Importance

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Abstract

A thermoplastic automotive interior trim panel of uniform wall thickness has an integral outwardly projecting storage pocket of complex curvature to which is added an extruded elastomeric thermoplastic edge molding to form a relatively large smooth rounded edge at the opening to the pocket. A top margin of the pocket is curved inward so that the pocket edge faces inward and the edge molding is held in place by internal ribs that snap onto locking tabs formed integral with the curved top pocket margin at locations spaced therealong. In one embodiment, the locking tabs are located on the sides of the top margin of the pocket at the pocket edge and the edge molding extends completely over this edge to be located thereby. In another embodiment, the molding abuts with the top edge of the pocket, the locking tabs are formed integral with the sides of a locking/locating rib on the inner side of the pocket that also cooperates with the ribs to properly locate the molding, and a convex surface on the molding cooperates with a convex surface on the pocket to form a relatively large rounded edge on the pocket. In both embodiments, the locking tabs are divided into two sets that project in opposite directions and with those in one set staggered in relation to those in the other set to facilitate their molding.

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First Claim