The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 18, 2003
Jenne-tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);
Gary Lee Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
James E. Williamson, Clarkston, MI (US);
Jenne-Tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);
Gary Lee Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
James E. Williamson, Clarkston, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A beam system of telescoping tubes is used for absorbing side impacts to a passenger vehicle. A central outer tube is attached to a vehicle seat structure and extends between, e.g., a side door and the tunnel in the passenger compartment floor. Inner tubes in each end of the outer tube are moved between retracted positions to extended positions respectively engaging said tunnel and said door during vehicle operation. Each inner tube has a tapered piston carrying rolling elements for wedging against the outer tube for energy absorption upon a side impact.