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Knee bolster assembly

  • US 6,145,880 A
  • Filed: 12/19/1997
  • Issued: 11/14/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A knee bolster assembly for use in a vehicle having a vehicle driver the vehicle including a steering column and a steering column bracket, the knee bolster assembly comprising:

  • a central bracket for partially surrounding the steering column;

    a foam element mounted on the central bracket;

    left and right knee brackets mounted on opposite sides of the central bracket, the knee brackets having a generally D-shaped cross-section including a convex rear wall positionable adjacent a vehicle driver such that upon loading by the vehicle driver, the knee brackets deform about multiple, nonspecific bend lines for absorption of energy; and

    wherein the central bracket includes a rearward foam-receiving wall and wherein the foam element is mounted on the foam-receiving wall and wherein the foam-receiving wall and foam element are shaped for directing frontal loads from the vehicle driver in laterally outboard directions towards the respective knee brackets.

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