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:
Dec. 02, 2008
Filed:
Oct. 19, 2004
Glenn a Cowelchuk, Chesterfield Township, MI (US);
Todd L Depue, Brighton, MI (US);
David Dooley, Troy, MI (US);
Michael J Hier, Milford, MI (US);
Randy S Reed, Fair Haven, MI (US);
Glenn A Cowelchuk, Chesterfield Township, MI (US);
Todd L DePue, Brighton, MI (US);
David Dooley, Troy, MI (US);
Michael J Hier, Milford, MI (US);
Randy S Reed, Fair Haven, MI (US);
International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides for an improved armrest with a soft feel for use in a trim assembly, and to a continuous two-shot molding operation that may be continuously performed utilizing a single mold assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a trim assembly includes an integrated armrest formed by injecting a first material into a first shot mold cavity in a first shot of a molding operation. An armrest cover is molded to at least a portion of the armrest by injecting into a mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation to provide the armrest with a soft feel. The second foamed material includes a foamed material that produces a soft, outer skin and a light, cellular inner core such that when a force is applied to the cover, the skin will deform and compress the inner core, providing a soft-touch feel to the armrest.