Claims:We claim:

1. A simplex toe-hook arrangement in automobiles, wherein the arrangement comprises:

• a crush box welded to the chassis of the automobile,
• a bumper plate welded to the forward end of the crush box, and
• a profiled toe-hook fixed on the bumper plate,

wherein the toe-hook extends substantially parallel to the face of the bumper plate and is located within the bumper of the automobile to prevent any lower-leg injury to the pedestrians.

2. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toe-hook is configured substantially in the shape of an inverted ‘A’.

3. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toe-hook is configured substantially in the shape of an inverted ‘U’ or ‘V’.

4. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the toe-hook is welded on the lower front face of the bumper plate.

5. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the toe-hook is bolted on the lower front face of bumper plate.

6. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the toe-hook is welded on an additional metallic plate bolted on the lower front face of the bumper plate and disposed under the crush box.

7. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toe-hook is configured substantially in a trapezoidal shape.

8. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein a metallic support plate surrounding the crush box is fitted between the bumper plate and the toe-hook for imparting additional strength for towing heavy vehicles.
9. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the bumper plate is configured substantially rectangular.

10. Simplex toe-hook arrangement as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the toe-hook is made of a metallic rod or bar of any cross-section depending on the load to be towed.

Dated: this day of 31st August, 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT , Description:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the pedestrian protection in automobiles. In particular, the present invention relates to an arrangement for safe mounting of toe-hooks in automobiles for preventing lower leg injuries to the pedestrians. More particularly, the present invention relates to the automobile toe-hooks arrangement for safe mounting on automobiles by fixed or detachable fittings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All over the world, pedestrians are the most-affected group of people in road traffic fatalities with approximately 400 000 deaths per year. According to US data, the head injury is most common followed by the lower extremity and torso injury, while Japanese data indicates that lower extremity injury is most common followed by head injury. Head injuries were also noted to be the most fatal injuries both in German and Japanese studies, when considered as the only cause thereof. However, head, chest, and pelvis polytrauma was reported as the most common overall cause of fatality.

Differences in pedestrian crashes have been attributed to variations in vehicle shape and type and international differences in traffic patterns. Determining the pedestrian injury risk by a categorization according to the body region is quite complex due to the variability of the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians, since each body region can interact with a number of different vehicle components.

Studies limited to serious injuries have focused only on injury risk to the specific body regions. However, a comprehensive understanding of pedestrian injury risk requires a broader look at the frequency and severity of injuries by body region and by vehicle component.

Typical injuries resulting from the bumper impacting the pedestrian’s leg/s include fractures to the leg, knee and ligaments. Although, such leg injuries are rarely fatal, often these cause permanent disablement.
With substantial increase in the occurrence of pedestrian accidents, the pedestrian safety is of prime importance, which can only be significantly improved by adopting out-of-box vehicle design.

The pedestrian safety mainly focuses on the impact and injuries on the lower leg and the head. In particular, this patent proposes to design the toe hook in such a way that it does not cause or minimizes pedestrian lower leg injuries.

The potential risk of leg injuries being caused in the event of a vehicle striking an adult pedestrian is estimated by conducting a series of impact tests at 40 km/h using an adult leg form impactor. The leg form impactor is impacted in X direction at a velocity of 40 kmph towards the front of the vehicle. Then, the impact sites are then observed and evaluated for classifying the offered protection level in different categories, e.g. good, adequate, marginal, weak or poor. This procedure may promote energy absorbing structures and safer geometry to mitigates leg injuries.

During this impact test, the major parts coming into contact in the impact zone are the bumper fascia, energy absorbers, lower and upper stiffeners, headlamp and the tow hook. Of these parts, the toe hook is one of the major concerns, since it affects a very specific zone and needs special attention to meet the pedestrian safety requirements.

