Patent ID: 6354628
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A seat belt anchor assembly for an automotive vehicle including an occupant compartment having a side pillar, comprising:an anchor bolt adapted to be fixedly secured to the side pillar and having a shank portion defining a bolt axis and a head portion comprising an outer cylindrical surface extending axially from said shank portion to an annular face facing toward an interior of the occupant compartment; a seat belt sling member supported by said shank portion for receiving a seat belt webbing forming an anchor point along the side pillar; a trim panel adapted to be secured to the side pillar for covering at least said anchor bolt, said trim panel having an energy absorbing member extending axially between said trim panel and said head portion of said anchor bolt and integrally molded with said trim panel to form a one-piece member; and said energy absorbing member comprising a hollow tubular member operatively connected to and axially spaced from said trim panel for encapsulating said head portion of said anchor bolt and a planar shelf closing an end of said tubular member adjacent said trim panel for contacting said annular face of said head portion to dissipate energy through said energy absorbing member in response to impact forces acting upon said trim panel through the interior of the occupant compartment.