TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to vehicle bumpers, and more particularly to a vehicle bumper assembly, which is collapsible and adjustable.

BACKGROUND
[002] A bumper is a device that is usually mounted and/or attached onto the front and rear ends of a vehicle. The primary function of a bumper is to absorb impact in a collision thereby preventing, to a certain extent, significant damage to the vehicle’s body. Earlier, bumpers were generally made of metals such as iron, steel, or aluminum. However, with changes that have come about in vehicle designs, bumpers are now made of fiberglass and plastics, and are mounted on to a reinforcement bar. Some of the heavy vehicles such as trucks, tractors and the like still use bumpers made of metal.
[003] Generally, in heavy vehicles such as trucks or tractors, bumpers are attached to the frame or chassis of a vehicle and extend outward from the body of the vehicle. At present, most bumpers are single piece or a unitary member. During transportation of vehicles from manufacturing facilities, bumpers are usually detached from the vehicle and sent separately to the delivery place and are later attached to the body using bolts or similar locking means. This is done in order to avoid space consumption by the bumpers during transportation. The aforementioned activities consume additional time and resources with respect to packaging detached bumpers and again assembling the bumpers at the delivery place.
[004] Further, since bumpers used in heavy vehicles are usually made from metals and are generally of a big size, there is a possibility of bumper rusting and corrosion due to sand or mud particles when the vehicles are washed or during rain.
[005] Therefore, there is a need for a vehicle bumper assembly, which can obviate the aforementioned drawbacks of existing bumpers.

OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bumper assembly, which is easy to install.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bumper assembly, which is collapsible and adjustable.
[008] A further object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bumper assembly, which has a means to prevent bumper rusting and corrosion.
[009] These and other aspects 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 preferred 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 FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments of this 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:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the bumper assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the bumper assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of collapsed position of the bumper assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of un-collapsed position of the bumper assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of bumper box of the bumper assembly, according to embodiments 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] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the bumper assembly 10, according to an embodiment. The bumper assembly 10 includes a bumper box 100, a sliding element 102, a mounting device 104, a clamp 105, a middle plate 106 and a tow hook 108. The bumper box 100 forms the front portion of the bumper assembly 10 along with the tow hook 108. The bumper box 100 is a unitary member. However, it is also within the scope of this invention where the bumper box 10 includes more than one member. For example, the bumper box 10 may have one extension member attached in a moveable manner at each end thereof thereby varying the length of the bumper box 10. The tow hook 108 is secured to the bumper box 108. The tow hook 108 is provided with an engaging means to facilitate towing of the vehicle.
[0019] The bumper assembly 10 further includes a sliding element 102. The sliding element 102 has a first portion 102a, a second portion 102b and a bend B. The first portion 102a of the sliding element 102 is connected to the bumper box 100. The second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 is engaged with the mounting device 104 at another end thereof in a moveable manner. In an embodiment, the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 is telescopically moveable inside the mounting device 104. The first portion 102a of the sliding element 102 is disposed transversely to the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 via the bend B.
[0020] Further, the mounting device 104 has a first end 104a, a second end 104b and a first locking means L. In an embodiment, the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 is configured to be received inside the mounting device 104 via the first end 104a. The second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 is locked at a desired position inside the mounting device 104 via locking means L provided on the mounting device 104 and the corresponding locking means (not shown), which is provided on the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102. For the purpose of this description, the locking means L are a plurality of holes provided on the mounting device 104 whereas, the corresponding locking means on the sliding element may be a plurality of holes. The locking of sliding element 102 to the mounting device 104 may be achieved by inserting a bolt through a hole provided on the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102. It is also within the scope of this invention to lock or arrest the movement of the sliding element 102 by any other known locking means such as a pin-hole locking and so on, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the sliding element 102, the mounting device 104 and the bumper assembly 10. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the second portion 102b of the sliding element 102 adjacent to the mounting device 104 and to arrest the movement of the sliding element 102 through a suitable clamp.
[0021] Further, the clamp 105 is provided near the second end 104b of the mounting device 104. The clamp 105 is configured to secure the bumper assembly 10 to the vehicle.
[0022] A plurality of middle plates 106 are provided in the mounting device 104. The middle plates 106 provide additional strength to the bumper assembly 10 by preventing the twisting of mounting device 104.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the bumper assembly 10 further includes a drain plug 200 provided on a bottom portion of the bumper box 100. The drain plug 200 is used to drain the water and/or sand and/or mud collected in the bumper box 100 thereby preventing rusting or corrosion of the bumper box 100.
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of collapsed position of the bumper assembly 10. It may be apparent from FIG. 3 that during the collapsed position of the bumper assembly 10, the bend B of the sliding element 102 is closer to the first end 104a of the mounting device 104. The bumper assembly 10 may be collapsed during the transportation of the vehicle.
[0025] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of un-collapsed position of the bumper assembly 10. It may be apparent from FIG. 4 that during the un-collapsed position of the bumper assembly 10, the bend B of the sliding element 102 is away from the first end 104a of the mounting device 104. The bumper assembly 10 may be un-collapsed when the vehicle is being operated.
[0026] FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of bumper box 100 of the bumper assembly 10. As is apparent in FIG. 5, a slope 100s is provided in the bumper box 100, on the bottom portion, so as to allow drainage of water and/or sand and/or mud via the drain plug 200.
[0027] 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 preferred 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
What is claimed is:
1. A bumper assembly (10) comprising:
a bumper box (100), said bumper box (100) including a drain plug (200);
a mounting device (104), said mounting device (104) configured to be attached to a vehicle; and a sliding element (102), said sliding element configured to connect said bumper box (100) to said mounting device (104), wherein
said sliding element is adapted to be moved from a first position, where said bumper box (100) is closer to said mounting device (104), to a second position, where said bumper box (100) is away from said mounting device (104), relative to said mounting device (104).
2. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said mounting device (104) is attached to the vehicle by at least a clamp (105); and
said mounting device (104) includes a middle plate (106).
3. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sliding element (102) has a first portion (102a) and a second portion (102b) disposed transversely to said first portion (102a), wherein
said first portion (102a) of said sliding element (102) is attached to said bumper box (100); and
said second portion (102b) of said sliding element (102) is configured to be slidably received by said mounting device (104);
4. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mounting device (104) is configured to telescopically receive said second portion (102b) of said sliding element (102) therein.
5. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second portion (102b) has at least one locking element corresponding to a locking element provided on said mounting device (104).
6. A bumper assembly (10) comprising:
a bumper box (100), wherein said bumper box (100) comprises at least an extension member attached in a moveable manner to said bumper box (100);
a mounting device (104), wherein said mounting device (104) is configured to house at least an adjustable sliding element (102);
said sliding element (102) configured to be adjusted, wherein said adjustment of said sliding element (102) causes said bumper box (100) to move with respect to said mounting device (104);
a clamp (105), wherein said clamp (105) is configured to secure said bumper assembly (10) to at least a vehicle body;
a middle plate (106), said middle plate (106) configured to prevent twisting of said mounting device (104); and
a tow hook (108), said tow hook (108) configured to be secured to said bumper box (100), said tow hook (108) provided with an engaging means to facilitate towing.
7. The bumper assembly (10) as in claim 1, wherein said bumper box (100) comprises a drain plug (200), said drain plug (200) configured to drain at least one of water, sand and mud from said bumper box.
8. The bumper assembly (10) as in claim 1, wherein said bumper box (100) defines a slope (100s) adapted to extend to said drain plug (200).

Date: 16 June 2015 Signature:
Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
The bumper assembly 10 includes a bumper box 100, a sliding element 102, a mounting device 104, a clamp 105, a middle plate 106 and a tow hook 108. The bumper box 100 forms the front portion of the bumper assembly 10 along with the tow hook 108. The bumper box 100 is a unitary member. The tow hook 108 is secured to the bumper box 108. The tow hook 108 is provided with an engaging means to facilitate towing of the vehicle. The sliding element 102 has a first portion 102a, a second portion 102b and a bend B. The mounting device 104 has a first end 104a, a second end 104b and a first locking means L. A drain plug 200 and slope 100s are provided on the bottom portion of the bumper box 100, to allow drainage of water and/or sand and/or mud.
,CLAIMS:Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bumper assembly (10) comprising:
a bumper box (100), said bumper box (100) including a drain plug (200);
a mounting device (104), said mounting device (104) configured to be attached to a vehicle; and a sliding element (102), said sliding element configured to connect said bumper box (100) to said mounting device (104), wherein
said sliding element is adapted to be moved from a first position, where said bumper box (100) is closer to said mounting device (104), to a second position, where said bumper box (100) is away from said mounting device (104), relative to said mounting device (104).
2. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said mounting device (104) is attached to the vehicle by at least a clamp (105); and
said mounting device (104) includes a middle plate (106).
3. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sliding element (102) has a first portion (102a) and a second portion (102b) disposed transversely to said first portion (102a), wherein
said first portion (102a) of said sliding element (102) is attached to said bumper box (100); and
said second portion (102b) of said sliding element (102) is configured to be slidably received by said mounting device (104);
4. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mounting device (104) is configured to telescopically receive said second portion (102b) of said sliding element (102) therein.
5. The bumper assembly (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second portion (102b) has at least one locking element corresponding to a locking element provided on said mounting device (104).
6. A bumper assembly (10) comprising:
a bumper box (100), wherein said bumper box (100) comprises at least an extension member attached in a moveable manner to said bumper box (100);
a mounting device (104), wherein said mounting device (104) is configured to house at least an adjustable sliding element (102);
said sliding element (102) configured to be adjusted, wherein said adjustment of said sliding element (102) causes said bumper box (100) to move with respect to said mounting device (104);
a clamp (105), wherein said clamp (105) is configured to secure said bumper assembly (10) to at least a vehicle body;
a middle plate (106), said middle plate (106) configured to prevent twisting of said mounting device (104); and
a tow hook (108), said tow hook (108) configured to be secured to said bumper box (100), said tow hook (108) provided with an engaging means to facilitate towing.
7. The bumper assembly (10) as in claim 1, wherein said bumper box (100) comprises a drain plug (200), said drain plug (200) configured to drain at least one of water, sand and mud from said bumper box.
8. The bumper assembly (10) as in claim 1, wherein said bumper box (100) defines a slope (100s) adapted to extend to said drain plug (200).

Date: 16 June 2015 Signature:
Kalyan Chakravarthy