Coated exterior mirror housing for vehicles
First Claim
1. A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:
- a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface being exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted; and
a coating of transparent polymeric material on at least a portion of said outside housing surface, said transparent polymeric material having a refractive index from about 1.35 to about 1.67 measured at the sodium D line and at 20°
C., and having incorporated therein at least one ultraviolet radiation absorbing, blocking or screening additive to resist ultraviolet radiation degradation of said resinous plastic material of said housing, whereby said coated outside housing surface portion of said exterior rearview mirror has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultraviolet radiation degradation, increased gloss and increased depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles provides increased gloss and depth of color in appearance, and enhanced resistance to scratching, surface crazing and ultraviolet radiation degradation. The housing is preferably molded from a resinous plastic material in a predetermined color and has a generally transparent polymeric material such as clear urethane or acrylic applied in a thin coating to the unpainted housing. The generally transparent coating may include a tint or particles of metal or mica to enhance the molded housing color and/or appearance. Optionally, adhesion of the coating to the housing may be increased by mixing an adhesion promoting agent in said resinous plastic material prior to molding, or by treating the housing surface after molding and prior to application of the coating. An ultraviolet radiation absorbing, blocking, screening material may be included in the generally transparent polymeric material. A method for making the coated exterior rearview mirror housing is also disclosed.
192 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:
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a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface being exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted; and a coating of transparent polymeric material on at least a portion of said outside housing surface, said transparent polymeric material having a refractive index from about 1.35 to about 1.67 measured at the sodium D line and at 20°
C., and having incorporated therein at least one ultraviolet radiation absorbing, blocking or screening additive to resist ultraviolet radiation degradation of said resinous plastic material of said housing, whereby said coated outside housing surface portion of said exterior rearview mirror has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultraviolet radiation degradation, increased gloss and increased depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A coated housing for exterior rearview mirrors for vehicles comprising:
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a molded housing having an outside surface and an inside surface, said outside surface being exposed and visible from the vehicle exterior, said housing being adapted to house a reflective rearview mirror element when mounted on a vehicle, said housing being molded from a resinous plastic material of a predetermined color and being unpainted; and a coating of transparent polymeric material on at least a portion of said outside housing surface, said transparent polymeric material having a refractive index from about 1.35 to about 1.67 measured at the sodium D line and at 20°
C., and having at least one of a tint compound and a pigmentation in a desired color to enhance the color of said resinous plastic material of said housing, whereby said coated outside housing surface portion of said exterior rearview mirror has at least one of enhanced scratch resistance, enhanced resistance to surface crazing, increased resistance to ultraviolet radiation degradation, increased gloss and increased depth of color in appearance as compared to said housing when uncoated with said coating. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification