Patents Assigned to Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
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Patent number: 12134371Abstract: A roof rail for a vehicle is provided that is made of only one piece and is solid across its length. The roof rail may be made using a co-injection molding process, a two-shot injection molding process or an extrusion molding process.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Paul Nikandrou, Ryan Lacks, Nick Hrnyak
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Patent number: 12130006Abstract: A decorative automotive component includes a structure having a textured surface with a plurality of light-reflecting facets. The textured surface is selectively metallized, such as via electroplating, such that a plurality of openings are defined through the metal material and which expose the underlying substrate. A first light source, hidden from view, is disposed above the textured surface and directs light onto the reflective textured surface, such that light is reflected outwardly therefrom. A second light source is disposed within the structure and below the substrate, and directs light through substrate and directly into and through openings, such that the openings are illuminated and visible. The light sources can be activated individually or at the same time to combine the lighting effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Hawkins
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Patent number: 11945408Abstract: A roof rail for a vehicle is provided that is made of only one piece and is solid across its length. The roof rail may be made using a co-injection molding process, a two-shot injection molding process or an extrusion molding process.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Paul Nikandrou, Ryan Lacks, Nick Hrnyak
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Patent number: 11872959Abstract: A roof rail includes a gasket that is formed of a liquid gasket material that is applied in a liquid state and cured to define a gasket. The liquid gasket material may be applied robotically. The liquid gasket material may be applied either before or after the roof rail is attached to a corresponding vehicle structure. The gasket may be recessed, flush, or proud relative to a lower surface of the roof rail. The liquid gasket material may be applied during the molding process of the roof rail. The roof rail may be formed of a plateable resin material, and the liquid gasket material may be non-platable and bonded bond to the plateable resin material. The roof rail having the gasket may be plated, with the plating material bonding to the areas of the roof rail that are not covered by the gasket.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Brian Wojtczak, Thomas Hawkins, Paul Nikandrou, Ryan Lacks, Nick Hrnyak
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Patent number: 11867374Abstract: A light assembly includes a light source and a lens. The lens includes a hardcoat surface that protects the lens. The light source is positioned close to the lens, and a microtexture is defined in the hardcoat material to increase diffusion of the light to overcome the limitations of the close spacing between the lens and the light source. The hardcoat material and microtexture may be applied to both sides of the lens or one side of the lens. The light source may be a plurality of spaced apart LEDs. The microtexture may be applied to the entire surface of the lens or select regions of the lens. The microtexture is defined after the hardcoat is applied, and is defined via removal or disruption of hardcoat material. The microtexture may be defined in different ways to vary the appearance of the microtexture.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Dave Walters, Aaron Johnson
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Patent number: 11840046Abstract: A part includes a surface that having a rich textured appearance formed by an anisotropic repeating pattern including first regions having a first microtexture, and second regions having a second microtexture different from the first microtexture. A metalized layer covers the regions and presents different finishes depending on the microtexture thereunder. In an example embodiment, the first microtexture is highly reflective and the second microtexture is rough to cause a non-specular reflection of incident light. The part may include three-dimensional structures arranged to correspond with the repeating pattern. The three-dimensional structures may be spaced-apart by a base plane that may be flat or which may include some texture or structure. The three-dimensional structures may each include one or more planar portions and/or one or more curved surfaces. Each face or surface of the three-dimensional structures and/or each region of the base plane may have one or more different microtextures.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, David Walters, Alan Fanta
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Patent number: 11807039Abstract: A composite wheel structure includes a single continuous fiber reinforcement layer extending axially between inner and outer ends of the wheel structure. The single fiber reinforcement layer is impregnated with different matrix materials at different axial portions of the reinforcement layer to account for specific locations where high strength or high temperature performance is needed, with other portions having different matrix materials where low temperature performance and/or low strength is sufficient. The matrix materials may be provided as separate resin films that are applied side-by-side on the single reinforcement layer, or they may be provided on a single resin film. The matrix materials may be applied to the reinforcement layer in a direct coating process. The reinforcement layer may be prepregged with the matrix materials prior to a wheel layup process, or the reinforcement layer and matrix materials may be consolidated by resin film infusion during the wheel layup process.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Rawley Stanhope, Colin Snyder, Frederick K. Meyer
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Patent number: 11802347Abstract: A molded article includes a first plateable region spaced apart from a second plateable region the first plateable region by a barrier of electrically insulating material. Each of the plateable regions include an associated plateable layer of electrically conductive material for being electroplated with a different plateable finish. Several different geometries and configurations of the barrier and/or the plateable regions are provided to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions acting as bipolar electrode while another one of the plateable regions is being electroplated. A non-plateable insert may be disposed between the plateable regions to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions onto the other one of the plateable regions. A conducive robber in electrical communication with one of the one of the plateable regions, and which may be removable, may also be used to prevent migration of plating material.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Michael LaVallee
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Patent number: 11795563Abstract: A decorative component includes a plateable resin body portion that is light-transmissive. A thin intermediate layer of material is electrolessly deposited over the body portion. The intermediate layer is laser ablated to selectively remove the intermediate layer and expose the light transmissive portion. The part is then subjected to electroplating. The ablated areas do not receive the metal layers of the electroplating, thereby defining a pattern defined by the ablation. The laser ablation may define an outline, leaving the thin intermediate layer within the outline that is electrically isolated from areas outside of the outline. The electroplating process will not apply layers to the isolated areas, and the intermediate layer therein will dissolve, exposing the light transmissive body portion. An opposite side of the part is also exposed and transmissive, such that light will pass through the body portion and illuminate the pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Michael LaVallee, David Walters, Thomas Hawkins
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Patent number: 11685316Abstract: A roof rail and an apparatus for attaching the roof rail to the roof of a vehicle are provided. The roof rail is elongated and includes a bottom portion for engaging the outer surface of the roof. The roof rail also includes inboard and outboard side portions extending between the bottom portion and a top portion. An access hole is provided in the roof rail on an inboard side portion or at a location that is lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail for providing access to a fastener such as a roof stud or bolt attaching the roof rail to the roof. The access hole is blocked from view from a laterally outer side of the roof rail.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Paul Nikandrou, Brian Wojtczak
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Patent number: 11639552Abstract: A method for plating a work piece includes forming a work piece, where the work piece includes first and second segments that are electrically isolated. The first segment is connected in a first circuit and the second segment is connected in a second circuit. The first circuit may include a first power source and the second circuit may include a second power source. The work piece and the first and second segments may be disposed in a common solution, and current may be applied in the first circuit and the second circuit to create first and second metal surfaces. The first and second metal surfaces may be made from the same base metal. The first and second metal surfaces may be created simultaneously, with the work piece and the first and second segments disposed in a common solution.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Michael LaVallee
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Patent number: 11408086Abstract: A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Michael LaVallee
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Patent number: 11370246Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Colin Snyder, Rawley Stanhope
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Patent number: 11326268Abstract: A floating metallized element assembly and method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The floating metallized element assembly includes a work piece of a plateable resin and a non-plateable resin including a front side and a back side. The work piece includes at least one plated decorative region on the plateable resin at the front side. The work piece also includes at least one network of the plateable resin at the back side. The work piece additionally includes a plurality of discrete current paths of the plateable resin extending from the at least one network to the at least one plated decorative region. The work piece also includes at least one non-plated decorative region of the non-plateable resin adjacent the at least one decorative region. Metal surfaces are adhered to and disposed on the at least one plated decorative region.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Michael LaVallee, Lee Chase
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Patent number: 11299103Abstract: A roof rail and an apparatus for attaching the roof rail to the roof of a vehicle are provided. The roof rail is elongated and includes a bottom portion for engaging the outer surface of the roof. The roof rail also includes inboard and outboard side portions extending between the bottom portion and a top portion. An access hole is provided in the roof rail on an inboard side portion or at a location that is lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail for providing access to a fastener such as a roof stud or bolt attaching the roof rail to the roof. The access hole is blocked from view from a laterally outer side of the roof rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, Paul Nikandrou, Brian Wojtczak
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Patent number: 11285756Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Colin Snyder, Rawley Stanhope
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Patent number: 11220128Abstract: A composite component includes a plastic substrate and a transfer foil adhered thereto. The plastic substrate and the foil are proud and define a peripheral edge with a tight outer radius. A thin first coating layer, such as a base coat or primer layer, is applied over the plastic substrate and foil and adheres the both the plastic substrate and foil. A thicker second coating layer, such as a clear coat, is applied over the first coating layer and adheres to the first coating layer. The first coating layer has a lower viscosity than the second coating layer. The second coating layer is more ductile than the first coating layer. The first coating layer acts a primer layer for applying the second coating layer. The second coating layer therefore protects the substrate and transfer foil and can withstand thermal shock and water immersion.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventor: Guy Wagner
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Patent number: 11148585Abstract: A decorative component with a light emitting finish includes a transmissive portion including a resin material configured to carry light through the transmissive portion. A plateable portion is attached to the transmissive portion and includes a resin material configured to receive a metal material via electroplating. The plateable portion overlays a portion of the transmissive portion. A metal finish portion is applied to the plateable portion, and the metal finish portion overlays the plateable portion. A plurality of openings are defined by gaps in the finish portion and the plateable portion. Light carried by the transmissive portion exits the component through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: LACKS ENTERPRISES, INC.Inventors: Thomas Hawkins, David Walters
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Patent number: 11142130Abstract: A cargo support system and cargo support rails therefor are provided. The cargo support rails include a tubular wall extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The tubular wall includes a plurality of carbon fibers and a fibrous mat bonded to one another by a cured resin.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Lacks, Paul Nikandrou, Brian Wojtczak, Thomas Hawkins
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Patent number: D945795Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Aaron Koerth