Oval ornament having a locked-in urethane lens
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorAlfred Joseph Mirabitur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A decorative emblem for a vehicle comprises an oval bezel and a transparent lens. A groove with an angled sidewall is formed in the top surface of the bezel. The sidewall forms an angle with the bottom wall of the groove between 88.degree.30' and 82.degree.30' around the oval bezel so that the sidewall overlies the bottom wall making the groove wider at its bottom than at its top to lock the lens in place. The lens covers the top surface and is formed thereon by pouring a liquid lens material on the top surface of the bezel filling the groove. The liquid lens material cures to a hardened condition and the angled sidewall locks the lens in position over the top surface. The lens is transparent so that colors and designs on the bezel are visible.
Claims9
A method for making an emblem for attachment to a panel of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- shaping a resinous material into bezel having a top surface with a plurality ridges;
- forming at least one groove between two adjacent ridges, said groove having an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall and a bottom wall between said inner and outer sidewalls;
- joining said inner sidewall and said bottom wall and forming an angle .alpha. therebetween that varies along said groove from 88.degree.30' to 82.degree.30' so that said inner sidewall overlies said bottom wall;
- plating the bezel with a layer of metal;
- depositing pigmented material in a pattern on a portion of said top surface;
- pouring a curable liquid urethane lens material on the top surface of the bezel;
- and
- curing said liquid urethane lens material and forming a solid transparent lens and simultaneously locking the lens in position in said groove against said angled inner sidewall.
An emblem for attachment to a panel of a vehicle, comprising:
- an oval, chromium plated bezel having a top surface with a plurality ridges defining a groove between adjacent ridges, each groove having an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall and a bottom wall between said inner and outer sidewalls, said inner sidewall forming an angle .alpha. with said bottom wall that varies around said oval bezel from 88.degree.30' to 82.degree.30' so that said inner sidewall overlies said bottom wall;
- a painted design on a portion of said top surface;
- and
- a transparent lens formed over said top surface by pouring a liquid urethane lens material on said top surface, said angled inner sidewall locking said lens in position as said liquid urethane material hardens.
An emblem for attachment to a panel of a vehicle, comprising:
- a bezel having a top surface with inner and outer portions, said surface having an inner sidewall adjacent said inner portion, an outer sidewall adjacent said outer portion and a bottom wall between said inner and outer sidewalls defining a groove in said surface between said inner and outer portions, said inner sidewall forming an angle .alpha. with said bottom wall of between 88.degree.30' and 82.degree.30' so that said inner sidewall overlies said bottom wall;
- and
- a transparent lens covering said top surface in abutting locking contact with said inner sidewall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.