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. 02, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 27, 1998
Applicant:
Inventors:
Donald R Stevens, Marysville, MI (US);
Stuart G Boyd, North Street, MI (US);
Brian Eagen, Smith Creek, MI (US);
Assignee:
UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B32B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
428 31 ; 296214 ; 4283084 ; 442 55 ;
Abstract
An improved material for forming vehicle trim panels includes natural fibers formed reinforcing mats. The natural fibers replaced the prior known use of glass fibers. Prior art glass fibers may sometimes cause skin irritation, and the natural fiber eliminates this problem. The fibrous mats are preferably placed on both sides of the central foam layer, and a decorative layer is placed outwardly of one of the fibrous mats. Various naturally occurring fibrous materials such as hemp may be utilized.