Superposed colors graphic for providing a continuous color fade transition between two colors

• US 20050041033A1
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Hilts, Christopher S., Embach, James Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,095,425 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2410/12 Production or manufacturing of vehicle parts

Abstract

A superposed colors graphic providing a true, continuous color fade transition between two different colors achieved by applying first and second color graphics onto respectively different side surfaces of at least one transparent substrate, each color graphic having a respective color fade. The first and second color graphics are mutually aligned such that the color fade of each of the color graphics are mutually coextensive and superposed so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between the colors. The first and second color graphics may be applied to the respective substrate side surfaces by any suitable method, such as for example by silk screening, by lithography or by decorative film applique.

Claims

1. A superposed colors graphic providing a continuous color fade transition between two different colors, comprising:

a transparent substrate having a first side surface and an opposite second side surface;

a first color graphic applied to said first side surface, said first color graphic having a first color fade of color intensity of a first color extending between a first origin and a first terminus; and

a second color graphic applied to said second side surface, said second color graphic having a second color fade of color intensity of a second color different from said first color extending between a second origin and a second terminus;

wherein said first and second color fades are mutually superposed such that direction of said first color fade from said first origin to said first terminus is opposite to direction of said second color fade from said second origin to said second terminus so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between said first and second colors.

2. The superposed colors graphic of claim 1, wherein said first and second color graphics have preselected shapes and relative positions so that said first color fade is coextensive with said second color fade.

3. The superposed colors graphic of claim 2, wherein said first color fade has a positional rate of change between said first origin and said first terminus that is equal to a positional rate of change of said second color fade between said second origin and said second terminus.

4. The superposed colors graphic of claim 3, further comprising a light reflective surface adjacent said substrate which provides direct light viewing of said first and second color graphics.

5. The superposed colors graphic of claim 4, wherein said substrate comprises a thin sheet of transparent material.

6. The superposed colors graphic of claim 3, further comprising a light source adjacent said substrate which provides back-light viewing of said first and second color graphic.

7. The superposed colors graphic of claim 6, wherein said substrate comprises a thin sheet of transparent material.

8. A superposed colors graphic for providing a continuous color fade transition between two different colors, comprising:

a transparent first substrate having a first substrate first side surface and an opposite first substrate second side surface;

a first color graphic applied to said first substrate first side surface, said first color graphic having a first color fade of color intensity of a first color extending between a first origin and a first terminus;

a second substrate having a second substrate first side surface and an opposite second substrate second side surface; and

a second color graphic applied to said second substrate first side surface, said second color graphic having a second color fade of color intensity of a second color different from said first color extending between a second origin and a second terminus;

wherein said first and second substrates are mutually adjacent such that said first and second color fades are mutually superposed, wherein the superposition is such that direction of said first color fade from said first origin to said first terminus is opposite to direction of said second color fade from said second origin to said second terminus so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between said first and second colors.

9. The superposed colors graphic of claim 10, wherein each of said first and second substrates is transparent.

10. The superposed colors graphic of claim 8, wherein said first and second color graphics have preselected shapes and relative positions so that said first color fade is coextensive with said second color fade.

11. The superposed colors graphic of claim 10, wherein said first color fade has a positional rate of change between said first origin and said first terminus that is equal to a positional rate of change of said second color fade between said second origin and said second terminus.

12. The superposed colors graphic of claim 11, wherein each of said first and second substrates is transparent.

13. The superposed colors graphic of claim 12, further comprising a light reflective surface adjacent a selected side surface of one of said first and second substrates which provides direct light viewing of said first and second color graphics.

14. The superposed colors graphic of claim 13, wherein the mutual adjoinder of said first and second substrates is retained by an attachment.

15. The superposed colors graphic of claim 12, further comprising a light source adjacent a selected side surface of one of said first and second substrates which provides back-light viewing of said first and second color graphics.

16. The superposed colors graphic of claim 15, wherein the mutual adjoinder of said first and second substrates is retained by an attachment.

17. A method for providing a superposed colors graphic featuring a continuous color fade transition between two different colors, comprising the steps of:

applying a first color graphic to a side surface of at least one selected transparent substrate, wherein the first color graphic has a first color fade of color intensity of a first color extending between a first origin and a first terminus;

applying a second color graphic to another side surface of the at least one selected transparent substrate, wherein the second color graphic has a second color fade of color intensity of a second color extending between a second origin and a second terminus;

wherein said steps of applying mutually superposes said first and second color fades such that direction of said first color fade from said first origin to said first terminus is opposite to direction of said second color fade from said second origin to said second terminus so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between said first and second colors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said steps of applying provide said first and second color graphic with preselected shapes and relative positions so that said first color fade is coextensive with said second color fade.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said steps of applying provide said first color fade with a positional rate of change between said first origin and said first terminus that is equal to a positional rate of change of said second color fade between said second origin and said second terminus.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one selected transparent substrate comprises a transparent first substrate and a second substrate, said method further comprising:

said first step of applying comprising the first graphic being applied to a side surface of the first substrate;

said the second step of applying comprising the second graphic being applied to a side surface of the second substrate; and

adjoining said first and second substrates to thereby provide the coextensive superposition of said first color graphic with respect to said second color graphic.