Abstract: A hollow article is provided, comprising a first wall and a second wall, where the first and second walls are positioned in opposing relationship and define a space therebetween. A plurality of protruding structural pillars extend from the second wall and span the space, each of the structural pillars having an end surface integrally bonded with an inside surface of the first wall.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is an active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a rear panel, an internal structure, and a front panel. The internal structure is disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, and the internal structure and rear panel together forming a hollow chamber in communication with an inflation device. The hollow chamber is expandable on activation of the inflation device. The internal structure has at least one expandable element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber by the inflation device, at least a portion of the at least one expandable element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the rear panel rearwardly to an extended position.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of bolster upon activation.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is an active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a rear panel, an internal structure, and a front panel. The internal structure is disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, and the internal structure and rear panel together forming a hollow chamber in communication with an inflation device. The hollow chamber is expandable on activation of the inflation device. The internal structure has at least one expandable element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber by the inflation device, at least a portion of the at least one expandable element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the rear panel rearwardly to an extended position.

Abstract: Provided is an active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a rear panel, an internal structure, and a front panel. The internal structure is disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, and the internal structure and rear panel together forming a hollow chamber in communication with an inflation device. The hollow chamber is expandable on activation of the inflation device. The internal structure has at least one expandable element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber by the inflation device, at least a portion of the at least one expandable element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the rear panel rearwardly to an extended position.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a hollow body having a first wall having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an air chamber formed between the first and second walls. The inflatable bolster also comprises an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the air chamber which is mounted to the hollow body. The inflatable bolster also comprises a plurality of concentric extension pleats formed in the first wall. The extension pleats extend around a major part of the circumferential area. The extension pleats contact the second wall at a plurality of contact points which are distributed across the second wall. The plurality of contact points is sufficient in number to at least partially suppress audible vibration of the second wall.

Abstract: An inflatable active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the bolster having a first body section and a second body section interconnected by a living hinge. The first and second body sections are folded about the living hinge to form a hollow chamber. The first body section provides an outer surface for facing the vehicle occupant, while the second body section provides a support surface for coupling the inflatable active bolster to a vehicle. At least one of the first and second body sections provides at least one expansible element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber, at least a portion of the at least one expansible element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the outer surface of the first body section outwardly to an extended position.

Abstract: A rocker panel assembly for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a rocker panel body, a first end feature situated on a first end of the rocker panel body, and a second end feature situated on a second end of the rocker panel body. The rocked panel body has an outside surface generally presented in the form of a convex surface, and an inside surface generally presented in the form of a concave surface. The outside surface of the rocker panel body extends outwardly of the vehicle, to present an outboard section having a predetermined profile based on targeted aesthetic/performance characteristics. The inside surface of the rocker panel body has at least one transverse rib positioned therein, the transverse rib being arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rocker panel body.

Abstract: An energy management system for mounting in a vehicle, the energy management system comprising an inflatable bolster for mounting in a glove box door of a glove box of the vehicle, the inflatable bolster including an expansible hollow interior, an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior, a front wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the glove box on inflation of the expansible hollow interior, and a back wall located between the expansible hollow interior and the glove box, and a support structure for mounting to the inflatable bolster, the support structure being operable to resist the back wall being forced into the glove box due to inflation of the inflatable bolster.

Abstract: Described is an inflatable multilayer bolster for a vehicle passenger compartment including a hollow body with back and front walls, an air chamber formed between them, and an inflator for injecting pressurized fluid to inflate the hollow body. Preferably, both the front and back walls have an inner layer made of a structural deformable material and an outer surfacing layer co-extruded with the inner layer. Also described is a method of manufacturing the multilayer bolster by co-extruding first and second polymers through a die to produce a parison, and then blow-molding the parison to form the hollow body. Thus the front wall and preferably the back wall as well have an inner layer made of the first polymer in a structural deformable condition and an outer surfacing layer made of the second polymer. This co-extruded multilayer constructed bolster allows efficient manufacturing, structural, inflation and aesthetic characteristics.

Abstract: A rocker panel assembly for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a rocker panel body, a first end feature situated on a first end of the rocker panel body, and a second end feature situated on a second end of the rocker panel body. The rocked panel body has an outside surface generally presented in the form of a convex surface, and an inside surface generally presented in the form of a concave surface. The outside surface of the rocker panel body extends outwardly of the vehicle, to present an outboard section having a predetermined profile based on targeted aesthetic/performance characteristics. The inside surface of the rocker panel body has at least one transverse rib positioned therein, the transverse rib being arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rocker panel body.

Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster comprises an expansible hollow interior that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position. The bolster has an inflator module for inflating the expansible hollow interior. The bolster has an inner wall for projecting inwardly into the vehicle and away from the side of the vehicle on inflation of the expansible hollow interior. The bolster may have a relatively non-expansible component located between a first expansible chamber and a second expansible chamber. The bolster may comprise an outer wall having an attachment portion for attaching the outer wall to a portion of the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is an active bolster for a vehicle occupant, the active bolster comprising a rear panel, an internal structure, and a front panel. The internal structure is disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, and the internal structure and rear panel together forming a hollow chamber in communication with an inflation device. The hollow chamber is expandable on activation of the inflation device. The internal structure has at least one expandable element such that upon pressurization of the hollow chamber by the inflation device, at least a portion of the at least one expandable element undergoes deformation to permit inflation of the hollow chamber, thereby displacing the rear panel rearwardly to an extended position.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a hollow article provided with an internal component. The process comprises providing a molding station having first and second mold portions together defining a mold cavity. A parison having a top and bottom end is then positioned within the molding station. Using a carrier, at least one component mounted on the carrier is inserted into the parison through the top end of the parison. The parison is then pressed against the component using displaceable mold cores provided in each of first and second mold portions, after which the carrier is removed from the molding station. The top and bottom ends of the parison are sealed, and the molding station is closed. Blow molding pressure is applied to the parison to urge the parison against the contours of the mold cavity, after which the molding station is opened and the formed hollow article is removed.

Abstract: A running board assembly for mounting to a vehicle such as a truck includes an extruded running board body and a cover member. Advantageously the extruded running board body is made from an extrudable plastic and the cover member is advantageously made of a material having the desired exterior finish. The cover member may be metallic and have the appearance of a chrome or polished finish. The cover extends over the upper and outboard surface of the running board body to provide the desired appearance characteristics. The running board assembly is affixed to the vehicle by a plurality of mounting brackets.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.