Bumper apparatus

A bumper apparatus is disclosed herein which includes a bumper mounted to a vehicle frame to be pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse of the vehicle and to have a first, up position and a second, down position. Means are provided for locking the bumper in the up position and which include a locking member pivotably attached to the bumper and pivotable about a vertical axis when the bumper is in the up position. Upon pivoting of the locking member it engages the vehicle frame and holds the bumper up. An arm member is also attached to the locking member to provide for operation of the locking means. A pair of such locking members are included, one on each side of the vehicle. A spare tire is mountable within a tire rack located immediately forward of the bumper, and other equipment may also be similarly located and held therein secure from unauthorized access while being easily accessed by the user of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of bumper devices for 
vehicles, and more particularly to a bumper which is movably attached to 
the rear of a truck or similar vehicle to facilitate access to a tire 
and/or other equipment mounted behind the bumper. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various bumper designs have been proposed in the prior art to accommodate a 
variety of purposes and functions. Typical bumpers are designed to absorb 
impact against the front or rear of the vehicle, and some bumpers have 
recently been designed to move against a resisting force to minimize 
damage to the vehicle upon such impact. 
A shiftable bumper for mounting to the rear of a truck is disclosed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 3,533,654, issued to Kannegieter on Oct. 13, 1970. The 
Kannegieter patent shows a bumper pivotally mounted to the truck frame and 
movable between a horizontal, up position and a vertical, down position. 
The bumper includes latch assemblies including rearwardly projecting arms 
pivotally secured to the bumper and pivotally carrying latches cooperable 
with a pin to hold the bumper in the up position. A spring biases the arm 
upwardly and in engagement with a stop and holds the latch in the lock 
position, until a release lever is actuated to permit movement of the 
bumper to the down position. A spare tire is mounted in a carrier attached 
to the truck frame forwardly of the bumper, such that the tire is 
accessible when the bumper is in the down position. 
In contrast to the present invention, the Kannegieter device is relatively 
complex, expensive, not readily adaptable to various truck designs, and 
includes several components which may fail or become inoperable due to 
wear and exposure. The present invention includes a bumper which is easily 
manipulated and simply mounted to the truck frame to be easily mounted to 
various truck configurations, with a minimum of cost and failure. 
Various other movable bumpers are also disclosed in the prior art. In the 
Koenig patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,695 issued on Mar. 18, 1975, there is 
disclosed a folding truck bumper attached to underside of the rear of a 
vehicle. The Koenig device includes a bumper extending downwardly on a 
support pivotally attached to the truck frame, and having a forward and 
upward position as well. A second, supporting member is pivotally attached 
to the truck frame forward of the bumper and includes holes positioned to 
align with a hole in a member attached to the bumper, such that connection 
of one of the two holes with the supporting member with the bumper will 
lock the bumper in one or the other of the bumper positions. Movable 
bumper designs of less interest are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,005,657, 
issued to Walker on Oct. 24, 1961; 1,779,661, issued to Cleland on Oct. 
28, 1930; 1,515,111, issued to Heil et al. on Nov. 11, 1924; and, 
1,447,387, issued to Heil et al. on Mar. 6, 1923. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly described in one aspect of the present invention there is provided 
a bumper apparatus for a truck or similar vehicle including a bumper 
mounted to the vehicle frame pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse 
of the vehicle, and thereby having a first, up position and a second, down 
position. The bumper apparatus further includes locking means mounted to a 
support member or the bumper and including a locking member pivotable 
about a vertical axis when said bumper is in the up position to engage the 
vehicle frame and lock the bumper. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bumper apparatus 
mountable to a vehicle frame and providing a bumper having a first, up 
position and a second, down position. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bumper 
apparatus including a movable bumper which is readily adapted for mounting 
on a variety of different vehicles, and which includes a minimum of parts. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bumper apparatus 
which is easily manipulated between the up and down positions, and which 
is securely locked in the up position. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a bumper apparatus 
which includes a bumper which is lowered to provide access to a spare tire 
received in a tire carrier mounted to the vehicle frame forward of the 
bumper. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bumper apparatus 
which provides security for the spare tire of a vehicle, and which also 
permits quick and easy access to the spare tire when needed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bumper 
apparatus which provides security for other equipment such as the vehicle 
jack, spare parts, tool box and similar items. 
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment which follows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the 
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the 
drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will 
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the 
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications 
in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles 
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would 
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
Referring in particular to the drawings, there is shown a truck 10 having a 
body 11, wheels 12 and frame 13. Mounted to the rear of the truck 10 is a 
bumper apparatus 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
Bumper apparatus 14 includes a bumper 15 pivotally mounted to the frame 
13, as will be further described below. Bumper 15 includes an aperture 16 
for a trailer hitch and preferably has a handle 48 to facilitate operation 
of the bumper apparatus. 
