Steering wheel with thermoplastic composites
US7143663B2 · kind B2 · utility
24Cited by
9References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2087
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering wheel or other component for motor vehicle interiors, is produced by pressure thermoforming an external layer of decorative material, together with an internal structural layer of support material that includes a matrix of thermoplastic material and a plurality of reinforcing fibers for the thermoplastic matrix. The matrix may be of polymer that impregnates the fabric or made of fabrics that are interwoven or mixed with the reinforcing fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.