Title: Vehicle body and bumper assembly

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Abstract: A vehicle body and bumper assembly comprising a vehicle body having rigid side panels. A vehicle bumper is supported by an energy absorber in spaced relationship to the vehicle body for movement longitudinally of the latter upon impact. The bumper extends across the width of the body and has curved end portions terminating substantially in alignment with the side panels, the end of each curved end portion being spaced from the adjacent end of a side panel. A bridging panel bridges the space between each curved end portion and the side panel aligned with the latter. Each bumper curved end portion is movable during energy absorbing movement of the bumper into engagement with and along the inner side of the bridging panel. Preferably, the bridging panel comprises a flexible elastomeric panel adapted to flex outwardly as the bumper curved end portion abuts its inner side. Also, the bridging panel includes a molding supported externally of the body side panel and extending toward the bumper curved end portion, the molding being constructed and arranged to accommodate outward flexing movement of the flexible panel.


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