Decorative fitting

• US 4,626,454 A
• Filed: 08/05/1985
• Issued: 12/02/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company Kohler WI
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Sandman, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kittle, John E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ryan, Patrick J.
• Application Number:
  US06/762,261
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 428/15, 428/90, 428/908.8, 428/919, 428/13, 428/48, 74/501 P, 74/557, 264/261, 264/267, 30/164, 156/244.22, 156/292, 425/110, 425/117, 425/127, 425/129 R, 425/812
• US Class Current: 428/13
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 3/046 using a modelling surface, e.g. plate
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/005 comprising inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/06 produced by transmitted light, e.g. transparencies, imitations of glass paintings
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/066 comprising at least two transparent elements, e.g. sheets, layers layered products of glass and synthetic resin containing decorations or patterns B32B17/10247; window units comprising two or more parallel glass panes E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 425/812 Venting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/919 Camouflaged article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/164 Continuous two dimensionally sectional layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23943 Flock surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20432 for moving a mirror
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20864 Handles

Abstract

A decorative fitting having an internal layer as well as a method of fabricating it are disclosed. Preferably, the color layer is a very thin color wall dimensioned so that when it is viewed at one angle it gives the appearance of being a solid wall, yet when it is viewed at another angle it is substantially transparent. To make the color wall, one preferably forms a frame on a first substantially transparent panel such that the frame projects out from the first panel surface. One then abuts a second substantially transparent panel against the frame so as to form a color material insert cavity point, one injects a flowable colored material/adhesive mixture into the cavity and permits the colored adhesive to harden and bind the panel walls together. Thereafter, one cuts the transparent panels into a multiplicity of handle components by cutting the walls along lines partially transverse to the color layer. This forms multiple handle components which are a sandwich of the walls with the color layer in between.

Claims

1. A method of forming a decorative fitting so that it has an internal color layer, comprising:

forming a frame on a first substantially transparent panel such that the frame projects out from a side surface of the first panel;

abutting a second substantially transparent panel against the frame so as to form a color-insert cavity, said cavity being defined by the edges of the frame and the space between adjacent walls of the transparent panels;

placing a flowable color material and adhesive in the cavity and permitting the color material and adhesive to harden in the cavity and bind to the panels so as to form a sandwich structure; and

cutting the sandwich structure into at least two fitting components, both of which comprise a sandwich of a portion of both of the panels with a segment of the color layer in between.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the decorative fitting is a handle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame is integrally formed with the first transparent panel.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed by adhering metal shim segments to the first transparent panel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame has a gap in it so as to permit air from the cavity to escape when the color material and adhesive are placed in the cavity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the color material and adhesive are injected into the cavity under pressure through a transverse hole formed in one of the transparent panels.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame projects out from the first panel side surface less than 0.040 inches in the direction of the second panel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an acrylic adhesive.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent panels are clamped together while the color material and adhesive are hardening.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a second frame is formed on the first panel on the surface which is opposite from the first side surface, and a third transparent panel abutting against the second frame is used to form a second color layer on that side of the first panel.

11. A decorative fitting having at least one internal color layer formed therein, comprising:

a first substantially transparent panel;

at least a second substantially transparent panel; and

a thin layer of colored material positioned between said panels having a thickness no greater than 0.04 inches.

12. The decorative fitting of claim 11 further comprising a third substantially transparent panel with an additional layer of said colored material placed between said first panel and said third panel.

13. The decorative fitting of claim 12, wherein said color material is mixed in an adhesive.

14. The decorative fitting of claim 13, wherein the color material is mixed in an acrylic resin.

15. A handle knob having at least one internal color layer formed therein, comprising:

a first substantially transparent panel;

at least a second substantially transparent panel; and

one or more layers of colored solidified material positioned between said panels, said one or more layers of colored material constructed and arranged so as to be visible at one position, yet substantially invisible when viewed 90 degrees therefrom.