Lacks Enterprises, Inc.

Thomas Hawkins

Paul Nikandrou

Ryan Lacks

Brian Wojtczak

Nick Hrnyak

David Walters

Michael LaVallee

Alan Fanta

A decorative automotive component includes a structure having a textured surface with a plurality of light-reflecting facets. The textured surface is selectively metallized, such as via electroplating, such that a plurality of openings are defined through the metal material and which expose the underlying substrate. A first light source, hidden from view, is disposed above the textured surface and directs light onto the reflective textured surface, such that light is reflected outwardly therefrom. A second light source is disposed within the structure and below the substrate, and directs light through substrate and directly into and through openings, such that the openings are illuminated and visible. The light sources can be activated individually or at the same time to combine the lighting effect.

Automotive workpiece with direct and indirect lighting

A roof rail includes a gasket that is formed of a liquid gasket material that is applied in a liquid state and cured to define a gasket. The liquid gasket material may be applied robotically. The liquid gasket material may be applied either before or after the roof rail is attached to a corresponding vehicle structure. The gasket may be recessed, flush, or proud relative to a lower surface of the roof rail. The liquid gasket material may be applied during the molding process of the roof rail. The roof rail may be formed of a plateable resin material, and the liquid gasket material may be non-platable and bonded bond to the plateable resin material. The roof rail having the gasket may be plated, with the plating material bonding to the areas of the roof rail that are not covered by the gasket.

Automotive roof rail system

A roof rail for a vehicle is provided that is made of only one piece and is solid across its length. The roof rail may be made using a co-injection molding process, a two-shot injection molding process or an extrusion molding process.

Method of forming a one-piece vehicle roof rail

One-piece vehicle roof rail

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 roof rail and an apparatus for attaching the roof rail to the roof of a vehicle are provided. The roof rail is elongated and includes a bottom portion for engaging the outer surface of the roof. The roof rail also includes inboard and outboard side portions extending between the bottom portion and a top portion. An access hole is provided in the roof rail on an inboard side portion or at a location that is lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail for providing access to a fastener such as a roof stud or bolt attaching the roof rail to the roof. The access hole is blocked from view from a laterally outer side of the roof rail.

Vehicle roof rail attachment apparatus and method

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 cargo support system and cargo support rails therefor are provided. The cargo support rails include a tubular wall extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite ends. The tubular wall includes a plurality of carbon fibers and a fibrous mat bonded to one another by a cured resin.

Motor vehicle cargo support system, rails therefor and methods of construction thereof

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.

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Lowell, MI, United States of America

Thomas Hawkins