Patent ID: 7128859

Claim:
A method for manufacturing at least two types of injection molded pieces comprising the steps of: a. preparing a mold having a first piece including a first surface, a second piece including a second surface, and at least one injection port located in the second piece wherein the injection port has an outlet associated with the second surface wherein the mold first piece and second piece unite to form an internal cavity; and b. preparing at least two different injection molded pieces using the mold each by a different method wherein the injection molded pieces and the associated method are selected from the group consisting of: i. a first injection molded piece prepared by injecting a resin into the mold and thereafter removing the cured first injection molded piece from the mold; ii. a second injection molded piece that is prepared by the further steps comprising: preparing a preformed skin having a first surface and a second surface wherein the preformed skin first surface has a shape complementary to the mold first surface; placing the preformed skin into the mold such that the preformed skin first surface contacts the mold first surface; closing the mold and injecting resin into the mold through the at least one injection port and into contact with the preformed skin second surface until the internal cavity is filled with resin to form a second injection molded piece; and removing the second injection molded piece from the mold; iii a third injection molded piece that is prepared by the further steps comprising: preparing a shaped metal piece from flat metal stock wherein the shaped metal piece has a first surface and a second surface and wherein the shaped metal piece first surface has a shape complementary to the shape of the mold first surface; placing the shaped metal piece into the mold such that the metal sheet first surface is in contact with the mold first surface; closing the mold and injecting resin into the mold through the at least one injection port until the mold cavity is filled with resin to form a third injection molded piece; and removing the third injection molded piece from the mold; and iv. a fourth injection molded piece that is prepared by the further steps comprising; preparing a wooden piece having a first surface and a second surface wherein the wooden piece first surface has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the mold first surface; placing the wooden piece into the mold such that the wooden piece first surface is in contact with the mold first surface; closing the mold and injecting a resin into the mold through the at least one injection port and into contact with the wooden piece second surface until the mold cavity is filled with resin to form a fourth injection molded piece; and removing the fourth injection molded piece from the mold.