Field of the invention

The invention relates to a bumper including a bumper bar and two tapered crash boxes extending into the bumper bar and welded thereto, at least one of the crash boxes being adapted to have an attachment means for a towing eyelet.

Background of the invention

A towing eyelet is normally only attached to one side of the car. When the crash boxes are identical and the towing eyelet is attached to one of the crash boxes, the deformation properties of this crash box are adversely affected. US 7 357 432 B2 describes a bumper of this kind in which the bumper bar has a hole to allow for the insertion of a towing eyelet into the crash box.

Aim of the invention and brief description of the invention

One aim of the invention is to allow for the attachment of a towing eyelet in a stable manner that has no effect or a minimal effect on the deformation properties of the crash box to which it is attached. This is achieved in that one crash box has a welded-on cover and the bumper bar is supported by the crash box in that it is welded to this cover, the cover and the bumper bar having coaxial holes at an axial distance from one another adapted to receive an internally threaded sleeve welded at least to one or other of the cover and the bumper bar and forming an attachment means for a towing eyelet.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a bumper as viewed from the outside.

Figure 2 shows the same end as viewed from inside the vehicle.

Figure 3 is an exploded diagram corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the outer end of the bumper shown in the figures. Description of the illustrated and preferred embodiment of the invention

Figures 1-3 show a tapered crash box 11 having a mounting plate 12 welded to its inner end. The crash box is made up of two parts 1a and 1b welded together to give the crash box a closed profile. The mounting plate 12 is designed to be screwed to a load-bearing part of a vehicle, usually to a side member of the vehicle. The crash box also has a mounting plate 13 welded to its outer narrow part, thereby serving as a cover. This mounting plate 13 is welded to the outer part of a bumper bar 14. The bumper is symmetrical and has an identical crash box for attachment to the other side member of the vehicle.

Figure 4 shows how the mounting plate 13 has an indentation 15 with a hole 16 through which a sleeve 7 extends and is welded around the edge 8 of the hole. The sleeve extends through a hole 19 in the bumper bar 14. This hole is located in a protuberance 21 on the bumper bar. The sleeve 17 has an internal thread and a towing eyelet can be attached to the vehicle by screwing it into the sleeve 7, thereby forming a fastener for a towing eyelet which is mounted only when required. As a result of the fact that the sleeve is supported against the edge 20 of the hole 19 at an axial distance along the sleeve from the point at which it is attached to the edge 18 of the hole, the sleeve is stable even if the towing eyelet is pulled at an angle. The sleeve 17 may also be welded to the edge 20 of the hole, but this is not necessary. Alternatively, the sleeve may be welded only to the bumper bar. Neither the sleeve 17 nor the attachment thereof changes the properties of the crash box in comparison to a crash box without a sleeve. Both of the crash boxes therefore have the same deformation properties even if only one of the crash boxes is provided with a sleeve 17 and neither the sleeve nor the attachment thereof reduces the effective

deformation length of the crash box.

All of the components are made of metal, preferably steel.