Sheet as semi-manufactured blank for a side impact protection bar and side impact protection bar for a vehicle

The blank is used for making a vehicle side member which crumples in a crash. The side member has a central rib (5) over most of its length, with sloping ends (4). The sides (6) of the rib connect with horizontal fixing flanges (7) and there are flat flanges (12) at each end. The blank is produced from a sheet of constant breadth and consists of a rectangular central section connected by narrow strips wider fixing flanges.