Patent ID: 7481457

Claim:
A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of said steering column axis, said bolster comprising a single piece unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall, said forward wall having a forward wall, forward surface said forward wall, forward surface including first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from said bolster to said energy absorbing brackets, said bolster further comprising a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures, said rib structures extending from adjacent said first bolster transfer surface to adjacent said second bolster transfer surface, said plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures having sufficient strength to inhibit bending of said bolster about a vertical plane when struck by a driver's knees, at a point or points which are not directly aft of said bolster transfer surfaces.