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.

Date of Patent:
Jan. 09, 2007

Filed:

Jun. 10, 2003
Applicants:

Jenne-tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);

Gary L Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);

Joseph D Mccleary, Clinton Township, MI (US);

Ching-shan Cheng, Canton, MI (US);

Inventors:

Jenne-Tai Wang, Troy, MI (US);

Gary L Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);

Joseph D McCleary, Clinton Township, MI (US);

Ching-Shan Cheng, Canton, MI (US);

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R 21/045 (2006.01); B60R 21/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

An energy absorbing knee bolster for use in an interior of a vehicle is disclosed. An energy absorbing support structure is configured to support an instrument panel within a vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a deployable tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant impact energy and an impact plate coupled to the tubular mechanism for absorbing occupant energy. An energy absorbing locking mechanism is disposed between the impact plate and the support structure. The locking mechanism is configured to encourage the collapse of the tubular means for absorbing energy in a telescopic fashion.


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