IP Library Granted Patent US 10,315,603
Granted Patent B2
US 10,315,603 · App. 15/718,230 · Granted Jun 11, 2019

Vehicle footrest impact deflection member

Inventor: Alan Greggs (Canton, MI)
Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
B60R21/055B60N3/06B60R13/025B62D25/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,315,603
App. No.
15/718,230
Granted
Jun 11, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle footrest impact deflection member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be disposed outboard of a vehicle trim panel. The first portion includes a non-collapsible part having a first overall density. The second portion extends inboard from the first portion. The second portion includes a collapsible part having a second overall density that is less dense than the first overall density of the non-collapsible part.

Claims (32)

1. A vehicle footrest impact deflection member comprising:

a first portion configured to be disposed outboard of a vehicle trim panel, the first portion including a less collapsible part having a first overall density; and

a second portion extending inboard from the first portion, the second portion including a more collapsible part having a second overall density that is less dense than the first overall density of the less collapsible part, the less collapsible part including an outboard facing surface that is configured to contact a vehicle pillar.

2. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 1 , wherein

the more collapsible part includes at least one void that causes the second overall density to be less dense than the first overall density.

3. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 2 , wherein

the at least one void is a recess having an opening disposed on a vehicle body panel facing surface.

4. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 2 , wherein

the more collapsible part includes at least one crush rib.

5. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 1 , wherein

the less collapsible portion has a first dimension as measured from a vehicle body panel facing surface to a vehicle trim panel facing surface, the more collapsible portion having a second dimension as measured from the vehicle body panel facing surface to a footrest surface, the second dimension being less than the first dimension.

6. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 2 , wherein

the at least one void includes a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids extending in a vehicle widthwise direction.

7. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 2 , wherein

the at least one void includes a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

8. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second portions are a one-piece integral member.

9. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 1 , wherein

the first and second portions are made of foam.

10. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 5 , wherein

the vehicle trim panel facing surface is substantially coplanar with the footrest surface.

11. The vehicle footrest impact deflection member according to claim 1 , wherein

the first portion comprises less than fifty percent of the total volume of the vehicle footrest impact deflection member.

12. A vehicle structure comprising the vehicle footrest impact deflection member of claim 1 , the vehicle structure further comprising:

a vehicle body panel; and

the vehicle trim panel.

13. The vehicle structure according to claim 12 , wherein

the vehicle trim panel is disposed over the first portion of the vehicle footrest impact deflection member having the first overall density.

14. The vehicle structure according to claim 12 , wherein

the vehicle footrest impact deflection member is disposed outboard of a vehicle pedal when the footrest impact deflection member is installed onto the vehicle body panel.

15. The vehicle structure according to claim 13 , further comprising

a vehicle pillar, the vehicle trim panel being disposed over the vehicle pillar of the vehicle body panel.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2019
From: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 050589/0642 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2017
From: GREGGS, ALAN
To: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 043724/0355 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190092260A1 · Mar 28, 2019