Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1
LIGHT BAR BUMPER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICULAR TRAILER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bumper assembly for a trailer frame in
which the bumper assembly supports an array of vehicular signalling lights
therein, and
more particularly, the present invention relates to a bumper assembly for a
vehicular
trailer supporting vehicular lights therein in which a portion of the bumper
assembly is
movable between a closed position and an open position providing access to
wiring for
the lights within a hollow interior of the bumper assembly.
BACKGROUND
Cargo transport trailers of the type commonly transported by connection
to a highway tractor truck are required to be provided with vehicular
signalling lights
similar to road vehicles for i) illuminating the boundary of the vehicle to
improve visibility
to others, ii) signalling braking to other vehicles, and iii) signalling
turning of trailer in
either direction to other vehicles. Such signalling lights are typically
incorporated into
tubular bar spanning laterally across a rear end of the trailer frame to also
function as
a rear bumper of the trailer frame. Wiring from the vehicle controls to
individual light
assemblies mounted along the tubular bar must typically be threaded through
the
tubular bar to the different light assemblies. The tubular bar provides
limited access for
replacement of wiring or light assemblies. Furthermore, the wiring typically
rests along
a bottom of the hollow interior of the tubular bar such that any moisture
collected in the
tubular bar can contribute to premature corrosion of the wiring. Furthermore,
in the
event of any damage from a collision for example, typically the entire light
bar assembly
must be replaced.
European Patent application 2 431 236 by Lago and United States Patent
Nos. 4,901,895 by Gancarz, 5,364,142 by Coiner, 5,016,932 by Carter,
Date recue / Date received 2021-12-16
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
2
5,979,953 by Rinehart, and 7,347,597 by French disclose various examples of
bumper assemblies for vehicles, but none provide a suitable degree of access
to light
assemblies in a rear panel of a light bar bumper assembly to allow for
independent
replacement of the light assemblies, the rear panel, and/or wiring to the
light
assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a light bar
bumper assembly for a vehicular trailer frame comprising:
a housing arranged for mounting in fixed relation to a rear end of the
trailer frame including:
a front panel spanning laterally between two opposed ends of the
housing in an upright orientation;
a top flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel towards a
rear edge of the top flange along a length of the front panel between the ends
of the
housing; and
a bottom flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel
towards a rear edge of the bottom flange along the length of the front panel
between
the ends of the housing at a location spaced below the top flange to define a
rear
opening in the housing between the rear edge of the top flange and the rear
edge of
the bottom flange;
a cover comprising a rear panel supported on the housing so as to be
movable between a closed position in which the rear panel spans the rear
opening
along the length of the housing between the ends thereof and an open position
in
which the rear panel extends away from the rear opening such that the rear
opening
is substantially unobstructed by the rear panel; and
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
3
a plurality of vehicular signalling lights mounted in the rear panel for
movement together with the cover between the open and closed positions.
By supporting the lights in a movable panel, both the wiring in the hollow
interior of the bumper assembly and the wiring connections to the internal
side of the
lights can be readily accessed for ease of replacement of individual
components as
required. The modular construction of the housing and cover also allows only
part of
the bumper assembly to be replaced independent of the remainder of the
assembly in
the event that damage occurs to only one portion of the light bar assembly.
The cover is coupled to the housing for relative pivotal movement
between the open position and the closed position. Preferably the cover is
pivotal
relative to the housing between the open and closed positions about a pivot
axis
located at the rear edge of the bottom flange.
The assembly may further comprise: i) a first hinge component integrally
formed on the cover such that the first hinge component and the cover comprise
a
single, unitary, seamless body of extruded material, and ii) a second hinge
component
on the housing such that the second hinge component and the housing comprise a
single, unitary, seamless body of extruded material. Preferably the first and
second
hinge components are shaped to mate with one another for relative pivotal
movement
to define a pivot axis of the cover relative to the housing between the open
and closed
positions thereof.
When the housing further includes a pair of end caps supported at
opposing ends of the housing in fixed relation to the housing, preferably the
first hinge
component of the cover is restrained in the lateral direction by the end caps.
Each end cap preferably spans a full height between the top flange and
the bottom flange and spanning a full depth between the front panel and the
rear
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
4
panel in the closed position.
The end caps may be fixed to the housing using threaded or
compression fasteners such that the end caps are readily releasable from the
housing.
The assembly may further include a mounting channel supported on the
front panel within a hollow interior of the housing to extend laterally
between the two
opposed ends of the housing. The mounting channel and the front panel may be a
single, unitary, seamless body of extruded material.
