Patent ID: 6394512
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle bumper assembly for reducing pedestrian injury, the bumper assembly comprising:a bumper member mounted to a vehicle; a stiffener operatively connected to the bumper member and movable between an up position to a forward and down position; a cross-member mounted on the stiffener and being operative to evenly distribute loads on a pedestrian leg upon impact; a first linkage disposed between a first end of the stiffener and the bumper member; a second linkage disposed between a second end of the stiffener and the bumper member, the first and second linkages each having a first locking member and a second locking member, the linkage being operative to extend the stiffener and the cross-member means outwardly from the vehicle end; and an actuator in communication with a vehicle speedometer, the actuator being operative to extend the stiffener, the cross-member, and the linkage down and outwardly from the vehicle when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed.