Vehicle door panel with integral handle and method of manufacture
US5868455A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Feb 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/108
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A door panel includes a support having a formed area with opposing spaced apart structures and an elongated reinforcement spanning between the opposing spaced apart structures and spaced from the formed area. A flexible cover is positioned on the support including a main panel section covering the support and covering the formed area, and a second panel section wrapped around the reinforcement for covering the reinforcement to form a handle on the door panel. As molded, the flexible cover includes inner, middle, and outer panel sections that are spaced apart to facilitate molding. The outer panel section is convexly shaped and can be inverted so that it abuts the middle panel section. The door panel is constructed by positioning the flexible cover on the support, and flexing the outer panel section inwardly so that a handle-covering portion of the flexible cover completely surrounds the reinforcement. Thereafter, the flexible cover is RF welded so that the reinforcement is covered and so that a portion of the flexible cover can be removed to form an opening under the handle. Then, flexible foam is injected between the support and the flexible cover. Modifications are disclosed wher…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.