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:
Jun. 30, 2015
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2014
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Brandon M. Aselage, White Lake, MI (US);
Sean B. West, Monroe, MI (US);
Stacey H. Raines, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An active bolster for an interior trim surface of a vehicle has a trim panel with a closed-loop bonding section on an inside surface. A first stud extending from an inside trim panel surface at the closed-loop bonding section, and a second stud extends from the panel inside surface radially outward of the bonding section. A thermoplastic expandable bladder member has a welding flange along an peripheral edge which is hot-welded with the bonding section. The welding flange has a stud aperture receiving the first stud. A stepped bracket comprises a first plate overlying the welding flange and a second plate overlying the trim panel. The first plate has a first aperture receiving the first stud. The second plate has a second aperture receiving the second stud. The studs have respective re-melted heads clamping the bracket in place.