# US 7,357,443 B2 · Deformable component, especially accessory for a vehicle, and process for manufacturing

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- Number: US 7,357,443 B2
- Document ID: US7357443B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/507,981
- Filed: 2003-03-14
- Published: 2005-08-04
- Granted: 2008-04-15
- Earliest claimed: 2002-03-15
- Assignees: Johnson Controls GmbH
- Inventors: Martin Wolff; Birgit Budde; Otwald Bruns; Hubert Brueckner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7357443B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/7017: {characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for}
- B29C 45/1676: {using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part}
- B60N 2/75: Arm-rests
- B29C 45/16: Making multilayered or multicoloured articles {(B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816)}
- B29K 2105/04: cellular or porous
- B29L 2031/3026: {Arm-rests}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A structural article, in particular an equipment article for the interior of a motor vehicle, includes a first, hard-elastic or plastically deformable carrier structure (2) and of a second, soft-elastic component (6) which is connected in one piece to the latter and which sealingly closes the carrier structure provided with recesses (5). There is provision for the recesses (5) to be essentially filled by the soft-elastic component (6) and consequently to be sealingly closed. A method for producing a structural article of this type is also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A structural article for use in a vehicle comprising:
a carrier member having grid elements defining a plurality of recesses providing a grid-like design;
an elastic component coupled to the carrier member and configured to sealingly engage the plurality of recesses in the carrier member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The structural article of claim 1 wherein that the local wall thickness of the elastic component is smaller than the local width of the respective recess.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The structural article of claim 1 wherein that the local wall thickness of the elastic component is at most half as large as the local width of the respective recess.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The structural article of claim 1 further comprising a foam layer formed on one side the carrier member and the elastic component.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The structural article of claim 4 wherein the foam layer is surrounded over its entire circumference by a sealing bead comprising a soft-elastic material formed onto the carrier member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The structural article of claim 1 wherein the carrier member is made of at least one of a hard-elastic material or a plastically deformable material.

### Claim 7

A structural article for use in a vehicle comprising:
a carrier member having at least one recess;
an elastic component coupled to the carrier member and configured to sealingly engage the at least one recess in the carrier member;
a foam layer that covers one side the carrier member and the elastic component;
wherein the foam layer is surrounded over its entire circumference by a sealing bead of a soft-elastic material and integrally formed in one piece onto the carrier member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The structural article of claim 7 wherein the at least one recess comprises a plurality of U-shaped recesses that form latching tongues integrally formed into the carrier member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The structural article of claim 7 wherein the at least one recess comprises a plurality of recesses disposed in a grid-like design and defined by grid elements on the carrier member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The structural article of claim 7 wherein the foam layer comprises an outer sheet.