The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 14, 1995
Filed:
Dec. 02, 1993
Thomas Parker, Strafford, NH (US);
Peter Iannazzi, Hampton, NH (US);
Davidson Textron Inc., Dover, NH (US);
Abstract
A cover for an air bag unit having a patterned tear seam therein defined by an integrally bonded, thermoplastic filler strip as the cover material and including a material having properties different than that of the cover material. Apparatus for forming the cover includes a thin shell mold having an inner surface that is heated to melt thermoplastic material cast thereon. A powder box adapted to contain thermoplastic material therein for distribution onto the thin shell mold carries a gasket having a shape corresponding to the tear seam shape. The powder box and gasket are adapted to be connected to the thin shell mold for forming a sealed footprint on the inner surface during distribution of the cast material against heated surface portions of the thin shell mold to form a thermoplastic cover with an opening therein that has the tear seam pattern. The opening is later filled with the lesser strength thermoplastic material to form an integrally bonded thermoplastic filler strip.