United States Patent
`Wenrick
`[45] Mar. 1,1977
`
`[11]
`
`4,010,297
`
`[19]
`
`[[54] COMPOSITE DECORATIVE TRIM STRIP
`FOR AUTOMOBILE SIDE BODIES
`Inventor:
`Brian A. Wenrick, Dayton, Ohio
`
`[75]
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Protective Treatments, 'Inc., Dayton,
`Ohio
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`, Feb. 23, 1976
`660,005
`[21] Appl.No.:
`[52] US. Cl. ................................... 428/31; 428/41;
`428/77; 428/189; 52/716; 293/1; 293/62
`Int. Cl.2 ...................... 3323 7/06; 8323 3/30;
`B60R 13/04; BGlF 19/04
`[58] Field of Search ............ 428/31, 40, 41, 77—78,
`428/189; 293/1, 62; 52/716
`References Cited
`
`[51]
`
`[56]
`
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`3,439,950
`3,687,792
`3,687,794
`3,770,545
`
`4/1969
`8/1972
`8/1972
`11/1973
`
`Kunevicius ...................... 428/40 X
`Ruff ..................
`52/716 X
`
`Shanok et a1.
`.. 428/189 X
`
`Jackson ............... 52/716 X
`
`Primary Examiner—Philip Dier
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dressler, Goldsmith,
`Clement, Gordon, & Shore, Ltd.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A composite trim strip structure comprising two adhe-
`sively bonded, non-coextensive body portions, the first
`body portion being a narrow strip having decorative
`longitudinal side strips and a second, wider body por-
`tion adapted to receive the first body portion and form
`additional, parallel, longitudinally decorative strips on
`either side of the first body portion. Each body portion
`is backed with elastomeric adhesive layers. When the
`trim strip is assembled and adhered to the side of.a car,
`the plural adhesive layers serve to distribute impact
`force and the trim strip better resists separation from
`the car when impacted.
`
`16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
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`Wavelock
`Exhibit1015
`Page1
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 1, 1977
`
`4,010,297
`
`I
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1015
`Page 2
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,010,297
`
`COMPOSITE DECORATIVE TRIM STRIP FOR
`AUTOMOBILE SIDE BODIFS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Trim strips of various configurations have been used
`for years in the automotive industry as a means of
`achieving the desired decorative effects on the interior
`of an automobile and for protective purposes on the
`exterior of the automobile. In recent years, increasing
`emphasis has been placed on achieving various decora-
`tive effects on automobile exteriors as well as providing
`improved trim strips which can be adhesively secured
`to the body of the automobile in a manner which resists
`separation from the car when impacted.
`While the prior art has addressed itself to trim strips
`which are adapted for use to decorate various struc-
`tures, but especially automobile side bodies, there ex—
`ists a need for an improved trim strip which can be
`adhesively secured to the surface to be decorated, and
`which better resists separation when impacted, as well
`as provides a means for custom decorating such sur-
`faces. The present invention provides such a trim strip.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The trim strip of this invention is a composite trim
`strip constituted by two longitudinally extending adhe-
`sively bonded plastic body portions which are prefer-
`ably laterally non-coextensive. The first body portion is
`desirably of narrow width and of a first color, and this
`first body portion can include contrasting decorative
`longitudinal side strips. The second body portion is
`desirably wider than the firSt and is preferably of a
`second color. The second body portion is adapted to
`adhesively receive the narrow first body portion and
`thus form additional, parallel, longitudinal decorative
`strips on either side of the narrow plastic body portion.
`Each body portion is backed with an adhesive layer,
`preferably an elastomeric adhesive layer, and can be
`stored separately to simplify storage of multiple c0mbi-
`nations. When the two body portions are adhesively
`assembled and the trim- strip is adhesively adhered to
`the side of a car, the two elastomeric layers serve to
`distribute impact force and the trim strip better resists
`separation from the car when impacted.
`The two body portions may be the same or of differ-
`ent color, depending on the desired decorative effect.
`The parallel longitudinal side strips of the narrow plas-
`tic body portion are preferably metallized strips and
`polyvinyl chloride plastic is the plastic of preference.
