Patent ID: 6491322
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An energy absorbing bracket assembly for supporting a knee bolster on a vehicle instrument panel, the energy absorbing bracket assembly comprising:a pair of brackets that are formed from sheet metal and each having a mounting flange for mounting thereof in a generally vertically extending orientation on the vehicle instrument panel in alignment with one of the knees of a vehicle seat occupant; a support flange structure on each bracket for mounting the knee bolster in front of the seat occupant; and each bracket including a vertically extending energy absorbing section having a peripheral portion and a web that extends generally in a vertical plane from the peripheral portion adjacent the mounting flange to the peripheral portion adjacent the support flange structure, the peripheral portion of the energy absorbing section including a pair of peripheral legs located on opposite sides of the web and cooperating therewith to define a pair of spaced openings, and the web reinforcing the bracket to position the knee bolster but buckling under loading to absorb energy.