Joseph B Andrews

US Patent:

47448482, May 17, 1988

Filed:

Feb 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/010068

Inventors:

Joseph B. Andrews - West Bloomfield MI
Chris G. Hewett - Birmingham MI
Thomas M. Smith - Westland MI

Assignee:

RHJ Products, Inc. - Franklin MI

International Classification:

B31F 100
B27N 310
B28B 1108
B29C 5500

US Classification:

156224

Abstract:

The method of this invention is particularly suitable for forming a permanently deep drawn contour in a laminate, such as a self-supporting polymer backed carpet laminate utilized by the automotive industry. The method includes forming a generally planar laminate wherein the carpet or cloth finish sheet is spaced from the sides of the polymer sheet, releasably clamping the polymer backing sheet to the side members of a frame assembly including a portion which is hingedly attached to the side members adjacent the area where the deepest draw is to be formed in the laminate. The laminate is then heated in the frame assembly and formed in a die press having at least one die member which is received in forming contact with the laminate between the side members. In the die forming step, the carpet or finish sheet floats on the polymer backing sheet and the hinged portion of the frame assembly floats relative to the side members to approximately mid way between the areas of greatest and least contour of the die member, such that stretching of the carpet-polymer laminate is minimized.

Address:

PO Box 24128, Houston, TX 77229

VIN:

1FT7W2BT1CEB96134

Make:

FORD

Model:

F-250 SUPER DUTY

Year:

2012