Push bumper

Abstract

A push bumper apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle.

1 . A push bumper apparatus configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of a vehicle, the vehicle including a bumper positioned in longitudinally spaced relation to the frame assembly, and a fascia positioned in longitudinally spaced relation in front of the bumper, the push bumper apparatus comprising: 
 a push member;    a coupler configured to be supported by the frame assembly;    a support member connecting the coupler to the push member, the support member extending from the coupler to the push member in vertically spaced relation to the bumper; and    wherein the push member is not directly coupled to the bumper.    
   
   
       2 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured to pass through a. pre-existing opening formed within the fascia.  
   
   
       3 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler comprises: 
 a front clamping member including a first clamping surface configured to face a front surface of the frame assembly;    a rear clamping member including a second clamping surface configured to face a rear surface of the frame assembly; and    a fastener connecting the front clamping member and the rear clamping member such that the frame assembly is clamped intermediate the front clamping surface and the rear clamping surface.    
   
   
       4 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the push member comprises a first vertical push member, the push bumper apparatus further comprising a second vertical push member positioned in laterally spaced relation to the first vertical push member, and a connecting member coupled to and extending between the first and second vertical push members.  
   
   
       5 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the connecting member is a horizontal shelf configured to receive at least one accessory thereon.  
   
   
       6 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second vertical push members are releasably coupled to the connecting member such that the lateral spacing between the first and second vertical push members may be varied by replacing the connecting member with a second connecting member having a different width.  
   
   
       7 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a breakaway coupling coupled to the support member, the breakaway coupling configured to disconnect the push member from the coupler upon the application of a predetermined force to the push member.  
   
   
       8 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the breakaway coupling comprises a bolt connecting the support member and the coupler, the bolt being configured to shear upon the application of the predetermined force upon the push member.  
   
   
       9 . A push bumper apparatus configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of a vehicle, the vehicle including a bumper positioned in longitudinally spaced relation to the frame assembly, and a fascia positioned in longitudinally spaced relation in front of the bumper, the push bumper apparatus comprising: 
 a push member;    a coupler configured to be supported by at least one of the bumper and the frame assembly;    a support member connecting the coupler to the push member; and    a breakaway coupling coupled to the support member, the breakaway coupling configured to disconnect the push member from the coupler upon the application of a predetermined force to the push member.    
   
   
       10 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support member extends from the coupler to the push member in vertically spaced relation to the bumper.  
   
   
       11 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the coupler comprises: 
 a front clamping member including a first clamping surface configured to face a front surface of the frame assembly;    a rear clamping member including a second clamping surface configured to face a rear surface of the frame assembly; and    a fastener connecting the front clamping member and the rear clamping member such that the frame assembly is clamped intermediate the front clamping surface and the rear clamping surface.    
   
   
       12 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the push member comprises a first vertical push member, the push bumper apparatus further comprising a second vertical push member positioned in laterally spaced relation to the first vertical push member, and a connecting member coupled to and extending between the first and second vertical push members.  
   
   
       13 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second vertical push members are releasably coupled to the connecting member such that the lateral spacing between the first and second vertical push members may be varied by replacing the connecting member with a second connecting member having a different width.  
   
   
       14 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the support member passes through a pre-existing opening formed within the fascia.  
   
   
       15 . The push bumper apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the breakaway coupling comprises a bolt connecting the support member and the coupler, the bolt being configured to shear upon the application of the predetermined force upon the push member.  
   
   
       16 . A method of installing a push bumper comprising the steps of: 
 providing a frame assembly of a vehicle;    providing a bumper positioned in longitudinally spaced relation to the frame assembly;    providing a fascia positioned in longitudinally spaced relation in front of the bumper;    coupling a coupler to at least one of the frame assembly and the bumper;    passing a support member through a pre-existing opening formed within the fascia;    coupling the support member to the coupler; and    coupling a push member to the support member.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the coupler is coupled to the frame assembly.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the coupler comprises: 
 a front clamping member including a first clamping surface configured to face a front surface of the frame assembly;    a rear clamping member including a second clamping surface configured to face a rear surface of the frame assembly; and    a fastener connecting the front clamping member and the rear clamping member such that the frame assembly is clamped intermediate the front clamping surface and the rear clamping surface.