Abstract: A method for making air bag covers includes enclosing leather or other covering material in a mold, advancing a projection on a mold portion against a covering material to form a tear seam, and injecting moldable material behind the covering material to form a backing layer bonded to the material while forming an aligned groove in the backing layer. Embossing a desired pattern in the leather or covering material with a design in the mold cavity is also disclosed. A method for molding leather covered, resinous articles using a preformed, preshrunk leather piece, which articles optionally have designs, indicia or enhanced leather graining embossed during molding, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded air bag cover for vehicle supplemental occupant restraint systems includes a resinous plastic top wall having a leather or other covering layer bonded thereto and a securing member for attaching the cover to the vehicle. A frangible tear pattern in the covered top wall allows separation for air bag deployment. The tear pattern has a reduced thickness provided by an indented tear seam in the leather or other covering inner surface and an aligned groove in the resinous top wall. A method for making air bag covers includes enclosing leather or other covering material in a mold, advancing a projection on a mold portion against the covering material to form a tear seam, and injecting moldable material behind the covering material to form a backing layer bonded to the material while forming an aligned groove. Embossing a desired pattern in the leather or covering material with a design in the mold cavity is also disclosed.