CA1042954A

CA1042954A - Decorative trim

Info

Publication number: CA1042954A
Application number: CA217,683A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Norman C. Jackson; Theodore Loew
Original assignee: Standard Products Co
Current assignee: Standard Products Co
Priority date: 1974-04-19
Filing date: 1975-01-10
Publication date: 1978-11-21
Also published as: FR2267906A1; ES211633U; AU7734875A; AR207347A1; JPS50139876A; IT1031727B; BR7502193A; ES211633Y; DE2517260A1; GB1459369A; FR2267906B1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A trim strip consisting of a base of a polyvinyl chloride composition has a metalized layer thereon consisting of a film of polyethylene terephthalate with an aluminized reflective coating covered in turn by a layer of transparent polyvinyl chloride and a top layer of a transparent acrylic polymer or polyvinyl fluoride containing an ultraviolet absorber.

Description

~L~4J~9S4 , BACKGROUND OF TME ~NVEN'I'ION
:; _ Trim and protective strips which are applied to the exterior of motor vehicle ~odies are currently usually manufac~
tured from plastic, rather than the metal formerly used, since this achieves a number of advantages, in addition to a cost saving, including greater safety in event of accident, and saving of weight which contributes to fuel economy and to performance of the vehicle.
In order to provide the chrome-like appearance which custom has made desiral~le in such trim members, metalized plastic films are used, typically consistin~ of a transparent polycthylene terephtllalate material with a thin aluminized layer vacuum deposited or sprayed tllereon. The metalized film is normally bondcd, metalizcd side down, to a plastic base of vinyl or tllc like so that the thin and relatively fra~ilc metalizcd layer is protccled by but visible through the polyetl~ylelle tereplttl~alate. In order to prevent deterioratioll of the polyethylelle ter~phtllal.lte due to ultr.lviol~t ra(lialion ~hich has , , ~

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- a cloudi.ng e~fect on such materials, it has been proposed to cover it with a further layer of a strong transparent material which does not transmit ultraviolet radiation such as an acrylic polymer or a polyvinyl ~luoride containing an ultra-:~ violet absorber ~e.g. see Canadian patent No. 929,9~4, dated July 10, 1973, and U.S. Patents 3,421,973 and 3,421,971)~
The present invention has as its object to improve the re-si.stance of such composite trim strips to abrasion and damage under impact of stones, dirt, sand and other mechanical forces, as well as to still further improve the resistance to ultraviolet deterioration, while still maintaining the brilliance oE the metallic luster. A related object is to achieve the indicated benefits at low cost and by means suited to rapid production.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the present disclosure in its entirety.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is a trim member or the like comprising a base having an ornamental top, and a protective coating on said top consisting of a layer of transparent polyvinyl chloride covered by a layer of a transparent polymer, the polymer containing an ultraviolet absorber.
The transparent layer containing an ultraviolet absorber may or may be an acrylic polymer or a polyvinyl fluoride.

Brief Description of the Figures of Drawing : ~igO 1 is a sectional perspective view of a portion of a trim strip incorporating the invention; and jab/sb - 2 -Z9S~
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area within the circle designated II in Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred form of the Invention An improved trim strip constructed in accordance with the invention consists of a suitable base portion 10 which may be extruded of a suitable dark vinyl plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, jab/sb - 2a -.: . . -.,......... :, . , ~ .
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.-, ~Z~S4 to wl~ich a ~Is;ll~dwichll is l~ondc(l consi~t;n)t of n sul)-l)asc vinyl laycr 12 wl~icl~ is compatiblc with an(l bondablc to thc main basc laycr 10 the sub-base 12 carrying thercupoll a thin transparent flcxible plastic film 1~ of a polyethylene tcrephthalate matcrial havin~ on its un(3cr surface an aluminized or other thin metalized coating 15 anc] secured as by an adhcsive 16 to thc top of thc sub-base 12. The metalizing is typically applied by vacuum deposition or spraying. The poly-ethylene terephthalate layer may be of the order of . 0005 inclles thick Such a material is sold under the trademarlc "Mylar" by du Pont.
Preformed sandwiched and bonded layers corresponding to the layers 12 14 15 and 16 are also commercially available. The sub-base 12 is relatively thin and flexible so that the complete sandwich consisting of the components 12 14 15 16 can conform readily to the con-figuration of tl~e base 10 Over the top polyethylene terephthalate layer of the sand-wich a clear polyvinyl chloride layer 20 is deposited v~hich may extend downwardly over the edges of the laminae of the sandwich. In any evcnt the edges of the laminae should be covered and as ShO~lVn in the drawing this may also be effected by molding or otherwise forming tlle material of the base 10 outwardly over and bonding it to the eàge arcas. The laycr 20 is formed of a material wl~ich is relatively soft having a durometer of approximately ~0 an~ is relatively thiclc (of tl~e order of . 030 illCh) wllere higll resistance to impact and al~rasion is dcsircd as in the casc of a moldil-lg such as tl~e onc illustrat~ù Wl~iCIl iS suital)lc for attacl-ment to bumpcrs Thc layer 20 is bon(led to tl~e layer 1~ for wl)icll puIpo.se a suitablc tl~allsl)~rellt adheLive Illay l)e lls~d, ~L~4~5~
l'hc laycr :~ is in tUI n covcrc(l l~y n tllin l~ycr 2(; of El thcrmoplnstic acrylic polymer or a polyvinyl fluoride, containin~ a suitable ultraviolct absorl~cr. Such to~ coatinKs are also cxtremcly tough, flcxible, and resistant to staining and discoloration. Acrylic rnaterials of this ch?racter are commercially available under the trademark "l~orad A" from the I~ohm & I-Jass Company of Phila-delphia, Pa., while polyvinyl fluoride materials of the naturc in question are available under the trademark "Tedlar" from du Pont.
A disclosure of the nature of the acrylic material is contained in Canadian patent No. 901, 397, granted May 30, 1972.
The vinyl layer 20 is also tough and flexible. If not protected by the "Korad" or "Tedlar", however, the vinyl layer 20 would be subject to staining due to road tars and the like. The resilient nature of the vinyl layer absorbs impacts and permits the thin top layer 26 to be distorted under impacts and then to recover without being permanently damaged.
It will be appreciated that the two specific protective layers corresponding to the layers 20 and 26 might be applied with æimilar benefits over surfaces other than metalized plastic, and might in fact be utilized to protect various other ornamental or finisllcd surfaces, Where thc metalized film type of ornamental treatment is incorporated in a relativcly flexible assembly of the sort clescribed, tllc low duromcter vinyl laycr 20 is also of great utility a.s tcnding, apparently duc to its softness, to inhibit wrinlcling nnd ullsightly distortion of tllc mctlllizc(l surfacc wllen tllc strip is bcllt on a sl~ort ra~lius.

