Vehicle Body Ornament Patents (Class 428/31)
  • Patent number: 11772812
    Abstract: A cover for an aircraft opening or equipment formed from a collapsible material having programmable magnets encapsulated on at least one edge portion to adhere the cover to an aircraft surface is provided. The programmable magnets have a close field strength sufficient to maintain the cover in place during high winds while not damaging the aircraft surface coatings during installation and removal while not interfering with electric signals or nearby electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Caban, II
  • Patent number: 11513262
    Abstract: A method is for manufacturing a structure obtained by stacking a substrate that is a first member as a base material, and lens arrays that are second members that are opposed to the substrate, are formed of a resin material different from the substrate, and have a shape on a surface. The method includes a surface activation step of performing an activation treatment to cause an activation state of at least one of a surface of the substrate or a surface of the lens arrays, and a bonding step of pressurizing the lens arrays at least at a temperature that is equal to or higher than a reference temperature obtained by subtracting 30° C. from a load deflection temperature of a resin material of the lens arrays, and is equal to or lower than a glass transition temperature, to closely bond to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Ehara
  • Patent number: 11499278
    Abstract: A method of resurfacing a length of roadway or other paved surface having markers thereon includes covering the markers with respective marker covers, applying a coating material to the road and the marker covers, then removing the covers. The marker covers mask the markers from the coating material. An inside dimension of the marker covers should approximate the widest outside dimension of the markers. The inside height of the marker cover can be higher than the height the marker extends over the surface. The cover should rest on the surface and not on the marker, for preferred masking and stability. The weight and shape of the covers should permit them to stay in place despite various disrupting forces. After coating, the covers can be removed or crushed in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: REAGENT CHEMICAL & RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: William Daniels
  • Patent number: 11351812
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an emblem structure in which an emblem is coupled to a part in an integral form, thereby minimizing the amount of protrusion and an image is implemented in a distorted form, and advancing the quality of a product. The emblem structure includes a base layer, an image layer disposed on an outer surface of the base layer or to be spaced apart from the outer surface, and a transparent layer deposited on the base layer to cover the image layer. The transparent layer is configured such that light is transmitted and refracted and that the light reflected by the base layer and the image layer is lost, thereby improving visual recognition of the image layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Young Yoon, Ki Hong Lee, Hyun Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 11110875
    Abstract: A composite tie bar assembly for distributing loads to a support frame of an automotive vehicle. The tie bar assembly includes a pair of spaced apart. reinforcement bars extending longitudinally between opposing ends. A tie bar shell is supported by the reinforcement bars and extends between opposite first and second distal cods. The tie bar shell has a first support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the first distal end and a second support plate extending between the reinforcement bars adjacent the second distal end. Bach of the support plates includes a plurality of structural ribs formed Integral therewith for distributing loads from the reinforcement bars to the support frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: A.G. Simpson (USA), Inc
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Panasiewicz, Uwe Sehling, Rory B. Patterson, Matthew O'Lear
  • Patent number: 11042047
    Abstract: A mobile system includes a self-supporting platform, a tunable reflective skin or film disposed on and secured to the mobile platform, one or more actuators and a controller. The tunable reflective skin or film includes one or more layers that are at least partially reflective to optical energy at one or more optical wavelengths. The skin or film is substantially flexible and/or stretchable and has an optical reflectivity to incident electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength which is selectively variable when flexed and/or stretched. The actuators are able to flex and/or stretch the skin or film in response to receipt of a control signal. The controller generates the control signal based on a measured value of the optical reflectivity of the skin or film to the incident electromagnetic radiation of the given wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Sunlight Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Allan James Bruce, Michael Cyrus, Sergey Frolov
  • Patent number: 10905233
    Abstract: An edge trim for pieces of furniture, including a meltable layer, is described. The molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts. By way of a non-limiting example, an edge trim for pieces of furniture having an exposed edge of wooden or wood substitute material is described, comprising a molten layer and a structural layer, wherein the structural layer and the molten layer are connected in an adhesive bond, wherein the molten layer is made of a material that is chemically modified such that polar and non-polar components are found in a single molecular structure, wherein the molten layer contains energy absorbing additives, wherein the energy absorbing additives of the molten layer are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal salts of organic anions and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rehau AG + Co.
