Abstract: A collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprises two separate pieces joined together by a break away feature. This arrangement allows the pull handle to be strong when the occupant pulls the vehicle door closed, but allows deflection because of the break away feature during a side impact event. The collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprises a handle, a base, an attachment member fitted to one of the handle and the base, and an elastic deformable portion having a keyway for receiving and holding the attachment member with the attachment portion being on the other of the base and the handle. A molded handle might enclose part of the handle or might enclose the entire handle.

Abstract: Side structure for a motor vehicle includes an upper leg pusher located immediately outboard of a panel adjacent to a seat and inboard of a structural member such as a side impact beam. The upper leg pusher has a lower-stiffness portion adjacent to the rear section of the panel and aligned with an upper thigh position of the seat, and a higher-stiffness portion adjacent to the forward section of the panel, which is offset outboard relative to the rear section. When the structural component is urged inboard during a side impact event, the higher-stiffness portion of the pusher begins to urge the forward panel section inboard before the lower stiffness portion begins to urge the rear panel section inboard. The rear panel section may be located below an arm rest of a door, and the forward panel section may be forms a recessed surface above a storage pocket.

Abstract: Side structure for a motor vehicle includes an upper leg pusher located immediately outboard of a panel adjacent to a seat and inboard of a structural member such as a side impact beam. The upper leg pusher has a lower-stiffness portion adjacent to the rear section of the panel and aligned with an upper thigh position of the seat, and a higher-stiffness portion adjacent to the forward section of the panel, which is offset outboard relative to the rear section. When the structural component is urged inboard during a side impact event, the higher-stiffness portion of the pusher begins to urge the forward panel section inboard before the lower stiffness portion begins to urge the rear panel section inboard. The rear panel section may be located below an arm rest of a door, and the forward panel section may be forms a recessed surface above a storage pocket.

Abstract: A trim panel retention assembly for a vehicle includes a retention bracket mounted to an inner door panel and a trim panel bracket mounted to a door trim panel. The trim panel bracket is proximate and spaced from the retention bracket such that the retention bracket deters the trim panel bracket and door trim panel from detaching from the inner door panel during a side impact collision.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprises two separate pieces joined together by a break away feature. This arrangement allows the pull handle to be strong when the occupant pulls the vehicle door closed, but allows deflection because of the break away feature during a side impact event. The collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprises a handle, a base, an attachment member fitted to one of the handle and the base, and an elastic deformable portion having a keyway for receiving and holding the attachment member with the attachment portion being on the other of the base and the handle. A molded handle might enclose part or all of the handle.

Abstract: A telescopingly collapsible grab handle support assembly incorporated into a collapsible door trim pull handle for a vehicle is disclosed. The telescopingly collapsible grab handle support assembly includes a grab handle support and a grab handle support base. A portion of one of the grab handle support or the grab handle support base is fitted within the other of the grab handle support base or the grab handle support. A door grab handle is attached to the grab handle support. The grab handle support base is either attached to the door panel or is integrally formed with the door panel. A break-away structure is provided between the grab handle support and the grab handle support base. Upon impact, the break-away structure is broken and the grab handle support and the grab handle support base telescope with respect to each other thereby minimizing loads upon a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A trim panel retention assembly for a vehicle includes a retention bracket mounted to an inner door panel and a trim panel bracket mounted to a door trim panel. The trim panel bracket is proximate and spaced from the retention bracket such that the retention bracket deters the trim panel bracket and door trim panel from detaching from the inner door panel during a side impact collision.

Abstract: A telescopingly collapsible grab handle support assembly incorporated into a collapsible door trim pull handle for a vehicle is disclosed. The telescopingly collapsible grab handle support assembly includes a grab handle support and a grab handle support base. A portion of one of the grab handle support or the grab handle support base is fitted within the other of the grab handle support base or the grab handle support. A door grab handle is attached to the grab handle support. The grab handle support base is either attached to the door panel or is integrally formed with the door panel. A break-away structure is provided between the grab handle support and the grab handle support base. Some or all of the grab handle support assembly may be encased in an outer polymerized material. Upon impact the break-away structure is broken and the grab handle support and the grab handle support base telescope with respect to each other thereby minimizing loads upon a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprising two separate pieces joined together by a break away feature. This arrangement allows the pull handle to be strong when the occupant pulls the vehicle door closed, but allows deflection because of the break away feature during a side impact event. The collapsible vehicle door pull handle comprises a handle, a base, an attachment member fitted to one of the handle and the base, and an elastic deformable portion having a keyway for receiving and holding the attachment member with the attachment portion being on the other of the base and the handle. According to this arrangement the handle and the base may be moved toward one another on deformation of the deformable portion during a side impact event. The attachment member includes a post having a pair of opposed flat surfaces and a pair of opposed curved surfaces. The keyway includes a channel which terminates into a post retaining area that is wider than said channel.