Patents by Inventor Christopher Francis Berardi

Christopher Francis Berardi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Instrument panel air bag door and method of making thereof
    Patent number: 5810388
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive instrument panel that conceals an airbag. The steps of manufacturing the instrument panel include providing a molded substrate having first and second surfaces and an aperture therethough, and a metal door having a generally U-shaped slot secured to the second surface of the substrate with a plurality of attaching posts. The slot has first and second ends being spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the aperture. The slot defines a flap in the door. The flap has a width greater than the width of the aperture. The door and substrate assembly is placed within a mold tool and a pre-molded covering is juxtaposed the substrate. A quantity of foam is injected between the substrate and covering and secures the covering to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Christopher Francis Berardi, Gregory A. Nestico, Carl David Spamer, Ashir Prafull Thakore, Lisandro Trevino, Edgar Valdez