    Inventors: Uwe Krämer, Peter Glaser
  • Patent number: 10850697
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a bumper beam; an electronic sensor that is fixed in relation to the bumper beam; and an energy absorber that is connected to the bumper beam in general alignment with the electronic sensor. The energy absorber is configured and positioned to protect the electronic sensor and reduce dislocation of the electronic sensor by absorbing energy resulting from a low-force impact between the vehicle and an external object (e.g., another vehicle). The energy absorber may be provided in the front and/or rear-ends of the vehicle, and, in certain embodiments, may be connected to an end face of the bumper beam (e.g., to a front face or a rear face of the bumper beam) such that the energy absorber is positioned outwardly (e.g., forwardly or rearwardly) of the electronic sensor along a length of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Md Hafizur Rahman, Omar Fernando Carrillo Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10845023
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes one or more LEDs mounted to a printed circuit board for producing light. One or more inner lenses are coupled to LEDs for receiving light such that light enters along an edge or surface of each inner lens and propagates through each inner lens before exiting. A projection lens is oriented adjacent the inner lenses such that the projection lens receives light from the inner lenses and projects the light from the vehicle lamp. A light blocking material is applied to at least a portion of the projection lens for altering an appearance of light emitted from the projection lens. The resulting projections provide custom lit appearances having varying patterns, intensity, texture, and/or color. The vehicle lamp may be used for satisfying vehicle lamp legal functions, welcome functions, autonomous driving functions, and/or logo functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: David Bjarne Hansen, Ronie George
  • Patent number: 10816164
    Abstract: A lamp reflector (10a) includes a mirror surface (11) and a laminate (12a). The mirror surface (11) is a surface for reflecting light from a light source (30) to guide the light in a predetermined direction. The laminate (12a) covers at least a part of the mirror surface (11) to absorb an electromagnetic wave having a specific frequency of 20 GHz to 90 GHz. The laminate (12a) allows the light from the light source (30) to transmit therethrough toward the mirror surface (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroichi Ukei, Takehiro Ui, Ryosuke Aoki, Hironobu Machinaga, Kazuto Yamagata, Yuuki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10808112
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a composition with about 80 wt % to about 95 wt % of a polymer blend, wherein the polymer blend comprises (a) about 3 wt % to about 25 wt % of a first propylene-based elastomer based on the polymer blend, and (b) about 75 wt % to about 97 wt % of a second propylene-based elastomer based on the polymer blend; and about 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of an ethylene-based polymer; wherein the first propylene-based elastomer and the second propylene-based elastomer each comprise the following: propylene and from about 2 to about 25 wt % units derived from one or more C2 or C4-C12 alpha-olefins; triad tacticity greater than about 90% and a heat of fusion less than about 75 J; and wherein the first propylene-based elastomer is different from the second propylene-based elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Ping Ni, Thomas Cugnon, Xin Chen, Yinjie Zhang, Saifudin M. Abubakar, Willy J. J. Leysen, Tie Y. Ye, Yijin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10808051
    Abstract: A primer mixture intended for crosslinking polyethylene, including at least an initiator of free radicals chosen from organic peroxides, azo compounds or mixtures thereof, wherein the mixture has said free-radical initiator and at least one crosslinking promoter chosen from the cycloalkanes having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, substituted by 1 to 3 vinyl, allyl or isopropenyl groups, the aromatic compounds substituted by 1 to 3 vinyl, allyl or isopropenyl groups, the methacrylate, acrylate and maleimide monomers being multi-substituted, and in that the weight ratio of free-radical initiator to the crosslinking promoter is greater than or equal to 1, and preferably between 1.5 and 4. Also, a method and to a use related to this primer mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventors: Alfredo Defrancisci, Fabien Debaud
  • Patent number: 10787204
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body panel coupled to a vehicle frame and having an outer surface and an inner surface, a thermal structure disposed proximate the inner surface of the body panel, wherein the thermal structure includes at least one of a heat-emitting portion and a heat-absorbing portion, wherein the thermal structure is in communication with the outer surface of the body panel to define an ambient temperature portion and a differential temperature portion, and wherein the differential portion is in communication with the thermal structure and cooperates with the thermal structure to generate a predetermined pattern. A controller having at least one of a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor is in communication with the outer surface of the body panel, wherein the controller operates the thermal structure according to data delivered to the controller from at least one of the humidity and temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jedidiah Paul Durkin
