Patent ID: 8123276

Claim:
A system for providing protection to a vehicle occupant during a side impact event, the system comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel, said inner panel including a weakened area; and a pelvic pusher disposed between said outer panel and said inner panel, said pelvic pusher including an elongated structure, said elongated structure having a first end and a second end, said pelvic pusher further including an outer panel plate attached to said first end and an inner panel plate attached to said second end, said elongated structure being generally perpendicular to said outer panel and said inner panel and being generally aligned with the pelvic area of the vehicle occupant, said inner panel plate being attached to said inner panel, said weakened area generally outlining said inner plate, said elongated structure including a central area, said central area including a collapsible crush zone defined by at least one trigger zone.