Actuatable knee bolster
US6340170B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/23169
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having an instrument panel (12) includes a knee bolster (30) movable in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent the instrument panel to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. The knee bolster (30) has at least one fastener opening (62) and a tear seam (70) extending around the fastener opening. The tear seam (70) defines and encloses a securing portion (72) of the knee bolster (30). A fastener (76) releasably maintains the knee bolster (30) in the stored position adjacent to the instrument panel (12). The fastener (76) extends through the fastener opening (62) in the knee bolster (30) and overlies the securing portion (72) of the knee bolster. The knee bolster (30) ruptures at the tear seam (70) in response to movement of the knee bolster from the stored position to the blocking position. The securing portion (72) of the knee bolster (30) remains secured to the instrument panel (12) by the fastener (76) when the knee bolster moves from the stored position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.