Abstract: An energy management system for a vehicle which includes a bumper beam and at least one crush can made from composite materials. The crush can includes a plurality of portions, some portions are frangible and at least one is non-frangible. Bumper beam fixing apertures and vehicle fixing apertures pass through the non-frangible portion such that the crush can is connectable to the bumper beam and the vehicle via fixings which pass through at least one non-frangible portion. This ensures that the bumper beam remains attached to the vehicle in the event of a crash which causes the frangible portions to disintegrate.

Abstract: A method for making a crush can for a vehicle which has an internal moulded structure can include providing a crush can with a hole, filling the hole in the crush can with a fibre-reinforced material and compression moulding the fibre-reinforced material using the internal shape of the crush can as an outer shell of a split mould.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to hinge apparatus (3-n) for supporting an aperture closure member (4). The hinge apparatus (3-1, 3-2) (3-n) is configurable in at least first and second configurations. The hinge apparatus (3-1, 3-2) (3-n) includes a first hinge bracket (10) (10) and a second hinge bracket (11) (11). A first hinge linkage member (15) is pivotally mounted to each of the first and second hinge brackets (10, 11) (10, 11). A second hinge linkage member (16) (16) is pivotally mounted to each of the first and second hinge brackets (10, 11) (10, 11). A latching mechanism (25) (25) is provided for selectively latching the hinge apparatus (3-1, 3-2) (3-n). The latching mechanism (25) (25) is operable to inhibit movement of the first and second hinge linkage members (15, 16) (15, 16) relative to each other to latch the hinge apparatus (3-1, 3-2) (3-n).