According to one embodiment, the cover may further include a fastener
flange protruding forwardly from the rear panel adjacent to the top flange in
the closed
position in which the fastener flange of the cover and the top flange of the
housing are
arranged to receive common fasteners therethrough to selectively retain the
cover in
the closed position. Preferably the fastener flange is received below the top
flange in
the closed position of the cover in this instance. The top flange of the
housing may
include a recessed channel formed therein which is arranged to receive said
common
fasteners therein.
In further embodiments, the fastener flange may depend from a rear end
of the top flange of the housing such that fasteners may be fastened to the
fastener
flange of the housing through the rear flange of the cover to secure the cover
in the
closed position.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a light bar bumper assembly for a vehicular trailer frame comprising:
a front panel spanning laterally between two opposed ends of the front
panel and being arranged for mounting in an upright orientation in fixed
relation to a
rear end of the trailer frame;
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
a top flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel towards a rear
edge of the top flange along a length of the front panel between the ends of
the front
panel; and
a bottom flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel towards a
5 rear edge of the bottom flange along the length of the front panel
between the ends of
the front panel at a location spaced below the top flange;
a rear panel spanning between the rear edge of the top flange and the
rear edge of the bottom flange at a location spaced rearwardly from the front
panel;
a plurality of vehicular signalling lights mounted in the rear panel;
at least one of the top flange and the rear panel defining a cover which
is pivotal relative to a remainder of the bumper assembly between an open
position in
which the hollow interior of the bumper assembly is accessible through an
access
opening and a closed position in which a hollow interior of the bumper
assembly is
enclosed;
a first hinge component integrally formed on the cover such that the first
hinge component and the cover comprise a single, unitary, seamless body of
extruded material; and
a second hinge component on the remainder of the bumper assembly
such that the second hinge component and the remainder comprise a single,
unitary,
seamless body of extruded material;
the first and second hinge components being shaped to mate with one
another for relative pivotal movement to define a pivot axis of the cover
relative to the
remainder of the bumper assembly between the open and closed positions
thereof.
Preferably the first and second hinge components interlock with one
another such that the cover cannot be removed from the remainder of the
housing.
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
6
Preferably the first hinge component of the cover is restrained in the
laterally direction by the end caps of the bumper assembly.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a
light bar bumper assembly for a vehicular trailer frame comprising:
a front panel spanning laterally between two opposed ends of the front
panel and being arranged for mounting in an upright orientation in fixed
relation to a
rear end of the trailer frame;
a top flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel towards a rear
edge of the top flange along a length of the front panel between the ends of
the front
panel; and
a bottom flange protruding rearwardly from the front panel towards a
rear edge of the bottom flange along the length of the front panel between the
ends of
the front panel at a location spaced below the top flange;
a rear panel spanning between the rear edge of the top flange and the
rear edge of the bottom flange at a location spaced rearwardly from the front
panel;
a plurality of vehicular signalling lights mounted in the rear panel;
at least one of the top flange and the rear panel defining a cover which
is pivotal relative to a remainder of the bumper assembly between an open
position in
which the hollow interior of the bumper assembly is accessible through an
access
opening and a closed position in which a hollow interior of the bumper
assembly is
enclosed; and
a mounting channel supported on the front panel within the hollow
interior of the bumper assembly to extend laterally between the two opposed
ends of
the front panel.
The mounting channel and the front panel preferably comprise a single,
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
7
unitary, seamless body of extruded material.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the light bar bumper assembly;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the light bar bumper assembly
supported on a trailer frame;
Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the housing and the cover of the
bumper assembly in a closed position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the housing and the cover of the
bumper assembly in the closed position;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing and the cover of the
bumper assembly in an open position;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the housing and the cover of the bumper
assembly along the line 6-6 of Figure 3, shown in the open position; and
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the housing and the cover of the bumper
assembly along the line 6-6 of Figure 3, shown in the closed position.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a vehicular
light bar bumper assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The
assembly 10 is particularly suited for use with a vehicular trailer frame 12
of the type
commonly towed by highway tractor trucks, including flat deck trailers, box
trailers,
hopper trailers and the like for example.
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
8
In general the trailer frame 12 typically extends in a longitudinal direction
from a front end 14 having a king pin connection for connection to the towing
vehicle
16 to a rear end 18 supported on a set of wheels such that the trailer frame
is
supported for rolling movement together with the towing vehicle in a forward
working
direction.
