Lacks Enterprises, Inc.

David Walters

Thomas Hawkins

Michael LaVallee

Alan Fanta

A part includes a surface that having a rich textured appearance formed by an anisotropic repeating pattern including first regions having a first microtexture, and second regions having a second microtexture different from the first microtexture. A metalized layer covers the regions and presents different finishes depending on the microtexture thereunder. In an example embodiment, the first microtexture is highly reflective and the second microtexture is rough to cause a non-specular reflection of incident light. The part may include three-dimensional structures arranged to correspond with the repeating pattern. The three-dimensional structures may be spaced-apart by a base plane that may be flat or which may include some texture or structure. The three-dimensional structures may each include one or more planar portions and/or one or more curved surfaces. Each face or surface of the three-dimensional structures and/or each region of the base plane may have one or more different microtextures.

Anisotropic textured surface

A decorative component includes a plateable resin body portion that is light-transmissive. A thin intermediate layer of material is electrolessly deposited over the body portion. The intermediate layer is laser ablated to selectively remove the intermediate layer and expose the light transmissive portion. The part is then subjected to electroplating. The ablated areas do not receive the metal layers of the electroplating, thereby defining a pattern defined by the ablation. The laser ablation may define an outline, leaving the thin intermediate layer within the outline that is electrically isolated from areas outside of the outline. The electroplating process will not apply layers to the isolated areas, and the intermediate layer therein will dissolve, exposing the light transmissive body portion. An opposite side of the part is also exposed and transmissive, such that light will pass through the body portion and illuminate the pattern.

Selective metallized translucent automotive components by laser ablation

A decorative component with a light emitting finish includes a transmissive portion including a resin material configured to carry light through the transmissive portion. A plateable portion is attached to the transmissive portion and includes a resin material configured to receive a metal material via electroplating. The plateable portion overlays a portion of the transmissive portion. A metal finish portion is applied to the plateable portion, and the metal finish portion overlays the plateable portion. A plurality of openings are defined by gaps in the finish portion and the plateable portion. Light carried by the transmissive portion exits the component through the openings.

Decorative component for a vehicle with light emitting finish

A trim component, such as a grill of a vehicle, includes a substrate having a 3-dimensional shape and defining a disrupted reflective surface including a plurality of facets over a curved surface. Each of the facets is configured to reflect an incident light beam in a common direction, for example, toward a given target. A reflective coating, such as a chrome plating layer, overlies the disrupted reflective surface. The facets may have similar shapes and/or be arranged in a repeating pattern, but with one or more irregular features. The sizes, shapes, and/or orientation direction of the facets may varying in a gradient based on the curvature of the curved surface. The trim component also includes a light source to illuminate the disrupted reflective surface. The light source may be hidden so it is not directly visible to a viewer, but instead is reflected by the disrupted reflective surface.

Textured coherent reflection component

A grill assembly for attachment to a vehicle front end including a base grill portion, having a front surface, a back surface, a perimeter portion, and cross-rail portions. The cross-rail portions define a plurality of grill openings therebetween. A plurality of louvers are configured to communicate with the plurality of grill openings. The assembly is in communication with a controller to effectuate generally linearly reciprocal movement of at least one of the base grill portion or the plurality of louvers in a direction generally defined by a direction of travel of the vehicle to vary an amount of air flow through the plurality of grill openings.

Vehicle grill with reciprocal moveable louvers

A mount apparatus for securing a license plate to a vehicle. The mount apparatus includes a bracket that has a back side for facing the vehicle and a front side for being engaged by the license plate. At least one fastener extends through the bracket for connecting the bracket to the vehicle. At least one energy absorption device receives the fastener and engages and extends away from the back side of the bracket for spacing the bracket and the license plate from the vehicle to absorb energy transferred to the bracket during an impact with the license plate to dissipate the amount of energy transferred from the bracket to the vehicle during the impact.

License plate mounting device

A grill for attachment to a front portion of a vehicle including a base frame structure with a mesh front structure secured thereto. The grill has at least one picture frame structure that is moveable with respect to the base frame structure. The grill also includes a plurality of louvers that are in communication with and moveable with respect to each of the base frame structure and the at least one picture frame structure. A motor unit is associated with the grill and is in communication with the at least one picture frame structure to effectuate movement thereof such that as the at least one picture frame structure moves, the plurality of louvers between an open position and a closed position, whereby openings between adjacent ones of the plurality of louvers are exposed or shut off.

Growing community of inventors

Caledonia, MI, United States of America

David Walters