The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 01, 2008
Filed:
Aug. 05, 2005
Joseph Meinke, Gowen, MI (US);
Robert L. Bingle, Zeeland, MI (US);
Todd Pastrick, Spring Lake, MI (US);
Ian R. Pettigrew, Sparta, MI (US);
Thomas R. Futryk, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Todd Trap, Kentwood, MI (US);
Joseph Meinke, Gowen, MI (US);
Robert L. Bingle, Zeeland, MI (US);
Todd Pastrick, Spring Lake, MI (US);
Ian R. Pettigrew, Sparta, MI (US);
Thomas R. Futryk, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Todd Trap, Kentwood, MI (US);
ADAC Plastics, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicular trim component comprises a substrate having external and internal surfaces and a finish on at least one of the external and internal surfaces. An illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state is positioned behind the substrate to direct light through the finish with the illumination source is in the illuminated state. A mask associated with the substrate defines at least a masked portion and an unmasked portion, wherein the unmasked portion transmits more light than the unmasked portion. The finish extends across both the masked portion and the unmasked portion to conceal visible differences between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state. When the illumination source is in the illuminated state, light passes through the unmasked portion and the finish to provide a visible distinction between the masked portion and the unmasked portion.