Abstract:
An automobile bumper including an isolator including one or more step surfaces integrally formed on the isolator. The step surface(s) may provide a gripping surface for permitting a user to step on for loading and unloading objects from the automobile. A fascia cover may be attachable to the isolator and include a cutout for allowing the step surface(s) to protrude through the cutout to prevent direct contact of the user&#39;s foot with the fascia.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   a. Field of Invention 
   The invention relates generally to components for pick up trucks, vans, SUVs and other such vehicles which allow a user to climb into the vehicle for loading and unloading, and more particularly, to a step pad and isolator assembly for respectively facilitating loading and unloading of objects into and from the vehicle. 
   b. Description of Related Art 
   As is known in the art, pick up trucks, vans, SUVs and other such vehicles generally include a bumper having a step surface for allowing a user to step onto the bumper for climbing into the vehicle to load and unload objects. The step surface generally includes a plurality of raised and grooved areas for providing a gripping area for the user to safely step on without risking slipping and without damaging the outer painted or non-painted bumper fascia. 
   Known designs of such step surfaces generally include a rubber or plastic step surface mounted on the top fascia of a bumper by adhesive, bolting, snap-fit engagement or other known techniques. In order to account for the user&#39;s weight onto the bumper surface, a reinforcement structure can be provided underneath the fascia. The overall bumper assembly thus generally includes at least three components, the outer fascia, a step surface and a reinforcement structure. 
   An exemplary bumper design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,821 to Heil. Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of Heil, there is disclosed a polymeric injection molded running board 7 including a longitudinal base portion 16 with an upper first surface 28 and a lower second surface 30 opposite the first surface. The upper surface is designed to support a foot of a vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The running board includes grip ridges 34 integrally molded with the base portion on the first surface for increasing the frictional interface between the first surface and the foot of the vehicle occupant entering or exiting the vehicle. The grip ridges include a crown region 33 and an incline portion 36 connecting the crown region with the first surface. The running board also includes reinforcing ribs 40 for strengthening the base portion, with the ribs extending from the base portion second surface and being joined to the second surface generally opposite the incline portion of the grip ridges. 
   Another exemplary bumper design of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0087999 to Campbell discloses in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 thereof an integrated upper fascia and bumper energy absorber 10 including an upper fascia support member 12, a bumper energy absorber 14 and a load isolator 16 which integrally connects the upper fascia support member to the bumper energy absorber. Upper fascia support member 12 provides attachments for various attached parts of a motor vehicle. Load isolator 16 connects the upper fascia support member to the bumper energy absorber in a fixed position relative to each other and manages a load applied, relatively, to either upper fascia support member or the bumper energy absorber. This relative load distribution causes relative movement of one component from adversely affecting the other component, thus keeping vehicle damage to a minimum in the event of an impact. 
   While existing running board or bumper designs, such as those disclosed by Heil and Campbell, provide designs which allow a user to step onto the bumper or which distribute an applied load in a predetermined manner, there exists a need for simplifying and reducing the manufacturing and assembly steps required for such components, as well as for reducing the overall number of parts for such components. 
   It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle bumper design which allows a user to climb into and out of the vehicle for respectively loading and unloading objects, with the design including a minimal number of components to thus simplify the manufacturing and assembly steps required for such components. There also exists a need for such bumper designs which are robust in design, and which are economical to manufacture and maintain from a manufacturing and material cost perspective. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention solves the problems and overcomes the drawbacks and deficiencies of prior art automobile step-on type bumpers by providing an automobile bumper including an isolator having one or more step surfaces integrally formed on the isolator thereby eliminating the need for a secondary step pad component. The step surface(s) may provide a gripping surface for permitting a user to step on for loading and unloading objects from the automobile. A fascia cover may be attachable to the isolator and include a variety of different shape cutouts for allowing the step surface(s) to protrude through the cutouts and prevent direct contact of the user&#39;s foot with the fascia esthetic class “A” surface. 
   For the automobile bumper described above, the isolator may include one or more reinforcement ribs for minimizing flexing of the automobile bumper under the user&#39;s weight. The reinforcement rib(s) may include a substantially X-shaped profile. The step surface(s) may include a plurality of grooves for providing the gripping surface. The isolator may include a plurality of cutouts for mounting of the fascia cover. The step surface(s) may include a raised portion for protruding through the cutout and one or more ribs for supporting the isolator onto an automobile bumper beam. The isolator may be made of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and/or Polypropylene (PPO), Xenoy (PC+PBT), or any material capable of being used in the injection molded process. 
   The invention also provides an automobile including a bumper having an isolator having one or more step surfaces integrally formed on the isolator. The step surface(s) may provide a gripping surface for permitting a user to step on the bumper. A fascia cover may be attachable to the isolator and include cutouts for allowing a portion of the step surface(s) to protrude through the cutouts. 
   For the automobile described above, the isolator may include one or more reinforcement ribs for reducing flexing of the automobile bumper under the user&#39;s weight. The reinforcement rib(s) may include a substantially X-shaped profile. The step surface may include a plurality of grooves for providing the gripping surface. The isolator may include a plurality of cutouts for mounting of the fascia cover. The step surface(s) may include a raised portion for protruding through the cutout and one or more ribs for supporting the isolator onto an automobile bumper beam. 
   The invention also provides an automobile structure for permitting a user to step onto for loading and unloading objects from the automobile. The structure may include an isolator including one or more step surfaces integrally formed on the isolator. The step surface(s) may provide a gripping surface for permitting a user to step on for loading and unloading objects from the automobile. A fascia cover may be attachable to the isolator and include a cutout for allowing the step surface(s) to protrude through the cutout to prevent direct contact of the user&#39;s foot with the fascia. 
