Automotive headliners and related articles
US6413613B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24992
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automotive interior trim product, for example a headliner, and method of producing such a product. The product comprising an energy management element which is adapted to be secured to an automotive interior to provide an energy management function. The energy management element is fabricated from a material comprising an array of fused or bonded tube-like members, and comprises a one-piece unitary structure with zones of differing physical properties. The zones of differing physical properties provide different levels of energy management which are matched to the requirements of the interior. The differing physical properties and so differing levels of energy management in the different zones being produced by molding of the unitary element. Alternatively, and/or in addition within the fused array differing types of tube-like members may be used in the differing zones. Such differing types of tubes may have different wall thicknesses, different diameters/dimensions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.