The tow hook is a device attached to the vehicle chassis to transport (or towing) the wrecked or disabled vehicles. The tow hook is the member (or part) protruding out of or under the bumper fascia. If this tow hook is not designed and placed properly, it would adversely affect the pedestrian lower leg injuries.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

In the current design, the tow hook comes on the split line of the bumper and lower garnish according to the latest styling data.
Therefore, there is a long felt need for eliminating the disadvantages associated with the conventional toe-hooks fitted on the bumpers in automobiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a toe-hook arrangement offering enhanced pedestrian protection in automobiles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toe-hook arrangement, which satisfactorily meets the regulatory requirements for pedestrian protection from lower leg injuries.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simplex toe-hook arrangement, which is easy to manufacture, assemble and use.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable toe-hook arrangement safely mounted on the automobiles for offering enhanced pedestrian protection from lower leg injuries.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fixed toe-hook arrangement safely mounted on the automobiles for offering enhanced pedestrian protection from lower leg injuries.

Still further object of the present invention is to provide a stronger toe-hook arrangement safely mounted on the automobiles for towing heavy vehicles.

Yet further object of the present invention is to provide a toe-hook arrangement safely mounted on the automobiles, which offers netter crash and cross-box performance.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a simplex toe-hook arrangement in automobiles, wherein the arrangement comprises:

• a crush box welded to the chassis of the automobile,
• a bumper plate welded to the forward end of the crush box, and
• a profiled toe-hook fixed on the bumper plate,

wherein the toe-hook extends substantially parallel to the face of the bumper plate and is located within the bumper of the automobile to prevent any lower-leg injury to the pedestrians.

Typically, the toe-hook is configured substantially in the shape of an inverted ‘A’.

Typically, the toe-hook is configured substantially in inverted ‘U’ or ‘V’ shape.

Typically, the toe-hook is welded on the lower front face of the bumper plate.

Typically, the toe-hook is bolted on the lower front face of bumper plate.

Typically, the toe-hook is welded on an additional metallic plate bolted on the lower front face of the bumper plate and disposed under the crush box.

Typically, the toe-hook is configured substantially in a trapezoidal shape.

Typically, a metallic support plate surrounding the crush box is fitted between the bumper plate and the toe-hook for imparting additional strength for towing heavy vehicles.
Typically, the bumper plate is configured substantially rectangular.

Typically, the toe-hook is made of a metallic rod or bar of any cross-section depending on the load to be towed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1a shows a front view of the conventional toe hook arrangement fitted on the split line of the bumper and lower garnish in an automobile.

Figure 1b shows a perspective view of the tow hook arrangement on the bumper shown in figure 1a.

Figure 1c shows another enlarged and detailed perspective view of the tow hook arrangement on the bumper shown in figure 1a.

Figure 2a shows the detailed perspective view of a first alternative tow-hook arrangement with toe-hook shifted in Z-direction with respect to the conventional toe-hook arrangement.

Figure 2b shows the trims in the tow-hook arrangement of Fig. 2a.

Figure 2c shows an enlarged perspective view of the tow-hook arrangement of Fig. 2b with a clearance with top feature line of bumper.

Figure 2d shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis fitted with the tow-hook of Fig. 2b.

Figure 2e shows an enlarged sectioned view of shifted toe-hook of Fig. 2d.

Figure 3a shows the detailed view of a second alternative tow-hook arrangement with toe-hook shifted in Z-direction with respect to the conventional toe-hook arrangement.

Figure 3b shows the trims in the second alternative tow-hook of Fig. 3a, which has toe-hook cut-out made in the bumper.

Figure 3c shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis fitted with the tow-hook of Fig. 3b.

Figure 3d shows an enlarged sectioned view of shifted toe-hook of Fig. 2d.

Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a third alternative fixed tow-hook arrangement to the conventional arrangement.

Figure 4b shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis fitted with a fixed tow-hook shown in Fig. 4a.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the crush-box (not visible) welded to the chassis and provided with the first embodiment of the toe-hook having an inverted ‘A’ configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5b shows the side view of the crush-box welded to the chassis along section plane A-A and provided with the first embodiment of the toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane A-A of Figure 5b, depicting the bumper plate welded to the crush-box (not visible) fitted with a bumper plate.

