Patent ID: 8240725

Claim:
A bumper system for motor vehicles of the type having a vehicle frame with longitudinal supports, comprising: a cross-member disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame; at least one crush box adapted to be supported by the vehicle frame, and disposed generally between said cross-member and the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame for selectively supporting said cross-member; at least two coupling levers having first ends thereof operably pivotally connected with said crush box and second ends thereof operably pivotally connected with said cross-member; said coupling levers being arranged in a mutually parallel relationship and oriented at an angle relative to vehicle travel, whereby said cross-member is operably supported by said crush box for displacement from a ready position toward the longitudinal supports of the vehicle frame in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to said crush box; and an energy absorption element constructed from a foamed material, disposed generally between said cross-member and said crush box, and being clamped between said coupling levers to selectively resist inward movement of said cross-member from said ready position upon impact, and thereby absorb impact energy.