  • Patent number: 10751151
    Abstract: A thermoforming aid for use in creating a thermoformed impression of an object such as a dental arch. The thermoforming aid has a thermoformable sheet which has inherent tendency to curl, and a curl-resistant element which prevents the thermoformable sheet from curling. The thermoforming aid makes a person's task of placing a sheet of thermoformable material, especially a very thin sheet having an inherent tendency to curl, in proper position in a thermoforming machine less difficult and less time-consuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TRIGROUP TECHNOLOGIES, LTD. (A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
    Inventor: Loren S. Adell
  • Patent number: 10717906
    Abstract: A single- or double-sidedly bonding adhesive-sheet strip having a self-adhesive composition comprising a) at least one elastomer, at least one type of polybutadiene block copolymer being used as an elastomer, b) at least one partially hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin having a softening temperature of at least 90° C., c) at least one additional hydrocarbon resin, a terpene phenol resin and/or a colophonium resin having a softening temperature of at least 90° C., d) an optional soft resin, and e) additional additives as applicable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: TESA SE
    Inventors: Daniel Schmitz-Stapela, Thorsten Krawinkel, Thilo Dollase, Anika Petersen, Tanja Altenwegner, Andreas Westphal
  • Patent number: 10668796
    Abstract: A weatherstrip assembly includes a body having a carrier or core formed from a first metal for providing strength and rigidity to the body. A show surface of the weatherstrip assembly is formed of a second metal different than the first metal. The second metal acts as the show surface of the weatherstrip assembly. An isolative, electrically low conductivity layer is received only on portions of the first metal that are disposed adjacent to portions of the second metal and potentially subject to electrical contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE INC.
    Inventor: Mike Heinze
  • Patent number: 10668880
    Abstract: A collision detecting device for a motor vehicle for detecting a collision with a pedestrian has a pressure measuring chamber, which is formed by a tube, and a flexurally stiff structural element. The tube is formed to be deformable in the event of a collision, i.e. as a result of a collision of the motor vehicle with the pedestrian, and is correspondingly arranged. The tube is also supported in a direction, in particular in precisely one direction transverse to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle. In addition, the tube is essentially in particular flexurally stiffly supported on the structural element in precisely one, i.e. in exclusively one, vertical direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernt Arne Syvertsen
  • Patent number: 10632661
    Abstract: A method for producing an extrusion molded product for automobiles, comprising the following steps: A synthetic resin injected into a first extrusion molding machine (21) is extruded through a first mold die (20) as a core material (3); the core material (3) passes through a first cooling tank (25), and then is bent by bending rollers (22) into a desired curved shape with a radius of curvature R1; the core material (3) is extended linearly, and goes into a second mold die (23); a thermoplastic elastomer injected in a second extrusion molding machine (24) forms seal portions (2) and seal lip portions (6) on a periphery of the core material (3); thereby forming a curved portion with a radius of curvature R2 on the extrusion molded product (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: TOKIWA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., TOKIWA KEISEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hirokawa, Katsuhisa Kato
  • Patent number: 10568165
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plastic window includes a mold preparation step for preparing a first mold, a second mold, and a third mold, a film preparation step for preparing a functional film, a conductive portion, and a bus bar, a placement step for placing the functional film, a first injection step, wherein an intermediate product provided with the cover on the functional film in an integral manner is made, and a second injection step, wherein a product provided with the intermediate product on the second surface in an integral manner is made. The first mold surface has a first forming portion forming the back surface of the cover and a second forming portion forming the second surface of the transparent body. In the placement step, the conductive portion is placed on the second forming portion and the bus bar is placed on the first forming portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Kenji Takemura
  • Patent number: 10479292
    Abstract: An interior trim element for a motor vehicle, comprising a main part, more particularly a trough-shaped main part, that defines an interior space, and comprising at least one clip element, wherein the at least one clip element is pivotally hinged to the main part (2) via at least one film hinge, wherein the film hinge is formed on a shoulder created on an edge portion (4a) of the main part that partially delimits the interior space, the shoulder being offset with respect to the free end of the edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: EuWe Eugen Wexler Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Burkhard Liebau
