Trim for a motor vehicle

• US 8,998,282 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2010
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plasman US Holdco LLC (Plasman Holdings LP)
• Original Assignee: Dura Automotive Body & Glass Systems GmbH (LD Investment LLC)
• Inventors: Gerndorf, Ralf, Schulte, Martin, Schulze Zur Wiesche, Jochen, Bittner, Norfried, Nsken, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Daniels, Jason S
• Application Number:
  US13/263,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20120032463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.08, 296/21, 362/487, 362/488, 362/489, 362/84, 362/546, 200/5.A, 200/600, 327/517
• US Class Current: 296/1.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• 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 13/0243 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/23 using manual input of alphanumerical codes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/04 Door pillars ; windshield pillars

Abstract

A trim made of plastics for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises a first component (7) made of plastics and a second component (8) made of plastics. To improve such trim, the first component (7) is at least partly transparent or semi-transparent. The second component (8) includes one or more recesses (10, 11, 12) for a display element and/or for an input element (FIG. 2).

Claims

1. A trim made of plastics for a vehicle with a first component (7) and a second component (8) separately formed and securable together, wherein

the first component (7) is at least partly transparent or semi-transparent,

the second component (8) includes one or more recesses (10, 11, 12;

36) for a display element (14, 15, 16;

44, 45) and/or an input element (44, 45),

additionally comprising a separate housing (13, 40) arranged for encompassing and securing the display element (14, 15, 16;

44, 45) and/or input element (44, 45) in the one or more recesses (10, 11, 12;

36),

the second component (8) comprises

a frame (17) extending circumferentially around the one or more recesses (10, 11, 12) and protruding from a plane of the second component (8),

a first hook (18) protruding from the plane of second component (8), and

second and third hooks (19, 19) protruding from the plane of the second component (8) on a side of the circumferentially-extending frame (17) opposite the first hook (18), and

the housing (13) comprises

a wall (26) extending circumferentially around the housing (13),

a first hook (20) extending from the circumferential wall (26) to interlock with the first hook (18) of the second component (8),

second and third hooks (21, 21) extending from the circumferential wall (26) to respectively interlock with the second and third hooks (19, 19) of the second component (8),

a groove (23) circumferentially-extending around the circumferential wall (26) to receive the circumferentially-extending frame (17) protruding from the second component (8), and

one or chambers (27, 28, 29) for each receiving a respective display element (14, 15, 16).

2. The trim according to claim 1, wherein the first component (7) is made of a thermoplastic material, preferably of PMMA.

3. The trim according to claim 1, wherein the first component 7) has a glossy surface and/or elevations.

4. The trim according to claim 1, wherein the second component (8) is made of a thermoplastic material, preferably of ABS.

5. The trim according to claim 1, additionally comprising a circumferentially-extending seal (31) between a base of the circumferentially-extending groove (23) of the housing (13) and an outer end of the circumferentially-extending me (17) of the second component (8).

6. The trim according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one display element (14, 15, 16;

44, 45) and/or input element (44, 45) encompassed by said separate housing (13, 40) and received in said one or more recesses (10, 11, 12;

36).

7. The trim according to claim 6, wherein the one or more display (44;

45) and/or input elements (44, 45) are self-luminous.

8. The trim according to claim 6, wherein the one or more display (14, 15, 16) and/or input elements can be illuminated, preferably by an illuminating means (30).

9. The trim according to claim 8, wherein the one or more display and/or input elements and/or the one or more illuminating means can be activated or varied by a sensor and/or a switch.

10. The trim according to claim 6, wherein the charge condition of a battery-powered vehicle and/or a graphic, a lettering and/or a logo and/or a flasher and/or a locking information and/or a reflector and/or a parking time information and/or a taxi information can be indicated by the display element.

11. The trim according to claim 6, wherein the input element comprises a keypad (44, 45) and/or a sensor.