US4983442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite article and method of making same
Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-13
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Granted: 1991-01-08
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Expires: 2010-07-13
Abstract
Abstract The composite article of the present invention comprises a resin binder impregnated fiberglass matte having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of semi-rigid foam. On one or more surface of the core is bonded one or more reinforcing or decorative layers. Further disclosed is the method for making these composite articles.
Inventors
- 👤 Tushar M. Patel
- 👤 Richard E. Berg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:18
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B17/00; B32B17/02; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B32B5/022; B32B5/18; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/245; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; B32B2260/00; B32B2260/02; B32B2260/021; B32B2260/04; B32B2260/046; B32B2605/00; B32B2605/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/237; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24174; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/24322; Y10T428/24331; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A composite article comprising a core of fiberglass mattes impregnated with a thermoplastic resin binder having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of semi-rigid urethane foam and having one or more reinforcing layers bonded to at least one of the core surfaces to form a unitary composite article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A composite article comprising a core of fiberglass mattes impregnated with a thermoplastic resin binder having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of semi-rigid urethane foam and having one or more reinforcing layers bonded to at least one of the core surfaces to form a unitary composite article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite article of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid urethane foam surrounds the edges of the core structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composite article of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid urethane foam strip has a thickness greater than 7 mm and a width of greater than 1 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composite article of claim 1 wherein the core structure has reinforcing layers on both surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite article of claims 1 & 5 wherein the reinforcing layers comprise a non-woven scrim of fiberglass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composite article of claim 1 wherein at least one of the reinforcing layers is a decorative layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composite article of claim 6 wherein the decorative layer is foam backed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A composite article useful as an automobile interior trim panel comprising a core structure of resin impregnated fiberglass, the edges of which are surrounded with a semi-rigid thermoformable urethane wherein said top and or bottom of said core has one or more reinforcing layers bonded thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A composite article useful as an automobile interior trim panel comprising a core structure of resin impregnated fiberglass, the edges of which are surrounded with a semi-rigid thermoformable urethane wherein said top and or bottom of said core has one or more reinforcing layers bonded thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A composite preform comprising a flat core of fiberglass impregnated with a thermoplastic resin having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of thermoformable semi-rigid urethane foam, a layer of adhesive on at least one surface of said core and one or more reinforcing layers positioned on the core surfaces having the adhesive layer, said preform capable of being formed into a unitary composite article under sufficient heat and pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
A composite preform comprising a flat core of fiberglass impregnated with a thermoplastic resin having adjacent to one or more of said matte's edges a strip of thermoformable semi-rigid urethane foam, a layer of adhesive on at least one surface of said core and one or more reinforcing layers positioned on the core surfaces having the adhesive layer, said preform capable of being formed into a unitary composite article under sufficient heat and pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The composite preform of claim 9 wherein the core has at a minimum a non-woven scrim reinforcing layer on one surface and a layer of non-woven scrim and a decorative layer on the opposite surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of making a thermoformed composite article comprising: a frame of semi-rigid urethane foam; placing a flat thermoplastic resin impregnated fiberglass matte within the urethane frame to form a core structure; applying an adhesive to at least one surface of the core structure; placing one or more reinforcing layers on the adhesive coated surface; apply sufficient heat and pressure to form the covered core structure into the desired shape and cure the adhesive.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of making a thermoformed composite article comprising: a frame of semi-rigid urethane foam; placing a flat thermoplastic resin impregnated fiberglass matte within the urethane frame to form a core structure; applying an adhesive to at least one surface of the core structure; placing one or more reinforcing layers on the adhesive coated surface; apply sufficient heat and pressure to form the covered core structure into the desired shape and cure the adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-07 | 1994-07-09 | 1995-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-07 | 1998-07-09 | 1999-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-07 | 2002-07-09 | 2003-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |