Integrated solitary bumper beam

1. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact comprising a singularly molded part combining a relatively stiff beam portion for attachment to a vehicle and an impact energy absorber integrally molded together with the beam portion wherein said energy absorber faces in a forward direction for absorbing energy due to an impact, said energy absorber comprising a plurality of crushable forward projecting members adapted to crush upon impact, and spaced apart longitudinally along said beam portion, said unitary bumper unit formed from a thermoplastic material.

2. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 1 wherein said unitary bumper unit has an elongated shape and is adapted for mounting to the forward end of a vehicle and extending longitudinally across the width of the vehicle.

3. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 2 wherein said energy absorber portion provides pedestrian leg protection.

4. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 2 wherein said energy absorber portion reduces forces of impact with legs of a pedestrian.

5. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 2 wherein the energy absorber portion absorbs energy during an impact of said vehicle at low speeds of less than or equal to 5 Mph.

6. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 2 wherein said energy absorber portion and said integrated beam portion comprise a single integral unit of injection molded material.

7. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 6 wherein said energy absorber portion comprises a plurality of forwardly projecting crushable members.

8. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 7 wherein said crusable members have relatively thin wall portions and said beam portion has relatively thick wall portions.

9. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 8 wherein said crushable members comprise a plurality of injection molded joined wall portions extending outwardly from the beam portion which result in a hollow portion in said beam.

10. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 9 wherein said crushable members have at least two different configurations.

11. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 10 wherein said at least two configurations are selected from the group consisting of a box, can, arcuate wall, joined wall, I-shape, and H-shaped configuration.

12. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 10 wherein said attachment to said vehicle is to a vehicle support, said beam portion includes a section adapted for attachment to said vehicle support.

13. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 12 wherein said energy absorber comprises a pair of crushable members positioned to absorb impact directed to said vehicle support.

14. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 10 wherein the unitary beam is injection molded as a single piece with a thermoplastic resin.

15. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 14 wherein said thermoplastic comprises a polyester material.

16. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 14 wherein said thermoplastic comprises a polycarbonate material.

17. An unitary bumper unit adapted for attachment to a vehicle for absorbing forces generated from an impact according to claim 14 wherein said thermoplastic resin is a blend of a polyester resin and at least one of an aromatic polycarbonate, a high density polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, and a polyamide.

18. A vehicle bumper unit for an automotive vehicle according to claim 14 including a fascia.

19. The vehicle bumper unit of claim 18 wherein the fascia is formed from a thermoplastic resin.