Energy absorbing continuously compliant swept arch for interior trim

An energy absorbing trim assembly for covering an inner face of a structural member of a vehicle defining a passenger compartment, said trim assembly comprising:

• an elongated wall portion having a longitudinal axis, said wall portion positionable in a covering relationship over said inner face of said structural member;
• a plurality of independent mounting pedestals integrally molded with said wall portion and arrayed along said longitudinal axis of said wall portion carried in laterally spaced relationship with respect to said inner face of said structural member;
• said pedestals being plastically deformable in response to imposition of a load substantially normal to said inner face of said structural member;
• and
• said pedestals defined by a pair of spaced apart first and second legs projecting transversely from said wall portion to distal ends interconnected by an apex area whereby the resistance to deformation of said pedestals is greater proximate to said apex area.

An energy absorbing trim assembly for covering an inner face of a structural member of a vehicle defining a passenger compartment, said trim assembly comprising:

• an elongated wall portion having a longitudinal axis, said wall portion positionable in a covering relationship over said inner face of said structural member;
• a plurality of independent, spaced apart, swept arch members integrally molded with said wall portion and arranged along said longitudinal axis in laterally spaced relationship with respect to said inner face of said structural member, said arch members having a C-shaped configuration positioned transverse to said longitudinal axis and defined by an apex area, a long leg, and a short leg in opposing facing relationship to said long leg whereby the resistance of said arches to deformation is greater proximate to said apex area;
• said arch members being elastically deformable in response to imposition of a load substantially normal to said structural member;
• upon contact with said structural member, said arch members being plastically deformable to further distribute said load;
• a plurality of independent mounting pedestals integrally molded to said wall portion and and arrayed along said longitudinal axis carried in a laterally spaced relationship with respect to said inner face of said structural member;
• and
• said pedestals being plastically deformable in response to imposition of a load substantially normal to said structural member.