Davidson Textron Inc.

Donald Casteel

John Muller

A trim panel having an integral handle is made using a subassembly comprising a structural substrate that has a handle hole and a handle frame that spans the handle hole. The subassembly is mounted on a pneumatic buck and a sheet of pliable and stretchable expanded vinyl plastic is then draped over the subassembly to form a decorative cover for the trim panel. The plastic sheet is then vacuum drawn against the top of the subassembly and partially around the handle frame. Draped portions of the plastic sheet between the handle frame and the handle hole, are then cut and trimmed, to complete the wrapping of the handle frame and the edge of the handle hole. The cut ends of the draped portions wrapped around the handle frame are tucked in a longitudinal slot in the underside of the handle frame. The plastic sheet can be also be drawn completely around the handle frame and the pneumatic buck can be provided with a cusp shaped surface aligned with the handle hole to reduce stretching of the plastic sheet when it is drawn around the handle frame.

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Athens, TN, United States of America

Donald Casteel