GB2541453A

GB2541453A - A vehicle bumper protection device

Info

Publication number: GB2541453A
Application number: GB1514897.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leake Robert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-21
Filing date: 2015-08-21
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201514897D0

Abstract

A vehicle bumper protection device comprises an inner towing hitch connector 4, a spacer portion 3 and an outer impact receiving section 1. The connector may be a screw threaded portion for attachment to a point on a vehicle bumper where a removable towing hitch may be attached. The impact receiving section and or the spacer portion may comprise a resiliently deformable material so as to provide protection to a surface of the bumper should the vehicle come into contact with another vehicle or object. A warning part may be provided so as provide an audible, visual or remote warning to a vehicle user or other road user that an impact is about to or has occurred. A sensing means may also be provided so that the device may function as an aftermarket parking sensor.

Description

A VEHICLE BUMPER PROTECTION DEVICE Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle bumper protection device, in particular a device for protecting both a vehicle and the vehicle’s bumper; more particularly but not exclusively an addition to a vehicle bumper.

Background

Increasing motorisation and urbanisation of many societies has led to a greater number of vehicles on the roads.

This combines with a lack of available parking spaces, particularly in older societies, where city centres, street plans and infrastructure is from earlier times and vehicular access, movements and parking were not forecast and amendments impossible or impractical.

In the light of the above many users may find an increased frequency of accidents, and many users may have difficulties parking in limited space. As consequence many users may have small incidents that damage their vehicle, such as parking scuffs and scrapes.

Replacement of panels or bumpers can be extremely costly.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Chinese utility model CN 202 541 465 (HAOMING) belongs to an automobile bumper, and particularly relates to a cushioning bumper which comprises a bumper body and a base plate, wherein the bumper body is provided with a cushioning device. When an automobile is collided, the cushioning device can disperse and bear collision force, increase of deformation of an automobile body due to too concentrated collision force, and personal safety of passengers and a driver in the automobile is not endangered. Besides, the cushioning device comprises a hydraulic cushioning device and a spring cushioning device, so that the automobile bumper can be produced to achieve diversity according to actual requirements. In addition, the outer surface of the cushioning device is wrapped with a soft cushioning layer, so that the uppermost cushioning device is protected, and part of cushioning force is shared by the cushioning device.

Granted United States patent US 7 695 033 (MAE et al) discloses a device for absorbing an impact, comprising: an impact-absorbing guide piece extending in a horizontal direction which is substantially orthogonal to a direction of input of the impact; and an impact-absorbing movable piece supported movably along the guide piece, wherein the movable piece is moved along a length of the guide piece when the impact has acted on the movable piece, and the guide piece and the movable piece are caused to deform to thereby absorb the impact.

Chinese utility model CN 2 444 822 (SHEN) discloses an elastic buffer anti-collision bumper for vehicles, which is composed of a soft pad, an anti-collision rail, two horizontal shock absorbers and two connecting shafts. The bumper is installed at the front and the back of a motor vehicle through the connecting shafts. When the motor vehicle generates a collision or tails, the bumper can effectively reduce collision energy, and can reduce or prevent from damaging the motor vehicle and persons in the motor vehicle. The utility model has simple structure, and is capable of being loaded on various vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle bumper protection device comprising an inner towing hitch connector, a spacer portion and an outer impact receiving section.

The outer impact receiving section is configured to extend outwardly from the inner towing hitch connector so as to provide an extended and extending impact receiving area for the vehicle’s bumper. In this way the outer impact receiving section is arranged in use to accept bumps and impacts without damage to the bumper, and provides a pre-bumper impact or warning zone.

Accordingly in some embodiments the impact receiving section may be envisaged to advantageously accept and receive multiple bumps or knocks. In such embodiments the impact receiving section may be composed of an impact resilient resiliently deformable material such as silicone, natural or synthetic rubber.

In some embodiments the spacer portion may present or provide torsional strength so as to prevent shearing from impact or pressure on the section.

In some embodiments the spacer portion may be formed of plastics, alloy or metal, or any combination thereof, so as to limit chances of shearing. The section may comprise a coating or padding on the spacer portion.

In some embodiments the spacer portion may comprise flexibility, so as to accommodate bending under non-axial pressure at the impact receiving section or elsewhere.

In some embodiments the spacer portion may comprise a resiliently deformable material or structure such as a compression spring, elastomer, rubber or silicone, or a combination thereof.

The spacer portion may comprise a part arranged in use for impact absorption.

The connector in some embodiments may comprise a screw thread, such screw thread configured to standard tow hitch gauge and thread pattern.

The connector may be composed of metal or alloy, wherein degradation of the connection is minimised, regardless of conditions of usage.

The connector may be bipartite, for example wherein part of the device may be displaced, without removing the whole. In this way advantageously for example after an impact a compromised part of the device may be replaced, or according to user preference such as for aesthetic purposes.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an outer part for safety or hazard warning purposes.

In this way the warning part may be disposed or configured to provide hazard warning to other road users. In some embodiments the warning part may be configured for hazard warning purposes for the user. For example the warning may be audible or visual. The warning may be local and/or remote.

