US 12,441,405 B2
Energy absorbing side rail
Geoffrey Brooks, Macomb, MI (US); Steve Perucca, Clinton Township, MI (US); Robert L. Fontichiaro, Saline, MI (US); John Chiang, Commerce Township, MI (US); Paul Martini, Tecumseh (CA); Derek Bezaire, Amherstburg (CA); and Aaron Boyer, Washington, MI (US)
Assigned to FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Warren, MI (US)
Filed by FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC, Warren, MI (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,211.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/188,890, filed on May 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0363316 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 21/15 (2006.01); B60K 1/04 (2019.01); B62D 25/02 (2006.01); B62D 25/20 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 21/157 (2013.01) [B62D 25/025 (2013.01); B62D 25/2036 (2013.01); B60K 2001/0438 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An energy absorbing side rail, comprising:
an inner rail;
an outer rail comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and an outside portion extending outward from the top portion and the bottom portion, the outer rail fixedly coupled to the inner rail forming a cavity defined by the inner rail, the top portion, and the bottom portion, and wherein the outer rail defines triggers extending along at least a portion of the outer rail; and
at least one energy absorber coupled to the inner rail and housed in the cavity, the inner rail comprising two raised projections defining a channel, the channel being configured to retain the at least one energy absorber via a press fit, wherein the at least one energy absorber is positioned in-line with the triggers.