Patent ID: 8628139

Claim:
A safety structure for vehicles, configured to transmit an impact load from a vehicle front end through a longitudinal member to a transverse link connected to the vehicle body, the safety structure comprising: a transverse holder, extending transversely to the vehicle direction of travel, having a first end fixed to a portion of the vehicle body and a second end pivotally fixed to the longitudinal member, the second end including a tab structure having a bearing surface lying at a selected angle to the vehicle direction of travel, the bearing surface being shaped to conform to a target portion of the transverse link, and the transverse holder being positioned to maintain the bearing surface a predetermined distance from the transverse link; wherein the transverse holder includes a controlled deformation zone, located between the first end and the second end of the holder, for deforming around an axis perpendicular to the vehicle direction of travel upon application of sufficient force to deform the deformation zone; and the transverse holder is positioned, and the selected angle of the bearing surface is chosen, to bring the bearing surface into contact with the target portion of the transverse link during deformation of the deformation zone.