubber.
For the rear bumper system, transverse motions guides are provided to support a rear bumper section, and to maintain various bumper sections about a horizontal plane relative to the frame, while permitting the necessary horizontal motions, both longitudinally and laterally. The bumper sections may be connected together at their ends by pivots. Alternatively, the bumper sections may be continuous. The bumper sections may be formed from steel or a fibre reinforced composite material.
A first disadvantage of such a system is that when there is an impact of the kart, the kart will be subjected to big rebound forces and is bounced back because of the use of a type of shock absorbers such as rubber. If the kart bounces back directly, accelerations take longer and there is a bigger risk of head injuries.
Further disadvantages of such a system are that first of all, the system is a complex and expensive construction regarding to mounting, and second of all that it is a strongly moving unit because of the great freedom to move of the system. In this way, and in addition with vibrations because of motion, the system is more subjected to wear.
The purpose of the invention is to provide a bumper system, comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers, and a kart provided with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted, in which during an impact the accelerations of the driver are as low as possible, and in which furthermore the energy is absorbed and is not elastically returned by spring back.
The purpose of the invention is achieved by providing a bumper system, comprising a plurality of bumpers for mounting onto a chassis of a movable body, in which said bumpers are provided with one or more shock absorbers, in which said shock absorbers are compressible through collision forces of an impact of said body and restore slowly to their original state after said compression.
By using such shock absorbers, the movable body won't be subjected to big rebound forces and isn't bounced back because of the fact that the shock absorbers first compress through the collision forces of an impact and afterwards restore slowly to their original state. In this way, the accelerations on the driver of the movable body are very low and the energy is dissipated.
In a preferred embodiment of a bumper system according to the invention, said shock absorbers are made from a resilient foam.
Said shock absorbers are preferably neopolene foam blocks.
In order to achieve a compression of the shock absorbers, in a bumper system according to the invention said bumpers are slidably mounted over the chassis.
Therefore in the chassis one or more slots are provided in which by means of bolts said bumpers are slidably mounted over the chassis.
In this way, a play is created so that the bumpers can move over the chassis when there is an impact of the movable body.
Preferably, said bolts are countersunk bolts.
In this way, the driver of the movable body can't be wounded, and at the underside of the chassis, the movable body can't hook on protrusions in the surface onto which it moves.
In a preferred embodiment of a bumper system according to the invention, said bumpers have a box structure in which the shock absorbers are brought.
Preferably, the bumpers of a bumper system according to the invention are made of rotation moulded plastic.
Said plastic is preferably polyethylene. In order to protect the movable body from being lifted up when there is an impact, and thus preventing that parts of the body of the driver would be wounded, the bumper system according to the invention is provided with a curving.
Furthermore, the purpose of the invention is achieved by providing a kart provided with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted.
A bumper system for a kart in which this invention is embodied and its manufacture is described now by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
figure 1 is a view from above of a chassis of a kart over which a bumper system according to the invention is mounted; figure 2 is a perspective view of a chassis as shown is figure 1 and neopolene foam blocks which are provided in the bumpers of the bumper system as shown in figure 1 ; figure 3 is a section according to line A- A as indicated in figure 2; figure 4 is a side view of a part of a front bumper with a curving from one kart and a rear bumper with a curving from another kart when there is a rear-end collision of the two karts; figure 5 is a view from above of a chassis from a kart as shown in figure 1, and further provided with protection for a front and a rear wheel; figure 6 is a perspective view of a protection of a front wheel as shown in figure
5; - figure 7 is a perspective view of a protection of a rear wheel as shown in figure
5.
As shown in figure 1, a bumper system (1) according to the invention exists out of a front bumper (la), a rear bumper (lb), and two side bumpers, i.e. a left (lc) and a right side bumper (Id). The bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) are mounted over a chassis
(2). The chassis (2) is preferably made out of a composite material manufactured by RTM-process, although this doesn't exclude any other type of chassis onto which such a bumper system (1) can be mounted.
The bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) have a box structure in which the shock absorbers are brought.
The box structure of the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) is obtained by making the bumpers (la, lb, lc and Id) out of rotation moulded plastic. Rotation moulding is a technique in which in a hollow mould a plastic powder is deposited and afterwards heated while the mould circles around. In this way, the plastic powder melts and becomes liquid, and accordingly goes to the outside of the mould. The plastic is then cured and a bumper (la, lb, lc or Id) having a box structure is obtained. The plastic which preferably is used is polyethylene (PE).
It is very important that the shock absorbers are compressible through collision forces of an impact of the kart (which is provided with a chassis (2) onto which a bumper system (1) is mounted) and restore slowly to their original state after said compression. Therefore, a resilient foam is used such as neopolene foam. As is shown in figure 2, in each bumper (la, lb, lc and Id) one or more blocks of neopolene foam with a suitable form are provided. In the front bumper (la) and the two side bumpers (lc, Id), one block (3a, 3c, 3d) of neopolene foam is provided. In the rear bumper (lb), three blocks (3b) of neopolene foam are provided.
As can be seen in figure 3, which is a section of the left bumper (lc) as shown in figure 1, the bumper (lc) has a box structure in which a neopolene foam block (3c) is provided. The bumper (lc) is slidably mounted over the chassis (2). Therefore, the chassis (2) is provided with one or more slots (4) (as also can be seen in figure 2) in which by means of bolts (not shown on the figure) the bumper (lc) is slidably mounted over the chassis (2). By providing a slot (4), a play is created so that the bumper (lc) can move over the chassis (2) when there is an impact of the kart. The play depends on the kind of bumper (la, lb, lc or Id) (for instance for front and rear bumpers (la, lb) a slot of 4 cm is provided, while for side bumpers (lc and Id) a slot of 2,5 cm is provided). The bolts that are used are preferably countersunk bolts. In figure 3, the cavities (5) to bring the countersunk bolts in are shown. By using countersunk bolts, the driver of the kart can't be wounded. Furthermore, at the underside of the chassis, the chassis can't hook on protrusions in the driving surface. All further bumper (la, lb and Id) are produced and mounted in the same way as this left bumper (lc).
Accordingly, when there is an impact of the kart with an other kart, or for instance a wall or any other obstacle, the neopolene foam block(s) (3a, 3b, 3c or 3d) will quickly compress due to the collision forces which are exerted during the impact, and will then restore slowly to its (their) original state after said compression. In this way, the kart won't be bounced back, and the accelerations of the driver of the kart will be kept low during the collision, through which the risk of for instance head injuries or other injuries will seriously be decreased.
Furthermore, by providing a bumper system (1) according to the invention, the mounting of the bumper system (1) on the chassis (2) happens very quickly, which results in saving a lot of time, and is furthermore easy to execute.
Each bumper (la, lb, lc and Id) is provided with a certain curving, this in order to protect the kart from being lifted up when there is for instance an impact with an other kart. In this way, parts of the body of the driver are protected from being wounded. In figure 4, the curving of a rear (lb) and a front bumper (la) is shown when there is a rear-end collision of two karts. The front of the front bumper (la) has an outwardly curving (10), while the back of the rear bumper (lb) has an inwardly curving (11). The bumpers (la, lb) have a curving (10, 11) in such a way that the bumpers (la, lb) fit into each other, as can be seen in figure 4. Also the side bumpers have an inwardly curving (not shown on the figures).
In order to protect the wheels of a kart provided with a chassis (2) onto which a bumper system (1) according to the invention is mounted, a protection for the front wheels and a protection for the rear wheels are attached to the bumper system (1), as is shown in figure 5. The protection (6) for the right front wheel (7) (said protection (6) also shown in figure 6) is attached to the front bumper (la) and a the right side bumper (Id). Also the left front wheel is protected with such a protection (is not shown on figure 5). The protection (8) for the right rear wheel (9) (said protection (8) also shown in figure 7) is attached to the right side bumper (Id) and the rear bumper (lb). Also the left rear wheel is protected with such a protection (is not shown on figure 5). These protection (6, 8) are made of FfDPE (high density polyethylene), which is a flexible product through which the protections (6, 8) adapt the right shape between the bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id). When there is an impact of the kart, the bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) slide over the chassis (2) through which one or more of the wheel protections (6, 8) bend outwardly.
An other possibility is to produce the wheel protections (6, 8) by means of injection moulding, through which the wheel protections (6, 8) immediately have the correct shape and curving.