  • Patent number: 10443937
    Abstract: A paint baking oven comprises an oven body and a hot air supplier that supplies hot air into the oven body. The paint baking oven bakes a wet coating applied to a vehicle body while conveying the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a body exterior part and a narrow portion. The oven body is configured to include a spot baking region in which the hot air is blown primarily toward the narrow portion to locally bake a coating film applied to the narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Natsume
  • Patent number: 10327543
    Abstract: An edge trim for pieces of furniture, including a meltable layer, is described. The molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts. By way of a non-limiting example, an edge trim for pieces of furniture having an exposed edge of wooden or wood substitute material is described, comprising a molten layer and a structural layer, wherein the structural layer and the molten layer are connected in an adhesive bond, wherein the molten layer is made of a material that is chemically modified such that polar and non-polar components are found in a single molecular structure, wherein the molten layer contains energy absorbing additives, wherein the energy absorbing additives of the molten layer are selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal phosphates, metal salts of organic anions and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: REHAU AG + CO.
    Inventors: Uwe Krämer, Peter Glaser
  • Patent number: 10315349
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a vehicle comprises a sealing body extruded from an elastomeric material formed from an ethylene propylene diene monomer and having a base and first and second legs spaced from one another extending from the base. The base and the legs define an interior surface and a first channel for receiving a panel, and further define an exterior surface opposite the interior surface. The sealing body defines an overmold region opposite the first channel extending along a portion of the exterior surface of the sealing body. The sealing assembly further comprises a bonding layer of a first thermoplastic vulcanizate co-extruded onto the overmold region of the sealing body, and a molded layer of a second thermoplastic vulcanizate molded onto the bonding layer with the molded layer defining a second channel for receiving a fixed window of the vehicle. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Henniges Automotive Sealing Systems North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. B. Krueger, Christian Heintz, Dirk Cholewa
  • Patent number: 10220598
    Abstract: An multi-layer coating film 12 includes: a luster coat 15 containing a luster material; a color coat 16 applied on the luster coat 15, containing a pigment 21, and having translucency; and a coloring flake 22 included in the luster coat 15 and acting as the luster material to color a surface of a luster flake with a coloring material in the same type of color as a color type of the color coat 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takakazu Yamane, Keiichi Okamoto, Kouji Teramoto
  • Patent number: 10054727
    Abstract: Provided is a uniaxially stretched multi-layer laminate film including a first layer and a second layer alternately laminated each other, wherein the first layer is a layer containing a polyester, the polyester containing an ethylene naphthalate unit in an amount of 50 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less on a basis of a repeating unit that constitutes the polyester, and a polymer that forms the second layer is a copolymer polyester containing, as copolymer components, a 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid component, an ethylene glycol component, and a trimethylene glycol component, (A) the content of an ethylene naphthalate unit in the polyester of the first layer being 80 mol % or more and 100 mol % or less on a basis of the repeating unit that constitutes the polyester, or (B) the polymer that forms the second layer being the copolymer polyester further containing, as a copolymer component, an alicyclic diol component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TEIJIN LIMITED
    Inventors: Tomoko Shimizu, Taro Oya, Yuya Okada, Koji Kubo
  • Patent number: 10035473
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel. A trim piece is positioned on the instrument panel and includes a surface defining a pattern. The pattern includes a body portion and a border portion. A diffraction grating is positioned within the boarder portion. The diffraction grating has a thickness of between about 250 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Michael A. Musleh, Joseph Myszka
  • Patent number: 10011143
    Abstract: Panels and panel assemblies include one or more transition surface features that comprise or provide a transition gradient between a first surface feature and a second surface feature. Surface feature types include surface texturing, coloring, decoration, and so forth. Transition gradients progressively change one or more attributes of the surface feature across the panel surface. Transition surface features begin at a first degree of the attribute at an origin, such as a point, line, or area of the panel or panel assembly, and transition to a different degree while moving away from the origin. Panel assemblies include a non-transitioning panel having a first surface feature type, a non-transitioning panel having a second surface feature type, and a transitioning panel disposed between the non-transitioning panels and having a transition surface feature that provides a transition gradient between the first surface feature type and a second surface feature type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: 3FORM, LLC
    Inventor: Guillaume Martin
  • Patent number: 9928946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cable, including, from the inside to the outside, a central electrical conductor (1), a first semiconductor screen (2), an intermediate electric insulator (3), a second semiconductor screen (4), a metal screen (5) and an outer sheath (6), the method comprising a step of extruding a composition comprising at least one polyolefin for forming at least one layer constituting the first semiconductor screen, the intermediate electric insulator or second semiconductor screen and a step of cross-linking said layer. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of injecting, into the composition, a liquid solution containing at least one peroxide and at least one so-called cross-linking coagent, during the manufacture of said layer. The invention likewise relates to a cable manufactured by means of such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SILEC CABLE
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Gard, Isabelle Denizet, Mohammed Mammeri, Bernard Poisson, Freddy Lesage, Jonathan Magnol
  • Patent number: 9918520
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for applying a pattern onto the upper of a shoe or other footwear. The footwear is preferably made by injection molding where raw materials are injected into a mold to form the shape of a footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: William Paul Lambert, Oliver Ma, Otto Ting, Patrick Liao
  • Patent number: 9816162
    Abstract: An ornamental component has an ornamental face, and includes a titanium nitride sintered body containing nickel and niobium, and the titanium nitride sintered body contains a compound including nickel, niobium and titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Mikaki, Akihiro Hanai, Minoru Nakasuga
  • Patent number: 9565943
    Abstract: The invention relates to an edge trim for pieces of furniture, comprising a meltable layer. In order to improve a generic edge trim such that the same is more versatile and can especially be mounted on a wider selection of surfaces, the molecular structure of the meltable layer contains both polar and non-polar parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rehau AG & Co
    Inventors: Uwe Krämer, Peter Glaser
  • Patent number: 9527232
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injection molding method for modifying a surface of a polymer molded part (5) consisting of apolar polymer (4), wherein a multi-layer foil (1) consisting of at least one apolar layer (2) and a second layer (3) which has at least one surface property which is different from the first layer is back-molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NOLAX AG
    Inventors: Werner A. Probst, Bruno Traber
  • Patent number: 9434095
    Abstract: A vehicular instrument panel includes a substrate having a first plurality of chopped carbon fibers and a first plurality of chopped glass fibers within a first nylon resin. The first plurality of chopped carbon fibers and the first plurality of glass fibers in the substrate are segregated such that the carbon fibers and the glass fibers are each substantially concentrated within respective driver-side and passenger-side portions of the substrate. A reinforcement includes a second plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a second nylon resin. A reinforcement rib is integrally defined by the reinforcement. The reinforcement rib is substantially hollow and positioned on a driver-side portion of the reinforcement. A substrate rib is integrally defined by the substrate. The substrate rib is substantially hollow and positioned on the driver-side portion of the substrate. The substrate rib and the reinforcement rib are bonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Gerard Marchetti, Kalyanaraman Bharathan
  • Patent number: 9429816
    Abstract: In the case of a camera system for a motor vehicle, incident radiation can be guided by way of one or more deflection mirrors to a camera, at least one deflection mirror being structurally coupled with a swivelable decorative part of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 9321412
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a molded interior material for a vehicle. A press molded decorative layer that faces a vehicle compartment and a buffer material layer that faces a vehicle body panel are at least press molded, the buffer material layer formed by press molding a fiber structure in which fibers are oriented in a thickness direction. On the decorative layer, a convex portion corresponding to a convex surface of the vehicle body panel is formed. On the buffer material layer, a compression molded portion, which is recessed away from the convex surface of the vehicle body panel toward the convex portion of the decorative layer so that a thickness is 0.03 to 0.5 times of a thickness of a surrounding area and a density is higher than that of the surrounding area, is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HAYASHI TELEMPU Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ikeji, Hiroshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9312415
