Patent · US Expired

Securing arrangement for absorbing knee-impact forces

US5456494A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 27, 1994
Grant dateOct 10, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/045
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A knee impact absorption assembly for passenger vehicles is disclosed. Two supporting parts are arranged such that they are spaced apart laterally from one another and are connected to a transverse carrier extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and fixed to the vehicle. A high degree of energy absorption is achieved in the case of a slight displacement of knee impact parts of an instrument panel carrying part or dashboard by providing that the transverse carrier with the supporting parts extend above points in which the knee of the occupant makes impact and each supporting part has a hook-shaped configuration. The supporting parts include struts which are directed such that they are angled off laterally upwards from a web connecting to the instrument panel carrying part or dashboard. The struts are provided with an angle cross-section, project at a distance from one another and are fixed on the transverse carrier by means of their free ends. The struts are configured to absorb knee impact forces by deformably moving both in a vehicle longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction with respect to each other.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.