Steering wheel accent strip

#A. Field of Invention

#This invention pertains to accent strips for automotive bodies and the like, and more particularly to accent strips designed for the steering wheel of a car.

#B. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1A shows a cross sectional view of a substrate of vinyl material covered on one side with an adhesive and disposed or affixed on a support sheet;

#FIG. 1B shows a cross sectional view of the substrate with a bead of plastic material;

#FIG. 1C shows a cross sectional view of the substrate with the bead starting to spread laterally;

#In a preferred embodiment, the inventive design strip comprises a substrate made of a vinyl material having a thickness of between about 0.003 and 0.007 inches that is printed with a desirable decorative image on at least one surface using conventional silkscreen technology. An adhesive is laminated or applied using other techniques to the second surface of the substrate. The adhesive may have a thickness of between about 0.003 and 0.007 inches. The vinyl substrate is then cut into half moon or other desired shaped pieces, typically by means of a computerized vinyl plotter. Excess vinyl substrate is then removed by means of a conventional “weeding” process.

#FIG. 1A shows a laminate 10 having a predetermined shape and being formed of the substrate 12 and the adhesive 14. The laminate 10 is disposed on a support 16. For example, the support may be a release sheet constructed to hold the laminate 10 securely but allow it to be peeled off as required.

#After the laminate 10 is positioned on the support 16, it then undergoes a process known as doming. Doming comprises the pouring on top of the substrate 12 a clear and relatively thick and viscous bead, which is allowed to flow to the edges of the substrate, creating a coat. More specifically, the coat has a much greater cross sectional dimension at the middle of the laminate than its lateral edges.