Decorative covering for an interior trim component

• US 20050225113A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grupo Antolin-Irausa, S.A.
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Svenson, Richard N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,159,914 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/39.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/02 Internal Trim mouldings ; Internal Ledges; Wall liners for passenger compartments; Roof liners B60R13/01 takes precedence ; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0281 made of a plurality of visible parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A decorative covering for an internal trim component for a vehicle comprises an outer surface that includes a gradient characteristic when referenced to an adjacent trim component. The gradient characteristic may comprise a plurality of texture gradient zones and/or a plurality of color gradients. A method of manufacturing the decorative covering and the internal trim component with the decorative covering is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A decorative covering for an interior trim component comprising an outer surface having one of a color and a texture gradient characteristic when referenced from one of an outer surface color and an outer surface texture of an adjacent trim component.

2. The decorative covering of claim 1, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of texture gradients zones.

3. The decorative covering of claim 2, wherein the plurality of texture gradient zones transition from a first texture gradient zone having a first texture to a second texture gradient zone having a second, different texture.

4. The decorative covering of claim 1, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of color gradients.

5. The decorative covering of claim 4, wherein the plurality of color gradients transition from a first color gradient having a first color to a second color gradient having a second, different color.

6. An internal trim component for a vehicle, comprising:

a trim member, and

a decorative covering comprising an outer surface having one of a color and a texture gradient characteristic when referenced from one of an outer surface color and an outer surface texture of an adjacent trim component.

7. The internal trim component of claim 6, wherein the decorative covering is adhered to an outer surface of the trim member.

8. The internal trim component of claim 6, wherein the decorative covering is integrally formed with the trim member.

9. The internal trim component of claim 6, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of texture gradients zones.

10. The internal trim component of claim 9, wherein the plurality of texture gradient zones transition from a first texture gradient zone having a first texture to a second texture gradient zone having a second, different texture.

11. The internal trim component of claim 6, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of color gradients.

12. The internal trim component of claim 11, wherein the plurality of color gradients transition from a first color gradient having a first color to a second color gradient having a second, different color.

13. A method of manufacturing a decorative covering for an internal trim component for a vehicle comprising the step of forming an outer surface having one of a color and a texture gradient characteristic when referenced from one of an outer surface color and an outer surface texture of an adjacent trim component.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of color gradients that are printed on the outer surface of the decorative covering.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of texture gradient zones that are formed by stamping, roll-pressing or molding the decorative covering.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of texture gradients zones.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of texture gradient zones transition from a first texture gradient zone having a first texture to a second texture gradient zone having a second, different texture.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of color gradients.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of color gradients transition from a first color gradient having a first color to a second color gradient having a second, different color.

20. A method for manufacturing an internal trim component for a vehicle comprising the step of integrally molding a decorative covering with a trim member such that the decorative covering comprising an outer surface having one of a color and a texture gradient characteristic when referenced from one of an outer surface color and an outer surface texture of an adjacent trim component.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of texture gradients zones.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of texture gradient zones transition from a first texture gradient zone having a first texture to a second texture gradient zone having a second, different texture.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the gradient characteristic comprises a plurality of color gradients.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of color gradients transition from a first color gradient having a first color to a second color gradient having a second, different color.