Steve Varjabedian

US Patent:

42668174, May 12, 1981

Filed:

Dec 13, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/968957

Inventors:

James L. Mason - Birmingham MI
Steve Varjabedian - Southfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 2700

US Classification:

293117

Abstract:

A dual-step rear bumper assembly for a truck. The bumper assembly comprises a main or lower crossmember 15 extending the full width of the truck. The crossmember provides the principal bumper strength and also the lower step (16 or 17) of a dual-step feature. To this crossmember 15 is attached an upper crossmember 28 having tread portions providing the upper step 29 or 31 of the dual-step feature. The bumper assembly ends are capped by end bulkheads 41 and 44. Intermediate bulkheads 42 and 43 box in the ends of the license plate cavity located at the center of the bumper assembly. The bulkheads may be of a much lighter gauge metal then the bumper cross members. The bulkheads provide the necessary vertical compression load resistance to support the weight of a person stepping on the upper step portions.