Patent ID: 8899641

Claim:
An automotive bumper assembly configured to be connected to an associated vehicle structure, the automotive bumper assembly comprising: a bodyside outer element mountable to the vehicle structure, the bodyside outer element having at least one center region and opposed side regions contiguously connected to the at least one center region, wherein the at least one center region and the opposed side regions each have an outwardly facing surface; an outer bumper cover member connected to the associated vehicle, the outer bumper cover member having a first outwardly oriented surface and a second inwardly facing surface, the second inwardly facing surface opposed to the first outwardly surface, wherein the second inwardly facing surface of the outer bumper cover member overlies at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the bodyside outer element with a spaced distance existing between the second inwardly facing surface of the bumper cover member and the outwardly facing surface of the bodyside outer element; a compression member interposed between the outwardly facing surface of the bodyside outer element and the second inwardly facing surface of the outer bumper cover member, the compression member including: a first compressible region having a first face and an opposed second face, the first compressible region having a first compressibility value; and a second compressible region having a first face and an opposed second planar face, the second compressible region having a second compressibility value, wherein the first face of the second compressible region is connected to the second face of the first compressible region, wherein the second compressibility value is greater than the first compressibility value, wherein the compression member is oriented such that the first compressible region contacts the outwardly facing surface of the bodyside outer element and the opposed second planar face of the second compressible region is rests in contact with the second inwardly facing surface of the outer bumper cover member and wherein at least the second compressible region is made of a foamed polymeric material.