Abstract: Pad printing techniques are used to print into recesses to provide high quality, visually distinctive decorative items, including automobile emblems with a recess. To facilitate the pad printing, the recess is provided with angled sidewalls and an arcuate transition. This combination allows the pad to wet the entire printable surface without forming air gaps that would hinder the pad printing process. A rounded shoulder is provided around the recess and the rounded should is free from ink. The rounded shoulder provides a highly visible boundary that reflects light when viewed from different angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article for association with a motor vehicle. The article may include a base, and a plurality of inserts received in the base. Each insert has at least two characteristics. The at least two characteristics of each insert causes the plurality of inserts to form a substantially unique article profile.

Abstract: A decorative emblem with an enhanced depth of vision is provided. The decorative emblem comprises a decorative substrate, at least one layer of transparent plastic material formed on the top surface of the decorative substrate, and image or design printed on the substantially flat surface of the layer of plastic material, and a transparent plastic overlay flow coated over the image or design, the transparent plastic overlay has radiused edges to give an enhanced depth of vision to the decorative emblem by creating a lens effect and providing a floating appearance to the image or design.

Abstract: A portable vehicle finish protection apparatus adapted for temporary magnetic installation on a vehicle when the vehicle is parked closely adjacent another vehicle and is therefore susceptible to exterior finish damage as a result of the edge of a door of the adjacent vehicle impacting against the side of the vehicle to be protected. The vehicle finish protection apparatus includes a unitary body formed of a relatively dense polyethylene closed cell foam material having first and second elongated bumper sections which are joined by a living hinge such that the first and second bumper sections are normally aligned in an operational configuration, but may be folded together at the hinge to effect a compact storage configuration. Each of the first and second bumper sections includes flat, flexible magnet panels distributed along its length to facilitate removably affixing the apparatus to the side of a vehicle by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A roof molding for an automobile consists of an extruded mold product 10a in which a leg portion 11 and a decorative portion 15 formed on the upper end of the leg portion are integrally formed. A metal core member 12 is embedded in the leg portion. The leg portion is partially cut away in a range of a predetermined length from an end of the extruded mold product, in accordance with the depth of an end part of the groove of the roof, the metal core member in the vicinity of an end part 10b of the extruded mold product is cut away, and the end part from which the metal core member has been cut away is rearward bent by a bending process.

Abstract: A vehicle interior trim piece includes a plurality of layers sandwiched together. A primary layer is preferably a vacuum formed ABS plastic material which is formed to directly conform to an exposed surface portion of a vehicle closure member. An outer surface layer is sandwiched to the primary layer and is the surface which is exposed after installation and as such is preferably of a color identical to the vehicle interior. Most preferably, the outer surface layer is a PVC film which is textured to have an appearance indistinguishable from the vehicle interior trim. The surface opposite the outer surface layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive layer which coats the inner surface of the primary layer. Because the trim piece is preformed to the shape of the exposed portion of the vehicle closure member the trim piece can be rapidly oriented in the correct installation position in an assembly line environment.

Abstract: A two-dimensional figure display device supports an animal or figure silhouette with loose appendages, such as a dog's ears and tongue, on the exterior of a vehicle rear window. The image of the figure to be simulated is formed on a multi-layered element which is attached to a stiffening support. The support has frontwardly and upwardly extending clips which engage between the window and the window frame of the moving vehicle. Loose flaps of material on the multi-layered element are acted upon by the wind as the vehicle travels, simulating the movement of the depicted figure.

Abstract: A reinforced interior trim panel assembly and method of making same for attachment to structure of a vehicle includes a reinforcement and a carrier formed from a plastic material for attachment to the structure of the vehicle and incorporating the reinforcement within the plastic material.

