Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Gaurav Sharma

Benjamin E Cavallin

Peter F Motowski

Charles J Wawa

David N Allen

Christopher K Horn

A support bracket for an armrest assembly having a pull-handle or pull-cup is provided for use in a motorized vehicle. The support bracket includes a generally horizontal support member configured to extend, at least in part, adjacent to or through an internal cavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup. The support bracket also includes at least two, but preferably three leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at respective first ends to the support member. Each leg member extends downward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at a respective second end to an inner support panel. The leg members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition, and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition. The leg members create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantially vertical force.

Armrest support bracket for motorized vehicles

An energy-absorbing system for vehicle door assemblies is provided, including first and second brackets and a reaction plate. Each bracket attaches to an inner support panel of the door assembly via a mounting portion having leg members extending inward from opposing ends thereof. The reaction plate includes a generally planar portion with a flange portion extending from an upper edge thereof. One side of the reaction plate is attached to an inner surface of a trim panel, whereas the other side is attached to the leg members of the first and second brackets. One section of the flange portion abuts against an underside surface of an armrest assembly, and another section abuts against a b-side surface of a pull-handle. Both brackets are configured to sustain a minimum vertical loading condition (limit vertical deflection), and controllably deform under a threshold lateral loading condition to absorb and attenuate kinetic energy resulting therefrom.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Gaurav Sharma