Patent ID: 9371049
Filing Date: 2016-06-21
CPC Classification: B60R

Claim Text:
1. A vehicle comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis, and including a front fascia disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis; a forward load bearing beam disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis, and axially spaced rearward of the front fascia along the longitudinal axis; and a load distribution mechanism rotatably attached to the forward load bearing beam for rotation about a rotation axis, and including a first portion for engaging an upper portion of the front fascia above the forward load bearing beam, and a second portion for engaging a lower portion of the front fascia below the forward load bearing beam; wherein the front fascia engages the first portion and the second portion of the load distribution mechanism, and the load distribution mechanism rotates about the rotation axis to control displacement of the front fascia, in response to an externally applied force in which an object contacts the front fascia; wherein the first portion of the load distribution mechanism extends from the rotation axis vertically upward and axially forward along the longitudinal axis to an upper contact surface; and wherein the second portion of the load distribution mechanism extends from the rotation axis vertically downward and axially forward along the longitudinal axis to a lower contact surface.