Abstract: An engine hood staff has a main tube, a hooper having a lower neck inserted in the main tube, the hooper disposed on the main tube, a positioning screw inserted in the lower neck, a first latern disposed on the hooper, a second latern disposed on the first latern, a third latern disposed on the second latern, a base sleeve disposed on the third latern, an ornament article disposed on the base sleeve, an inner tube passing through the first latern, the second latern, the third latern and the base sleeve, the inner tube disposed on the hooper, and a lamp disposed on the inner tube.

Abstract: Methods for making fused film-plastic parts and parts made thereby are disclosed. The paint film covered parts include a show surface section with a paint film laminate overlying the plastic substrate of this section of the part to provide the desired aesthetic appeal. An attachment flange section of the part is provided and is usually hidden from sight when the part is assembled to the auto or truck body structure. The flange serves as a location at which clamps, bolts, rivets or the like can support or attach to the auto to truck structure. A raised portion, such as a boss section, is provided intermediate the show surface section and the attachment flange. This boss is adapted for contiguous or closed spaced positioning adjacent the auto or truck structural part. The boss is completely covered by the paint film with the paint film terminating along the attachment flange.

Abstract: The present invention includes an imageable element, which includes a sheet substrate, an imaging layer and a silicone layer, which comprises a crosslinked silicone polymer. The crosslinked silicone polymer is the curing product of a vinyl functional polysiloxane copolymer and a hydrosiloxane compound. The curing is catalyzed by a platinum carbonyl complex. Upon imagewise exposure and development, an imaged element is obtained, which is mounted on a dry printing press containing lithographic ink and used to produce printed stock.

Abstract: Described is a metallized article, and a method for making the same, comprising a substrate having a polyurethane basecoat disposed thereon and with a layer of electrically discrete metallic islands of a corrosion prone metal disposed on the basecoat. A cross-linked polyurethane top coat, which is bound to an organosilane, preferably an epoxy silane, is disposed on and encapsulates the discrete metallic islands. The organsilane is also bound to the metallic islands.

Abstract: A trim panel for use in automotive trim applications is made from a laminate of a thermoformable foam layer and an A-side layer made of vinyl or cloth or the like. The laminate is thermoformed to impart permanently the contour of a rigid substrate to which the panel will be attached. The foam layer retains the desired contour without the use of other materials. The A-side material and foam layer may be laminated by an adhesive layer may be a foam which is flame laminated to the foam layer and A-side layer. The foam layer may be encased by thin layers of polyethylene. Process controls are applied allowing thermoforming of parts to automotive precision.

Abstract: An applique for a pillar (e.g., B-pillar) of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the applique is a decorative member which is fastened to a vehicle surface (e.g., to a door frame structure adjacent a pillar) in order to add styling and/or to functionally cover unsightly portions of the vehicle. In certain embodiments of this invention, the applique includes a glass receiving channel defined in a portion thereof, as well as a hook-shaped retainer member extending from one wall of the channel.

Abstract: A metallized article and method for making the article, including a substrate having a polyurethane basecoat disposed thereon, with a layer of electrically discrete metallic islands of a corrosion prone metal disposed on the basecoat. A cross-linked polyurethane topcoat, containing an aminosilane, is further disposed on an encapsulates the discrete metallic islands.

Abstract: A flexible lustered product used in automobiles. The flexible lustered product includes a base material made of resin. A base coat layer is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the base material by applying a coating. The base coat layer has a glass transition point that is at least −30° C. and at most 0° C. The base coat layer includes a silane coupling agent having a mercapto group. A metal film layer is applied to at least a portion of a surface of the base coat layer. The metal film layer is anticorrosive and has a thickness that is at least 150 Å and at most 800 Å. The metal film layer is formed by a plurality of metal particles disposed in contact with one another so as to define a grain boundary between adjacent metal particles. A top coat layer is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the metal film layer by applying a coating.

Abstract: A decorative tape adhesive molding in which a decorative tape are integrally fusion-bonded to a molding body. A molding body forming material is a non-polar TPE composition, the decorative tape is constituted by a transparent film layer, a backing layer, and a decorative portion layer interposed therebetween. The backing layer forming material is a resin composition containing the same kind of resin polymer as a hard phase-forming polymer of the non-polar TPE or containing a resin polymer having a melting point of not lower than 100° C. and capable of being fusion-bonded to the hard phase-forming polymer of the non-polar TPE.