Although the present invention is described with respect to a truck, it 
will be appreciated that the invention is equally suitable for use with 
other similar vehicles. For example, the bumper apparatus of the present 
invention could also be used with jeeps, motor homes, vans, larger trucks 
and other four wheel drive vehicles, and a wide variety of other such 
vehicles. It is a particular feature of the present invention that the 
bumper apparatus function to protect and act as a security for a spare 
tire, tools and other equipment stored in front of the bumper, and thus 
there is a particular advantage in using the bumper apparatus in those 
vehicles having a need or desire for providing such storage. However, the 
bumper apparatus functions as well and does not require the presence of 
such equipment, and therefore is not intended to be limited thereby. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is shown that the preferred embodiment 
for the bumper apparatus 14 of the present invention includes a mounting 
means for mounting the bumper 15 to the vehicle frame to be pivotable 
about a horizontal axis, extending transverse of the vehicle, to provide 
the bumper with a first, up position 21 and a second, down position 22 
(FIG. 3). Such mounting means preferably includes support members 17 
secured to the vehicle frame 13, such as by nut and bolt combinations 18. 
The apertures for the nuts and bolts are generally provided at the 
indicated locations for the direct mounting of the bumper in such 
vehicles. Thus, the present invention is readily adapted for mounting on a 
variety of vehicles simply by removing the bumper on the vehicle and 
attaching the support members 17 to the opposite sides of the vehicle 
frame in the indicated locations. 
More specifically, it is advantageous to provide the support members with 
several holes and/or slots to make a single support member useful in 
mounting the bumper apparatus to a variety of vehicle frames. 
Alternatively, it will be appreciated that the support members 17 could be 
attached at different locations or by other means, such as by welding the 
members to the frame or attaching it with clamps. The indicated attachment 
is preferred, however, since it does not require modification of the 
vehicle frame and may be accomplished quickly and simply. 
The mounting means also preferably includes a pair of bumper supports 19 
attached to the bumper and pivotally mounted to the support members 17. 
The bumper supports may be secured to the bumper in a variety of known 
manners, and preferably is attached by use of the standard mounting 
brackets incorporated in the bumper for use in the direct attachment of 
the bumper to the vehicle frame. Again, the use of such available mounting 
means in the bumper make the present invention readily adaptable for use 
with existing vehicles, and the provision of appropriate apertures and/or 
slots in the bumper mounts will make them useful with a variety of 
vehicles. Alternatively, the bumper could be modified for use with the 
bumper mounts, or the mounts could, for example, be welded directly to the 
bumper. 
It will also be appreciated that the present invention does not require the 
use of both the support members and the bumper mounts, since the bumpers 
could be pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame to be rotatable about a 
horizontal, transverse axis. However, in typical vehicles it is desirable 
to provide the pivot axis in the position indicated in the drawings in 
order to get proper positioning of the bumper in both the up and down 
positions. More particularly, it will be noted that the pivot axis in the 
drawings is significantly below the vehicle frame. If this were not the 
case, the pivot arm attaching the bumper to the frame would have to be 
significantly longer to provide the same clearance space between the 
bumper and the frame when the bumper is in the down position. Also, the 
lower pivot makes the manipulation of the bumper between the up and down 
positions easier for the user of the apparatus. 
As also shown particularly in FIG. 2, there is desirably provided a tire 
rack, indicated generally at 23, directly forward of the bumper apparatus. 
The tire rack 23 includes a first pair 24 and a second pair 25 of 
downwardly extending supports attached to the frame by suitable means such 
as welding. Preferably, the rear supports 25 and secured, such as by bolts 
26, to the support member 27 affixed to the frame. Cross members 27 and 28 
extend between the downwardly extending supports and are secured thereto. 
A longitudinal support bar 29 is welded to the cross members, and includes 
an upturned front end 30 to prevent forward displacement of a tire 
received in the tire rack. A pair of retaining members 31 and 32 are 
secured to the bumper, such as by bolts 33, and cooperate with the other 
members of the tire rack to retain a tire therein. 
In accordance with the described tire rack and bumper apparatus, it will be 
appreciated that the up and down positions of the bumper permit the ready 
access to a spare tire, and other equipment, stored in the area 
immediately in front of the bumper. The tire rack is size to receive a 
spare tire for the vehicle to which it is mounted. The upward bend 30 of 
the support bar 29 defines the forward limit for the tire rack, and the 
retaining members 31 and 32 define the rearward limit. The positioning of 
these members may be selected to firmly hold the spare tire therebetween 
when the bumper is in the up position, thus preventing the tire from 
moving around while the vehicle is in motion. Also, separate attachment 
means may be provided to securely hold the spare tire within the tire rack 
and to prevent its movement. Such separate attachment means could, for 
example, include means for bolting the tire down in the same manner as is 
typically used to hold spare tires in the trunks of many existing 
automobiles. 
