Abstract:
A safety bumper system for a high profile vehicle, such as a pick-up truck or sport utility vehicle. The system comprises of a pair of vertical members which are coupled to the frame of a high profile vehicle, proximate one of the bumpers. The members are coupled so that they extend downward sufficiently to contact a bumper of a conventional passenger vehicle in the event of a collision between the high profile vehicle and the passenger vehicle. Impact pads are positioned over the vertical members, and bumper covers may be positioned over the pads. The impact pads may slope outwardly and include a plurality of grooves, in order to assist in preventing a conventional passenger vehicle from sliding upwardly or downwardly along the safety bumper system upon impact with the high profile vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/752,207, filed May 22, 2007 now abandoned. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to bumper systems and methods and, more particularly, to a safety bumper system and method for a high profile vehicle, such as a pick-up truck or sport utility vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In recent years, sport utility vehicles (“SUV&#39;s”) and pick-up trucks have become increasingly popular, particularly in the U.S. auto market. SUV&#39;s and trucks generally have a higher profile than conventional passenger vehicles. In a collision, for example where a truck or SUV rear-ends a conventional passenger vehicle, there is a potential that the bumper of the larger vehicle will contact the conventional passenger vehicle above the level of its bumper. 
   The consequences of such a bumper-on-vehicle collision can be devastating. The portion of the vehicle body above the bumper of a typical passenger vehicle is generally comprised of sheet metal, and is less structural in nature than the bumper or frame of the vehicle body. The bumper of the taller vehicle can more readily penetrate the sheet metal than it could a bumper or frame, potentially causing increased damage and creating a heightened risk of injury or death of persons traveling in the passenger vehicle. Similar risks can be created from impacts on the front or side portions of conventional passenger vehicles, as well. 
   The present invention is concerned with addressing the damage and injury risks associated with the height differential between a typical truck and/or SUV as compared to a conventional passenger vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a safety bumper system is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: first and second vertical members adapted to be coupled to a frame of a high profile vehicle; impact pads coupled to a front surface of the first and second vertical members; wherein each impact pad comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein an outer surface of the lower region slopes outwardly and includes a plurality of grooves; and means for attaching the first and second vertical members to a frame of a vehicle. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a safety bumper system is disclosed. The system comprises, in combination: a high profile vehicle having a frame and at least one bumper; first and second vertical members adapted to be coupled to the frame of the high profile vehicle proximate the bumper; wherein the vertical members are adapted to be coupled so that a bottom portion thereof is approximately nine inches above a surface of a road; impact pads coupled to a front surface of the first and second vertical members, wherein each impact pad comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein an outer surface of the lower region slopes outwardly and includes a plurality of grooves; and means for attaching the first and second vertical members to the frame of the high profile vehicle. 
   In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing enhanced safety for a high profile vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a high profile vehicle having a frame and at least one bumper; coupling first and second vertical members to the frame of the high profile vehicle proximate the bumper; wherein the vertical members are coupled so that a bottom portion thereof is approximately nine inches above a surface of a road; and providing impact pads coupled to a front surface of the first and second vertical members, wherein each impact pad comprises an upper region and a lower region, wherein an outer surface of the lower region slopes outwardly and includes a plurality of grooves. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sport utility vehicle, having a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, with a sport utility vehicle to which the system is attached shown in phantom. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a pick-up truck, having a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a side, partially exploded view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a sport utility vehicle, having a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, with a sport utility vehicle to which the system is attached shown in phantom. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a pick-up truck, having a safety bumper system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, in which an impact pad is shown on a first half of the safety bumper system with a plate portion attached thereto shown in phantom, and a plate portion is shown on a second half of the safety bumper system with an impact pad attached thereto shown in phantom. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of a safety bumper system, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a safety bumper system  10  (hereinafter “system  10 ”) consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The system  10  generally comprises two vertical bumpers  12 , which are positioned in a perpendicular relationship to a bumper  14  of a vehicle  16 . 
   Referring specifically to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , in one embodiment, the bumpers  12  of the system  10  comprise vertical members  20  and impact pads  22  positioned in front of the vertical members  20 . The vertical members  20  are preferably formed from a high strength material. In one embodiment, the vertical members  20  comprise channel iron, which has a U-shaped cross-section which more readily permits attachment to a vehicle frame  24 . A preferred embodiment consists of a vertical member  20  comprised of channel iron having a width of about 2.5 to 3.0 inches, a thickness of 0.1875 inches, and a depth of about 1.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the impact pads  22  may have a thickness of about 2.0 to 2.5 inches for enhanced impact absorption. Preferably, the impact pads  22  are composed of molded rubber or some other suitable material. 
   It is preferred to mount the vertical members  20  to the vehicle  16  by welding or otherwise coupling the vertical members  20  directly to the vehicle frame  24 . Such coupling limits the possibility that one or both of the bumpers  12  could become separated from the vehicle  16  in the event of a collision. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , when in position, and in order to optimize effectiveness, it is preferred to couple the bumpers  12  to the frame  24  so that a bottom portion of the bumpers  12  is approximately nine inches above a surface of a road  30  on which the vehicle  16  is traveling—a distance defined by the line between points A and B. This positioning should permit the system  10  to extend sufficiently to contact a bumper surface for an overwhelming majority of conventional passenger vehicles that are currently on the market. 
   In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bumpers  12  may each further include a bumper cover  26 , which may be of a material commonly used as conventional bumper covers, to enable the system  10  to be visually conformed to the vehicle  16 , including the bumper  14 . 
