Patent ID: 7201434

Claim:
An energy-absorbing bolster for an automotive instrument panel assembly, the bolster comprising: a thermoplastic cover section including a front panel having a front outer surface and a rear inner surface, the front panel having an energy absorption area; a thermoplastic rib structure laying immediately behind the rear inner surface of the front panel in the energy absorption area; and a thermoplastic backing section including a back panel having a rear outer surface and an inner surface and being secured to the cover section in containing relationship to the rib structure to form a hollow compartment for the rib structure in the energy absorption area wherein the rib structure includes a first set of energy-absorbing, thermoplastic, planar members which are integrally molded to and extend outwardly from one of the inner surfaces in a direction generally perpendicular to the inner surfaces to at least partially form a network of thermoplastic cells having a plurality of interconnected sides for absorbing energy of an impact with the front panel by a passenger of the vehicle in the energy absorption area.