Reinforced air bag door cover and method for making same
US5527574A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 30, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 18, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/239
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is disclosed for forming a reinforced plastic skin for an automobile interior trim structure. The method includes the steps of supplying a plastic material onto a mold surface, heating the plastic material to fuse it into a unitary layer, embedding a reinforcing material into the layer, and cooling the plastic and reinforcing materials. The method can be used to reinforce an air bag door cover by incorporating a tear seam into the plastic layer and embedding the reinforcing material into the layer such that it surrounds the tear seam. The reinforcing material aids in rupturing of the cover along the designated tear seam during deployment of the air bag. Also disclosed is an air bag door cover formed in accordance with the disclosed method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.