John W Grimes

US Patent:

50376870, Aug 6, 1991

Filed:

Jul 10, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/377254

Inventors:

Reza Kargarzadeh - Riceville TN
Ken E. Tuttle - S. Berwick ME
John A. Grimes - Dover NH

Assignee:

Davidson Textron Inc. - Dover NH

International Classification:

B32B 108
B32B 708

US Classification:

428 71

Abstract:

A method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products includes the steps of forming a mold with a prtial recess closed by a removable plug and thereafter selectively directing heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface and thereafter casting thermoplastic material against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug is supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part. The article formed by the method and apparatus includes a shell of thermoplastic material which is fused and cured and which includes a generally planar segment having an integrally formed tubular segment thereon for defining the outer skin surface of a full 360 degree handle.

US Patent:

51258153, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

May 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/702508

Inventors:

Reza Kargarzadeh - Riceville TN
Ken E. Tuttle - S. Berwick ME
John A. Grimes - Dover NH

Assignee:

Davidson Textron Inc. - Dover NH

International Classification:

B29B 1100
B29D 2300

US Classification:

425112

Abstract:

An apparatus for practicing a method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products. The apparatus includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug being supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part. A heater device directs heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface on which thermoplastic material is cast against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed.

US Patent:

51732289, Dec 22, 1992

Filed:

May 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/702312

Inventors:

Reza Kargarzadeh - Riceville TN
Ken E. Tuttle - S.Berwick ME
John A. Grimes - Dover NH

Assignee:

Davidson Textron Inc. - Dover NH

International Classification:

B29C 6722
B29C 4100

US Classification:

264 467

Abstract:

A method for forming a 360 degree integral skin handle in a thermoplastic part for use in automotive trim products includes the steps of forming a mold with a partial recess closed by a removable plug and thereafter selectively directing heat from a first source through the mold and from a second source through the plug to form a completely closed, curved, heated tube surface and thereafter casting thermoplastic material against the curved, heated tube surface to fuse and cure a layer of material thereon in the form of a tube skin segment which is releasable from the mold when the plug is removed. Apparatus for practicing the method includes a mold with a recess therein and a plug is supported on the mold for movement into a position for closing the tube surface and into a demolding position for releasing the molded part. The article formed by the method and apparatus includes a shell of thermoplastic material which is fused and cured and which includes a generally planar segment having an integrally formed tubular segment thereon for defining the outer skin surface of a full 360 degree handle.