The embodiments herein generally relate to bumper assembly in vehicles. More particularly but not exclusively, to a front bumper assembly adapted for mounting a seat and/or an add-on structure in a vehicle and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles such as tractor or other similar vehicles are primarily used in agricultural field operations. Usually, the agricultural implements are coupled at rear end or front end of the vehicle depending on the type of vehicle configuration and the type of field operation. Vehicles such as tractor in general are designed to have mounting arrangement/ structure at the rear end to adapt rear end implements. For front end implements, additional mounting structures have to be designed and installed at the front end of tractor. This involves huge cost impact in overall tractor buying cost. Also, the additional front end structure is not always in use for entire life of vehicle which lowers the return on investment. As an alternate solution, front end meant-to-be implements can be installed on rear end of tractor but that calls for reverse seating arrangement to operate the vehicle. To operate the vehicle, with front end meant-to-be implements installed on rear end of vehicle, additional levers have to be installed e.g. normally seen in earth moving machines or cranes. This aforementioned drawback can be mitigated by shifting the driver seat to front end of vehicle and use of original steering wheel to steer the vehicle. Furthermore, when the agricultural implements (earth working machines)are attached to the front end and/or the rear end of the vehicle, the shift in center of gravity causes weight transfer and leads to vehicle lifting i.e vehicle's tyre looses contact with ground which in turn de-stabilizes the vehicle. Therefore, there is a requirement to add weight to the front end or the rear end of the vehicle

which would require an additional arrangement to be provided at corresponding end of the vehicle depending on the type of vehicle configuration and the attachment of agricultural implements to the vehicle. Providing an arrangement at the front-end or the rear end of the vehicle for adding weight to the vehicle increases the overall length and cost of the vehicle (tractor).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a front bumper assembly for mounting a seat and/or as an add-on structure for ballasting a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front bumper assembly adapted for mounting a seat.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a front bumper assembly which enables mounting of anadd-on structure (counter weights) thereon.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a method of forming a front bumper assembly for a vehicle.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a front bumper assembly for a vehicle at a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an expanded view of the front bumper assembly with a chassis of the vehicle at the first position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the front bumper assembly at a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts an expanded view of the front bumper assembly with the chassis frame and seat at the second position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the front bumper assembly with an add-on-structure, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts an expanded view of the front bumper assembly with the add-on-structure and the chassis of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and

[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart for a method of forming a front bumper assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0017] The embodiments herein achieve a front bumper assembly adapted for mounting a seat. Further, the embodiments herein achievethe front bumper assembly which enables mounting of an add-on structure (counter weights) thereon.Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a front bumper assembly for a vehicle at a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The front bumper assemblylOO includes a base frame 102B, a mounting bracket202M and a plurality of fasteners 104. FIG. 2 depicts an expanded view of the front bumper assembly with a chassis of the vehicleat the first position, according to anembodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The front bumper assembly 100 is removably connected to a chassis frame C (as shown in FIG. 2, 4 and6) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the front bumper assembly 100 is used for mounting at least one of a seat S(as shown in FIG. 3 and 4), and an add-on

structure 106thereon when the front bumper assembly 100 is held in a second position and a first position, respectively.
[0019] For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the front bumper assembly 100 is explained herein below with respect to a compact and modular agricultural vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement or practice the front bumper assembly 100 in an off-road vehicle and/or any other type of vehicles without otherwise deterring the intended function of the front bumper assembly 100 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0020] The base frame 102B of the front bumper assembly 100 includes a first left member 102L and a first right member 102R which are coupled to the chassis C of the vehicle. The first left member 102L and the first right member 102R are connected to corresponding left and right sides of the chassis C. Each of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102Rof the base frame 102B are disposed parallel to each other and they extend transversely from the chassis C of the vehicle. Further, the base frame 102B includes at least one first cross beam member 102C which is connected between the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R as well as mounted on to the front end (not shown)of chassis C. Furthermore, the base frame 102B defines a lower end LI which is towards the chassis C of the vehicle and an upper end Ul which is away from the chassis C of the vehicle. Additionally, the base frame 102B defines a plurality of openings 108 provided at both the lower ends LI and the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R. The plurality of openings 108 are configured to receive a plurality of fasteners 104 (as shown in FIG. 1).

[0021] In an embodiment, the base frame 102B of the bumper assembly 100 substantially defines a C-shaped configuration. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the base frame 102B of the bumper assembly 100 in any other shape and size. Furthermore, it is also within the scope of the invention to accommodate foams or energy absorbing means or any other means inside the base frame 102B of the bumper assembly 100 to absorb the impact energy during collision.
[0022] The front bumper assembly 100 includes the mounting bracket 202M. The mounting bracket 202M is connected to the base frame 102B at the upper ends Ulof the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R. The mounting bracket 202M includes a second left member 202L and a second right member 202R which are coupled to the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R, respectively. The second left member 202L and said second right member 202R are disposed parallel to each other and extend awayfrom the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R. Further, the mounting bracket includes a plurality of cross beam members 202C connected between thesecond left member 202L and the second right member 202R at predetermined locations. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide thecross beam members 202C at any location between the second left member 202L and the second right member 202R.It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the single cross beam member 202C between the second left member 202L and the second right member 202R without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cross beam member 202C as can be deduced from this description. The mounting bracket 202M is adapted to be removably connected to the base frame 102B in one of the first position and the second position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0023] The mounting bracket 202M is said to be disposed in the first position, when the mounting bracket 202Mis held transverse to a horizontal plane (not shown) of the vehicle (as shown in FIG. 1). Further, the mounting bracket 202Missaid to be disposed in the second position when the mounting bracket 202M is held in one of coplanar and parallel to the horizontal plane (not shown) of the vehicle (as shown in FIG. 3). The mounting bracket 202M is adapted to facilitate mounting of the seat S to the front bumper assembly 100 when the mounting bracket 202M is at the second position (as shown in FIG. 4).Further, the mounting bracket 202M is adapted to facilitate mounting of at least one add-on-structure 106 to the front bumper assembly 100 when the mounting bracket 202M is at the first position (as shown in FIG. 6). In an embodiment, the add-on structure is at least a counter weight.
[0024] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the front bumper assembly with an add-on-structure, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 6 depicts an expanded view of the front bumper assembly with the add-on-structure and the chassis of the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The front bumper assembly 100 includes the add-on-structure (counter weights) 106 adapted to be mounted to the cross beam members 202C of the mounting bracket 202M. The cross beam members 202C are connected between the second left member 202L and the second right member 202R. In an embodiment, the add on structure 106 is mounted on the cross beam member 202C which is provided towards the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the add on structure 106 on the cross beam member 202C which is provided away from the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R. In an embodiment, an additional third cross beam member 302C is connected between the first

left member 102L and the first right member 102R. The third cross beam member 302C is connected to the add on structure 106 by a plurality of fasteners 304 (as shown in FIG. 5) and to first left member 102L and the first right member 102R by plurality of fasteners 104.
[0025] The add on structure 106 mounted to the mounting bracket 202M provides stability to the vehicle during lifting (raising) of the vehicle wheel by an agricultural implement (earth working machines) coupled to the rear end of the vehicle. The add on structure 106 is removably mounted to the mounting bracket 202M of the front bumper assembly when the front bumper assembly 100 is in the first position. In an embodiment, the front bumper assembly 100 is adapted to be mounted with a plurality of add on structures 106. In an embodiment, each of the add on structure 106defines a central opening (not shown) through which a fastening means 110 may be passed to integrate all the add on structures together. The add on structure 106 is held by the cross beam member 202C of the mounting bracket 202M and is clamped to the third cross beam member 302C as shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] The first position of the front bumper assembly 100 enables the front bumper assembly 100 to deform (collapse) therein to absorb impact energy (collision energy) in an event of frontal impact (low speed collision) between the vehicle and another vehicle or obstacle thereby protecting an engine (not shown) and the front-end components of the vehicle, where the vehicle is being operated (driven) by the operator (person operating/driving the vehicle) from a first seating position (Sf) (not shown), where Sf represents the first seating position which is at the rear end of the vehicle, and in between and above the rear wheels of the vehicle) along one of a first predefined direction (Fd) (not shown) (where Fd represents forward/ frontal direction) and a second predefined direction (Rd)(not shown) (where Rd represents reverse direction).

[0027] The second position of the front bumper assembly 100 is achieved when the mounting bracket 202M is disposed horizontally or coplanar to the horizontal plane of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket 202M is disposed in one of 0° and 90° with respect to the horizontal plane of the vehicle. The second position of the front bumper assembly 100 enables mounting of the seat S to the front bumper assembly 100 (as shown in FIG. 4).The mounting of the seat S onto the mounting bracket202M of the front bumper assembly 100 enables the operator to be seated onto the seat S and operate the vehicle from a second seating position (Sr)(not shown) (where Sr represents the second seating position which is at the front end of the vehicle, and immediately adjacent to the chassis C) along the second predefined direction (Rd, reverse direction) thereby enhancing the vehicle's ability to attach and operate front-end-meant-to-be rear implements. In an embodiment, the vehicle is installed with required additional corresponding mechanisms (or components) at the front end of the vehicle for facilitating the operation of the vehicle from the second seating position. In an embodiment, the vehicle is configured to be provided with a rotatable steering handle/ wheel H (not shown). In an embodiment, the vehicle is operated by the operator from the second seating position (Sr) along the second predefined direction( Rd).
[0028] Further, the front bumper assembly 100 includes the plurality of fasteners 104(also called as reinforcement members). The plurality of fasteners are provided to connect the base frame 102B to the chassis C of the vehicle. Furthermore, the plurality of fasteners are provided to connect the second left member 202L and the second right member 202R to the upper ends Ul of the first left member 102L and the first right member 102R, respectively. The fasteners 104 are reinforcement members which connect the parts of the bumper assembly 100. In an embodiment, the fasteners are selected from a group consisting of bolt and nut, etc.

[0029] FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart for a method of forming a front bumper assembly for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A method 200 of forming a front bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle is disclosed. The method200 includes providing a base frame 102B, said base frame 102B having a lower end LI and an upper end Ul, said lower end LI of said base frame 102B adapted to be connected to said chassis C (at step 202). The method further includes coupling a mounting bracket 202M to the upper end Ul of the base frame 102B (at step 204). The mounting bracket 202M is adapted to be removably connected to the upper end Ul of the base frame 102B in one of a first position where the mounting bracket 202M is disposed transverse to a horizontal plane of the vehicle and a second position where the mounting bracket 202M is at least one of co-planar and parallel to the horizontal plane of the vehicle. The method includes mounting of a seat S above said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said second position i.e. the seat is mounted on the cross members 202C of the mounting bracket 202M when the mounting bracket 202M is held at the second position in which the mounting bracket 202M at least one of co-planar and parallel to the horizontal plane of the vehicle. Further, the method includes mounting at least one add on structure 106 to said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said first position i.e. the add on structure 106 is mounted to the cross members 202C of the mounting bracket 202M when the mounting bracket 202M is held at the first position in which the mounting bracket 202M is transverse to the horizontal plane of the vehicle.
[0030] Thus, the front bumper assembly 100 having the mounting bracket 202M which is removably connected to the chassis frame C in one of the first position enabling the bumper assembly 100 to mount plurality of

add on structures 106, and the second position enabling the bumper assembly 100 to mount the seat S is provided to the vehicle.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim

1. A front bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle, said vehicle comprising a
chassis C, said front bumper assembly 100 comprising:
a base frame 102B, said base frame 102B having a lower end LI and an upper end Ul, said lower end LI of said base frame 102B adapted to be connected to said chassis C; and
a mounting bracket 202M adapted to be coupled to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B, wherein,
said mounting bracket 202M is adapted to be removably connected to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B in one of a first position where said mounting bracket 202M is disposed transverse to a horizontal plane of said vehicle and a second position where said mounting bracket 202M is at least one of co-planar and parallel to said horizontal plane of said vehicle.
2. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame 102B includes a first left member 102L and a first right member 102R, each of said first left member 102L and first right member 102R is adapted to be coupled to said chassis C of said vehicle and at least one first cross beam member 102C connecting said first left member 102L and said first right member 102R.
3. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket 202M includes a second left member 202L and a second right member 202R and at least one cross beam member 202C connecting said second left member 202L and said second right member 202R at predetermined location.

4. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim l,said front bumper
assembly 100 includes:
said mounting bracket 202M adapted to be coupled to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B,said mounting bracket 202M disposed in said second position where said mounting bracket 202M is at least one of co-planar and parallel to said horizontal plane of said vehicle; and
a seat S adapted to be coupled above said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said second position.
5. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein said seat S is adapted to be mounted on said cross beam member 202C connecting said second left member 202L and said second right member 202R at predetermined locations.
6. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, said front bumper assembly 100 comprising:
said mounting bracket 202M adapted to be coupled to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B,said mounting bracket 202M disposed in said first position where said mounting bracket 202M is transverse to said horizontal plane of said vehicle; and
at least one add on structure 106 adapted to be mounted to said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said first position.
7. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein said add
on structure 106 is at least one counter weight.

8. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein said add on structure 106 is adapted to be mounted on said cross beam member 202C which is connected between said second left member 202L and said second right member 202R.
9. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first left member 102L and said first right member 102R of said base frame 102B are disposed parallel to each other and extend transversely from said chassis C of said vehicle.

10. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second left member 202L and said second right member 202R of said mounting bracket 202M are disposed parallel to each other and extend in one of vertically and horizontally from said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B.
11. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cross beam member 102C and said cross beam members 202c are disposed along a width-wise direction of said vehicle.
12. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bumper assembly 100 includes a plurality of fasteners 104 to connect said mounting bracket 202M to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B and to connect said base frame 102B to said chassis C of said vehicle.
13. The front bumper assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first seating position is defined towards a rear end of said vehicle, and a second seating position is defined at a front end of said vehicle, which is adjacent

to said chassis C of said vehicle, said second seating position is opposite to said first seating position.
14. A method 200 of forming a front bumper assembly 100 for a vehicle,
said method200 comprising:
providing a base frame 102B, said base frame 102B having a lower end LI and an upper end Ul, said lower end LI of said base frame 102B adapted to be connected to said chassis C; and
coupling a mounting bracket 202Mto said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B, wherein,
said mounting bracket 202M is adapted to be removably connected to said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B in one of a first position where said mounting bracket 202M is disposed transverse to a horizontal plane of said vehicle and a second position where said mounting bracket 202M is at least one of co-planar and parallel to said horizontal plane of said vehicle.
15. The method 200 as claimed in claim 14, said method includes:
coupling said mounting bracket 202Mto said upper end Ul of said base
frame 102B,said mounting bracket 202M disposed in said second position
where said mounting bracket 202M is at least one of co-planar and parallel
to said horizontal plane of said vehicle; and
mounting a seat S above said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said second position.
16. The method 200 as claimed in claim 14, said method includes:
coupling said mounting bracket 202Mto said upper end Ul of said base frame 102B,said mounting bracket 202M disposed in said first

position where said mounting bracket 202M is transverse to said horizontal plane of said vehicle; and
mounting at least one add on structure 106 to said mounting bracket 202M when said mounting bracket 202M is at said first position.