The assembly 10 generally includes a housing 20 arranged for mounting
in fixed relation to the trailer frame 12, a cover 22 supported on the housing
for
movement relative to the housing between a closed position in which a hollow
interior
of the housing is enclosed by the cover and an open position in which the
hollow
interior is accessible through an opening in the housing, and vehicular
signaling lights
24 supported on one or both of the housing 20 and/or cover 22. Wiring for the
lights
24 is generally supported within the hollow interior of the housing.
The housing 20 generally includes a front panel 26 which is generally
rectangular and mounted in a vertical orientation when supported on the
trailer frame
so as to be elongate in a lateral direction perpendicular to the forward
working
direction of the trailer. The front panel 26 spans the full width in the
lateral direction
between two opposing ends 28 of the housing. The front panel further spans the
full
height of the assembly between a top end 30 and a bottom edge 32 of the front
panel.
A top flange 34 of the housing is similarly rectangular in shape and
elongate in the lateral direction to span the full length of the housing
between the two
opposing ends 20. The top flange is perpendicular relative to the front panel
so as to
be generally horizontal in the mounted position to project rearward from the
top edge
of the front panel to a rear edge 36 of the top flange.
The majority of the top flange 34 lies in a generally horizontal common
plane with the exception of an elongate channel 38 formed in the top flange to
span
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
9
the full length in the lateral direction between the two opposing ends 28 of
the
housing. The channel includes a base flange 40 which is parallel but recessed
downwardly relative to the remainder of the top flange 34 while being
connected to
the top flange by side flanges 42 connected between opposing edges of the base
flange 40 and respective portions of the top flange 34 on either side of the
channel.
The channel thus forms a recessed trough relative to the common plane of the
remainder of the top flange.
The housing further includes a bottom flange 44 which similarly projects
rearwardly from the front panel 26 to a respective rear edge 46 at a location
spaced
below the top flange so as to be parallel to the top flange. A bottom flange
remains
spaced above the bottom edge of the front panel but at a location which is
closer to
the bottom edge than the top of the front panel. In this manner, a portion of
the front
panel 26 projects downwardly beyond the bottom flange 44 at the front side of
the
housing.
The rear edge 46 of the bottom flange 44 includes an integral hinge
component 47 formed therein which includes a first arcuate portion 48 and a
second
hook portion 50. The first portion 48 extends generally upwardly and
rearwardly from
the rear edge 46 of the bottom flange so as to be generally arcuate in profile
having a
convex interior or top side and a concave exterior or bottom side thereof. The
second
portion 50 depends downwardly from the rear end of the arcuate first portion
48 to
terminate at a bottom free edge which is generally rounded in profile.
The top flange and the bottom flange effectively define a rear opening
52 at the rear side of the housing which is generally vertically oriented to
span the full
length of the housing between the two opposing ends 28 at the rear side while
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
spanning substantially the full height between the rear edge of the top flange
and the
rear edge of the bottom flange of the housing.
The housing further includes a mounting channel 54 on the rear surface
of the front panel 26 such that the mounting channel is fully received within
the hollow
5 interior of the housing. More particularly, the mounting channel 54 is
continuous in
profile in the lateral direction along the full length of the housing between
the two
opposing ends 28. The mounting channel 54 is approximately central in height
between the top and bottom of the front panel so as to be similarly located at
an
intermediate location within the hollow interior of the housing at a location
between
10 the top and bottom flanges so as to be spaced from both the top and
bottom flanges
while being closer to the bottom flange than the top flange.
The mounting channel 54 generally includes an upper flange 56 and a
lower flange 58 projecting rearward in perpendicular orientation to the front
panel 26
from which they project. The lower flange 58 is parallel and spaced below the
upper
flange 56. The inner free edges 61 of both the upper flange 56 and the lower
flange
58 are hook shaped relative to the remainder of the flange such that both free
edges
61 project inwardly towards one another such that the mounting channel 54 has
a
generally C-shaped boundary about the hollow interior thereof as defined by
the
upper flange 56 the lower flange 58 and a portion of the front panel connected
therebetween at the front side.
The internal recess of the mounting channel 54 is suitable for receiving
a bolt head 60 of suitable fasteners slidable therein in the lateral direction
between the
opposing ends 28. The upper and lower flanges of the mounting channel mate
with
corresponding flat surfaces of the bolt heads with sufficiently close
proximity to resist
rotation of the bolt heads about respective axes thereof. A corresponding
threaded
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
11
portion 62 of each fastener projects from the bolt head through the opening
between
the free edges 61 of the upper and lower flanges to project sufficiently into
the hollow
interior of the housing to permit a respective nut 64 to be secured thereon
for
fastening wiring clips 66 in fixed relation to the housing within the hollow
interior
.. thereof.
