A B-pillar is provided with energy absorbing material extending the entire
length of the interior of the pillar. Along the upper end of the B-pillar,
an area is provided for framing the mounting arrangement of the safety
restraint system. A slot extends longitudinally along the upper end of the
B-pillar and frames a trim panel. The trim panel is provided with two
openings, one is a through bore for the D ring receiving the mounting
webbing and the other is a through bore for receiving an indexing latch
for moving the seat belt webbing and D ring along the slot. The trim panel
slides along a track extending on both sides of the slot and the entire
length of the slot within the interior of the B-panel. The trim panel
includes energy absorbing material along its lower end below the openings
framing the safety restraint system. The area above the openings is
generally flat and does not contain any energy absorbing material. This
allows the trim panel to glide along the slot when the occupant indexes
the seat belt in proper alignment to their shoulder height. To provide
energy absorbing material within the flat area of the trim panel, a bridge
of such material extends from one side of the B-pillar across and above
the slot to the other side of the B-pillar. The energy absorbing material
creates a bridged area for the trim panel to glide underneath when the
seat belt is indexed to the upper slot area.