An interior trim panel for a vehicle includes a leather layer defining a feature having a radius of less than five millimeters, and a backing layer adhered to the leather layer and providing a support structure for the leather layer. A method of forming the interior trim panel includes clamping the leather layer in a frame to securely fix the edges of the leather layer, positioning the leather layer between compression mold dies defining a complementary surface having a feature with a radius of less than five millimeters, and compressing the leather layer between the dies.

A steering wheel sheath includes a carbon fiber-comprising composite element and a leather element. The composite element forms a notch and a receiving space axially. Two ends of the composite element extend to form two connection portions bending by a predetermined angle. Inner walls of openings at two ends of the leather element form two engaging portions corresponding in position to the two connection portions of the composite element. An adhesive is applied to outer walls of the two connection portions of the composite element or inner walls of the two engaging portions of the leather element; hence, the composite element and the leather element are connected, coupled and fixed together. The customized manufacturing process allows the steering wheel sheath to be mounted by users and enhances overall feel.

Embodiments include a composite saddle tree that is lighter than traditional saddle trees due to its substantially synthetic construction, but retains the functionality of a traditional saddle tree due to its inclusion of at least one accessory engagement member in at least one location where support and/or fastening mechanisms (e.g., screws, pegs, pins, adhesive, and the like) are normally secured. The composite saddle tree is made up of a saddle tree core having at least one depression in which the at least one accessory engagement member is disposed. A reinforcing material covers an outer surface of the saddle tree core.

Leather and similar materials are formed using graduated molds. A solvent is applied to the leather to saturate the leather. The saturated leather is put through a series of molds, each being more pronounced than the previous. An elastomer is applied after molding to provide structural support for features created through molding.

Leather and similar materials are formed using graduated molds. A solvent is applied to the leather to saturate the leather. The saturated leather is put through a series of molds, each being more pronounced than the previous. An elastomer is applied after molding to provide structural support for features created through molding.

A method for producing a covered steering wheel for a vehicle. A steering wheel skeleton is overmolded with a matrix material. A covering material is coated on its non-visible side with an activatable material. The coated covering material is applied to the overmolded steering wheel skeleton so that its non-visible side faces the overmolded steering wheel skeleton. Longitudinal edges of the covering material are joined together. The activatable material is activated with creation of an integral connection between the covering material and the matrix material.

A steering wheel sheath includes a carbon fiber-comprising composite element and a leather element. The composite element forms a notch and a receiving space axially. Two ends of the composite element extend to form two connection portions bending by a predetermined angle. Inner walls of openings at two ends of the leather element form two engaging portions corresponding in position to the two connection portions of the composite element. An adhesive is applied to outer walls of the two connection portions of the composite element or inner walls of the two engaging portions of the leather element; hence, the composite element and the leather element are connected, coupled and fixed together. The customized manufacturing process allows the steering wheel sheath to be mounted by users and enhances overall feel.

A seat trim cover for an automotive seat formed from milled leather which lacks coatings and/or paint on the milled leather while retaining stored elongation introduced to the leather fiber structure during a milling process. At least one coating and/or paint is applied to an upper surface of the 3-dimensional leather shape after the milled leather is formed into a 3-dimensional leather shape by one or more of a vacuum form process, a compression mold process, and/or an embossing process.

A seat trim cover for an automotive seat formed from milled leather which lacks coatings and/or paint on the milled leather while retaining stored elongation introduced to the leather fiber structure during a milling process. At least one coating and/or paint is applied to an upper surface of the 3-dimensional leather shape after the milled leather is formed into a 3-dimensional leather shape by one or more of a vacuum form process, a compression mold process, and/or an embossing process.

A manufacturing process of three-dimensional leather objects, including the following steps: applying a hardener additive on the flesh side of a piece of leather, positioning the flesh side of the piece of leather on a shape, introducing the shape with the piece of leather in a vacuum sack, applying rough vacuum in the vacuum sack, heating the vacuum sack with the shape and the piece of leather, and progressively applying vacuum during the heating step, stopping the vacuum pressure and cooling the vacuum sack with the shape and the piece of leather, opening the sack and extracting the shape with the piece of leather from the vacuum sack and removing the piece of leather from the shape in such a way that the piece of leather has the shape of a three-dimensional object.