Patent ID: 7726726

Claim:
An energy-absorbing bracket system for use with a door assembly operatively attached to a motorized vehicle, the door assembly including an inner support panel with opposing inboard and outboard surfaces, a trim panel member, and an armrest assembly with a pull-handle or pull-cup defining an internal cavity therein, comprising: a first bracket member having a first generally vertical mounting portion configured for operative attachment to the inboard surface of the inner support panel, and a first leg member extending inward from said first mounting portion and configured to operatively engage an inner surface of the trim panel member; and a second bracket member detached and spaced from said first bracket member and having a second generally vertical mounting portion configured for operative attachment to the inboard surface of the inner support panel, and a third leg member extending inward from said second mounting portion and configured to operatively engage said inner surface of the trim panel member; wherein said first and second bracket members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition to absorb and attenuate kinetic energy resulting therefrom.