Claims

C L A I M S
1. Bumper system (1), comprising a plurality of bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) for mounting onto a chassis (2) of a movable body, in which said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) are provided with one or more shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), characterised in that said shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are compressible through collision forces of an impact of said body and restore slowly to their original state after said compression.
2. Bumper system according to claim 1, characterised in that said shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are made from a resilient foam.
3. Bumper system according to claim 2, characterised in that said shock absorbers are neopolene foam blocks (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d).
4. Bumper system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) are slidably mounted over the chassis (2).
5. Bumper system according to claim 4, characterised in that in the chassis one or more slots (4) are provided in which by means of bolts said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) are slidably mounted over the chassis (2).
6. Bumper system according to claim 5, characterised in that said bolts are countersunk bolts.
7. Bumper system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) have a box structure in which the shock absorbers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are brought.
8. Bumper system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) are made of rotation moulded plastic.
9. Bumper system according to claim 8, characterised in that said plastic is polyethylene.
10. Bumper system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bumpers (la, lb, lc, Id) are provided with a curving (10, 11).
11. Kart provided with a chassis (2) onto which a bumper system (1) according to any of the preceding claims is mounted.
PCT/EP2003/000382 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Bumper system and kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted WO2003057538A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003210160A AU2003210160A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Bumper system and kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0200489A GB0200489D0 (en) 2002-01-10 2002-01-10 Kart
GB0200489.3 2002-01-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003057538A1 true WO2003057538A1 (en) 2003-07-17

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ID=9928856

Family Applications (3)

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PCT/EP2003/001068 WO2003057514A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Tyre
PCT/EP2003/000383 WO2003057455A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Method for manufacturing a chassis of composite material for a kart and chassis of composite material for a kart manufactured by such a method
PCT/EP2003/000382 WO2003057538A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Bumper system and kart with a chassis onto which such a bumper system is mounted

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2003/001068 WO2003057514A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Tyre
PCT/EP2003/000383 WO2003057455A1 (en) 2002-01-10 2003-01-10 Method for manufacturing a chassis of composite material for a kart and chassis of composite material for a kart manufactured by such a method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (3) AU2003210207A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0200489D0 (en)
WO (3) WO2003057514A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003210207A1 (en) 2003-07-24
GB0200489D0 (en) 2002-02-27
WO2003057455A1 (en) 2003-07-17
WO2003057514A1 (en) 2003-07-17
AU2003210160A1 (en) 2003-07-24
AU2003235765A1 (en) 2003-07-24

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