Patent ID: 8454080

Claim:
A forward structure of a motor vehicle comprising: a frame having first and second energy-absorbing zones located adjacent to respective first and second forward outboard corners of the vehicle; and a bumper beam forward of the energy-absorbing zones and mounted to transfer force to at least one of the energy-absorbing zones during a collision, the beam comprising: a center section extending generally laterally across the vehicle between the energy-absorbing zones; and first and second load transfer sections attached to and extending laterally outward from outboard ends of the center section adjacent the first and second energy-absorbing zones respectively, each load transfer section extending outboard of its respective energy-absorbing zone and rearward with respect to an average curvature line of the center section such that a free end of each load transfer section is disposed outboard of and spaced from the frame adjacent a rear end of its respective energy-absorbing zone.