# US 10,118,571 B2 · Exterior applique with interchangeable inserts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,571 B2 - Document ID: US10118571B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/254,868 - Filed: 2016-09-01 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-02 - Assignees: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. - Applicants: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc. - Inventors: Thomas E. Maliskey; Rod Bara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118571B2 ## CPC - B60R 13/04: {External} Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices {thereon (fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12)} - B60J 10/265: the surface being primarily decorative - B60R 13/005: {Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor} - B60R 13/0206: {Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings (devices for fastening or securing F16B)} - B62D 25/04: Door pillars {; windshield pillars} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract An interchangeable applique assembly for an associated vehicle is disclosed. The applique assembly includes a base member or substrate dimensioned to cover a pillar of the associated vehicle. An applique insert is received on the base member and at least partially covers an outwardly facing surface of the base member. A fastener secures the applique insert to the base member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interchangeable applique assembly for an associated vehicle comprising: a base member/substrate dimensioned for covering a pillar of the associated vehicle; an applique insert received on the base member and at least partially covering an outwardly facing surface of the base member; at least one fastener for securing the applique insert to the base member; and wherein the applique insert includes an opening dimensioned to receive the fastener, the opening has a greater dimension in a first direction than in a second direction whereby the fastener has an elongated base that is dimensioned for receipt through the opening in the first direction only, and the base member includes an opening therethrough that is dimensionally aligned with the applique insert opening so that the fastener is received through the base member opening and the applique insert opening, and the fastener secures the applique assembly to the associated vehicle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 1, wherein the applique insert is one of dimensionally similar, at least first and second applique inserts having different surface finishes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one of first and second applique inserts are formed from dissimilar materials. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 1 wherein the base member includes an elongated recess dimensioned to receive the applique insert therein. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 4 wherein one of the base member and applique insert includes a seal lip extending along a first perimeter edge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 4 wherein the fastener includes an elongated head that fits through aligned, similar shaped openings in the base member and the applique insert. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 6 wherein the applique insert has a first, outwardly facing surface and a second, inwardly facing surface that receives a clip that cooperates with the fastener. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The interchangeable applique assembly of claim 7 wherein the clip includes a groove that is dimensioned to receive the elongated head of the fastener and precludes inadvertent removal of the fastener once the elongated head is received therein. ### Claim 9 An applique assembly for an associated automotive vehicle, the applique assembly comprising: a base member having a first surface configured for covering receipt on an associated pillar of the vehicle, and a second surface facing outwardly from the vehicle, the second surface including an elongated recess; and an applique insert received in the recess of the base member; and a fastener securing both the base member and the applique insert to the vehicle pillar; and wherein the base member includes an inwardly turned edge that extends along one vertical perimeter edge of the associated pillar, and one of the base member and applique insert includes a seal lip extending along a second perimeter edge to seal between the applique assembly and the vehicle pillar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The applique assembly of claim 9 wherein the recess in the base member has a recess width less than a width of the base member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The applique assembly of claim 9 wherein the base member includes an opening therethrough that receives the fastener. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The applique assembly of claim 11 wherein the base member opening has an elongated shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The applique assembly of claim 12 wherein the applique insert has an opening with an elongated shape that mates with the elongated shape of the base member opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The applique assembly of claim 13 fastener has an elongated head dimensioned for receipt through the elongated shaped openings of the applique insert and the base member when aligned. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The applique assembly of claim 14 wherein the applique insert has a groove disposed adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the elongated dimension of the opening in the applique insert. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The applique assembly of claim 9 wherein the applique insert includes an opening dimensioned to receive the fastener, the opening has a greater dimension in a first direction than in a second direction whereby the fastener has an elongated base that is dimensioned for receipt through the opening in the first direction only, and the base member includes an opening therethrough that is dimensionally aligned with the applique insert opening so that the fastener is received through the base member opening and the applique insert opening, and the fastener secures the applique assembly to the associated vehicle.