Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Davidson Textron Inc.

Stephen D Farrington

John D Gray

Michael J Gallagher

Gene Shope

Kenneth J Mazzochi

A plastic particle is formed of a plastic material having at least one integral protruding ring disposed on its outer surface. The ring may be continuous or intermittent around a perimeter of the plastic particle. Preferably, the particles have an outer diameter in the range of 0.007 inches to 0.040 inches.

Material and method for manufacturing plastic parts

The present invention relates to an apparatus/method for making a joint line in a plastic article comprising the steps of providing a mold having a mold surface, providing a gasket in the mold wherein the gasket defines first and second mold spaces, and molding a layer of a plastic material within one of the mold first and second mold spaces. In addition, during molding, the gasket is laterally moved relative to the mold surface in a direction towards that mold space containing the plastic material to therein form a distinct joint line. In alternative embodiment, a method is disclosed herein for making a molded two-colored article comprising the steps of providing a mold having a mold surface, providing a gasket in the mold wherein the gasket defines first and second mold spaces, followed by the molding a layer of a first colored material within one of the mold first and second mold spaces, wherein the first colored material comprises a charge of plastic microspheres having an outside diameter in the range of 0.007&Prime; to 0.040&Prime;, and removing the gasket and molding a layer of a second colored material.

Method for casting multicolored parts for automotive interior applications

A method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door includes the steps of molding an instrument panel with a first plastics material to a desired shape and with an integral air bag deployment door whose opening is defined by a tear seam formed by a groove molded in one side of the panel and with an integral mounting/hinge flange that extends from an inside surface of the door, and forming a bonded layer of second plastics material on one side of the flange and the inside surface of a potentially frangible portion of the door. The second plastics material has the physical characteristic of remaining ductile to a substantial degree at low temperatures substantial below the temperature at which the first plastics material becomes brittle and as a result the bonded layer forms a tether that connects the frangible door portion to the mounting/hinge flange in a flexible manner when this door portion breaks away from the flange because of embrittlement of the first plastics material at the low temperatures on tearing of the tear seam and opening movement of the door by an inflating air bag pressing against the inside surface of the frangible door portion.

Method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door

An adjustable impact test fixture (10) for testing impact characteristics of interior trim panels (22). The fixture (10) comprises a support (12), a backing plate (14) attached to the support, and a movable floating plate (16) supported in spaced-apart relation to the backing plate. The fixture further includes one or more energy absorbing inserts (18) that are removably disposed between the backing plate (14) and the floating plate (16). Each insert (18) causes the fixture (10) to have a predetermined or known impact characteristic. The fixture (10) further includes a mounting assembly (20) adapted to fixedly secure a trim panel portion (22) to the floating plate (16). A corresponding method includes the steps of: determining an impact characteristic associated with a given energy absorbing insert; inserting the insert between a support and a floating plate; mounting a vehicle trim panel on the floating plate; causing a test object to impact the trim panel portion; determining at least one characteristic of the impact; and comparing the characteristic with a reference characteristic.

Adjustable fixture for head impact testing

A hold down arrangement for an air bag door closing a deployment opening of an instrument panel comprises a molded plastics receiver provided on the backside of the door formed with a bore having a wall. A threaded fastener is supported by structure of the panel and includes an externally threaded shank that is threaded into the bore to provide a strippable hold down connection sufficient to secure the door against inadvertent opening until such time as the air bag is deployed.

Air bag door hold down retainer

An air bag cover assembly includes a support that has an opening for deployment of an air bag and a door that is connected to the support at one end for movement between a closed position closing the opening in the support and an open position for deployment of the air bag. The outer surface of the support and the door are bonded to an elastomeric foam cushion formed in an underlying relationship to a polymeric skin that forms a covering of the cover assembly. When the air bag is deployed, it impacts an impingement member that cooperates with a reaction member so that edge tabs on one of the members rotate laterally in the elastomeric foam cushion and assist in tearing the elastomeric foam cushion and polymeric skin apart to release the air bag door.

Growing community of inventors

Kingston, NH, United States of America

Stephen D Farrington