Automotive knee bolster installation and method of construction

Abstract

A knee bolster installation for an automotive vehicle having a knee impact absorber structure attached behind each end of a bridge plate, and each knee impact absorber structure having diverging front and back sides, a curved top and a curved intermediate web extending between the front and back sides, and a curved bottom connecting the lower end of front and back sides together. A horizontal stabilizer web connects the top side and intermediate web together to restrain bulging when crushed to avoid horizontal collapse thereof during deformation. Offset openings in each of the top side, intermediate web, and bottom side form wider curved strips at the inside adjacent the steering column space so that the front of the outside ends of the knee installation absorber structures are inclined away from the steering column space when deformed by knee impact.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.