# US 11,027,642 B2 · Bezel apparatus for use with vehicle lamps and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,642 B2 - Document ID: US11027642B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/854,643 - Filed: 2020-04-21 - Published: 2020-08-06 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-12 - Assignees: Valeo North America, Inc. - Applicants: Valeo North America, Inc. - Inventors: John Orisich; Mark Pattison; Ambroise Servantie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027642B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/0466: {with arrangement for sealing the headlamp with respect to the vehicle body, or for concealling gaps between the headlamp and the vehicle body} - F21S 41/50: characterised by aesthetic components not otherwise provided for, e.g. decorative trim, partition walls or covers - F21S 41/55: Attachment thereof - F21S 45/10: Protection of lighting devices (cooling of lighting devices F21S45/40; waterproofing of lighting devices F21S45/50) - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS ## Abstract Bezel apparatus for use with vehicle lamps are disclosed. A disclosed bezel for a vehicle lamp includes a skeleton defining a portion of the bezel. The skeleton is configured to provide structural integrity to the bezel. The bezel also includes a film configured to cover the skeleton. The film comprises a first side configured to contact the skeleton and a second side opposite to the first side and including a visual design. The bezel also includes a coupling mechanism configured to couple the film to the skeleton to provide a completed bezel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bezel of a motor vehicle lamp, comprising: a portion of the bezel, which is a skeleton configured to provide a structural integrity; a film disposed on an exterior surface of the bezel and configured to cover said bezel, the film comprising a first side that is configured to contact the bezel and a second side opposing the first side that includes a visual design; and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the film to the bezel to form a completed assembly, wherein the film conforms to an in-mold decoration (IMD) or an in-mold label (IML) manufacture, and wherein the film is configured to transmit light therethrough to reveal the visual design when the light is received by the first side of the film. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein the structural integrity includes ribs distributed along a portion of the bezel that extend across and below an inner surface of the first side of the film. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bezel of claim 2, wherein the ribs are disposed on an outer surface of the bezel such that a number of recessed areas are formed by the ribs and the outer surface of the bezel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein the skeleton completed product includes a cross-section that defines a cellular pattern therein, wherein the cellular pattern includes polygons. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein the bezel defines an outer surface that is shaped to conform to an inner surface of the first side of the film. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the second side of the film and an outer surface of the bezel are adjacent to cooperatively form a substantially smooth outer surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein the film includes an opening disposed on the outer surface that is shaped to receive a lens, a trim, a day time running lamp (DRL), or a light beam associated with the vehicle lamp. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, wherein the film is configured to separate from the skeleton. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bezel of claim 1, where the film has a substantially uniform thickness. ### Claim 10 A vehicle lamp, comprising: a bezel affixed to a housing, the bezel having a first and a second portion that are each configured to couple or decouple from one other, the second portion being disposed on an exterior surface of the first portion, the first portion at least partially defining a body of the bezel, the second portion at least partially defining an exterior surface of the bezel having a visual design, wherein the second portion is an in-mold decoration (IMD) or an in-mold label (IML), and wherein the second portion is translucent the second portion has a substantially uniform thickness that is 2 mm or less. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the bezel includes a skeleton positioned beneath an inner surface of the second portion to support the second portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle lamp of claim 11, wherein the skeleton defines a first contour having a first shape and the second portion defines a second contour having second shape that is similar to the first shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the bezel has a first edge defining a first outer surface of the first portion, and wherein the second portion has a second edge proximate to the first edge and defining a second outer surface of the second portion, the first and second edges being adjacent such that the first and second outer surfaces define a substantially continuous surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The vehicle lamp of claim 10, wherein the second portion has a substantially uniform thickness that is about 2 mm or less. ### Claim 15 A method to provide a bezel of a motor vehicle lamp, comprising: providing structural integrity to the bezel with a skeleton; coupling a film to the bezel to provide a completed assembly, disposing the film on an exterior surface to cover said bezel; including a visual design on the film; contacting the film to the exterior surface of the bezel and a second side opposite to the first side and using an in-mold decoration (IMD) or an in-mold label (IML) manufacture; and revealing the visual design when a light is received by the first side of the film. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising decoupling the film from the skeleton. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further having the film with a substantially uniform thickness that is about 2 mm or less.