    Abstract: Provided are a multi-layered sheet, a backsheet for a photovoltaic cell, a method of preparing the same and a photovoltaic module. The multi-layered sheet in which a resin layer including a fluorine-based resin has excellent durability and weather resistance, and also exhibits strong interfacial adhesion to a substrate or polymer coating layer is provided. When a drying process is performed at a low temperature in preparation of the multi-layered sheet, production cost can be reduced, producibility can be increased, and degradation in the quality of a product caused by thermal deformation or thermal shock can be prevented. Such a multi-layered sheet may be effectively used as a backsheet for various photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Kim, Hyun Seong Ko, Hyo Soon Park, Yoon Kyung Kwon, Do Won Ahn
  • Patent number: 9296254
    Abstract: A molded resin product includes a substrate made of a transparent resin, opaque coating film disposed on rear surface of the substrate except for an area set aside for a patterned portion, a transparent resin material disposed in the area set aside for the patterned portion on the rear surface of the substrate, and an opaque reflection coating or a half-reflective coating laminated to the transparent resin material. Under this configuration, the patterned portion looks as if it pops up from the rear surface of the substrate. If a half-reflective coating is used, the pattern is visible through the half-reflective coating when the pattern is viewed from the rear surface of the lid of a molded resin product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Suzuki, Hideyoshi Kawashima, Takayuki Sunagawa, Shinji Shimada
  • Patent number: 9216622
    Abstract: A facing assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. That facing assembly includes a resilient facing member and a resilient reinforcing element. The resilient reinforcing element engages and supports the resilient facing member against wind forces experienced during vehicle operation so as to provide desired aerodynamics at speed while allowing the necessary flex when contacted by an obstruction to provide clearance and the necessary resiliency to return to the home position once clear of the obstruction. Further, the resilient reinforcing element includes a channel that receives, holds and guides a towing or wench cable and protects the resilient facing member during the towing or wenching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Adam Drozdowski, Jay Robert Degenkolb, Mark Mikolaiczik
  • Patent number: 9168722
    Abstract: A low glossiness-metallic luster decorative sheet with a low glossiness feeling added to a metallic luster feeling, and a laminated body thereof. Glossiness change at the time of molding is reduced. In a configuration with a metallic luster layer, and a low glossiness-resin layer containing a delustering agent provided to a substrate sheet in the order of the low glossiness-resin layer and the metallic luster layer from the closer side when viewed from one side, the low glossiness-resin layer has a large number of minute opening parts such that the metallic luster layer can be observed in the minute opening parts without the low glossiness-resin layer. By laminating the same onto the substrate by such as a molding method, a laminated body can be provided. The metallic luster layer viewed in the minute opening parts realizes a high brilliance metallic luster feeling while providing low glossiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Suga, Hiroyuki Atake
  • Patent number: 9090793
    Abstract: Disclosed are aqueous latex-based coating compositions which comprise a blend of an ethylene-vinyl acetate emulsion copolymer component and a selected type of acrylic emulsion copolymer component. The acrylic copolymer component comprises primarily acrylate ester co-monomers or acrylic ester co-monomers and vinyl aromatic, e.g., styrene, co-monomers. The blend of these two emulsion copolymer types also contains a specific type of hydrazine-based, water-soluble cross-linking agent which can eventually react with the acrylic emulsion copolymer component. The acrylic emulsion copolymer is one which contains minor amounts of both 1) carboxy functional co-monomers such as itaconic and/or (meth)acrylic acids, and 2) keto- or aldehyde-containing co-monomers such as diacetone acrylamide. Such latex-based coating compositions can be formulated in the form of water-based paint compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: CELANESE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Theodorus Ratering, Rajeev Farwaha, Tara Joy Hansen
  • Patent number: 9074705
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe includes a base material, a surface coating layer, and an information display. The base material is made of a metal. The surface coating layer is provided on a surface of the base material. The surface coating layer includes an amorphous inorganic material. The information display includes a character portion and a background portion. At least one of the character portion and the background portion is located in the surface coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: IBIDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenzo Saiki
  • Patent number: 9051478
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an additive combination comprising at least two sterically hindered amines, at least one further stabilizer, a dispersing agent and a plasticizer. The present invention also pertains to a composition comprising an organic material susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen and/or heat, and the additive combination and to the use and the process for stabilizing organic material against degradation by light, oxygen and/or heat by the additive combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Eva Peregi, Benno Blickenstorfer, Frank Oliver Heinrich Pirrung, Petr Kvita