For example in some embodiments the warning may comprise a remote alert to the user that a hazard is approaching. In such embodiments the hazard warning part and/or the device in other parts may comprise wireless connectivity or intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM). Accordingly the device may comprise an energy source.

In this way the user may be warned of approaching hazards or objects. This may allow the user to equip a vehicle with an aftermarket parking sensor.

In some further embodiments the hazard warning part comprises a visual or audible warning for warning of contact with objects, or alerting to contact with objects. For example deformation of the part or displacement thereof may prompt an audible alert. The part may prompt a mechanical noise generation, such as an air or compression horn or bell.

In an embodiment the hazard warning part comprises a visual warning. In such embodiments the part comprises a coating or surface having retroreflective, light emitting or luminous properties.

In some embodiments the part includes an energy source, said energy source may be provided or connected to existing wiring of the vehicle, utilising the vehicle’s battery.

In this way the part may comprise at least one active light source, such as a light emitting diode.

The part may furthermore include a sensing means, such sensing means configured to sense proximity of an object.

In some embodiments the hazard warning part comprises a passive light source. In an embodiment the passive light source comprises retroreflective matter, which matter acts to reflect light from other vehicles in particular and generally draw attention to the bumper, vehicle, part or device.

The hazard warning part may be situated on an outer face, or more particularly outermost surface in use, namely the device surface furthest from the connector.

The device may be made of a plurality of different materials, comprising for example a silicone impact receiving section, a metal or alloy connector and a spacer portion of dense rubber. In other embodiments the device is formed in plastics or similar as a whole.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of an of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device for mounting on a Mercedes (RTM) SMART (RTM) car; or more particularly the tow hitch points thereof or said vehicle’s rear bumper.

The connector describes a connection and use axis A, which axis extends into the vehicle in replacement of a tow hitch covering blank in general usage of the vehicle.

The device is provided with a screw threaded connector 4 which connector is formed as a unitary monolithic whole with the spacing portion 3 and impact receiving section 1. The impact receiving section and spacing portion comprise progressively enlarged parts having larger diameters extending away axially from the connector.

The spacing portion thereby accepts and absorbs impacts, received on an outermost surface, which outermost surface may be defined as being distal from the connector.

The outermost surface in some embodiments is provided with a coating or finish or surface texture providing light transmissive characteristics. The surface may be retroreflective.

The impact receiving section comprises an angle chamfer 5 for non-axial impacts, and in some embodiments the surface is recessed into the impact receiving section.

In this way damage to the surface may be minimised. In some embodiments the impact receiving may comprise a collar around the surface, which collar is arranged for receipt of any impact.

The connector comprises an Acme (RTM) 35-24 Internal Thread or M 156x4 screw thread gauge, ensuring that the connector will fit the standardised tow hitches of SMART cars (RTM) and other similar.

With reference to the connector, an expanding component in the screw thread ensure that when the user tightens whatever it is that is attached to the Acme screw, it expands and actually tightens to where it won't come loose until the user chooses to loosen.

The connector may further include a compressible resiliently deformable gaiter, which gaiter deforms as the connector is screwed. The spacer portion may comprise said gaiter.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle bumper protection device comprising an inner towing hitch connector, a spacer portion and an outer impact receiving section.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the outer impact receiving section is configured to extend outwardly from a vehicle’s inner towing hitch connector so as to provide an extended and extending impact receiving area for the vehicle’s bumper.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the outer impact receiving section is composed of an impact resilient resiliently deformable material.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the spacer portion has sufficient torsional strength to prevent shearing from impact or pressure on the section.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the section comprises a coating or padding on the spacer portion.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the spacer portion comprises flexibility, so as to accommodate bending under non-axial pressure at the impact receiving section or elsewhere.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the spacer portion comprises a resiliently deformable structure

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the structure comprises a compression spring,

9. A device according to claim 7 wherein the structure comprises elastomer such as rubber or silicone.

10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the connector comprises a screw thread, such screw thread configured to standard tow hitch gauge and thread pattern.

11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the connector is bipartite, and part of the device may be displaced without removing the whole.

12. A device according to any preceding claim comprising an outer part for safety or hazard warning purposes.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the warning part is disposed or configured to provide hazard warning to other road users.

14. A device according to claim 12 wherein the warning part is disposed or configured to provide a hazard warning to the vehicle user.

15. A device according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the warning is audible.

16. A device according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the warning is visual.

17. A device according to any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the warning is remote.

18. A device according to any of claims 17 wherein the warning comprises a remote alert to the user that a hazard is approaching.

19. A device according to any of preceding claims 12 to 17 wherein the hazard warning part comprises a passive light source.

20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the passive light source comprises retroreflective matter.

21. A device according to any preceding claim comprising wireless connectivity.

22. A device according to any preceding claim comprising an energy source.

23. A device according to any preceding claim comprising hard wiring to a vehicle.

24. A device according to any preceding claim comprising at least one active light source, such as a light emitting diode.

25. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a sensing means, such sensing means configured to sense proximity of an object.

26..

27. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.