Patent ID: 6224809
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,B32B,B63B,B63C,E02B,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a fender protective structure to be contacted by external objects, comprising a relatively hard, resilient layer having a delayed elastic response and voids therein that extend to approximately the middle to two-thirds the thickness of the layer, said method comprising the following steps:providing a mold;disposing cured elastomeric spacers in the mold;pouring a mix of elastomer and plastic powder in said mold over the elastomeric spacers, said elastomer and plastic powder being selected to yield a hard product having the delayed elastic response to impact after the plastic powder has melted and solidified with the elastomer;pressurizing and heating the mix of elastomer and plastic powder to melt the mix to make an elastomer and plastic alloy;cooling the mix to solidify the alloy; andremoving the elastomeric spacers to create the fender protective structure comprising the relatively hard, resilient layer having the delayed elastic response with the voids in the layer to enable the bulging of the alloy upon impact force being applied to the fender protective structure.