  • Publication number: 20150086731
    Abstract: A vehicular decorative member is curved as a forward-bulging shape, and includes a transparent base, a transferred layer, a metallic layer, and a base layer. The transparent base includes a front face, and a rear face. The transparent base's rear face has an ordinary section, and a recessed section. The transferred layer, the metallic layer, and the base layer are disposed on the transparent base's rear-face side in this order. The vehicular decorative member further includes a transfer sheet turning into the transferred layer. The transfer sheet includes a support film, and an adhesive layer, a decorative layer and a release layer that are formed on the support film in this order. The transfer sheet makes the transferred layer when the support film is removed from the release layer after pressing the transfer sheet onto the transparent base's ordinary section while heating the transfer sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Tatsuya SUGIURA, Hideto MAEDA, Kimihiro IIMURA, Daiichiro KAWASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8973961
    Abstract: A vehicle trim panel includes a main body and a temporary cover. The main body has a finished surface and an attachment surface with a peripheral edge that encircles the main body. The peripheral edge is defined between the finished surface and the attachment surface. The attachment surface includes a plurality of attachment projections that protrude from the attachment surface. The plurality of attachment projections are dimensioned and positioned to fixedly attach the main body to a vehicle body member. The attachment surface also includes a plurality of retention hooks protruding from the attachment surface. The temporary cover covers the finished surface and includes a plurality of holes fitted to corresponding ones of the plurality of retention hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Setsuda, James Zucal
  • Publication number: 20140349035
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a decoration element is provided. The method includes: forming a base layer; forming a metal layer having a preset thickness on an upper surface of the base layer; forming a mask layer including punched patterns having preset shapes on an upper surface of the metal layer; and etching the metal layer on which the mask layer is formed, to form etched patterns on the metal layer having the same shapes as the punched patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Manho Cho, Jaeyoel Lee, Dongmin Kim
  • Patent number: 8857878
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle console trim component. The trim component can include an articulated door with a plurality of slats, a substrate, and a flexible layer including a pattern for decoration disposed on and supported by the substrate. The flexible layer will maintain the pattern for decoration as the articulated door is cycled. The pattern for the vehicle trim component may be a photographic image. An overcoat also can be disposed on the flexible layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason M. Hipshier, Kristan Marie Pierce
  • Patent number: 8822007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a decorative element, to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, and to a method for manufacturing said decorative element, wherein the decorative element includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the decorative element being made of a first non-transparent material, wherein said first material has a decoration layer, and the second portion of the decorative element being made of a second transparent material, the first portion and the second portion of the decorative member being unitary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Vigour, Frederic Guillauminaud
  • Patent number: 8808839
    Abstract: A vehicle glazing, method for the production of the vehicle glazing and the use of the vehicle glazing are described. The vehicle glazing comprises at least one transparent pane one transparent body, and at least one transparent polymer layer interposed between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Alwin Timmermann
  • Patent number: 8758875
    Abstract: A formable laid interior decoration material (10) for an automobile is formed by laminating air-permeable design layer (11), apertured resin layer (12) having formed a plurality of apertures (12a) penetrating it in a thickness direction, shape-retaining felt layer (13) containing melted fibers, non-air-permeable resin sheet layer (14), and padding material (15), in this order. Formable laid interior decoration material (10) for an automobile is formed in a shape that conforms to a shape at a location where the material is laid in the automobile. The laminated body of air-permeable design layer (11), apertured resin layer (12), and shape-retaining felt layer (13) preferably has an air permeability of 1 to 30 cc/cm2/second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hayashi Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yada, Masahito Imamura
  • Publication number: 20140120273
    Abstract: A display emblem may comprise a metallized layer, a decoration layer, and at least one moisture impermeable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joel Colombo, Charles K. Buehler, Catherine A. Ostrander, Michael P. Balogh, Kitty L. Gong, Kevin L. Lid