Snap-on barrier panels for automobile door panel assemblies
A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels which engaging structures have base portions and over-hanging or under cut edges. The molding apparatus includes an engaging structure mold base for forming the base portion of a molded engaging structure and a movable tip coupled to the engaging structure mold base for movement between a first position for forming an over-hanging or under cut in the molded engaging structure and a second position for releasing the molded engaging structure from the molding apparatus.
1 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels which engaging structures have base portions and over-hanging or under cut edges, the molding apparatus comprising:
a panel mold base configured to form a vehicle door panel;
an engaging structure mold base coupled to the panel mold base for forming the base portion of a molded engaging structure; and
a movable tip coupled to the engaging structure mold base for movement between a first position for forming an over-hanging or under cut in the molded engaging structure and a second position for releasing the molded engaging structure from the molding apparatus.
2 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip moves linearly between the first position and the second position.
3 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip pivots between the first position and the second position.
4 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip retracts into the engaging structure mold base when positioned in the second position.
5 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip is fixed with respect to the engaging structure mold base.
6 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip moves with respect to the engaging structure mold base into the first position and the second position.
7 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein both the engaging structure mold base and the movable tip move with respect to the mold base into the first position and the second position.
8 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , further comprising an actuator link coupled to the movable tip for moving the movable tip between the first position and the second position.
9 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 8 , wherein the actuator link is pivotally coupled to the movable tip.
10 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 8 , wherein the actuator link is linearly coupled to the movable tip.
11 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 10 , wherein the actuator link is coupled to the movable tip by a toothed wheel.
12 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 8 , further comprising at least one of a hydraulic, pneumatic/vacuum, electrical, mechanical actuator for moving the actuator link
13 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the engaging structure mold base comprises a movable wall portion beneath the movable tip.
14 . A molding apparatus for forming engaging structures in vehicle door panels according to claim 1 , wherein the movable tip comprises two or more movable tips.
15 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel which comprises the steps of:
a) providing a panel mold base configured to form a vehicle door panel;
b) providing an engaging structure mold base coupled to the panel mold base for forming the base portion of a molded engaging structure;
c) providing a movable tip coupled to the engaging structure mold base for movement between a first position for forming an over-hanging or under cut in the molded engaging structure and a second position for releasing the molded engaging structure from the molding apparatus;
d) positioning the movable tip in the first position;
e) molding a door panel with an engaging structure;
f) positioning the movable tip into the second position; and
g) removing the molding a door panel from the molding apparatus.
16 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel according to claim 15 , further comprising providing the engaging structure mold base with a movable wall portion beneath the movable tip and, between steps d) and f), moving the movable wall portion to form the over-hanging or under cut in the engaging structure.
17 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel according to claim 15 , wherein the movable tip is moved linearly between the first position and the second position.
18 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel according to claim 15 , wherein the movable tip is pivoted between the first position and the second position.
19 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel according to claim 15 , wherein the movable tip moves with respect to the engaging structure mold base into the first position and the second position.
20 . A method of molding an engaging structure in a vehicle door panel according to claim 15 , wherein both the engaging structure mold base and the movable tip move with respect to the mold base into the first position and the second position.