Venkataraman Nagaswamy

US Patent:

60827920, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

May 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/074276

Inventors:

Darin Arnold Evans - Walled Lake MI
Venkataraman Nagaswamy - Farmington MI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

B60R 2104

US Classification:

293133

Abstract:

An energy absorbing bumper assembly for a vehicle comprises an elongated energy absorber comprising forwardly projecting corrugated members and an adjacent members which extend in a longitudinally direction with a plurality of ribs extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction for joining the corrugated member to the adjacent member comprised of an elastomeric material whereby said longitudinal members create hollow sections which are adapted for controlled collapse upon impact for absorbing energy. The plurality of ribs are additionally adapted for controlling the collapse of said hollow sections and stretch upon impact for additional energy absorption.