Chivas Products Limited

Moore, Ronald D.

Phelps, Richard A.

Kavanaugh, James D.

Howard, Michael C.

Ronald D Moore

Everett L Bethel

Richard A Phelps

James D Kavanaugh

Michael C Howard

A trim piece for mounting to an interior panel of an automobile having a relatively rigid support member, foam padding, and an outer cover of vinyl or cloth. The cover and the foam padding are dielectrically bonded to the relatively rigid support member contiguous the edges of the trim member without enveloping the edges of the support member to provide a trim piece which mates with the surface of the interior panel. The method for making the trim piece involves using a dielectric die which defines an acute angle between an upper and lower die half, the acute angle being contiguous with the edge of the trim piece and being oblique with respect to the movement of the die halves. The lower die half mates with the support member and the upper die half mates with the vinyl cover at the points of dielectric bonding.

Method for making a surface mounted trim piece

An automotive casket handle includes a generally U-shaped frame, pivotally mounted to a support surface, and inside and outside cushion members secured to recesses in the frame. Each cushion member includes a structural strip, typically of steel, a cover, typically of preformed vinyl, and a foam strip positioned between the structural strip and the cover. The edges of the cover are captured between the structural strip and the frame. Thus, the exposed surface of the cover is smooth and seamless with rounded edges. One cushion member is secured to the frame by bendable tabs extending from the structural strip, passing through tab openings in the frame and then bent against the frame. The other cushion member is connected to the frame by the engagement of studs, extending from the structural strip, into push lock fasteners mounted to the frame.

Padded automotive casket handle

Surface mounted trim piece

An improved fastening system for automobile assist straps and the like using a threaded fastener having deep recesses on the surface which bears upon the strap component to be secured. The strap component has correlative ridges which mate with the recesses on the threaded fastener to resist rotation of the fastener.

Fastening system for assist straps and the like

A vehicle assist strap having a central metal core with exposed ends which are secured to a vehicle body via an anti-rotation member. The anti-rotation member is completely concealed by covers which also conceal the fasteners and the ends of the strap. Since the anti-rotation member is completely concealed by the covers, it can be fabricated from relatively inexpensive materials and by relatively inexpensive manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the anti-rotation member is configured to be secured to the strap ends without an additional manufacturing step.

Stand-off mounting system for assist straps

A vehicle assist strap, and more particularly, an improved assist strap having a central metal core with formed ends which cooperate with covers for concealing fasteners utilized for fastening the assist strap to a surface of the vehicle. The covers are locked in their operative positions to prevent tampering and removal thereof during normal use. The covers may however be non-destructively removed to permit access to the fasteners as desired.

Vehicle assist strap

A method and apparatus for manufacturing padded or cushioned straps having a main structural strap member adatped to be fastened to a surface, a vinyl wrap or cover and a foam cushion material intermediate the vinyl wrap and the strap member. The method of the present invention includes the steps of (1) longitudinally tensioning the vinyl wrap, (2) positioning the foam cushioning material and the strap member on the vinyl wrap, (3) compressing the foam and securing the components in position by applying a force across the strap member and the vinyl wrap, (4) wrapping and transversely tensioning the vinyl wrap about the foam member and the strap member so that the longitudinal edges are opposed, (5) maintaining the vinyl wrap in transverse tension and maintaining the position of the components, (6) positioning a trim strip across the opposed longitudinal edges of the vinyl wrap, (7) joining the trim strip to the vinyl wrap by dielectric heating of the trim strip and the vinyl wrap, (8) bending the assembled strap to an appropriate shape, and (9) heating the assembled strap to shrink the vinyl wrap. The apparatus disclosed herein provides a convenient structure for practicing the above method.

Method and apparatus for making padded straps

This invention pertains to a novel ornamental strap or handle particularly suited for use as door pulls, assist straps, or the like in automobiles or the like. The invention provides a strap having a luxurious cushioned feel when grasped by an individual, a decorative appearance and strength and rigidity to accomplish its intended purpose. The strap of the present invention includes a base strip with a cushion strip of generous thickness disposed on at least one side thereof and a suitable cover strip wrapped securely around the base and cushion members. A trim strip is disposed over and conceals the longitudinal edges of the cover strip and is secured thereto by any suitable means such as dielectric heat fusion. Means are also provided to cushion the hard feel of the lateral edges of the base member. Thus, a decorative strap is provided which has a smooth wrinkle-free aesthetically pleasing contour and creates a soft plush luxurious feeling when engaged by the hand.

Strap fitting for automobile interior and other uses

The fitting is an elongated door or like pull strap which is ornamental and well suited for blending, or contrasting, with the decor of a passenger automobile interior. Certain embodiments are intended for installation on a door or other interior panel of a vehicle of the so-called luxury type; in other adaptations use in a less expensive or standard, less luxuriously appointed vehicle is contemplated. However, in all forms a basic and common feature relates to a bracket-mounted strap which presents a well cushioned or padded surface which faces the associated auto panel and is therefore felt by the fingers of the hand of a vehicle occupant; this is diametrically opposed to a finger grip on the rigid, inherently unyielding surface characteristic of automotive door and related pull straps in current use, which surface faces the panel also.

Growing community of inventors

Grosse Pointe, MI, United States of America

Ronald D Moore