JPS58221741A - Trim strip for automobile body and manufacture of said trim strip - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an elongated strip or molded member for attachment to the side of a pour day of a motor vehicle or other motor vehicle for purposes of preservation or decoration.

In order to protect and decorate the surfaces of automobiles, especially the side surfaces of the body, the automobile industry uses trim strips (
trim 5trip) has been used. Recently, emphasis has been placed on replacing chrome plated metal molded strips with improved plastic trim strips. This plastic trim strip does not corrode and can be adhesively attached to the vehicle body without fasteners.

Several examples of such trim strips can be found in the patent literature.

In U.S. Patent No. 4:206,155 (1981) Ma
don1a discloses a decorative body side molded part in which the decorative strip is laminated to an extruded strip of flexible material, and the two strips are coated with a weather-resistant coating of acrylic monomer. Protective coating.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,220,681 (1980), Na
rit& describes a trim in which a thin layer of metal is laminated to a plastic base layer and coated with a soft PvC resin to give it a matte surface.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,297 (1977), We
Mr. Nriok discloses a composite trim strip consisting of two non-coextensive longitudinal body sections glued together, where one body section is wider than the other body section. , adapted to receive a body portion of the other.

The body sections are attached and assembled to the sides of the vehicle using elastomeric adhesives that help distribute the impact.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,914,482 (1975), S.
Mr. awa et al. described a molded product in which a reflective layer is attached to a rigid synthetic resin base, this synthetic resin base is covered with a transparent synthetic resin layer, and a protective layer made of synthetic resin with a uniform thickness is protectively coated. The parts are explained.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,843,425 (1974), K.
ENT describes a decorative trim having longitudinal passages filled or covered with a decorative material such as paint. The trim is constructed with a shallow channel on the lower surface that carries the adhesive.

The main object of the invention is to provide an automotive trim strip that enhances the decorative effect, which can be easily manufactured in series and can be varied without changing the basic manufacture of the trim. For example, by changing decorative surfaces, trim may be changed to complement the color or style of some vehicles without affecting manufacturing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a decorative trim strip that is impact absorbing and weather resistant.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative trim strip that provides a lens effect that enhances the appearance of the trim.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a trim strip for a vehicle body, the trim strip being elongated and having a flat lower surface for receiving adhesive or for attaching the trim strip to a vehicle. parts and
an elongated channel configured lengthwise in the shaped member of the strip and a decorative surface in the channel and a rounded edge that provides a retentive coating to the foil member and, when cured, provides a lens effect to the underlying decorative surface; and an adhesive layer of cast plastic that provides an impact resistant and weather resistant cap with
When viewed through the cured plastic, the decorative surface is optically modified to enhance the appearance of the decoration. The back side of the molded part can be coated with an adhesive for attaching the strip to the vehicle body.

Preferably, the elongated portion of the trim strip is constructed of an extrudable plastic material that hardens to an impact resistant base. Accordingly, trim strips may be manufactured by the following method: extruding a molded member and placing a decorative foil member to define a decorative surface in channels extruded with the molded member; The channel is then cast with a plastic that hardens into a tough weather-resistant and impact-resistant cap with rounded edges that form a convex meniscus. Preferably, the plastic cap is constructed from a transparent plastic material. The curvature of the edges provides a lensing effect that optically enhances the appearance of the decorative surface when viewed through the plastic cap. Preferably, the plastic is a high impact polyurethane, more preferably a flexible polyurethane that cures to a Shore D hardness of about 45 to 65.

In another embodiment of the invention, the trim strip is manufactured without a molded member and consists essentially of an elongated decorative foil member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a sharp peripheral edge, said upper surface having a rounded edge. a weatherproof and impact resistant overlay providing a lens effect to the foil member, the overlay comprising a flowable transparent plastic material that flows over the sharp peripheral edges and forms a convex meniscus; a pressure sensitive adhesive on the lower surface of the foil member to secure the trim strip to the body surface; Preferably there is a layer of agent. The plastic cap has a diameter of about 45 to 65, preferably 4
Abrasion resistant, weather resistant polyurethane having a Shore D of 5 to 55 is preferred.

A trim strip according to the invention, generally designated 10, is illustrated in FIG. The trim strip 10 includes an elongated molded member 12 that is made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon (
Preferably, the material is a heat-resistant and impact-resistant plastic such as polyamide), polycarbonate, or an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer. Among these, PVC is most often used as a body part.

