Patent ID: 7614683
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An impact protection structure for providing impact energy absorption at a region substantially between a first strengthening member and a second strengthening member of a road vehicle, comprising: an energy absorbing block arrangement; and a cover arrangement for maintaining the absorbing block arrangement substantially in position during impact, the cover arrangement comprising a strengthening element for focusing in operation an impact force borne by the first member during impact substantially at a center of the absorbing block arrangement; wherein the first member being a substantially horizontal transverse structural member of the vehicle, the second member being a substantially upright strengthening structure of the vehicle, and the protection structure operable to provide the vehicle with side impact protection for impact forces directed substantially along an elongate axis of the first member; wherein the energy absorbing block arrangement is operable to undergo substantially non-elastic deformation in absorbing kinetic energy associated with the impact forces; wherein the absorbing block arrangement includes a first energy absorbing block adapted to occupy a region between an end of the first member and a side of the second member and provide an abutment there between, and a second energy absorbing block adapted to be located within the second member substantially adjacent to the first energy absorbing block.