Patent ID: 7216904
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An impact energy management system comprising: a vehicle structure; and an impact energizable structure attached to said vehicle structure for receiving impact energy and transferring said impact energy to said vehicle structure, said impact energizable structure having a reconfigurable engagement area offsettable with respect to said vehicle structure; wherein said impact energizable structure is reconfigurable from a first position to a second position to increase said engagement area in response to an impact received by said impact energizable structure; wherein said impact energizable structure comprises a bracket moveable from said first position to said second position, and wherein said engagement area is coextensive with at least a portion of said bracket; wherein said bracket includes at least one living hinge, and wherein said bracket bends at said at least one living hinge in response to said impact to move from said first position to said second position.