Abstract: A filler decorates an automobile insignia that defines at least one space. The filler includes an insert filling the space. The insert includes a colored layer. The colored layer can be a polyester or vinyl film. A lens overlays and connects to the outside of the colored layer. The lens has a relatively high refractive index. A magnet for attracting an automobile underlies and connects to the inside of the colored layer. The magnet is rubberized. An adhesive underlying the magnet can attach to an automobile. The adhesive can be double-sided tape.

Abstract: A device for controlling fermentation and ensilagation of food for use with an apparatus for fermenting and ensilaging is disclosed. The device comprising a key input unit manually controlled by a user so as to set the rate of fermentation and the ripeness stage. A microprocessor controls the respective units in accordance with a preset program and in response to signals representing the present rate of fermentation and ripeness setting provided by the key input unit. A load control unit controls a heating unit and a cooling unit in response to a control signal applied thereto from the microprocessor and representing the present rate of fermentation and the ripeness stage. A temperature detecting unit detects the present temperature inside an ensilaging container and outputs a signal representing the detected temperature to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A flexible and ornamental vehicle light cover comprises a flexible piece of sheet material with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer applied to a back surface for bonding the sheet to a vehicle lens that surrounds one of the lamps e.g., an electric tail lamp of the vehicle. The sheet material has an outline depicting a design or symbol that can be seen by an observer whether the light is on or off. The sheet has the multiplicity of punched openings in it to enable light from the vehicle lamp to pass through the sheet for preventing an unacceptable reduction in the luminous flux provided by the vehicle lamp. The sheet is thus able to be applied to the vehicle lens over the lamp by pressing the sheet onto the lens so as to intercept and block no more than the predetermined fraction of the luminous flux impinging thereon while serving to decorate the vehicle.

Abstract: A multiple piece bodyside molding includes a cover piece connected to a base piece. The cover is formed in a manner and shape so that it may be chrome-plated while reducing the likelihood of bath/tank contamination during the chrome-plating process. Subsequent to being chrome-plated, the cover is connected to the base so as to form the resulting bodyside molding. The cover may be attached to the base via ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, snap-on connectors, or via heat-deforming or extension tabs in different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: An trim material for the interior of an automobile obtained by successive injection molding. The trim comprises a surface layer and a base layer. The surface layer is formed from a composition comprising: (A) a partially cross-linked thermoplastic elastomer comprising a polypropylene resin and an &agr;-olefin copolymer rubber, and (B) a polybutylene-1 resin. The base layer is formed of a polypropylene resin or a blend of polypropylene resin and an organic filler. The interior trim material is lightweight, is easily recycled, and generates no hazardous gas when incinerated.

Abstract: A vehicle interior hand grip material for mounting on an existing gear shift lever arm, on a portion of a steering wheel and other items operated by hand inside a vehicle. The hand grip material includes a plurality of flexible “string like” elastomeric members extending outwardly from an attachment member. The attachment member may be a thin wire wrapped around a portion of the elastomeric members and tightened thereon. Also, the attachment member may be a liner with one end of the elastomeric members attached to the liner. The wire attachment member can be secured around a gear shift threaded housing threaded on an end of the vehicle's gear shift lever arm. Also, the wire attachment member can be attached to other hand operated items inside the vehicle. Further, the steering wheel liner attachment member can be placed around a portion of the vehicle's steering wheel.

Abstract: A combination instrument (1) has a front frame (2) having a cover (7) which has a plurality of recesses (4, 5) for indicating instruments or other displays. The cover (7) is covered with a decorative element which is formed as a molding (3) and around which a section (8), which is designed as an undercut, of the front frame (2) grips. To this end, the front frame (2) is produced in an injection molding process, the molding (3) being placed into the injection mold. The connection of the molding (3) to the front frame (2) can take place such that it is invisible to someone looking at it, thereby enabling an attractive, visual appearance and simultaneously reliable way of fixing it to be achieved.