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~rl~c ~ottonl ~-r t~l(.` l)a5C 10 i'; SI~Owll 15t rl~t l)ut it Or ` COUI`SC iS shapcd to conrorm to the surfacc to which it is to be attachcd. The bottom surface of the basc carrics a rc~nforcing strip 2~ of aluminum, ac3hcslvely joined to thc base and which is adaptcd to be mounted as by means of an ad}-csive to thc supporting surface .
This Detailed Dcscription of the Preferred Form of . the Invention, and the accompanying drawings, have been furnished in compliance witll the statutory requircment to sct forth the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the invention.
The prior portions consisting of the "Abstract of the Disclosure"
and the "Background of the Invention" are furnished without prejudice to comply with administrative requirements of the Patent Office.

JCL(~ GG- 00~3 ~r)_ .

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Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A trim member or the like comprising a base having an ornamental top, and a protective coating on said top consisting of a layer of transparent polyvinyl chloride covered by a layer of a transparent polymer containing an ultraviolet absorber.

2. A trim member as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent polymer is acrylic polymer.

3. A trim member as defined in claims 1 or 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a relatively low durometer rating.

4. A trim member as defined in claims 1 or 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a durometer rating of about 80.

5. A trim member as defined in claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer is substantially thicker than the acrylic polymer.

6. A trim member as defined in claim 1, 2 or 5, wherein the thickness of the polyvinyl chloride layer is of the order of .030 inch.

7. A trim member or the like comprising a plastic base, a metalized plastic film bonded to the top of the base, a transparent protective polyvinyl chloride layer secured over said film, and a further protective layer of an acrylic polymer composition containing an ultraviolet absorber over said first-mentioned protective layer.

8. A trim member or the like comprising a base having an ornamental top, and a protective coating on said top consisting of a layer of transparent polyvinyl chloride covered by a layer of a transparent polyvinyl fluoride con-taining an ultraviolet absorber.

9. A trim member as defined in claim 7, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a relatively low durometer rating.

10. A trim member as defined in claim 7, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a durometer rating of about 80.

11. A trim member as defined in claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer is substantially thicker than the polyvinyl fluoride.

12. A trim member as defined in claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the thickness of the polyvinyl chloride layer is of the order of .030 inch.

13. A trim member or the like comprising a plastic base, a metalized plastic film bonded to the top of the base, a transparent protective polyvinyl chloride layer secured over said film, and a further protective layer of a polyvinyl fluoride composition containing an ultraviolet absorber over said first-mentioned protective layer.

14. A trim member as defined in claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer is substantially thicker than the acrylic polymer and is of a relatively low durometer rating.

15. A trim member as defined in claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a durometer rating of approximately 80 and a thickness of the order of approximately .030 inch.

16. A trim member as defined in claim 14, wherein the ornamental top comprises a thin flexible metalized plastic layer.

17. A trim member as defined in claim 15, wherein the ornamental top comprises a thin flexible metalized plastic layer.

18. A trim member as defined in claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer is substantially thicker than the polyvinyl fluoride and is of a relatively low durometer rating.

19. A trim member as defined in claim 8, wherein the polyvinyl chloride layer has a durometer rating of approximately 80 and a thickness of the order of approxi-mately .030 inch.

20. A trim member as defined in claims 18 or 19, wherein the ornamental top comprises a thin flexible metalized plastic layer.