Abstract: An emblem assembly includes a body of a polymeric material. A polymeric material extending portion is homogeneously connected to the body. The extending portion has a dove-tail shaped connector outwardly and homogenously extending from the extending portion. The dove-tail shaped connector defines a V-shape having a first wing and a second wing. An attachment member includes a first recessed pocket receiving the first wing and a second recessed pocket receiving the second wing to frictionally couple the attachment member to the extending portion.

Abstract: An emblem assembly includes a body of a polymeric material. A polymeric material extending portion is homogeneously connected to the body. The extending portion has a dove-tail shaped connector outwardly and homogenously extending from the extending portion. The dove-tail shaped connector defines a V-shape having a first wing and a second wing. An attachment member includes a first recessed pocket receiving the first wing and a second recessed pocket receiving the second wing to frictionally couple the attachment member to the extending portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vehicle emblems, automobiles with vehicle emblems, and methods of manufacturing vehicle emblems. A vehicle emblem for an automobile includes a bezel for mounting the emblem to the automobile's vehicle structure, such as the front grille, engine hood, or outer fascia panel. A rigid backing is seated within and attached to the bezel. The rigid backing includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs. A cover sheet lays against and is attached to the front-surface of the backing. The cover sheet includes a transparent layer or film with a multi-color print. The cover sheet includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs that are formed in the transparent layer. Each of the cover sheet's depressions is seated inside one of the rigid backing's depressions, while each of the rigid backing's ribs is seated inside one of the cover sheet's ribs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vehicle emblems, automobiles with vehicle emblems, and methods of manufacturing vehicle emblems. A vehicle emblem for an automobile includes a bezel for mounting the emblem to the automobile's vehicle structure, such as the front grille, engine hood, or outer fascia panel. A rigid backing is seated within and attached to the bezel. The rigid backing includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs. A cover sheet lays against and is attached to the front-surface of the backing. The cover sheet includes a transparent layer or film with a multi-color print. The cover sheet includes one or more depressions and/or one or more ribs that are formed in the transparent layer. Each of the cover sheet's depressions is seated inside one of the rigid backing's depressions, while each of the rigid backing's ribs is seated inside one of the cover sheet's ribs.

Abstract: A method of forming an emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes positioning a mask adjacent and in contact with a second element so that the mask covers only a selected portion of the second element and does not cover an exposed portion of the second element. The method includes vacuum metalizing a first coating onto only the exposed portion, wherein the first coating has a distal edge surface abutting the mask, and, after vacuum metalizing, removing the mask from the second element to uncover the selected portion. The method includes depositing a back coating onto only the first coating and the selected portion to thereby wrap the back coating around the distal edge surface, and, after depositing, inserting the second element into a first element configured for attachment to the vehicle so that the first coating does not contact the first element to form the assembly.

Abstract: A display emblem may comprise a metallized layer, a decoration layer, and at least one moisture impermeable layer.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element and a second element. The first element is configured for attachment to the vehicle and has a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface. The second element is configured for attachment to the first element and has a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the fifth surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a channel therebetween. The assembly includes a first coating disposed on the third surface and a tape disposed in contact with at least a portion of each of the second surface, the first coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes positioning a mask adjacent and in contact with a second element so that the mask covers only a selected portion of the second element and does not cover an exposed portion of the second element. The method includes vacuum metalizing a first coating onto only the exposed portion, wherein the first coating has a distal edge surface abutting the mask, and, after vacuum metalizing, removing the mask from the second element to uncover the selected portion. The method includes depositing a back coating onto only the first coating and the selected portion to thereby wrap the back coating around the distal edge surface, and, after depositing, inserting the second element into a first element configured for attachment to the vehicle so that the first coating does not contact the first element to form the assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming an article attachable to an exterior surface of a vehicle includes heating a thermoplastic system to form a workpiece. The thermoplastic system includes a substrate having an end surface, and a film disposed on the substrate and having a distal surface adjoining the end surface. The workpiece has a first surface adjoining the distal surface to define a distal edge, and a second surface spaced opposite the first surface and adjoining the end surface to define a proximal edge between the second and end surfaces. The method includes disposing the workpiece between a mold surface and a pressure surface. After disposing, the method includes conforming the first surface to one of the pressure and mold surfaces to form a preform, and depositing an injection-moldable polymer onto the preform to form a protective layer thereon that contacts and covers the distal surface. An article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an article attachable to an exterior surface of a vehicle includes heating a thermoplastic system to form a preform. The preform has a first surface having an initial distinctness of image and an initial gloss, and a second surface spaced opposite from the first. The method also includes disposing the preform between a mold surface and a pressure surface spaced apart from the mold surface so that the first surface faces the mold surface, and the second surface faces the pressure surface. Further, the first surface and the mold surface define a first cavity therebetween, and the second surface and the pressure surface define a second cavity therebetween. After disposing, the method includes conforming the first surface to the mold surface to thereby form the article, wherein the article has the initial distinctness of image and the initial gloss.

Abstract: An emblem assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle includes a first element and a second element. The first element is configured for attachment to the vehicle and has a first surface and a second surface recessed from the first surface. The second element is configured for attachment to the first element and has a third surface, a fourth surface spaced apart from the third surface, and a fifth surface extending between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the fifth surface is spaced apart from the second surface to define a channel therebetween. The assembly includes a first coating disposed on the third surface and a tape disposed in contact with at least a portion of each of the second surface, the first coating, and the fifth surface to thereby fill at least a portion of the channel. A method of forming the assembly is also disclosed.