Integral bumper and skid plate
View Patent ↗The present invention generally relates to an integrally formed skid plate and bumper for a motorized vehicle. The integrally formed skid plate and bumper member is particularly useful for a snowmobile. One embodiment of the invention includes a bumper and a skid plate that are integrally formed as a single member and capable of being secured to a vehicle frame. The skid plate may include hollow rib members that extend longitudinally along a downward facing side of the skid plate. The skid plate also may include a roll-up feature at a rear portion of the skid plate that curves upward to mate with a lower portion of the vehicle frame. As applied to snowmobiles, the integrally formed skid plate and bumper may define a nose cone between the bumper and the skid plate.
1. An unitary bumper and skid plate member for a land based vehicle, comprising:
a bumper; and
a skid plate;
whereby the bumper and the skid plate are integrally formed as one unitary piece capable of being secured to a frame of the vehicle.
2. The member of claim 1 further comprising protective ribs formed on an exterior surface of the member.
3. The member of claim 2 wherein the ribs are hollow.
4. The member of claim 2 wherein at least one of the ribs extends from the bumper to the skid plate.
5. The member of claim 1 wherein the skid plate has a base member and a rear portion, the rear portion comprising a roll-up portion that is curved relative to the base member and extends transverse to a length of the skid plate substantially centered about a longitudinal centerline of the skid plate.
6. The member of claim 5 wherein the roll-up portion curves up to meet a lower portion of the vehicle frame.
7. The member of claim 1 wherein the member is injection molded as one piece and comprises high-density polypropylene.
8. The member of claim 1 wherein the member comprises attachments for securing and pivoting a hood to the vehicle.
9. The member of claim 8 , wherein the attachments are secured to the bumper.
10. The member of claim 2 wherein the ribs are hollow and comprise cross supports formed in the ribs.
11. The member of claim 1 wherein the bumper is a front bumper of the vehicle.
12. The member of claim 11 further comprising a nose cone interposed between the front bumper and the skid plate, wherein the nose cone is integrally formed with the skid plate and the front bumper to form a single unitary member.
13. The member of claim 1 wherein the skid plate comprises a front end and a rear end, and wherein the bumper comprises a front bumper integrally formed at the skid plate front end and a rear roll-up portion integrally formed at the skid plate rear end, the bumper and skid plate forming a single unitary member.
14. A snowmobile, comprising:
a frame; and
an unitary bumper and skid plate member mounted to a bottom portion of the frame, the integral bumper and skid plate member including a bumper and a skid plate integrally formed as one unitary piece.
15. An unitary bumper and skid plate member for a land based vehicle, comprising:
a bumper defining a front edge of the vehicle; and
a skid plate;
whereby the bumper and the skid plate are integrally formed as one unitary piece capable of being secured to a frame of the vehicle.