   In one embodiment, the system  10  may be provided during manufacture of a vehicle  16 , so that a vehicle  16  may be sold as a new car with the system  10  in place. In another embodiment, the system  10  may be provided as an after-market attachment, and may be coupled to a vehicle  16  that is already in use. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 7-12 , another embodiment of a safety bumper system  40  (hereinafter “system  40 ”) consistent with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Similar to the system  10 , the system  40  generally comprises two vertical bumpers  42 , which are positioned in a perpendicular relationship to a bumper  14  of a vehicle  16 . 
   Referring specifically to  FIGS. 10 and 12 , in one embodiment, the bumpers  42  of the system  40  comprise vertical members  50  and impact pads  52  positioned in front of the vertical members  50 . The vertical members  50  are preferably formed from a high strength material. In one embodiment, the vertical members  50  comprise channel iron, which has a U-shaped cross-section which more readily permits attachment to a vehicle frame  24 . A preferred embodiment consists of a vertical member  50  comprised of channel iron having a width of about 2.5 to 3.0 inches, a thickness of 0.1875 inches, and a depth of about 1.5 inches. 
   Preferably, the impact pads  52  are composed of molded rubber or some other suitable material. Each impact pad  52  preferably has an overall width of approximately 4.0 inches and an overall length of approximately 12.0 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the impact pads  52  include an upper region  60  and a lower region  62 . The upper region  60  preferably has a thickness of about 2.0 to 2.5 inches for enhanced impact absorption, and preferably extends for a length of approximately 6.0 inches. Preferably, the lower region  62  has a length of approximately 6.0 inches. The lower region  62  preferably slopes outwardly, such that it angles away from the vehicle  16  when in position thereon, as seen in  FIGS. 7-9 . In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, a portion of the lower region  62  that is adjacent to the upper region  60  may have a thickness of about 2.0 to 2.5 inches, while a bottom portion  64  (as seen in  FIG. 12 ) of the lower region  62  may have a thickness of about 3.0 inches, preferably 3.131 inches. In the event of a collision, the outward sloping of the lower region  62  may assist in preventing an impacting vehicle from sliding upwardly or downwardly along the vertical bumpers  42  upon impact with a vehicle outfitted with the system  40 . 
   The lower region  62  further includes a plurality of grooves  54 . In a preferred embodiment, the lower region  62  includes six grooves  54 . However, the lower region  62  may include more or less than six grooves  54 . Preferably, the uppermost groove  54  on each impact pad  52  is positioned approximately 6.249 inches from the top of each impact pad  52 . Preferably, each groove  54  is substantially V-shaped, wherein each “V” forms an angle of approximately 45 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, each groove  54  has a depth of approximately 0.5 inches. Preferably, the distance between consecutive grooves  54  is approximately 1.0 inch. In the event of a collision, the grooves  54  would help an impacting vehicle to become jammed therein, thereby assisting in preventing an impacting vehicle from sliding upwardly or downwardly along the vertical bumpers  42  upon impact with a vehicle outfitted with the system  40 . 
   For purposes of attaching the impact pads  52  to the vertical members  50 , each vertical bumper  42  preferably further includes a plate  66  coupled to an inner surface of the impact pad  52 , as seen in  FIG. 12 . The plate  66 , in turn, may be coupled to the vertical member  50 . Preferably, the plate  66  is composed of cold rolled steel or some other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, each plate  66  has a length of approximately 12.0 inches, a width of approximately 4.0 inches, and a thickness of approximately 0.5 inches. Each plate  66  includes a plurality of openings  56 , through which fasteners may be inserted in order to couple the plate  66  to the impact pad  52 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , three openings  56  are included in each plate  66 , but more or less openings  56  may be employed. 
   In order to couple each plate  66  to each impact pad  52 , washers  58  may be positioned over each opening  56  and fasteners may be inserted through each opening  56  and into the impact pad  52 . Each plate  66  may be secured to each vertical member  50  by welding or otherwise coupling each plate  66  to each vertical member  50 . Preferably, each washer  58  has a diameter of approximately 2.0 inches. 
   It is preferred to mount the vertical members  50  to the vehicle  16  by welding or otherwise coupling the vertical members  50  directly to the vehicle frame  24 . Such coupling limits the possibility that one or both of the bumpers  42  could become separated from the vehicle  16  in the event of a collision. Referring now to  FIG. 11 , when in position, and in order to optimize effectiveness, it is preferred to couple the bumpers  42  to the frame  24  so that a bottom portion of the bumpers  42  is approximately nine inches above a surface of a road  30  on which the vehicle  16  is traveling—a distance defined by the line between points A and B. This positioning should permit the system  40  to extend sufficiently to contact a bumper surface for an overwhelming majority of conventional passenger vehicles that are currently on the market. 
   In one embodiment, the bumpers  42  may each further include a bumper cover (not shown), which may be of a material commonly used as conventional bumper covers, to enable the system  40  to be visually conformed to the vehicle  16 , including the bumper  14 . 
   In one embodiment, the system  40  may be provided during manufacture of a vehicle  16 , so that a vehicle  16  may be sold as a new car with the system  40  in place. In another embodiment, the system  40  may be provided as an after-market attachment, and may be coupled to a vehicle  16  that is already in use. 
   Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 
   For example, variation of the measurements disclosed herein would be possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, while the system  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  as being coupled to the front portion of the vehicle  16 , it should be noted that the system  10  could be coupled—additionally or in the alternative—to a rear bumper  18  of the vehicle  16 . Similarly, while the system  40  is shown in  FIGS. 7-9  as being coupled to the front portion of a vehicle  16 , it should be noted that the system  40  could be coupled—additionally or in the alternative—to the rear bumper  18  of the vehicle  16 .