Abstract: A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A final injection molded assembly and process for making same that eliminates paint and reduces areas of wasted chrome material. The final injection molded assembly has at least one first injection molded part of a non-plateable first material, at least one overmolded part of plateable second material, at least one pathway through the assembly and integrated features operable for selectively applying an electric current. The pathway creates a predetermined surface path arrangement for applying chrome to desired predetermined plateable areas. A shot of each material is delivered to an injection molding rotary device to produce the injection molded assembly which is then affixed to a chroming process line where electric current is applied. As the electric current is applied and chrome is delivered only the plateable second material will accept the chrome.

Abstract: A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12v and/or 110v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A final injection molded assembly and process for making same that eliminates paint and reduces areas of wasted chrome material. The final injection molded assembly has at least one first injection molded part of a non-plateable first material, at least one overmolded part of plateable second material, at least one pathway through the assembly and integrated features operable for selectively applying an electric current. The pathway creates a predetermined surface path arrangement for applying chrome to desired predetermined plateable areas. A shot of each material is delivered to an injection molding rotary device to produce the injection molded assembly which is then affixed to a chroming process line where electric current is applied. As the electric current is applied and chrome is delivered only the plateable second material will accept the chrome.

Abstract: A method of making an interior automotive panel. The method includes placing at least one three dimensional panel component on a first mold component having a mold surface shaped to form the exterior surface of the interior automotive panel. The at least one three-dimensional panel component has an exterior surface in contact with the mold surface. The method includes registering a registration feature of the at least one three-dimensional panel component with a groove defined by the mold surface of the first mold component and positioning a second mold component in registered communication with the first mold component. Together the first and second mold components define a void in the shape of the interior automotive panel. The method includes injecting resin into the void and removing a formed interior automotive panel from the first and second molds, the interior automotive panel having multiple surfaces of different surface qualities.

Abstract: A method (300) of making an interior automotive panel (100). The method (300) includes placing at least one three dimensional panel component (110) on a first mold component (410) having a mold surface (412) shaped to form the exterior surface of the interior automotive panel (100). The at least one three-dimensional panel component (110) has an exterior surface in contact with the mold surface (412). The method (300) includes registering a registration feature (114) of the at least one three-dimensional panel component (110) with a groove defined by the mold surface (412) of the first mold component (410) and positioning a second mold component (420) in registered communication with the first mold component (410). Together the first and second mold components (410, 420) define a void in the shape of the interior automotive panel (100).

Abstract: A method for processing an interior trim component includes the steps of injecting a substrate into a cavity that is defined by a cavity surface; injecting a coating onto the substrate within the cavity; flash-heating the cavity surface; and curing the coating on the substrate. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interior trim component includes an aerated skin layer and a glass-reinforced urethane substrate layer. A method for manufacturing an interior trim component is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of aerating a skin layer into a molding tool and depositing a glass-reinforced urethane substrate layer over the aerated skin layer.

Abstract: A method for processing an interior trim component includes the steps of injecting a substrate into a cavity that is defined by a cavity surface; injecting a coating onto the substrate within the cavity; flash-heating the cavity surface; and curing the coating on the substrate. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interior trim component includes an aerated skin layer and a glass-reinforced urethane substrate layer. A method for manufacturing an interior trim component is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of aerating a skin layer into a molding tool and depositing a glass-reinforced urethane substrate layer over the aerated skin layer.

Abstract: A belt includes a belt buckle having at least one prong formed to the belt buckle, which prong includes at least one screwdriver tip formed thereon. The belt also includes a belt loop having a wrench formed therein. The belt buckle may have a single prong with a screwdriver bit having different tip ends removably held within a hollow holding portion of the prong, or a screwdriver bit having a selected screwdriver tip at one end thereof may be selectively inserted and held within the prong holding means. Or, the belt buckle may have two different prongs with screwdriver tips, the belt loop may be rectangular with different size wrenches on opposite sides thereof, so as to be reversible on the belt.

Abstract: An article comprising a substrate having markings which are provided by at least two fluorescent materials which have different excitation spectra in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum and different emission spectra in the visible region of the spectrum. The invention also provides a method of marking an article for identification.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for characterizing or identifying an article (10) having a magnetic material thereon which stores information relating to the article, the apparatus comprising means (24) for irradiating the article with electromagnetic radiation of a particular spectral characteristic, means (26,28,30) for detecting electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by or reflected from the article due to the irradiation thereof by the means for irradiating, means for determining whether or not the detected radiation has prescribed spectral characteristics thereby to detect whether or not the article is genuine, and a magnetic detector means for reading information which is stored on the magnetic material, the means for detecting being arranged to control the magnetic detector means in response to the detection or whether or not the article is genuine. The invention also provides a method for characterizing or identifying an article having a magnetic material thereon which stores information relating to the article.

Abstract: In a method of detecting sheets which do not have a genuine watermark (i.e. watermarks which result from variations in fibre distribution introduced during manufacture) the absorption of ultra-violet radiation is measured for each sheet in the area in which the watermark is expected to be present, and the transmittance of light by this area of the sheet is also measured. Sheets for which the absorption measurement does not show a substantially constant value, and sheets for which the light-transmittance shows a substantially constant value over the said area, are rejected. The absorption measurement is preferably effected by measuring the reflectance of ultra-violet radiation by the sheet, but the transmittance of ultra-violet radiation or the fluorescence of the sheet in the presence of ultra-violet radiation can also be measured. The measured value for the area can be compared with a reference value obtained by a measurement of the same parameter outside the watermark area.

Abstract: In characterizing or identifying an article which is provided with luminescent material, excitation radiation is directed at the article to cause emission from the luminescent material and the intensity of emitted radiation at different wavelengths is compared by directing the emitted radiation to photodetectors through a plurality of optical systems having respective filters of different wavelength transmission and comparing the modified signal level from one photodetector with the signal level from another photodetector.