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US 6,318,783 B1Granted
Structure for connecting automotive interior trim skin portions
AssigneeTextron Automotive Company Inc.
InventorJonathan P. Knox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A skin for an automotive interior trim panel is provided comprising a first skin portion and a second skin portion. First skin portion comprises a receptacle and a second skin portion comprises a protrusion. When connected, a portion of the protrusion in mechanical engagement with a portion of the receptacle to join the first skin portion and the second skin portion.
Claims12
An automotive interior trim panel comprising:
- a first flexible outer skin portion comprising a first polymer material composition, said first skin portion further comprising a receptacle formed substantially parallel to a first skin outer surface;
- a second flexible outer skin portion comprising a second polymer material composition, said second skin portion further comprising a protrusion formed substantially parallel to a second skin inner surface;
- wherein said receptacle is configured to receive said protrusion, whereby an interlocking joint may be formed between said first skin portion and said second skin portion providing a generally continuous surface including said first skin outer surface and an outer surface of said second skin portion.
A method of forming an automotive trim panel comprising:
- providing a first flexible skin portion having a receptacle formed substantially parallel to a first skin outer surface;
- providing a second flexible outer skin portion having a protrusion formed substantially parallel with a second skin inner surface, wherein said protrusion is configured to be received in said receptacle;
- introducing at least a portion of said protrusion into at least a portion of said receptacle, whereby a mechanical engagement is achieved providing a trim panel having a generally continuous outer surface including first skin portion and the second skin portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.