Patent ID: 7775584
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. An armrest for a motor vehicle, comprising: a support member attached to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle and configured to provide vertical support for the armrest under a vertical load applied by an arm of an occupant; the support member including the rib extending in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a lateral direction, the lateral direction being a direction between an occupant and the fixed portion of the motor vehicle; and wherein the rib is configured to substantially reinforce the support member in a vertical direction and wherein the rib is configured to provide lateral deformation when a lateral load is applied to the armrest, wherein the second end portion of the rib is disposed on a side of the second surface of the substantially flat support portion opposite to the first surface, wherein the rib includes a hollow cavity that extends through a substantial majority of the rib in the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, and wherein the hollow cavity is open at the first end portion of the rib, is closed at the second end portion of the rib, and extends beyond the second surface of the substantially flat support portion into the second end portion of the rib.