Gregory J Hunter

US Patent:

61714194, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

Jun 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/097596

Inventors:

Thomas A. Heiman - Pickney MI
Gregory Hunter - Beverly Hills MI
Bernard Koester - Howell MI
Joseph Klun - Novi MI
Christopher J. Niehaus - Jackson MI
Michael K. Bonner - Roseville MI

Assignee:

Magna Interior Systems Inc. - Aurora

International Classification:

B29C 6720
B32B 3104
B32B 3116

US Classification:

156 78

Abstract:

An apparatus for forming an interior panel for a vehicle door includes mandrels which hold rolls of vinyl laminate and fiberglass reinforcing mat and from which sheets of vinyl laminate and reinforcing mat are pulled in overlying relation with respect to each other. The vinyl and mat sheets are tacked together, cut to a predetermined length by a cutting mechanism, and moved into a heater by a pin-chain conveyor system. In the heater, the vinyl and mat are heated until the vinyl, which is supported at its edges by the pin-chain conveyor, sags a sufficient amount to indicate that the vinyl is sufficiently softened. The heated vinyl and mat are then moved to a vacuum mold part and thereafter a vacuum is applied to draw the vinyl to a molding surface of the vacuum mold part. A vacuum assist, carried on a carrier, engages the mat and heated vinyl within the vacuum mold part to press the mat into the heated vinyl to partially embed the mat into the vinyl to secure the mat to the vinyl. Thereafter, a foamable and curable urethane substrate material is poured into the formed vinyl and mat.

US Patent:

61525006, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Jun 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/329875

Inventors:

Thomas Joseph Kowalewski - Rochester Hills MI
Steven J. Sabol - Shelby Township MI
Gregory J. Hunter - Metamora MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

E05C 306
E05C 316

US Classification:

292216

Abstract:

A self-aligning latch for a closure panel includes a base member adapted to be attached to either one of a closure panel or vehicle structure and an attaching flange extending transversely along a side of the base member, such that the attaching flange includes an alignment slot. The self-aligning latch also includes an alignment plate pivotally mounted to the attaching flange. The self-aligning latch further includes a striker receiving member operatively mounted to the alignment plate and having a striker lead-in portion for receiving a striker attached to either one of the vehicle structure or the closure panel. The self-aligning latch includes an alignment member disposed within the alignment slot for positioning the alignment plate relative to the attaching flange to align the closure panel relative to the vehicle structure.