Protective accessory bumper
View Patent ↗An accessory bumper for use on a host vehicle, such as a security vehicle, for providing collision protection when the host vehicle performs PIT maneuvers. The accessory bumper includes protective elements on front side of the vehicle, for protecting both the accessory bumper and also minimizing damage to the host vehicle's engine and other critical components necessary for the operation of the vehicle.
1. An accessory bumper ( 100 ) for use on a host vehicle ( 600 ), the host vehicle having a front surface and a side surface, the accessory bumper comprising:
a wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) having at least one mounting surface ( 204 ) and a striking surface ( 206 );
a grill guard extending from the at least one mounting surface of the wrap-around element ( 118 ), the grill guard including a tubular grill guard backbone ( 104 ) extending from the at least one mounting surface ( 204 ) adjacent the ends of the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ), and at least one two-ended tubular grill-guard element ( 102 ) extending from the at least one mounting surface ( 204 ) of the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) to the tubular grill guard backbone ( 104 ), wherein the grill guard assembly is provided so as to conform to the shape of the front surface of the host vehicle; and
a mounting assembly ( 202 ) connecting the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) to the front surface of the host vehicle.
2. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) is a c-channel weldment.
3. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) includes a protective strip ( 208 ) applied to the striking surface ( 206 ).
4. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 3 , wherein the protective strip ( 208 ) is a removable attached rubber strip.
5. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly ( 202 ) connecting the wrap-around protective element ( 118 ) further comprises a skid plate ( 402 ) attached to a lower bumper assembly ( 111 ) and oriented along the side surface of the host vehicle.
6. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly ( 202 ) comprises a lower bumper assembly ( 111 ) and at least one upper bumper support ( 110 ).
7. The accessory bumper ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the grill guard further comprises at least one auxiliary tubular grill guard support member ( 502 ).