Supplemental load transfer trim system

Abstract

A supplemental load transfer system for a vehicle includes a vehicle kick-up cross-member and a door trim panel configured to attach to a vehicle door member. The door trim panel includes a pusher disposed to transfer an impact load to the kick-up cross-member. The pusher may be configured as a matrix formed by a plurality of columns and substantially orthogonal connecting ribs to define a plurality of receivers. One or more of the receivers may be at least partially filled with a load-transferring substrate. The one or more receivers may be disposed at a bottom portion of the pusher. One or more columns of the plurality of columns may be oriented whereby an impact-receiving end and an impact-transmitting end of the pusher define different surface areas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.