`When the first or outer body portion of the trim strip
`is impacted, the impact force is transmitted to both
`resilient adhesive layers and in turn to the side of the
`vehicle body. Thus, the two strips and the two resilient
`adhesive layers serve to distribute the impact force,
`enabling the trim strip to better resist separation from
`the vehicle body when impacted.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The present invention will be further illustrated by
`reference to the following detailed description taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile with a
`trim strip of this invention secured to the side surface
`thereof:
`FIG. 2Is a sectional perspective view ofthe first body
`portion of the trim strip of thisinvention;
`
`IO
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`2
`FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the second
`body portion of the trim strip of this invention;
`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a segment of a
`trim strip in accordance with this invention, the trim
`strip being mounted on a paper support;
`FIG. 5IS a sectional view of the trim strip taken along
`lines 5——5 of FIG. 4; and
`FIG. 6IS a sectional view of a trim strip taken along
`line 6—6 of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, trim strip
`10 is shown in position on the side surface 11 of a
`vehicle such as automobile 12. While trim strip 10 can
`be placed at various points along side surface 11, it is
`preferred that the trim strip 10 extend from front
`fender 14, across door 16 and substantially along rear
`fender 18.
`Turning to FIGS 2 and 3, trim strip 1015 preferably
`constructed of two adhesively bonded, laterally non-
`coextensive body,portions: first or upper body portion
`20 and second or lower body portion 22. First body
`portion 20, in one preferred embodiment, has a narrow
`plastic body portion 21 of a first color. While the pre-
`ferred plastic material is polyvinyl chloride, the plastic
`material may be of any of several flexible impact resis-
`tant plastics. Exemplary plastics are polyvinylidene
`chloride, nylon, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyure-
`thanes, or chlorinated polyethylene, which are cited
`merely by way of illustration. It is to be understood that
`any suitable thermoplastic material or pigmented plas-
`tic can be utilized.
`The plastic body portion 21 is normally extruded in
`conventional manner to whichever shape is desired. In
`one preferred embodiment, first body portion 20 has an
`upper surface 24 which is visible as the outer surface
`'when the trim strip is assembled and secured to auto-
`mobile 12. Longitudinally disposed, parallel spaced
`apart channels 26 and 28 define shoulder portions 30
`and 32 of body portion 20. Longitudinally decorative
`'strips 34 and 36 can be adhered to shoulder portions 30
`and 32, respectively, for decorative purposes. Strips 34
`and 36 are preferably metallic, or metallized strips.
`The lower surface 38 of first body portion 20 is pref-
`erably completely flat, however, it may deviate from
`perfect flatness and be somewhat concave or convex.
`However, as lower surface 38 is received by and ad-
`hered to upper surface-44 of second body portion 22,
`the two surfaces must either both be flat or be of com-
`
`patible configurations.
`An underlying resilient adhesive layer 40'1s provided
`to secure the lower surface 38 of body portion 20 to the
`upper surface 44 of body portion 22. A non-adhesive
`layer 42 preferably of strippable paper is placed over
`the outer surface of adhesive layer 40 for storage pur-
`poses.
`Referring to FIG. 3, second or lower plastic body
`portion 22 is preferably wider than first or upper body
`portion 20 and can be the same, or a different color
`than body portion 20. Body portion 22 has upper sur-
`face 44 which is adapted to receive lower surface 38 of
`body portion 20. Longitudinally disposed, parallel,
`spaced-apart shoulder portions 46 and 48 of body por-
`tion 22 form a second pair of longitudinally extending,
`spaced apart decorative strips on either side of strips 34
`and 36 of body portion 20.
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1015
`Page 3
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)
`
`

`

`4,010,297.
`
`3
`Body portion 22 has‘an underlying resilient adhesive
`layer 52 which serves to adhere lower surface .50 of
`body portion 22 to automobile =12. Strippable non-
`adhesive layer 54 overlies adhesive layer 52. The wider
`body portion provides better adhesion to side surface
`11 of automobile 12 because of the concomitant wider
`resilient adhesive layer which affords a greater cohe—
`sive area between the trim strip and the vehicle body.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, to assemble trim strip 10,
`strippable non-adhesive layer 42 is removed from body
`portion 20 and lower surface 38 Of body portion 20 is
`securably affixed to upper surface 44 of body portion
`22 by resilient adhesive layer 40. Metallized strips 34
`and 36 provide decorative surfaces on either side of
`upper surface 24 of body portion 20. Shoulder portions
`46 and 48 provide additional decorative strips on either
`side of metallized strips 34 and 36. These shoulder
`portions can be the same or a different color than sur-
`face 24.
`
`-
`
`4
`of $41 - % inch. The body portion 22 desirably has a
`width of % to? 1% inch, and a width of 511 to ‘24: inch.
`While any one of a number of suitable pressure sensi-
`tive adhesive materials may be utilized in the practice
`of this invention, the preferred material is an elasto-
`meric tape coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, as
`more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,245.
`Elastomericadhesive layers 40 and 52 desirably have
`a thickness of at least 0.01 inch, preferably in the range
`of about 0.03 inch to about 0.08 inch and are coated
`with pressure sensitive adhesive to provide superior
`absorption of impact forces within each of the adhesive
`layers- As more fully explained in U.S. Pat. No.
`3,896,245, the preferred adhesive layers are consti-
`tuted by tacky and permanently compressible non-por-
`ous cohesive material having little or no resilience and
`constituted by elastomeric material compounded with
`from 0.45 to 2.5 times its weight of low volatile liquid
`plasticizer and at least 0.93 times its weight of finely
`divided solids, these solids including from 0.5 to 2%
`parts, per part of elastomeric material, of finely divided
`bulk fibrous solids or solids that form thixotropic mix-
`tures with the liquid plasticizer so that the adhesive
`layer can be deformed by pressure above about 15 psi,
`but exhibiting negligible flow at 0.6 psi.
`While the invention has been described in connec-
`tion with the preferred use of flexible and impact resis-
`tant plastics, it will be appreciated that the plastic can
`be reinforced, as with fibers, and even non-plastic ma-
`terials can be used, such as aluminum.
`'
`What1s claimed1s:
`
`1. A trim strip structure comprising: first and second
`adhesively bonded plastic longitudinal body portions,
`said first body portion having an upper surface and .a
`lower surface, said second body portion having. an
`upper surface which is adhesively bonded to the lower
`surface of ‘said first body portion by means of a first
`resilient adhesive layer underlying the lower surface of
`said first body portion, said second body portion having
`a lower surface adapted to contact. and be adhesively
`bonded to a surface of an article to be decorated, and
`a second resilient adhesive layer underlying the lower
`surface of said second body portion.
`2. The trim strip structure of claim 1 wherein each of
`said adhesive layers has a thickness of at least 0.01
`inch.
`
`3. The trim strip structure of claim 1 wherein each of
`said adhesive layers has a thickness of from about 0.03
`to about 0.08- inch.
`4. The trim strip structure of claim 2 wherein said
`adhesive layers are elastomeric layers coated with pres-
`sure sensitive adhesive.
`
`5. The trim strip structure of claim 1 wherein said
`trim strip additionally includes a strippable, non-adhe-
`sive layer underlying said second adhesive layer.
`6. A trim structure comprising: first and second adhe-
`sively bonded laterally non-coextensive, longitudinal
`body} portions, the first of said body portions having an
`upper surface and a lower surface, the second of said
`body portions being wider than said first body portion,
`said second body portion having an upper surface
`whichrs adhesively bonded to said lower surface of the
`first body portion by means of a first resilient adhesive
`layer underlying the lower surface of said first body
`portion, said second body portion having a lower sur-
`face adapted to contact and be adhesively bonded to a
`surface of anarticle to be decorated, and a second
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1015
`Page 4
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`35
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`«o
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`The construction of trim strip 10 prior to its being
`adhered to a vehicle surface is further illustrated in
`FIG. 5. When upper or first body portion 20 is affixed
`to lower or second body portion 22, the trim strip 10
`includes two resilient, preferably elastomeric adhesive
`layers 40 and 52 respectively. While any suitable adhe-
`sive material can be utilized, one feature of this inven--
`tion is to provide two energy-absorbing adhesive layers
`which serve to distribute impact force. Thus, when trim ‘
`strip 10 is adhesively assembled and adhered to the side
`30
`surface 1 l of automobile 12, the two elastomeric layers
`serve to distribute impact force and thus to better resist
`separation from the car when the first or upper body
`portion 20 is impacted. In order to adhere trim strip 10
`to a vehicle body, non-adhesive layer 54 is removed
`and the trim strip 10 is adhered to the vehicle body in
`the conventional manner, as shown in FIG. 6.,
`By fabricating the trim strip 10 in two portions, upper
`body portion 20 and lower body portion 22, there has
`been provided a simple means for easily customizing
`decorative trim strips. For example, if a customer or-
`ders a pale blue car with navy and pale blue trim, pale
`' blue body portion 20 would be affixed to a navy blue
`body portion 22 to provide an attractive, customized
`trim strip. For storage purposes, a plurality of separate
`body portions 20 can be stored. Similarly, a plurality of
`body portions 22 can be separately stored. These can
`then be combined as desired.
`The impact resistant plastic material utilized in the
`constructions of body portions 20 and 22 should have
`sufficient rigidity to resist indentations and support the
`metallized decorative strips 34 and 36, yet be flexible
`enough to be conformed to the vehicle body surface
`11. It is accordingly preferred that the rigidity of ,the
`plastic material used be in the range of 30—60 on the
`Shore “D” scale at ambient temperature.
`Referring again to metallized decorative strips 34 and
`36, the preferred material is aluminum in the form of
`' aluminum foil, or a metallized plastic strip, but the
`selection here is of no consequence to the inventive
`feature herein. Indeed, the strips 34 and 36 may be
`omitted.
`
`In the ebodiment illustrated, body portion 20 has a
`width of
`inch and a thickness of 5/16 inch, and the
`body portion 22 has width of 1% inch and a thickness
`of 3/16 inch. These sizes are subject to variation, it
`being presently preferred to have the body portion 20
`have a width in the range of % to 5% inchand thickness
`
`65
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`

`

`5
`
`4,010,297
`
`resilient adhesive layer underlying the lower surface of
`said second body portion.
`‘7. The trim strip structure of claim 6 wherein each of
`said adhesive layers has a thickness of at least 0.01
`inch.
`
`8. The trim strip structure of claim 6 wherein each of
`said adhesive layers has a thickness of from about 0.03
`to about 0.08 inch.
`.
`
`9. The trim strip structure of claim 6 wherein said
`first longitudinal body portion additionally includes
`first and second decorative, longitudinal sides strips.
`10. The trim strip structure of claim 6 wherein said
`trim strip additionally includes a strippable, non-adhe—
`sive layer underlying said second adhesive layer.
`11. The trim strip structure of claim 9 wherein each
`of said adhesive layers has a thickness of at least 0.01
`inch.
`
`12. The trim strip structure of claim 9 wheein each of
`said adhesive layers has a thickness of from about 0.03
`to about 0.08 inch, and said body portions are'plastic.
`
`5
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`50
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`6
`13. The trim strip structure of claim 9 wherein said
`trim strip additionally includes a strippable, non—adhe-
`sive layer underlying said second adhesive layer.
`14. The trim strip structure of claim 11 wherein said
`trim strip additionally includes a strippable, non-adhe-
`sive layer underlying said second adhesive layer.
`15. The trim strip structure of claim 12 wherein said
`trim strip additionally includes a strippable, non-adhe-
`sive layer underlying said second adhesive layer.
`16. The trim strip structure of claim 4 Wherein said
`elastomeric layers are constituted by tacky and perma-
`nently compressible nonporous cohesive material hav-
`ing little or no resilience and formed of elastomeric
`material compounded with from 0.45 to 2.5 times its
`Weight of low volatile liquid plasticizer, and at least
`0.93 times its weight of finely divided solids, said solids
`including from 0.5 to 2% parts, per part of elastomeric
`material, of finely divided bulk fibrous solids or solids
`that form thixotropic mixtures with said plasticizer, so
`that the elastomeric layer can be deformed by pressure
`above about 15 psi but exhibiting negligible flow at 0.6
`psn.
`*
`alt
`*
`*
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1015
`Page 5
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:24)
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PAIENTNO.
`
`: 4,b10,297
`
`DATED
`
`3 March 1, 1977
`
`INVENTONS): Brian A. Wenrick
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above—identified patent and that said Letters Patent
`amtwmbycmmcmdasdwwnbdow
`
`Col. 3,
`
`line 63, "embodiement" is misspelled
`
`line 64, "width of
`Col. 3,
`—-Width of 5/8 inch--
`
`inch" should read
`
`Col. 3, last line, before "thickness" insert --a--
`
`C01. 4,
`
`line 2, "5/8” should be -- l/8 -—
`
`Claim 6,
`
`line 1, after "trim“ insert -—strip—-
`
`Claim 12,
`
`line 1, "wheein" should read ——wherein-—
`
`[SEAL]
`
`Arrest:
`
`Signed and Scaled this
`
`Third Day of May 1977
`
`RUTH. C. MAHSON
`A!19-"mg Offlfl”
`
`C. MARSHALL DANN
`Commissioner nj'Patems and Trademarks
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1015
`Page 6
`(cid:58)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)
`
`