A method of manufacturing decorative appliqués having a decorative outer layer, a clear backing layer which provides exceptional 'depth of image' and a substrate layer is provided. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a clear plastic behind the surface of a thin substantially transparent film, fabric or sheet and backing such decorative composites with a substrate layer. The presence of the clear layer behind the relatively transparent decorative layer provides enhanced depth of image to the features of the decorative layer.
B29C 45/00 - Moulage par injection, c. à d. en forçant un volume déterminé de matière à mouler par une buse d'injection dans un moule fermé; Appareils à cet effet
The present invention relates to surfacing material which may emit radiation in response to exposure to a given light source. Such surfacing material may be polymeric based, and e.g., fiber based, and may be used in relatively low-light areas, including low-light areas as applied to vehicular applications. The fiber-based or molded materials may emit radiation in response to exposure to a selected light source and may be used in relatively dimly lit areas. The materials may also provide a visible contrast to other objects located adjacent their surface which do not emit radiation. Optical brighteners and luminous particles may be included in the materials to make them luminous.
A method of manufacturing decorative plastic composites having a decorative layer, a backing layer and a clear outer layer which provides exceptional 'depth of image' is disclosed. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a backing layer behind and a clear outer layer on the top surface of a thin foil, film, fabric or veneer. A method is also disclosed for coating the exposed surface of the decorative layer between injection of the backing and outer layers to impart a desired visual effect or repair the surface.
B29C 45/00 - Moulage par injection, c. à d. en forçant un volume déterminé de matière à mouler par une buse d'injection dans un moule fermé; Appareils à cet effet
An adjustable air \!ent assembly has a frame and s plurality of louvers pivotsily mounted to the frame. The plurality of louvers is movable between a dosed position and a diffuse position. In the closed position, each louver has an edge contacting an edge of at least one other louver to substantially prevent air from flowing through the plurality of louvers in the dosed position, In the diffuse position a first louver is oriented along a no꧀-paraliei plane with respect to a second iouver. A single actuator is provided for moving the plurality of louvers between the closed and diffuse positions.
A water management system for convertible tops for motor vehicles is provided. The system (50) attaches to a rear edge of the folding top (20), generally below the rear window (22) and collects water which runs or sheets rearwardly off the surface of the top to direct the water to drainage tubes (62,64) and expel the water from the vehicle.
A three-dimensional four bar linkage mechanism (2) is described which provides in and out movement of the rear comers (72,74) of a convertible top as the top is being lowered or extended which allows the storage space for the retracted top to be smaller in width than the width of the foot print of the top when extended. A drag link (62) which is hinged at one end to one bar (29') and connected by a ball joint (66) to a second bar (2'T) which in turn is obliquely hinged to a third bar provide the three-dimensional action.
B60J 7/12 - Toits amovibles; Toits avec panneaux mobiles du type non coulissant, c. à d. toits ou panneaux mobiles ou amovibles, p.ex. toit ou capote pouvant être facilement enlevés ou mis en position repliée ou inopérante pliants; Leurs mécanismes de mise en tension, p.ex. tendeurs
7.
IMPROVED METHOD FOR FORMING TWO-TONE PARTS FOR AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR APPLICATIONS
The present invention is directed at an improved method for forming two-tone trim panels for automobiles and the like, wherein the color demarcation line (16) between color regions of the panel skin may be hidden in a narrow groove or joint (14). The groove (14) in the formed skin may be formed by the expansion pressure of foam conforming the skin to a narrow projection in a foam mold. Alternatively, a narrow groove may be formed by skiving or embossing along the color demarcation line.
A method of marking a skin for a vehicle interior trim panel comprising providing a skin with a color and an outer surface. A laser is applied to the outer surface such that a portion of the skin surface contacted by the laser changes color relative to a portion of the outer skin not contacted by the laser to create a marking in the outer skin surface indicating the presence of a vehicle component or function. In particular, an image, pattern, or color contrast may be created on the skin. A unique hole pattern and size distribution caused by the laser may provide a skin with a woven fabric texture. In addition, stitches formed on a skin surface may be colored differently from the surrounding skin surface to distinguish their appearance.
G09F 3/00 - ENSEIGNEMENT; CRYPTOGRAPHIE; PRÉSENTATION; PUBLICITÉ; SCEAUX ÉTIQUETTES OU PLAQUES D'IDENTIFICATION; SCEAUX Étiquettes, fiches ou moyens analogues d'identification ou d'indication; Sceaux; Timbres-poste ou timbres analogues
B32B 3/10 - Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par le fait qu'une des couches comporte des discontinuités ou des rugosités externes ou internes, ou bien qu'une des couches est de forme générale non plane; Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par des particularismes de forme caractérisés par une couche discontinue, c. à d. soit continue et percée de trous, soit réellement constituée d'éléments individuels
B32B 3/00 - Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par le fait qu'une des couches comporte des discontinuités ou des rugosités externes ou internes, ou bien qu'une des couches est de forme générale non plane; Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par des particularismes de forme
B32B 5/16 - Produits stratifiés caractérisés par l'hétérogénéité ou la structure physique d'une des couches caractérisés par le fait qu'une des couches est formée de particules, p.ex. de copeaux, de fibres hachées, de poudre
B60J 9/00 - Dispositifs non prévus dans l'un des groupes principaux
A convertible top architecture for a series of vehicles of a common platform is described, the vehicles having roof styles of different shapes or passenger spaces of different lengths, the top designed to cover the different length passenger spaces, the top characterized by a rear rail, top cover and backlight that are unique to each length passenger space or roof style and further including common componentry for the remainder fo the top regardless of the length of the passenger space or roof style.
An air duct outlet (10) includes a housing having spaced-apart top and bottom walls (16, 18), and spaced-apart first and second side walls (20, 22) extending between the top and bottom walls to define an air passageway (24) having an inlet (26) and outlet (28). The side walls diverge from the inlet to the outlet such that an air stream flowing through the air passageway oscillates in a sweeping motion as the air stream exits from the outlet.
An improvement in the fit and finish of a center stack or console area (118) of a vehicle is provided by integrating individual electronic module faceplate (132) and trim bezels into a single faceplate which may be positioned independent of the individual modules (136). A jumper or flat wire connector (138) provides communication between the controls on the faceplate and the module. A molded alignment guide is provided to direct pass-through media through a slot in the faceplate and into the module.
A storage system for providing enclosed storage in a vehicle for auxiliary items and/or 'stowable' seats comprises a frame including hinged doors which overlie a recess in the vehicle to provide storage having a load bearing cover. In one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a load floor system including a space frame. The load floor system may provide a modular unit which maybe easy t install in a vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, the recess may be in the form of a compartment which may be assembled to or molded as part of the frame. Various constructions for the doors, latches, hinges, a safety strap and a sliding door gap hider are also described
B60R 7/04 - Accessoires de rangement ou fixation, intérieurs aux véhicules, essentiellement destinés aux objets personnels de dimension plus petite qu'une valise, p.ex. articles de voyage ou cartes à l'emplacement du conducteur ou du passager
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