Lacks Enterprises, Inc.

Michael LaVallee

Lee A Chase

Thomas Hawkins

David Walters

Alan Fanta

Dave Baumgart

A decorative component includes a plurality of metal finish layers deposited over a substrate and a plurality of sub-layers. The outermost metal finish layer is selectively deposited or removed to define one or more recesses to create different appearances of the component. The outer metal layer may undergo laser ablation to remove at least a portion of the outer layer while still exposing the outer layer in the area of removed material. The recess may extend fully through the outer layer to expose the underlying metal finish layer, and/or the recess may have a sloped bottom surface to define a gradient appearance. The outer layer may be applied over a mask that is applied to the underlying layer, such that the outer layer is selectively applied. The outer layer may be removed to expose the underlying finish layer without exposing a nickel sublayer and without requiring a top coat.

Multi-colored decorative component and method

A molded article includes a first plateable region spaced apart from a second plateable region the first plateable region by a barrier of electrically insulating material. Each of the plateable regions include an associated plateable layer of electrically conductive material for being electroplated with a different plateable finish. Several different geometries and configurations of the barrier and/or the plateable regions are provided to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions acting as bipolar electrode while another one of the plateable regions is being electroplated. A non-plateable insert may be disposed between the plateable regions to prevent migration of plating material from one of the plateable regions onto the other one of the plateable regions. A conducive robber in electrical communication with one of the one of the plateable regions, and which may be removable, may also be used to prevent migration of plating material.

2-shot molded article with multiple electrical current pathways

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 method for plating a work piece includes forming a work piece, where the work piece includes first and second segments that are electrically isolated. The first segment is connected in a first circuit and the second segment is connected in a second circuit. The first circuit may include a first power source and the second circuit may include a second power source. The work piece and the first and second segments may be disposed in a common solution, and current may be applied in the first circuit and the second circuit to create first and second metal surfaces. The first and second metal surfaces may be made from the same base metal. The first and second metal surfaces may be created simultaneously, with the work piece and the first and second segments disposed in a common solution.

Method for creating multiple electrical current pathways on a work piece

A method for plating a work piece. An electroless layer of material is applied to the work piece using an electroless plating process. The method includes creating a barrier in electrical conductivity in the work piece to divide the work piece into a first segment and a second segment which are substantially electrically insulated from one another, prior to electroplating the work piece. A plurality of methods are disclosed for dividing the work piece into the first and second segments.

A floating metallized element assembly and method of manufacturing thereof are disclosed. The floating metallized element assembly includes a work piece of a plateable resin and a non-plateable resin including a front side and a back side. The work piece includes at least one plated decorative region on the plateable resin at the front side. The work piece also includes at least one network of the plateable resin at the back side. The work piece additionally includes a plurality of discrete current paths of the plateable resin extending from the at least one network to the at least one plated decorative region. The work piece also includes at least one non-plated decorative region of the non-plateable resin adjacent the at least one decorative region. Metal surfaces are adhered to and disposed on the at least one plated decorative region.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Michael LaVallee