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. 25, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 08, 2011
Raymond E. Kalisz, Livonia, MI (US);
Kenneth J. Kwasnik, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Raymond E. Kalisz, Livonia, MI (US);
Kenneth J. Kwasnik, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An automotive air bag system for a vehicle includes an instrument panel substrate comprised a first moldable thermoplastic characterized by a first melting temperature. The instrument panel substrate has a substantially smooth outer surface for facing a passenger compartment of the vehicle. A chute is comprised a second moldable thermoplastic characterized by a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature. The chute includes an in-mold tear seam and a hinge for an air bag deployment door and a passageway for guiding an inflating air bag to the deployment door. The chute is attached to an inner surface of the instrument panel substrate by insert molding in which injection of the first moldable thermoplastic causes a partial melting of the second moldable thermoplastic.