Patent ID: 6183025
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B60R,B60T

Abstract:
A road vehicle having a fluid operated braking system for applying vehicle brakes and a bumper assembly fitted thereto and extending transversely of one end of the vehicle, said assembly comprising a transverse beam which is supported by an arm from the vehicle so that the beam is pivotable from a rest position in a direction towards or beneath the vehicle in the event of the assembly contacting an obstacle and spring means for biasing the beam towards its rest position, wherein the spring means comprises at least one compressible chamber which is compressed when said bumper assembly contacts the obstacle, the chamber being in fluid communication with a pressure sensing device which is connected to the braking system so as to cause application of the vehicle brakes on pivoting displacement of the beam assemblyl, wherein the at least one chamber is defined by hollow interior portions of the spring means and the spring means bears against a sealing surface when the beam is in the rest position to sealingly close the hollow interior portions of the at least one chamber, and wherein the sealing surface is provided by a sealing seat having a curved profile to engage with the spring means.