IP Library Granted Patent US 7,243,472
Granted Patent B2
US 7,243,472 · App. 10/458,739 · Granted Jul 17, 2007

Decorative trim piece

Assignee: Angell-Demmel Europe GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,243,472
App. No.
10/458,739
Granted
Jul 17, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a decorative trim piece consisting substantially of a carrying element of plastic and a decorative plate of thin metal fastened thereon, to decorate the interior, in land vehicles, aircraft or watercraft, predominantly for use as dashboard elements, center console or as door trim strips. The decorative trim piece is characterized in that the completely finished decorative plate is inserted into an injection mold and that the carrying element is injection-molded as an injection molding compound directly onto the back of the decorative plate so that both elements are connected to one another at least in partial areas so solidly that they form a sturdy unit.

Claims (20)

1. A decorative trim piece including a carrying element of plastic and a decorative plate of thin metal fastened thereon, to decorate the interior, in land vehicles, aircraft or watercraft, predominantly for use as dashboard elements, center console or as door trim strips, characterized in that

the thin metal decorative plate ( 2 ) is united with the carrying element ( 6 ), an injection molding compound being injection molded within an injection mold directly onto the back of the decorative plate ( 2 ), so that both elements are connected to one another at least in partial areas so solidly that they form a sturdy, finished unit,

wherein punch-outs or recesses ( 7 ) are formed in the surface of the decorative plate ( 2 ), through which the plastic material of the carrying element ( 6 ) takes hold;

the injection molded plastic carrying element ( 6 ) having side legs ( 10 );

the injection molded plastic carrying element ( 6 ) having an upper carrying plate ( 9 ), the side legs ( 10 ) being integral with the upper carrying plate ( 9 ), and the side legs ( 10 ) resting in a form-fitting manner against corresponding legs ( 8 ) of the decorative metal plate ( 2 ); and

wherein the side legs ( 10 ) have outwardly facing projections ( 11 ) which hook under respective corresponding legs ( 8 ) of the decorative metal plate ( 2 ) from underneath along the entire circumference thereof, thereby providing a face-end adhesion to the decorative plate.

2. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that no snap-on knobs, projections are disposed on the back of the decorative plate ( 2 ).

3. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the back of the decorative plate ( 2 ) is completely smooth and flat.

4. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that the decorative plate ( 2 ) has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

5. A decorative element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the plastic material of the carrying element ( 6 ) is composed of a transparent material.

6. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that a transparent plastic material ( 18 ) is used in the region of the recesses ( 7 , 17 ) to provide for the option of illuminating the decorative elements, indicating and function elements ( 3 , 4 ) that are visible in the decorative plate from the display side.

7. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that lighting elements are disposed in the interior ( 17 ) of the carrying element ( 6 ), which are connected to the carrying element ( 6 ) in a light-conducting manner.

8. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that the plastic elements that takes hold through the recesses ( 7 ) of the decorative plate ( 2 ) are decorative elements ( 3 ) and/or indicating elements ( 4 ), function elements, push buttons, or switch elements.

9. A decorative trim piece according to claim 1 , characterized in that the surface of the decorative plate ( 2 ) is covered by a transparent layer of coating lacquer ( 15 ).

10. A decorative element according to claim 1 , characterized in that a textured imprint ( 16 ) is provided on at least part of the surface of the layer of coating lacquer ( 15 ).

11. A decorative trim piece according to claim 4 , characterized in that the decorative plate ( 2 ) has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

12. A decorative element according to claim 11 , characterized in that the plastic material of the carrying element ( 6 ) is composed of a transparent material.

13. A decorative trim piece according to claim 12 , characterized in that a transparent plastic material ( 18 ) is used in the region of the recesses ( 7 , 17 ) to provide for the option of illuminating the decorative elements, indicating and function elements ( 3 , 4 ) that are visible in the decorative plate from the display side.

14. A decorative trim piece according to claim 13 , characterized in that lighting elements are disposed in the interior ( 17 ) of the carrying element ( 6 ), which are connected to the carrying element ( 6 ) in a light-conducting manner.

15. A decorative trim piece according to claim 14 , characterized in that the plastic elements that takes hold through the recesses ( 7 ) of the decorative plate ( 2 ) are decorative elements ( 3 ) and/or indicating elements ( 4 ), function elements, push buttons, or switch elements.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2011
From: ANGELL-DEMMEL EUROPE GMBH
To: FAURECIA ANGELL-DEMMEL GMBH
Reel/Frame 027386/0039 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2007
From: ANGELL DEMMEL GMBH
To: ANGELL-DEMMEL EUROPE GMBH
Reel/Frame 019406/0979 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2003
From: TAEMMERICH, ROLF
To: ANGELL-DEMMEL GMBH
Reel/Frame 014767/0030 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2003
From: TAEMMERICH, ROLF
To: ANGELL-DEMMEL GMBH
Reel/Frame 014476/0503 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040250499A1 · Dec 16, 2004