Abstract: A side impact protection system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a side impact zone and further comprises laterally spaced apart sills extending longitudinally of the vehicle. The laterally spaced apart sills have sill sealing flanges projecting vertically therefrom. The side impact protection system includes a continuous, linearly extending cross member disposed laterally in the vehicle for transferring load and redistributing energy away from an impact side of the vehicle. The linearly extending cross member extends between, and is in abutment with, the laterally spaced apart sills and the corresponding sill sealing flanges thereby allowing the linearly extending cross member to transfer load and redistribute energy immediately upon side impact of the vehicle.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for the steering column of a vehicle comprising a pair of U-shaped energy absorbing straps made of relatively stiff, bendable, flexible strip material. One leg of each strap is connected to fixed vehicle support structure. The other leg is connected to the steering column. If the steering column collapses as in a collision when the driver is thrown forward against the steering wheel, one leg of each strap will move with the steering column, resisting movement thereof and absorbing energy gradually to prevent excessive reaction forces of the steering wheel against the driver.