The molded member 12 is preferably formed by extruding one of the plastics with channels 14 extruded therein, but other methods such as injection molding may be used to construct the elongate body portion having the channels therein. Other methods may also be used. Although FIG. 1 depicts channels having rectangular cross-sections, other cross-sections may be used to provide various optical effects. Channel 14 includes a floor 16 and side walls or shoulders 18 for holding the cast plastic as described below.

A decorative surface 20, which may also be a decorative foil member, is disposed in the channel 14. As used herein, the term "foil member" includes metal foil, plastic foil (eg, Mylar), and metallized plastic foil.

and PE, Q-Pack foil. The foil member can take a variety of shapes, for example it can be a strip of metal foil that can be embossed to provide a visual effect, or the foil member can be printed with a decorative pattern, or screen printed, painted, or colored. Flavored plastic foil strips may also be used. An adhesive may be used to bond the foil member to the floor 16 of the channel 14 if the foil member is very thin and cannot be easily laid flat.

Alternatively, the decorative surface 20 may be a painted layer, or a screen printed layer, or a decorative material deposited directly on the floor 16 of the channel 14, so that the decorative surface is a solid color.
Various colors or colored patterns may be used, or one used
A color, a plurality of colors (FCG, or a combination of these colors) may include graphic art.

If the trim is manufactured by casting plastic directly into the channel, the optical effect created by the cap will vary depending on the size, shape and dimensions of the channel, but the depth and width of the channel 14 are particularly important. isn't it. The design of the channel can thus be matched to the style of the inlay to produce the desired decorative effect.

The decorative surface 20 is further coated with an adhesive layer of cast plastic 22. The cast plastic 22 is channeled to provide a trim with rounded edges that, when viewed at an angle to the trim strip 10 or from above, provide a lenticular effect, for example by enlarging the decorative surface 2o. 14 and is made of plastic that forms a convex meniscus 23.

The plastic cast for use as the side body trim of an automobile is preferably a thermoset material that is weather resistant, does not yellow or cloud after prolonged exposure to sunlight, and resists harsh detergents. The cast plastic must be abrasion and impact resistant. Although several plastics may be used for this purpose, one particularly advantageous plastic that satisfies all of the above needs is high-impact polyurethane. One polyurethane useful in the present invention is the reaction product of polypropylene glycol and an aliphatic diisocyanate. Other plastics such as acrylics and epoxies may also be used. In one embodiment, a relatively soft, flexible, weatherable polyurethane is used that is generally characterized by a Shore D hardness in the range of 45 to 65, preferably 45 to 55.

Such materials are known and various materials may be used in the present invention. A particularly useful material is the reaction product of a mixture of a polyester glycol and a low to medium molecular weight polypropylene triol and (8) an aliphatic diisocyanate-polypropylene triol adduct.

The plastic molding material 14 is cured to form the overlay. Preferably, the plastic molding material is cured by heat or ultraviolet light.

However, depending on the plastic used, other means such as R, F, heating and air drying may also be used to cure the cap.

The trim strip 10 may be secured to the body of a vehicle, such as the side body of an automobile, using an adhesive material 24 on the base of the strip. Prior to installation, the adhesive is retained with a release paper or film 26, such as woven paper or silicone release paper. A variety of adhesives may be used in the present invention.

Pressure sensitive adhesives are preferred adhesives.

Alternatively, the trim strip 10 may be secured to the vehicle body by clips attached to the vehicle bogie or other attachment means (not shown) using pressure-fit studs in openings in the vehicle body. Other mounting means are known in the industry. .

The trim strip illustrated in FIG. 1 is typically formed by extruding a molded member 12, painting the decorative features or painting a decorative foil member, and casting to form a decorative surface in the channels defined in the molded member. and then curing the plastic adhesive layer).

The decorative surface is held to the channel by cast plastic that contacts the sidewalls of the channel, thereby encasing the foil member. If a very thin foil member is used as a decorative surface, an adhesive may be required on the back side of the foil to hold the foil flat in the channel during casting.

In the case of polyurethane plastic materials, the reactive components (ie the polyol component and the diisocyanate component) are usually mixed in a mixing head and the mixture is reacted and cast into the channels. The cast plastic is then cured.