All of the components of the housing as described above, including the
front panel 26, the top flange 34, the bottom flange 44, the hinge component
at the
rear edge of the bottom flange, and the mounting channel 54 are all extruded
together
so as to be continuous in profile along the full length between the opposing
ends 28 in
the lateral direction and so as to be formed as a single, unitary, seamless
body of
extruded material which is integral throughout.
Likewise, the cover 22 is formed as a single, unitary, seamless body of
extruded material which is integral throughout including a rear panel 68, a
hinge
component 70 at a bottom edge of the rear panel and a fastener flange 72
joined to
.. the rear panel 68 as described in further detail below.
The rear panel 68 is generally rectangular in shape and is elongate in
the lateral direction to span the full length of the housing between the two
opposing
ends 28 thereof. The rear panel 68 similarly spans the full height of the
hollow interior
of the housing between the top and bottom flanges respectively.
The hinge component 70 is integrally formed at the bottom edge of the
rear panel 68 to span the full length of the housing in the lateral direction.
The hinge
component 70 interlocks with the corresponding hinge component 47 of the
housing
such that the hinge componeots interlock to allow relative sliding in the
lateral
direction for assembly while being restricted to a generally relative pivotal
movement
about a horizontal pivot axis between the open and closed positions of the
cover
12
relative to the housing once assembled. More particularly, the pivot axis of
the cover
relative to housing is situated approximately at the bottom end of the rear
panel 68
corresponding to the rear edge of the bottom flange of the housing.
When the cover is pivoted into the closed position, the rear panel 68 fully
spans the rear opening in the housing for enclosing the hollow interior
thereof while the
rear panel 68 is generally vertical in orientation, parallel to the front
panel but spaced
rearward therefrom.
The fastener flange 72 of the cover is fixed to the forward, interior side of
the rear panel 68 to project forwardly therefrom adjacent to and immediately
below the
top flange of the housing in the closed position. More particularly in the
closed position,
the top edge 74 of the rear panel is received immediately below the rear edge
of the
top flange of the housing such that the top edge of the rear panel abuts
against the side
flange at the rear side of the channel 38 formed in the top flange. In this
instance, the
rearmost side flange 32 of the mounting channel 38 forms a shoulder surface
supported
below the top flange 34 against which the top edge of the rear panel 68 of the
cover is
abutted in the closed position. The shoulder surface is spaced forwardly from
the rear
edge of the top flange such that a rear portion of the top flange protrudes
rearwardly
beyond and overhangs the cover in the closed position of the cover.
The fastener flange is spaced slightly below the top edge 74 of the rear
panel by height corresponding approximately to the height of the channel 38
recessed
below the top flange 34 such that the fastener flange in the closed position
is generally
horizontal and in close proximity below the base flange 40 of the channel in
the top of
the housing 20. Suitable fastener apertures are provided in both the fastener
flange 72
and the base flange 40 at the top of the housing for alignment with one
another in the
closed position such that suitable fasteners 76 can be threaded into the
aligned fastener
apertures for securing the rear panel in the closed position.
The hinge component 70 generally includes a lower hook portion 78 which
is curved upwardly and forwardly from the bottom edge of the rear panel 68 in
the closed
position and an upper hook portion 80 as described in further detail below.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-16
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
13
The lower hook portion 78 has a concave interior side and a convex
bottom or exterior side such that the lower hook 78 is suited for mating about
the
bottom free edge of the second portion 50 of the hinge component 47.
The upper hook portion 80 is in the form of an arcuate flange projecting
generally forwardly and downwardly above the arcuate first portion 48 of the
hinge
component 47 of the housing in the closed position. More particularly, the
upper hook
portion 80 is arcuate in profile having a concave bottom surface mating with
the
convex top surface of the first portion 48 of the hinge component 47.
The mating of the curved surfaces of the corresponding portions of the
two hinge components effectively couples the cover for pivotal movement
relative to
the housing between the open and closed positions described above. More
particularly, the cover can be pivoted from the vertical closed position to an
open
position in which the rear panel 68 forming the cover projects generally
rearward
away from the rear opening at a slight upward slope such that the rear opening
of the
housing is substantially unobstructed by the cover.
In the open position, the free end of the lower hook portion 78 abuts the
end of a corresponding slot between the first and second portions of the hinge
component 47 to prevent continued rotation of the rear panel away from the
closed
position beyond the open position shown in Figure 6.
The bumper assembly further includes a pair of end caps 82 arranged to
be mounted at the two opposing ends 28 of the housing so as to be parallel to
one
another and perpendicular to the lateral direction. Each end cap 82 comprises
a
generally rectangular panel which fully encloses a respective end of the
housing to
span the full height between the top and bottom flanges of the housing while
spanning
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
14
the full depth of the housing between the front panel and the rear panel in
the closed
position.
The top flange is slightly longer in the rearward direction from the front
panel than the bottom flange such that the rear opening has a slight upward
and
rearward slope from the rear edge of the bottom flange to the rear edge of the
top
flange of the housing. Accordingly, the rear edge of each end cap is similarly
slightly
sloped to extend upward at a slight rearward slope in the mounted position
from the
bottom end to the top end thereof.
Each end cap spans over a respective end of the mated hinge
components in the assembled configuration. In this manner, the hinge
components
are interlocked with one another by sliding the cover panel in the lateral
direction
relative to the housing for assembly, however once the cover is aligned with
the
housing in the lateral direction, the end caps 82 are mounted at both ends of
the
housing to span the opposing ends of the hinge components and effectively
retain the
hinge component of the cover between the two end caps 82 fixed on the housing
so
as to restrict sliding of the cover relative to the housing in the lateral
direction in the
mounted position.
Each end cap 82 is mounted in fixed relation to the housing by providing
each end cap with a top edge flange 84 and a bottom edge flange 86 projecting
horizontally inward from corresponding top and bottom edges of the end caps to
extend inwardly in overlapping configuration overtop the top flange of the
housing and
below the bottom flange of the housing respectively. Corresponding fastener
apertures receive suitable fasteners 88 extending through the edge flanges and
through corresponding apertures at opposing ends of the top and bottom flanges
for
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
fastening the end caps with threaded fasteners that permit the end caps to be
subsequently readily released from the housing as desired.
The rear panel is further provided with light apertures 90 laterally spaced
apart positions along the length of the two opposing ends 26 of the housing.
Each
5 light
aperture 90 mounts a respective light assembly 92 therein. Each light assembly
includes a generally circular housing received within the light aperture
together with a
peripheral flange 94 which overlaps a rear side of the rear panel about a
periphery of
the light aperture 90 to permit fasteners to selectively fix each light
assembly to the
rear panel. Once mounted in place, the light assemblies are pivotal together
with the
10 rear panel
of the cover relative to the housing between the open and closed positions.
Each end cap is further provided with a light aperture 96 formed
centrally therein for similarly receiving therein for similarly receiving a
respective light
assembly 98 therein which similarly includes a peripheral mounting flange for
being
fastened to the end cap.
15 The front
panel 26 of the housing is further provided with a plurality of
bolt holes at laterally spaced positions along the length thereof to receive
threaded
fasteners for bolting the housing to corresponding frame portions of the
trailer frame.
Once mounted in place, wiring for the rear signaling lights of the trailer
frame extend from the trailer frame through a suitable wiring aperture 102
also located
in the front panel of the housing. The wiring 104 is typically sealed relative
to the
surrounding aperture 102 by a suitable resilient plug receiving the wiring
therethrough
but maintaining a sealed connection with the surrounding perimeter of the
aperture
102.
The wiring 104 is then received through the wiring clips mounted within
the mounting channel 54 for communicating with all of the respective light
assemblies
CA 02895528 2015-06-22
16
in the light apertures 90 and 96 while maintaining the wiring supported spaced
above
the bottom flange of the housing within the hollow interior of the housing.
With the cover in the open position, the user is provided with ready
access to the wiring connections to the different light assemblies as well as
being
provided with ready access to the threaded fastener connection of the bumper
assembly to the trailer frame. Together with the threaded fastener connection
of the
end caps 82 which in turn selectively retain the cover interlocked with the
remainder
of the housing, ready removal of threaded fasteners permits any one of the
light
assemblies, the end caps, the cover, or the entire housing to be readily
interchanged
on the trailer frame or relative to one another for repair or replacement as
may be
desired.
In the closed position of the cover, the wiring is securely contained
within the hollow interior of the bumper assembly at a location spaced above
the
bottom flange to be suspended above any collected moisture within the hollow
interior.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting
sense.