Abstract: A mounting structure formed on a plate-like member and for mounting the plate-like member to a trim panel for a vehicle, the mounting structure comprises an approximately T-like shape in cross section. A trim assembly for a vehicle comprises: a plate-like member; a cushion member disposed on the plate-like member; and a top cover covering the whole cushion member, wherein peripheral portions of which are secured to peripheral portions of the plate-like member; wherein a mounting structure comprising an approximately T-like shape in cross section, for mounting the trim assembly to a trim panel for a vehicle is formed on the plate-like member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plastics material part, the method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A multiple piece bodyside molding includes a cover piece connected to a base piece. The cover is formed in a manner and shape so that it may be chrome-plated while reducing the likelihood of bath/tank contamination during the chrome-plating process. Subsequent to being chrome-plated, the cover is connected to the base so as to form the resulting bodyside molding.

Abstract: A multiple piece bodyside molding includes a cover piece connected to a base piece. The cover is formed in a manner and shape so that it may be chrome-plated while reducing the likelihood of bath/tank contamination during the chrome-plating process. Subsequent to being chrome-plated, the cover is connected to the base so as to form the resulting bodyside molding. The cover may be attached to the base via ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, snap-on connectors, or via heat-deforming or extension tabs in different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A foil-covered plastic part is provided including a hot stamping foil having a foil top layer disposed on a plastic bottom layer which, in turn, is bonded to a plastic outer surface of a decorative preform at foil-receiving portions of the plastic outer surface. A hot stamping machine is operated for a time sufficient to generate a pressure and temperature sufficient to melt and combine the top surface of the at least one foil-receiving portion and the plastic bottom layer of the hot stamping foil to form the foil-covered plastic part. The at least one foil-receiving portion includes a plurality of raised design portions having top and side surfaces. The foil layer completely covers the top surfaces but not the side surfaces of the raised design portions. Preferably, the raised design portions represent graphical information.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a colored resin composition having a uniform glitter feeling, which can prevent flow mark formation. In a resin composition molded by using a thermoplastic resin composition in which glitter material is mixed into a synthetic resin, said resin molded article must have a molding ratio L/T is not less than 100, wherein T is the thickness of the molded article and L is a distance from a gate position at molding to a remotest position on the molded article, and wherein said glitter material has average particle size d of 10 &mgr;m<d≦200 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A novelty windmill which includes a propeller, a drive shaft which is driven by the propeller, a motion transmitter for transmitting motion to a display item, and a display item which is moved by the motion transmitter. The novelty item is placed on a vehicle, so that the windmill and display item move as the vehicle is driven. The novelty windmill preferably includes a brake mechanism which controls the speed of the windmill. The brake mechanism may be in the form of a friction member which causes frictional force on the drive shaft when an air brake lever is rotated or otherwise moved due to the force of moving air on a brake paddle member. The display item can be a movable mascot or insignia for a sports team. The windmill may be placed on a moving vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle antenna display system that moves as the vehicle travels along. The vehicle antenna display system includes a slide member and a stop member. The slide member slides up and down the vehicle antenna depending on the speed of the vehicle by the force of the air generated by the moving vehicle against one or more wing portions. The lead edge of each wing portion is kept oriented into the blowing air by a tail member.

Abstract: An article having complex geometrical shape is obtained by consecutively coinjection molding a first and a second material substantially without stopping time between the two injections. Pressure, temperature and mass flow rate are controlled to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the several flows of injected material and to have them meet in a fluid condition and melt together at the meeting point.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a luster resin molding such as an automobile side molding or the like is disclosed. The luster resin molding has a molding body formed of luster synthetic resin and is elongated in a specific direction, and a positioning boss is formed integrally with the back surface of the molding body and erected substantially perpendicularly to the back surface of the molding body. A slide core for molding the positioning boss is moved to mold the positioning boss integrally with the molding body after synthetic resin injected in the longitudinal direction of the molding body has passed through a boss position where the positioning boss will be formed.

Abstract: A window molding for a vehicle includes a leg portion arranged between an outer peripheral surface of the windshield and the body panel and having an opposite surface faced to the outer peripheral surface of the windshield, a head portion integrally formed on the leg portion and having a contacting surface contacted to an outer surface of the windshield, an engaging portion integrally formed on the leg portion and contacted to an inner surface of the windshield, a lip portion integrally formed on the leg portion or the head portion and contacted to the body panel, and a core member buried into part of the head portion disposed along the corner portion of the edge of the windshield, which is located outside of the outer peripheral surface of the windshield, and extended in the longitudinal direction of the head portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for gloss coating articles or a portion of an article's surface and articles produced from this method. A corrosion-inhibiting polishing base coat is applied in a known fashion, after which a high-gloss layer produced by atomization, preferably magnetron atomization, is applied. Then, a transparent, wear-resistant top coat layer is applied in a known fashion. The articles can also be pretreated, if desired, and given a protective or other layers. By using this method, parts for vehicles, especially vehicle wheels, can be produced in a great variety of colors and with improved qualities.

Abstract: The invention relates first of all to a decorative component (1), in particular designed to constitute a piece of trim or to be integrated in a piece of internal trim of a vehicle, constituted by at least a sheet of material (2), provided with stiffening means (3) and having, at least locally, on at least one of its faces, referred to as an aspect conferring face (4), an aesthetic and/or comfortable aspect.

Abstract: A roof molding for an automobile consists of an extruded mold product 10a in which a leg portion 11 and a decorative portion 15 formed on the upper end of the leg portion are integrally formed. A metal core member 12 is embedded in the leg portion. The leg portion is partially cut away in a range of a predetermined length from an end of the extruded mold product, in accordance with the depth of an end part of the groove of the roof, the metal core member in the vicinity of an end part 10b of the extruded mold product is cut away, and the end part from which the metal core member has been cut away is rearward bent by a bending process.

Abstract: An ornamental device for attachment to a surface comprises at least one sheet of ornamental material having an aperture therethrough and an attachment device. The attachment device includes a post having a width, a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the post extends through the aperture of the at least one sheet of ornamental material. The attachment device also includes a base member connected to the proximal end of the post. The attachment device further includes a securement device positioned on the distal end of the post to grippingly engage the post and to resist removal of the securement device from the post. The invention further includes a method for making an ornamental device for attachment to a surface.

Abstract: A decorative ornament for a hood of an automobile includes a weather resistant first layer and a second layer adhesively bonded to said first weather resistant layer. The first weather resistant layer may have a design printed or placed on by other technique including by ink or photography. The second layer has magnetic properties which connects the second layer flatly and firmly to the hood of the car to decorate the car.

Abstract: A multi-purpose vehicle ornament includes a hollow base component configured to resemble a select figurine, such as an animal's head, having one or more apertures thereon in communication with an interior chamber. The base component includes a neck portion adapted to receive a trailer hitch ball, an air freshener assembly or an attachment plug that is mountable to the top end of a vehicle antenna. The attachment plug includes a warning device that alerts nearby animals of an approaching vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible lustered product used in automobiles. The flexible lustered product includes a base material made of resin. A base coat layer is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the base material. The base coat layer has a glass transition point that is at least minus 30° C. and at most 0° C. The base coat layer includes a silane coupling agent having an epoxy group. A metal film layer is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the base coat layer. The metal film layer is anticorrosive and has a thickness that is at least 150 Å and at most 800 Å. The metal film layer is formed by a plurality of metal particles disposed in contact with one another so as to define a grain boundary between adjacent metal particles. A top coat layer is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the metal film layer. The top coat layer includes an ultraviolet ray absorbent and a silane coupling agent having an epoxy group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fender, which has a sufficient shock absorbing action with respect to a ship and is capable of dispersing a compressive force given at the time when the ship comes alongside at the pier and reducing a friction force at the time given when the ship is moored at the pier. A fender of the present invention comprises a fender body 10, and a surface layer 12 with which at least an impact receiving surface of this fender body 10 is coated, wherein the surface layer 12 is made of a blended polymer of a crystalline polyolefin resin and a diene rubber and the proportion of the crystalline polyolefin resin in the blended polymer exceeds 50% by weight and not more than 85% by weight.