Figure 5d shows the bumper plate with a first embodiment of the fixed toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention welded along the weld area W thereon.

Figure 5e shows the view from chassis side seen along section plane A-A of Fig. 5b, depicting the bumper plate welded to crush-box 30 and fitted with a plate for fixing the first embodiment of toe-hook on the bumper plate.

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of the crush-box (not visible) welded to the chassis provided with the second embodiment of the toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6b shows the side view of the crush-box welded to the chassis along section plane B-B and provided with the second embodiment of the toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane B-B of Figure 6b, depicting the bumper plate welded to the toe-hook.

Figure 6d shows the view from the front of the bumper plate fixed with a second embodiment of the toe-hook configured according to the invention.

Figure 6e shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane B-B of Figure 6b, depicting the welded bumper plate and the toe-hook.

Figure 7a shows a perspective view of the crush-box welded to the chassis provided with the third embodiment of the toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7b shows the side view of the crush-box welded to the chassis along section plane C-C and provided with the third embodiment of the toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane C-C of Figure 7b, depicting the bumper plate welded to the toe-hook.

Figure 7d shows the view from the front of the bumper plate fixed with a third embodiment of toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 7e shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane C-C of Figure 7b, depicting the welded bumper plate and the toe-hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1a shows a front view of the conventional toe-hook arrangement 10 fitted on the split line of the bumper 20 and lower garnish 30 in an automobile.

Figure 1b shows a perspective view of the toe-hook 10 arrangement on the bumper 20 shown in Figure 1a.

Figure 1c shows another enlarged and detailed perspective view of the tow hook 10 arrangement on the bumper 20 shown in Figure 1a.

Figure 2a shows the detailed perspective view of a first alternative tow-hook arrangement with toe-hook 100 shifted by 43 mm in Z-direction (i.e. center to bumper feature line) with respect to the conventional toe-hook arrangement. The bottom most line 22 of the bumper 20 is the bumper feature line.

Figure 2b shows the trims in the first alternative tow-hook 100 of Fig. 2a.

Figure 2c shows an enlarged perspective view of the tow-hook arrangement of Fig. 2b, normally having about 10 mm clearance (D) with top feature line of bumper 20 indicating that it could be quite difficult to make a toe-hook 100 cut-out. Because, here the toe-hook cut-out needs to be made above the top feature line of bumper 20.

Figure 2d shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis 40 fitted with the tow-hook 100 of Fig. 2b. The shifting of the toe-hook position 150 as per the alternative tow-hook arrangement of Fig. 2a affects the cross-box design. By shifting the took hook by the given height in the Z direction the interference with the lower bumper is avoided. The shift here resembles the position of the toe hook to the top side of the chassis plate rather than the center.

Figure 2e shows an enlarged sectioned view of the shifted toe-hook of Fig. 2d. Here, the toe-hook mounting bush cannot be packaged with interference condition or less clearance condition. This necessitates modifications in both the energy absorber components, which significantly affects cross box performance.

Figure 3a shows the detailed view of a second alternative tow-hook 200 arrangement with toe-hook 200 shifted by 33 mm in Z-direction (i.e. center to bumper feature line) with respect to the conventional toe-hook arrangement.

Figure 3b shows the trims in the second alternative tow-hook 200 of Fig. 3a, which has toe-hook cut-out 210 made in the bumper 20. Here, the cut-out bottom line is after the bumper bottom feature line.

Figure 3c shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis 40 fitted with the tow-hook 200 of Fig. 3b. The shifting 250 of the toe-hook position as per the alternative tow-hook arrangement of Fig. 2a affects the cross-box design.

Figure 3d shows an enlarged sectioned view of the shifted 250 toe-hook 200 of Fig. 2d. This necessitates modifications in the energy absorber, which significantly affects crash performance.

Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a third alternative fixed tow-hook 300 arrangement to the conventional arrangement. Here, the tow-hook 300 is fixed on the chassis frame 40.

