According to some aspects of the invention, a rear impact guard is configured to be coupled to a rear end of a vehicle. The rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members configured to be coupled to first and second base rails of the vehicle. The first and second bumper support members are spaced from one another along a width of the vehicle. A horizontal bumper is mounted to lower ends of the first and second bumper support members. First and second angled support members are coupled at first ends to the first and second bumper support members, and coupled at second ends to the first and second base rails forwardly of the first and second bumper support members and forming a substantially hollow triangular member. First and second braces are positioned within the first and second base rails and coupled thereto. At least a portion of each of the first and second braces is located above the second ends of the first and second angled supports.

A safety guard for a vehicle, such as a school or transit bus, includes a skirt extending below a side body portion of the vehicle and between front and rear wheels along a side of the vehicle. The skirt functions to push individuals and other animate objects out of the path of the wheels for safety purposes, while being mounted for separate linear and arcuate movements relative to the body of the vehicle to protect the guard from damage upon abutting an inanimate object during operation of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a frame and a bumper pivotally connected to the frame. An actuator is mounted to the frame and coupled to the bumper. The actuator is operable to pivot the bumper relative to the frame between a substantially vertical position and an angled position. A user interface is used to activate the actuator. A vehicle controller is programmed to receive a signal from the user interface, and responsive to receiving the signal, activate the actuator to pivot the bumper. The controller may also issue warnings to the driver when the bumper is in an incorrect position for the current driving conditions.

A protection device (100) for a vehicle chassis includes a first flange plate (211) obliquely disposed to a rear side of a beam (10); a second flange plate (221) having a front end face abuts against a rear end face of the first flange plate (211), and connected to the first flange plate (211) through a bolt; a left side plate (222) and a right side plate (223) provided in perpendicular to a rear end face of the second flange plate (221); a connecting plate (224) having a left end connected to the left side plate (222) and a right end connected to the right side plate (223), and arranged close to front ends of the left side plate (222) and the right side plate (223); and a bearing member provided to the rear end face of the second flange plate (221) and located between the left side plate (222) and the right side plate (223).

A protection device (100) for a vehicle chassis includes a first flange plate (211) obliquely disposed to a rear side of a beam (10); a second flange plate (221) having a front end face abuts against a rear end face of the first flange plate (211), and connected to the first flange plate (211) through a bolt; a left side plate (222) and a right side plate (223) provided in perpendicular to a rear end face of the second flange plate (221); a connecting plate (224) having a left end connected to the left side plate (222) and a right end connected to the right side plate (223), and arranged close to front ends of the left side plate (222) and the right side plate (223); and a bearing member provided to the rear end face of the second flange plate (221) and located between the left side plate (222) and the right side plate (223).

A retractable under-guard, for example for dual-purpose trucks that travel on-road and off-road, provides impact protection to other vehicles colliding with the truck, but is raised for off-road travel to avoid obstacles. The under-guard connects by a frame wrap to horizontal frame beam(s) of many different trucks and does not hang down in its retracted position to an extent that it interferes with off-road travel. For entering the road, the guard frame pivots downward to the desired position at or near the outer perimeter of the truck, and typically about half way between the truck frame and the ground in the space into which a lower vehicle would enter in a collision. Hook and pin systems, and/or impact plates, maintain the under-guard in proper position upon an impact. The under-guard system may automatically deploy above a predetermined truck speed, to ensure deployment when the truck re-enters the roads.

A retractable under-guard, for example for dual-purpose trucks that travel on-road and off-road, provides impact protection to other vehicles colliding with the truck, but is raised for off-road travel to avoid obstacles. The under-guard connects by a frame wrap to horizontal frame beam(s) of many different trucks and does not hang down in its retracted position to an extent that it interferes with off-road travel. For entering the road, the guard frame pivots downward to the desired position at or near the outer perimeter of the truck, and typically about half way between the truck frame and the ground in the space into which a lower vehicle would enter in a collision. Hook and pin systems, and/or impact plates, maintain the under-guard in proper position upon an impact. The under-guard system may automatically deploy above a predetermined truck speed, to ensure deployment when the truck re-enters the roads.

Provided in this disclosure is a vehicle bumper having a mounting plate extending between first end and second ends and a first mounting flange formed integrally with the first end of the mounting plate. A second mounting flange is formed integrally with the second end of the mounting plate. A first light bar and a second light bar are provided. A first mating mounting flange is formed integrally with the first light bar, and a second mating mounting flange formed integrally with the second light bar. The mounting plate has a planar mounting surface. The first mating mounting flange is configured for detachable engagement with the first mounting flange. The second mating mounting flange is configured for detachable engagement with the second mounting flange.

A rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members that are identical to one another and configured to be coupled to a rear end of the vehicle along first and second sides of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, respectively. The rear impact guard also includes third and fourth bumper support members configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle and coupled to a floor assembly of the vehicle. The third and fourth bumper support members are identical and different from the first and second bumper support members. The third bumper support member is spaced outwardly from the first bumper support member, and the fourth bumper support member is spaced outwardly from the second bumper support member. The rear impact guard further includes a horizontal bumper mounted at a lower end of each of the first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members.

A rear impact guard includes first and second bumper support members that are identical to one another and configured to be coupled to a rear end of the vehicle along first and second sides of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, respectively. The rear impact guard also includes third and fourth bumper support members configured to be coupled to the rear end of the vehicle and coupled to a floor assembly of the vehicle. The third and fourth bumper support members are identical and different from the first and second bumper support members. The third bumper support member is spaced outwardly from the first bumper support member, and the fourth bumper support member is spaced outwardly from the second bumper support member. The rear impact guard further includes a horizontal bumper mounted at a lower end of each of the first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members.