ONE PIECE INSTRUMENT PANEL EXHIBITING A TWO GRAIN, TWO PART APPEARANCE WITH SURFACE DEFINED SEPARATION GROOVE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR CREATING A MASTER MODEL FOR IN TURN MAKING A PRODUCTION MOLD FOR PRODUCING MULTIPLE INSTRUMENT PANELS ACCORDING TO A SLUSH MOLD PROCESS
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument panel with a one piece body constructed of a thermoformed material and exhibiting first and second visually differentiable surface patterns. An associated process includes the creation of an instrument panel, such as through the use of a clamshell slush mold, and including the formation of a groove between the surface patterns which exhibits a visually appealing and rounded cross sectional profile.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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6-12. -12. (canceled)
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13. A vehicle instrument panel providing the appearance of being formed of two different components and comprising:
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a body having a surface covered with a single coating constructed of a uniform and thermoformed material and including a hood portion extending at least above a steering column associated with a vehicle, a second portion surrounding the hood portion and which is visually differentiable from said hood portion; and a groove defining an extending boundary between said hood portion and said surrounding portion and exhibiting an inwardly radiused profile. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An instrument panel, comprising:
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a body having a surface covered with a single coating and formed of a uniform material including a first portion having a first grain surface; a second portion having a second surface visually differentiable from said first surface; and an inwardly radiused profile extending between said first portion and said second portion; wherein said body has an appearance of being formed of two different components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification