Patent ID: 7690722
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An energy absorbing stopper assembly for an associated vehicle for absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact, the associated vehicle including a pivotally disposed closure and a body member toward which the closure is closable, the closure having an open position and a closed position, the stopper assembly comprising: a stopper for supporting a non-hinged end of the closure when the closure is in the closed position, the stopper includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the stopper being in contact with one of the closure or the body member when the closure is in the closed position and being spaced apart therefrom when the closure is in the open position; a base for supporting the second end of the stopper, the base including a fixed end and a free unsupported opposite end, the fixed end being attached to the other of the closure or the body member and defining a unitary attachment area; and an energy absorbing joint defined at the attachment area, the energy absorbing joint having an undeformed state and a deformed state, the joint being substantially resilient below a maximum load value in the undeformed state and being configured to deform while absorbing at least a portion of the energy during an associated impact of the closure; wherein the base and the stopper rotatably deflect about the energy absorbing joint so as to be cantilevered relative to the energy absorbing joint and substantially entirely into the other of the closure or the body member when the energy absorbing joint is placed in the deformed state during the associated impact.