US 2006/0038320 A1 · Convertible boot system and method of making same

Abstract

The present invention is a 2-step molding process and a 1-step molding process that can be used to form a boot and/or tonneau cover for use in covering a convertible roof and/or a stowage compartment in an automotive vehicle. In the 1-step molding process, the boot and/or tonneau cover are formed by positioning the substrate material and other material layer(s) adjacent one another and forming the boot and/or tonneau cover in a mold in a single molding step. In a 2-step molding process, the substrate for the boot and/or tonneau cover is first formed in a mold. The formed substrate is then positioned adjacent material layer(s) and the formed substrate and material layer(s) are bound together within the same or a different mold in a subsequent molding step.

Claims39

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a tonneau cover for a convertible roof stowage area of an automotive vehicle, the tonneau cover including a substantially rigid substrate, a material layer, and an adhesive, the method comprising:

(a) shaping the substantially rigid substrate in a mold that results in the substrate having a desired shape;
(b) placing the adhesive on the material layer, the adhesive being of the type that is activated by at least one of heat and UV radiation;
(c) positioning the material layer having the adhesive thereon on the shaped substrate;
and
(d) activating the adhesive.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Convertible boot system and method of making same

Life of this patent

Convertible boot system and method of making same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39