Figure 4b shows the sectioned side view of the vehicle chassis 40 fitted with a fixed tow-hook 300 shown in Fig. 4a. Here, the tow-hook cut-out is made in the bumper. The toe-hook is welded in the energy absorber taking out the performance of hydro-formed metals energy absorber. It also affects the crash performance. Such fixed toe-hook also adversely affects the pedestrian safety.

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of the crush-box 30 (not visible) welded to the chassis 40 and provided with the first embodiment of the toe-hook F100 having an inverted ‘A’ configured in accordance with the present invention. Here, a small rectangular plate 25 is fixed to the crush box 30. A metal bar of any cross-section is bent in the form of an inverted ‘A’ shape. This toe-hook is easy to make, assemble and use.

Figure 5b shows the side view of the crush-box 30 provided with the first embodiment of the detachable toe-hook D100 configured in accordance with the present invention and welded to the chassis along section plane A-A.

Figure 5c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane A-A of Figure 5b, depicting the bumper plate 20 welded to the crush-box 30 (not visible) fitted with a bumper plate 25 for fixing various embodiments of toe-hooks configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5d shows the bumper plate 25 with a fixed toe-hook F100 configured in accordance with the present invention welded along the weld area W thereon.

Figure 5e shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane A-A of Figure 5b, depicting the bumper plate 25 welded to the crush-box 30 and fitted with a plate 45 for fixing a detachable toe-hook D100 configured in accordance with the present invention on the bumper plate 25.

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of the crush-box (not visible) welded to the chassis 40 and provided with the second embodiment of the toe-hook F200 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6b shows the side view of the crush-box 30 welded to the chassis 40 along section plane B-B and provided with the second embodiment of the toe-hook F200 configured in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 6c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane B-B of Figure 6b, depicting the bumper plate welded to the toe-hook F200.

Figure 6d shows the view from the front of the bumper plate 25 fixed with a second embodiment of the toe-hook F200 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6e shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane B-B of Figure 6b, depicting the bumper plate 25 welded to the crush-box 30 and the toe-hook F200 is welded on the bumper plate 25 along the weld area W. Here, a small rectangular plate 25 is welded to the crush box 30. A metal bar of any cross-section is suitably bent in the depicted form to be welded along the weld area W to be fixed on the rectangular plate 25. This toe-hook is also easy to make, assemble and use.

Figure 7a shows a perspective view of the crush-box 30 (not visible) welded to the chassis 40 provided with the third embodiment of the substantially U-shaped toe-hook F300 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7b shows the side view of the crush-box 30 welded to the chassis 40 along section plane C-C and provided with the third embodiment of the toe-hook F300 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7c shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane C-C of Figure 7b, depicting the bumper plate 25 welded to the toe-hook F300.

Figure 7d shows the view from the front of the bumper plate 25 fixed with a third embodiment of the toe-hook F300 configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7e shows the view from chassis side seen along the section plane C-C of Figure 7b, depicting the welded bumper plate 25 and the toe-hook F300. Here, the additional small rectangular plate 55 covering the entire crush box 30 is bolted to the crush box 30 and welded for providing more strength to tow heavy vehicles. A metal bar of any cross-section can be bent in the form shown in this figure and profiled along the weld area W of the crush box 30.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The toe-hook configured in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages:

1. Simple design.
2. No change in the Styling Surfaces of the front fascia.
3. No changes in the existing packing and engineering of the nearby parts for its fitment.
4. Ease of manufacturing.
5. Ease of assembly and use.
6. Cost Effective solution even though addition of mass. If not, additional tooling and die cost is to be employed for the cutout on the fascia and adjoining parts.
7. Does not hamper the overall look of the vehicle.
8. Stronger even for towing heavy vehicles.
9. Pedestrian criteria for protecting from lower leg injury suitably met.

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. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description.

The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration. The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to this non-limiting embodiment in the above description in accordance with the present invention. The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

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, the skilled person will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein and can easily make innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies, assemblies and in terms of the size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention.