Patent ID: 7144054
Filing Date: 2006-12-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A method comprising steps of: constructing a bumper system including a stiff beam, and an energy absorber on a face of the beam, the energy absorber having top, middle, and bottom sections, with the top and bottom sections defining nose portions that extend forward of the middle section, the nose sections defining a space therebetween in front of the middle section, the top and bottom nose sections being constructed to deflect with a parallelogram motion upon impact; and shifting at least one of the nose portions vertically with a parallelogram motion in response to an impact directed horizontally against a front of the bumper system, whereby energy directed against a knee of an impacted person is converted into a throwing force that directs the knee in a direction generally perpendicular to the line of impact and away from the vehicle bumper system.