When access to the tire is required, the bumper apparatus is simply 
manipulated to lower the bumper and expose the tire rack. The retaining 
members in this down position for the bumper also cooperate with the tire 
rack members to provide a support for sliding the tire out from the tire 
rack, or conversely for sliding the tire into the rack. It will be 
appreciated that other equipment could also be stored in this area in 
front of the bumper, and in this manner the equipment would be protected 
and secured while the bumper is in the up position, but could be easily 
accessed by lowering the bumper. 
Locking means are also provided for locking the bumper in the up position, 
and thus also for locking the spare tire and other equipment behind the 
bumper as desired. The locking means preferably includes a pair of 
separate locking devices 34 and 35, one being mounted at each side of the 
bumper and particularly associated with one of the support members. Each 
of the locking devices is essentially identical, and therefore only one of 
these devices 35 will be described in detail herein. 
The locking means 35 includes a sleeve 36 secured to the support members 
19, such as by welding, and oriented to have a vertical, central cavity 
when the bumper is in the up position 21 (FIG. 3). A shaft 37 is received 
within the sleeve 36 and is secured at its bottom end to an arm member 38 
and at its top end to a locking member 39. In this manner, the arm member 
and locking member are pivotable about a vertical axis when the bumper is 
in the up position. As will become further apparent, this orientation is 
advantageous since the operation of the bumper apparatus, and particularly 
the lever arm available as a result, is enhanced by this orientation. 
Also, the apparatus is thereby operable with a minimum of moving parts and 
without components, such as springs, which could fail or become 
inoperative due to exposure to use conditions of the vehicle. 
The locking member, and therefore the arm member, has two positions 
corresponding with the locking and unlocking of the bumper in the up 
position. In the locking position (FIG. 4), the locking member engages the 
vehicle frame to hold the bumper up, while in the unlocked position 46 
(FIG. 4) the locking member is disengaged from the vehicle frame and the 
bumper is free to be pivoted downwardly. The handle 48 and the arm members 
38 provide good holding points for raising and lowering the bumper. 
The support member 17 includes a rearwardly extending projection 40 which 
includes a top surface 41 and a bottom surface 42. The top surface 41 is 
positioned to be engaged by the locking member 39 when the locking member 
and arm member are pivoted into the locking position. More specifically, 
the bumper is moved into the up position and locked in that position by 
then pivoting the locking member over the rearward projection 40, causing 
the locking member to engage the top surface 41 of the projection. To 
enhance the firm friction engagement of the locking member and projection, 
the top surface 41 is inclined upwardly in the rearward direction so that 
the locking member will initially clear the top surface and with continued 
rotation will touch and then firmly engage the projection. 
To further enhance this engagement, the bumper support 19 carries an 
eccentric wheel 43 pivotally mounted to the bumper support such as by a 
nut and bolt combination 44 (FIG. 3). The eccentric 43 is positioned to 
engage the bottom surface 42 of the projection when the bumper is raised 
to the up position. The eccentric and the locking member thus cooperate to 
provide a firm locking of the bumper to the frame, or more particularly to 
the support member at each side of the frame. To provide adjustment of 
this cooperation, or perhaps to account for wear of parts or other 
misalignment of the components, the eccentric may be rotated about the 
mounting bolt and then tightened into a position which will give the 
desired spacing between the eccentric and the locking member to properly 
engage the projection. The provision of such adjustment means is 
particularly helpful to avoid problems with the bumper not being firmly 
held in place and therefore vibrating or rattling during use. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the arm members and locking members may be positioned 
to be almost directly opposite one another. The angle is actually somewhat 
different from 180.degree. so that the arm members extend slightly 
rearwardly to facilitate access to the arm members for manipulating the 
apparatus. The arm members are, however, substantially parallel to and 
directly beneath the bumper when in the locked position to be out of the 
way. 
Means are preferably provided for securing the arm members in the locked 
position, and most preferably for locking the arm members to prevent 
unauthorized access to the spare tire or other equipment behind the 
bumper. This is readily accomplished by including apertures in the ends of 
the arm members and providing corresponding apertures in the bumper 
aligned with the apertures in the arm members in the locked position. A 
security padlock 47 or the like may then be inserted through the aligned 
holes in the arm members and bumper to prevent the pivoting of the arm 
members. 
In accordance with this design, the bumper apparatus of the present 
invention provides a simple, easily operated method for pivoting a bumper 
to the rear of a truck or similar vehicle to provide access to a spare 
tire or other equipment located behind the bumper. The pivoting of the arm 
members about a vertical axis provides a significant mechanical advantage 
facilitating the operation of the apparatus. In certain prior art devices, 
attempts to provide for locking a pivoting bumper have involved latching 
mechanisms which were necessarily relatively short, thus making it 
difficult to have both a firm sure lock and also a simple and easy 
operation to latch or unlatch the device. In contrast, the arm members 
pivot in a manner that they are received beneath and generally parallel to 
the bumper when in the lock position. In this manner, the arm members can 
be relatively long providing a good lever arm to make the locking and 
unlocking maneuver easy to perform.