IP Library Granted Patent US 8,640,413
Granted Patent B2
US 8,640,413 · App. 12/540,708 · Granted Feb 4, 2014

Laser-marked multi-component assemblies, kits, and related methods

Inventors: Mark Ruggie (Franklin Park, IL); Henry Coghlan (Elburn, IL); Hallie Heuser (Geneva, IL); Chase Carter (Joliet, IL)
Assignee: Masonite Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,640,413
App. No.
12/540,708
Granted
Feb 4, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided of laser marking a graphic design in an unassembled multi-component structure. A graphic design to be laser marked in a multi-component structure is partitioned into a plurality of graphic design sections, with each of the graphic design sections being assigned to a corresponding component of the multi-component structure. The graphic design sections are laser marked in their corresponding components of the multi-component structure while the multi-component structure is in an unassembled state. The laser-marked components are adapted for assembly together into an assembled state in which the multi-component structure has a viewable expansive surface with the graphic design sections collectively simulating an overall appearance of a graphic design spanning across the corresponding components of the multi-component structure. A kit for assembling laser-marked components into a multi-component structure is also provided.

Claims (37)

1. A method of laser marking a graphic design in an unassembled multi-component structure, the method comprising the steps of:

partitioning a graphic design to be laser marked in a multi-component structure into a plurality of graphic design sections spaced from one another;

assigning each of the graphic design sections to a corresponding component of the multi-component structure based on the overall length and width of the multi-component structure as well as the component width of, component length of, and individual spacing between each corresponding component;

controlling a laser system through a computer in communication with the laser system to coordinate laser marking of the graphic design sections in coordination with the assigned corresponding component; and

individually laser marking each of the graphic design sections in the corresponding components while the multi-component structure is in an unassembled state,

wherein the laser-marked components are adapted for assembly together with a spacing into an assembled state in which the multi-component structure has a viewable expansive surface with the graphic design sections spaced from each other and collectively simulating an overall appearance of a graphic design spanning across the corresponding components of the multi-component structure; the components comprising building components adapted for construction into a building structure.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said assigning of each of the graphic design sections to the corresponding components is further based on predetermined designated positions of the corresponding components in the multi-component structure.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the components comprise a material selected from the group consisting of wood, wood composite, hardboard, and reinforced plastic.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said laser marking comprises irradiating surfaces of the corresponding components to effect a color change.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said laser marking comprises irradiating the surfaces of the corresponding components to engrave the graphic design sections into surfaces of the corresponding components.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphic design comprises a non-repeating design.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the building components include flooring, decking, wall panels, door panels, door trim, siding, cabinetry, and railings for residential and commercial buildings.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a graphic design to be laser marked in the multi-component structure and receiving the dimensions of individual components of the multi-component structure.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising receiving the overall dimensions of the assembled multi-component assembly.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising resizing the graphic design based on the overall dimensions of the assembled multi-component assembly.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a graphic design to be laser marked in the multi-component structure.

12. A method of laser marking a graphic design in components of an unassembled multi-component structure and assembling the components into the multi-component structure, the method comprising the steps of:

partitioning a graphic design to be laser marked in a multi-component structure into a plurality of graphic design sections spaced from one another;

assigning each of the graphic design sections to a corresponding component of the multi-component structure based on the overall length and width of the multi-component structure as well as the component width of, component length of, and individual spacing between each corresponding component;

controlling a laser system through a computer in communication with the laser system to coordinate laser marking of the graphic design sections in coordination with the assigned corresponding component;

individually laser marking each of the graphic design sections in the corresponding components of the multi-component structure while the multi-component structure is in an unassembled state; and

assembling the laser-marked components together with a spacing into an assembled state in which the multi-component structure has a viewable expansive surface with the graphic design sections spaced from each other and collectively simulating an overall appearance of a graphic design spanning across the corresponding components of the the multi-component structure comprising a building structure assembled from a plurality of laser-marked building components.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the assigning of each of the graphic design sections to the corresponding components is further based on predetermined designated positions of the corresponding components in the multi-component structure.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the components comprise a material selected from the group consisting of wood, wood composite, hardboard, and reinforced plastic.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein said laser marking comprises irradiating surfaces of the corresponding components to effect a color change.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein said laser marking comprises irradiating the surfaces of the corresponding components to engrave the graphic design sections into surfaces of the corresponding components.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the graphic design comprises a non-repeating design.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the laser-marked building components include flooring, decking, wall panels, door panels, door trim, siding, cabinetry, and railings for residential and commercial buildings.

19. A method of laser marking a graphic design in an unassembled multi-component structure, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a graphic design to be laser marked in a multi-component structure composed of individual components that are arranged side-by-side with individual spacing therebetween;

receiving the dimensions of individual components of the multi-component structure and said individual spacing;

determining whether the dimensions of the individual components are identical;

partitioning the graphic design into a plurality of graphic design sections spaced from one another; and

randomly laser marking each of the graphic design sections in the individual components while the multi-component structure is in an unassembled state when the dimensions of the individual components are determined to be identical,

wherein the laser-marked components are adapted for assembly together with a spacing into an assembled state in which the multi-component structure has a viewable expansive surface with the graphic design sections spaced from each other and collectively simulating an overall appearance of a graphic design spanning across the corresponding components of the multi-component structure taking into account said individual spacing; the individual components comprising building components adapted for construction into a building structure.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said laser marking comprises irradiating the surfaces of the individual components to engrave the graphic design sections into surfaces of the individual components.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the building components include flooring, decking, wall panels, door panels, door trim, siding, cabinetry and railings for residential and commercial buildings.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2013
From: ECHELON LASER SYSTEMS, LP
To: MASONITE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031541/0884 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2009
From: RUGGIE, MARK; COGHLAN, HENRY; HEUSER, HALLIE; CARTER, CHASE
To: ECHELON LASER SYSTEMS, LP
Reel/Frame 023453/0834 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61090796 · Aug 21, 2008
Related Publication 20100043314A1 · Feb 25, 2010