Trim piece and method for making same

• US 5,527,587 A
• Filed: 09/01/1994
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Onkyo America Speciality Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Top Source Technologies, Inc. (Global Technovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bahm, Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Loney, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US08/299,565
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 428/172, 428/192, 428/68, 428/74, 428/95, 428/190, 428/213, 428/284, 156/212, 156/267, 156/213, 156/244.25, 264/248, 264/257, 264/167, 264/241, 296/214, 52/312
• US Class Current: 428/172
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/009 after shaping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/02 using sheet or web-like material B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/0044 for shaping edges or extremities B29C57/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0809 Fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0048 Without internal tensions
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3005 Body finishings
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/103 Encasing or enveloping the configured lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 Thickness [relative or absolute]

Abstract

A trim piece (10) includes a body shape (30) and mold edge (34). A fabric cover (28) covers the body (30). An indent (38) extends along the periphery of the trim piece (10) just below the mold edge (34). A movable die part (56) forces additional fabric (40) into the indent (38) during the mold process. The excess fabric (40) is in tension when the movable die part (56) is retracted but the excess fabric (40) relieves the tension between the indent (38) and the mold edge (34) eliminating the tendency of the fabric cloth (28) to pull back or creep back from the mold edge (34) or the resulting cut line.

Claims

1. A trim article (10) comprising:

a layer of fabric cloth (28) defining a fabric periphery (32);

a rigid member (36) molded to a defined shape (30) defining a mold edge (34), said trim article (10) characterized by

a shoulder (38) extending along said rigid member (36) in spaced relationship to said mold edge (34), said layer of fabric cloth (28) bonded directly to said rigid member (36) and extending over said shoulder (38) with an increased thickness (46) at said shoulder (38) for reducing tension in said layer of fabric cloth (28) at said fabric periphery (32) to prevent said fabric periphery (32) from pulling away from said mold edge (34).

2. A trim article (10) as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by said layer of fabric cloth (28) having a defined edge width (42) at said mold edge (34).

3. A trim article (10) as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said layer fabric cloth (28) having a defined body width (44) outside said shoulder (38) equal to said defined edge width (42).

4. A method for fabricating a trim article (10) comprising the steps of:

forming a rigid member (36) of a defined shape having an edge (34) and a shoulder (38) spaced from the edge (34); and

bonding a layer of fabric cloth (28) directly to the rigid member (36) and extending over the shoulder with an increased thickness at the shoulder (38) for preventing the fabric from pulling away from the edge (34) of the rigid member (36).

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by trimming the article (10) by cutting the fabric cloth (28) and rigid member (36) along a cut line disposed between the shoulder (38) and the edge (34) of the rigid member (36).