US3974124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing vehicle body material
Assignee: Woodall Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1973-06-06
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1993-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A molding material incorporating certain synthetic fibers in a polyester resin premix or sheet molding compound which will mold up with low shrink and form a panel having enhanced energy absorbing properties. The fibers have high tenacity and high denier, required elongation properties, and are resistant to degradation in the mix. They are used either alone or in combination with glass fibers. Examples of suitable fibers are nylon, polyester or polyvinyl alcohol fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Owen H. Pelham, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:45
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L67/00; C08L67/06; C08K; C08K3/00; C08K3/40; C08L29/00; C08L29/02; C08L29/04; C08L77/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A composition for use in molding an energy absorbing vehicle body panel, comprising an unsaturated polyester resin matrix unifromly mixed with glass fibers and synthetic thermoplastic fibers chosen from the group consisting of nylon, polyester and polyvinyl alcohol fibers, said resin matrix being relatively brittle as compared with said thermoplastic fibers, said thermoplastic fibers having suffficiently high denier and high tenacity as to provide substantial energy absorption when the panel is impacted, the lengths of said thermoplastic fibers being between 1/8 and 1/2 inch, the amount of thermoplastic fibers being 3 to 10% and of glass fibers 5 to 15% by weight, said thermoplastic fibers having a fiber diameter of 5 denier or more, a fiber tenacity of 5 grams per denier or more and an elongation of 8 to 40%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A composition for use in molding an energy absorbing vehicle body panel, comprising an unsaturated polyester resin matrix unifromly mixed with glass fibers and synthetic thermoplastic fibers chosen from the group consisting of nylon, polyester and polyvinyl alcohol fibers, said resin matrix being relatively brittle as compared with said thermoplastic fibers, said thermoplastic fibers having suffficiently high denier and high tenacity as to provide substantial energy absorption when the panel is impacted, the lengths of said thermoplastic fibers being between 1/8 and 1/2 inch, the amount of thermoplastic fibers being 3 to 10% and of glass fibers 5 to 15% by weight, said thermoplastic fibers having a fiber diameter of 5 denier or more, a fiber tenacity of 5 grams per denier or more and an elongation of 8 to 40%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A composition according to claim 1, said thermoplastic fibers being polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A composition according to claim 1, said thermoplastic fibers being nylon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 1, said thermoplastic fibers being polyvinyl alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A composition according to claim 1, said unsaturated polyester resin matrix being low shrinkage.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |