Illuminated panel portion for vehicles and vehicular accessories
AssigneeGator Customs, Inc.
InventorsRon Kleber, George Kleber, Randy Kleber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicle accessories is provided having a generally translucent panel defining a selected design. The translucent panel is disposed in an aperture of an adjacent panel of the vehicle or vehicle accessory such that the outer surfaces of the translucent panel and adjacent panel are substantially flush. A light source is disposed in relation to the panel for illuminating the translucent panel.
Claims30
An illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicle accessories, comprising:
- a generally translucent panel including an outer surface, said panel defining a selected design;
- an adjacent panel having an outer surface, said adjacent panel having an aperture, said translucent panel being disposed in the aperture such that the outer surface of said adjacent panel and the outer surface of said translucent panel are substantially flush;
- and
- a light source disposed in relation to said translucent panel for illuminating said translucent panel.
The illuminated panel portion of claim 4, wherein said adjacent panel is a selected color, the generally opaque area of said translucent panel being the same color as said adjacent panel.
A method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories, comprising:
- forming an aperture in an adjacent panel having an outer surface,
- disposing a generally translucent panel having an outer surface in the aperture of the adjacent panel, such that the outer surface of the adjacent panel and the outer surface of the translucent panel are substantially flush, the translucent panel defining a selected design, and
- disposing a light source in relation to the panel for illuminating the panel.
An illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicle accessories, comprising:
- a generally translucent panel including a generally clear area and a generally opaque area,
- one or more layers of generally clear coating formed on top of the generally clear area and generally opaque area for forming a smooth, even surface finish on the generally translucent panel;
- and
- a light source disposed in relation to said translucent panel for illuminating said translucent panel, such that the generally clear area is illuminated by said light source.
A method for making an illuminated panel portion for vehicles or vehicular accessories, comprising:
- applying a generally opaque layer on a surface of a generally translucent panel, wherein the opaque layer forms an uneven interface with the generally translucent panel;
- evening the uneven interface between the opaque layer and the surface of the generally translucent panel;
- applying a clear coating on the surface of the generally translucent panel;
- repeating the steps of evening the interface and applying a clear coating to achieve a smooth, even surface on the surface of the generally translucent panel;
- and
- disposing a light source in relation to the generally translucent panel for illuminating the generally translucent panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.