Patent ID: 8231155

Claim:
A bumper system for a motor vehicle, comprising: a cross-member having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration which opens away from the motor vehicle, and includes a pair of outer flanges; at least one crush box connected with said cross member and configured to operably support said cross-member on the motor vehicle; a closure member operably connected with said outer flanges of said cross-member, and including first and second longitudinal segments, each having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration which opens toward said cross-member, and includes a base oriented generally vertically, a pair of legs extending rearwardly from opposite portions of said base and a pair of flanges extending generally vertically from opposite portions of said legs, wherein at least a portion of the flanges of each closure member is fixed to the cross-member at the outer flanges of the cross-member; and a coupling member fixedly connected with said base of each of said first and second segments of said closure member, the coupling member attaching said first and second segments of said closure member to said outer flanges of said cross-member, the coupling member including a connecting bar extending in a generally vertical plane and connecting to the outer flanges of the cross-member.