Depending on the nature of the plastic component constituting the cap, curing may occur by heating or by irradiation with UV light, for example. It is preferred if these methods are carried out in succession, in which the body part is extruded, the body part is set and then extruded downstream, the decorative surface is placed in the channel, the plastic is cast and cured.

The lower surface of the molded member 12 may be coated with an adhesive and a release paper or film applied before and after the foil member is placed and the plastic is cast in place.

The adhesive can be coated directly onto the trim strip or on a release paper that is subsequently applied to the trim strip.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment according to the invention in which the trim strip is constructed without the more extrudable plastic molded member illustrated in FIG. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the trim strip 27 as illustrated in FIG. It usually consists of a stamped foil member 30. Typically for trim strips according to the embodiment.

Removal of the release liner 34 provides an accessible (generally pressure sensitive) adhesive layer 32. The trim strip illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a preprinted adhesive foil member on the backside provided with a release liner that kiss-cuts according to a printed pattern;
1 can be manufactured by stamping. By removing the ears from the circumference of the trim, and by casting a flowable plastic such as polyurethane onto the trim strip, the plastic flows to the cut edge of the foil member and stops, forming a convex meniscus. An overlay is obtained with rounded edges that provide a lens effect when constructed. The overlay is then cured. It is particularly advantageous to construct the overlay 28 of FIG. 2 from a soft, flexible polyurethane since the trim is rolled up and supplied directly to the vehicle owner as part of a make-order kit. In the flexible overlay the trim strip follows the i-car body curve 9.

The trim strip illustrated in FIG. 3 includes an extrudable elongated member 36, a printed and typically embossed foil member 42, and an overlay 40 having rounded edges. The inlay (including overlay 40 and foil member 42) is secured within molded member 36 by adhesive layer 44. The trim strip 37 is secured to the vehicle body by an adhesive layer 38 protected by a liner 40 which is removed during installation. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the IJ tab 37 is not necessarily manufactured by molding plastic into an inlay of an elongated member, but rather by fabricating a precast trim strip as shown in FIG. This strip (without release liner 34) is then bonded to molded member 3 to which it is bonded with adhesive layer 44.
6 channels. It is clear from this embodiment of the invention that the plastic overlay-forming material is cast in place and need not contact the side walls of the channel of the body molded member.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, it will be obvious that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a trim strip for an automobile body according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a trim strip according to another embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 3 is a further embodiment of the invention. 10: Trim strip, 12: Elongated member, 14: Channel, 16: Floor, 18: Side wall or shoulder, modification: Decoration. Surface, 22...Plastic, □ 26...Release paper or film, 4...Overlay, 32...Adhesive layer, ah...Release liner. NXW person Buthimi 4tt automatic F-comb 8l+=
- Attorney Yoshio Kawaguchi

Claims (1)

Claims: +11 A trim strip comprising an elongated member, an elongated channel, an elongated decorative surface, and a weather and impact resistant overlay, comprising: 1) receiving said elongated member line adhesive; a lower surface for attaching the strip to the body of a vehicle; the elongated channel is defined in the upper surface of the molded member having a floor and two side walls or shoulders; and the elongated decorative surface a trim strip having reeds in said channel, said weather and impact resistant overlay being configured on said decorative surface and having rounded edges imparting a lens effect to said decorative surface below. . (2) a trim strip consisting essentially of an elongated decorative foil member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a sharp peripheral edge; It has rounded edges,
imparting a lens effect to the foil member by coating the upper surface of the foil member with a flowable transparent plastic material that flows to the sharp peripheral edge and constitutes a convex meniscus and curing the plastic material; A trim strip comprising: (3; providing elongated channels configured on one surface,
A method of forming a trim strip comprising forming a decorative surface in the channel, casting a flowable plastic component into the channel on the foil member, and curing the cast plastic component. (4) constructing an elongated foil member having an upper surface and a lower surface provided with a decorative pattern and a sharp peripheral edge, such that the plastic flows to the sharp peripheral edge of the foil member and forms a convex meniscus; casting a flowable plastic component onto the foil member while held substantially flat, and curing the plastic component to form an elongated molded member having an elongated channel in one surface; and curing the cured plastic. A method of forming a trim strip, comprising: placing the foil member coated with the foil member in the channel, and securing the foil member to the channel through a lower surface.