   For the automobile structure described above, the isolator may include one or more reinforcement ribs for minimizing flexing of the automobile structure under the user&#39;s weight. The reinforcement rib(s) may include a substantially X-shaped profile. The isolator may include a plurality of cutouts for mounting of the fascia cover. The step surface(s) may include a raised portion for protruding through the cutouts and one or more ribs for supporting the isolator onto an automobile frame member. 
   Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an integrated step pad and isolator assembly according to the present invention, illustrating the assembly in an installed configuration; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the integrated step pad and isolator assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the integrated step pad and isolator assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken generally along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the integrated step pad and isolator assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 , further including a fascia cover installed onto the step pad and isolator assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate various views of an integrated step pad and isolator assembly having a fascia cover mounted thereon according to the present invention, the assembly being hereinafter generally designated “integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10 .” 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  may generally include a plurality of step surfaces  12  provided at spaced locations thereon for permitting a user to step onto overall bumper assembly  14  (see  FIG. 1 ) for loading and unloading objects respectively into and from automobile  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , step surfaces  12  may include a plurality of grooves thereon for preventing the user&#39;s foot from slipping. In an exemplary embodiment, the grooves may be parallel indentations in each step surface  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a typical bumper assembly  14  may include five spaced step surfaces along the central and outer edges of the bumper assembly. However, those skilled in the art would readily appreciate in view of this disclosure that the spacing and number of step surfaces  12  may be readily designed based on the overall dimensions of bumper assembly  14 . 
   In the particular embodiment of  FIGS. 2-4 , as illustrated, each step surface may be provided on a generally trapezoidal raised platform  18  including ribs  20  contiguously disposable against a bumper beam  22  for adequately supporting assembly  10 . With the configuration of step surfaces  12  as illustrated, the generally trapezoidal profile of the step surface thus provides a rigid platform for a user to step onto. The shape of the surfaces are also dependent on particular vehicle styling as dictated during the studio process and can therefore be circular in shape as well. 
   In order to further rigidify integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10 , a plurality of reinforcement ribbing  24  may be provided between each set  26 ,  28  and  30  of step surfaces  12 . In the embodiment illustrated, reinforcement ribbing  24  may generally include an X-shaped profile for minimizing axial and torsional bending of assembly  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , reinforcement ribbing  24  may be provided in a concave depression  32  and include additional lateral ribs  34  for providing yet further rigidity to assembly  10 . Those skilled in the art would appreciate in view of this disclosure that a variety of other reinforcement ribbing structures may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  may include a plurality of orifices and cutouts  36 ,  38  for facilitating attachment of fascia cover  40  thereon, as well as for facilitating attachment of assembly  10  to vehicle body  46 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , fascia cover  40  may include opening  42  for insertion of a pin, screw or similar fastener  44  through orifice  36  of assembly  10  into vehicle body  46 , and fascia cover  40  may further include shafts  48  insertable into cutouts  38  and retained therein by clips  50 . Of course, a plurality of other configurations of orifices, cutouts, openings, shafts and other known attachment techniques may be used for attachment of fascia cover  40  to integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , fascia cover  40  may also include complementary openings  52  for insertion of raised step surfaces  12 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment illustrated, integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  may include generally horizontal surface  54  having transverse upper and lower extensions  56 ,  58 , respectively, formed therewith in a one piece component. As briefly discussed above, upper extension  56  may rest against and be mounted to vehicle body  46 , and lower extension  58  may be provided for supporting fascia cover  40  as well as providing a surface for mounting cover  40 . In this manner, integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  acts as a support surface under fascia cover  40  for supporting the weight of a user relative to bumper beam  22 . 
   In an exemplary embodiment of integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10 , assembly  10  may be formed of thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), Polypropylene (PPO), or other known materials used for stepping surfaces on vehicles, and include a uniform thickness of, for example, 3 mm. Assembly  10  may of course include a variable or different thickness depending on other factors such as use, impact resistance and deformation requirements, and additional weight and dimensional constraints as required for such structures. 
   The assembly and use of integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  with bumper assembly  14  will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in order to assemble bumper assembly  14 , assembly  10  and fascia cover  40  may be first aligned such that step surfaces  12  of assembly  10  protrude through openings  52  of fascia cover  40 . Assembly  10  and fascia cover  40  may then be joined and mounted to vehicle body  46  as shown using the pin/screw and clip connections  44 ,  50 , as discussed above. 
   Thus a simple two step process is required for attaching assembly  10  and fascia cover  40  to provide bumper assembly  14 . 
   With bumper assembly  14  installed onto the vehicle, a user may simply step onto step surfaces  12  of bumper assembly  14  to load or unload objects into the vehicle. 
   Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate in view of this disclosure that various modifications could be made to integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of the trapezoidal configuration of step surfaces  12 , a variety of other configurations and layouts could be used based on design, utility and aesthetical considerations. Further, whereas assembly  10  has been illustrated as being used with bumper assembly  14 , it is readily apparent that assembly  10  may be used with other side step areas, as well as with a variety of other vehicles. 
   To summarize, the present invention thus provides a bumper assembly including an integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  which allows a user to climb into and out of a vehicle for respectively loading and unloading objects, with the design including a minimal number of components to thus simplify the manufacturing and assembly steps required for such components. The present invention also provides an integrated step pad and isolator assembly  10  which is robust in design, and which is economical to manufacture and maintain from a manufacturing and material cost perspective. The attachment style within the constraints of the fascia assembly can also be changed depending on the package space provided with each application of the invention. 
   Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.