Abstract: Molded articles having contoured, decorative outer surfaces are disclosed. The articles comprise a molded polymer substrate and a decorative surfacing film adhered to one side of the substrate. The decorative surfacing film comprises a substantially molecularly unoriented cast polymer film formed from a weatherable polymer. The articles are particularly suited for use as automobile body panels and the like. Also disclosed is a method for making such articles, and a method for making sets of such articles for assembly into automobile bodies and the like.

Abstract: A foil-covered automotive interior plastic part including a decorative preform is provided including a hot stamping foil having a foil top layer disposed on a plastic bottom layer which, in turn, is bonded to a outer surface of a plastic structural substrate at foil-receiving portions of the outer surface. A hot stamping machine is operated for a time sufficient to generate a pressure and temperature sufficient to melt and combine the top surface of the foil-receiving portions and the plastic bottom layer of the hot stamping foil to form the foil-covered plastic part. The at least one foil-receiving portion includes a plurality of raised design portions having top and side surfaces. The foil layer completely covers the top surfaces but only the side surfaces of the raised design portions which extend above a front surface of the preform. Preferably, the raised design portions represent screw heads.

Abstract: A trim assembly 40 for a vehicle comprising: a top cover 10 comprising gather-sewn peripheral portions 12 and 13 to form gather-sewn portions 15; a plate-like base member 20, to which the peripheral portions 12 and 13 of the top cover 10 are sewn on peripheral portions 22 and 23 of the base member to form sewn portions 26; and a cushion member inserted between the plate-like base member 20 and the top cover 10; wherein a gather-sewn upper peripheral portion 12 of the top cover 10 is overlapped and sewn on an upper peripheral portion on a body side surface of the base member 20 to form a sewn portion 26, the overlapped and sewn top cover 10 is turned over upwardly and further turned over beyond an upper edge of the base member 20 so as to face a room side surface of the base member 20, a gather-sewn lower peripheral portion 13 of the further turned top cover 10 is overlapped and sewn on a lower peripheral portion on the room side surface of the base member 20 to form a sewn portion 26, and the lower peripheral

Abstract: An improved headliner utilizes burlap layers to provide strength to the headliner sandwich. The burlap layers are placed on both sides of a central foam core to create an I-beam construction.

Abstract: An opening trim including a body approximately U-shaped in section, a right-hand projection and a left-hand projection which are opposed to each other in a space surrounded with the body and mounted on an installing portion such as a flange. Each of the right-hand holding projection and the left-hand holding projection has a primary lip projecting rearward from a front portion of an inner side surface of the body, respectively. The right-hand holding projection and/or the left-hand holding projection have a secondary lip projecting inward from a rear portion of one and/or the other inner side surface of the body. Each of the secondary lips has an engaging concave temporarily engaging a leading end of each of the primary lips.

Abstract: Improved vacuum actuated display ornaments which adhere to surfaces by self-suction are improved by a wall thickness at the center of mass thicker than their peripheral wall thickness.

Abstract: An automobile weather strip including at least (a) a weather strip body formed from a first composition including at least one rubber polymer and at least one chemical suitable for effecting sulfur-vulcanization, and (b) a decorative layer formed from a second composition including at least one thermoplastic elastomer and hydrotalcite as a discoloration-preventing agent for the decorative layer. The decorative layer is directly adhered onto the weather strip body.