United States Patent
`Moran
`
`[19]
`
`[111
`
`[451
`
`4,397,896
`
`Aug. 9, 1983
`
`[54] A
`
`LATERALLY CURVED DECORATIVE TRIM
`STRIP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF
`MAKING SAME
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1020199 11/1977 Canada .
`
`[751
`
`Inventor:
`
`Eric Moran, Burlington, Canada
`
`[731
`
`Assignee:
`
`P.V. Trim Limited, Mississauga,
`Canada
`
`Primary Examiner—Alexander S. Thomas
`Attorney, Agent, or Fz'rm—D. E. Hewson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT‘
`
`[211
`
`[221
`
`[621
`
`[511
`[521
`
`[53]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.: 366,227
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 7, 1982
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Division of Ser. No. 233,047, Feb. 10, 1981, Pat. No.
`4,364,789.
`'
`
`Int. Cl.3 ..................... .. B60R 13/02; B60R 13/O4
`U.S. Cl. .................................... .. 428/31; 428/136;
`428/192; 156/211; 52/716; 293/128; 296/41
`Field of Search ....................... .. 428/31, 136, 192;
`156/256, 267, 211; 52/716; 293/128; 296/41
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A decorative trim strip assembly for vehicles is pro-
`vided, having a laterally curved portion formed therein.
`The assembly comprises a metallic backing plate and a
`polymeric resinous strip element (usually polyvinyl
`chloride) bonded to it.‘ At least one longitudinal slit is
`formed in the polymeric resinous material so as to form
`longitudinal strip portions therein, in the area of the
`curved portion, and each of the longitudinal strip por-
`tions is stressed to an extent less than that which would
`cause undesirable deformation. In forming the decora-
`tive strip, the slit polymeric material is placed into a jig,
`with the ends of the slit portions thereof extending to
`varying amounts beyond the curve, the jigged element
`is then bonded to the backing plate (usually by heat
`bonding), and any excess amount of polymeric material
`extending beyond the curved portion which is not re-
`quired is then trimmed off.
`
`3,745,056
`
`7/1973 Jackson ........................... .. 428/31 X
`
`7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 1
`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 9, 1933
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`Sheet 1 of 2
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`4,397,896
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`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)
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`M w
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`CIT?‘
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`TT‘.i%
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`Wavelock
`Exhibit1016
`Page3
`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)
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`

`
`1
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`4,397,896
`
`LATERALLY CURVED DECORATIVE TRIM
`STRIP ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING
`SAME
`
`CROSS-"REFERENCE
`
`This is a divisional of Ser. No. 233,047, filed Feb. 10,
`1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,789.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`This invention relates to decorative trim strip assem-
`blies, particularly composite trim strip assemblies, for
`vehicles such as automobiles, vans, trucks, watercraft
`and the like. The invention relates particularly to such
`composite decorative trim strips that have substantially
`greater width than thickness, and which are curved
`laterally in a plane generally parallel to the plane which
`defines the width of the trim strip.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`Decorative trim stripassemblies have been applied to
`vehicles, particularly automobiles, vans and the like, for '
`a great many years. Such trim strips have been in the
`form of side moldings or edgings, for both decorative
`and protective purposes. Usually such trim strips as
`body moldings and the like are formed of an extruded
`polyvinyl chloride or other polymeric resinous mate-
`rial; and they may have their outer surface covered or
`embossed, or a combination thereof, so as to give a
`particular desired decorative appearance and surface
`contour. For example, they may be covered with a
`pre-printed plastic film having such as a wood grain
`effect, or a metallized film such as polyethylene teraph-
`thalate which gives the outer surface of the trim strip a
`metallic—usually a bright metallic—appearance. Such
`trim strips have generally been bonded to the surface to
`which they are mounted by way of an adhesive backing,
`and are sufficiently pliable as to adapt to the contour of
`the surface to which they are applied.
`However, it has been the trend in vehicle design to
`use relatively broad or wide protective and/or decora-
`tive trim strips to define certain areas on the vehicle
`surface, both inside and outside the vehicle such as on
`doors, interior door panels, dashboards, and the like.
`Particularly, it has been the trend to make designs em-
`bodying wide trim strips having laterally curved por-
`tions in them, where the curve is substantially in the
`plane which defines the width of the trim strip.
`Moreover, due to the nature of the design of such
`laterally curved trim strips, and their placement on or in
`a vehicle, it is possible that they may be secured to a
`rigid backing plate of sheet steel or the like, so as to
`secure them in place and to assure that they maintain
`their curved appearance and do not tend to straighten
`themselves by bending laterally away from the direc-
`tion of the curve.
`»
`*
`'
`However, bending trim strips as aforementioned can
`create severe- compressive and tensile stresses in the
`material of the trim strip, particularly the plastic mate-
`rial, on the inside and outside respectively of the neutral
`axis of the trim strip with respect to the direction of
`lateral curvature. If these stresses are excessive, the
`appearance of the laterally curved trim strips is affected,
`and they may be crazed, stretch marked, wrinkled or
`corrugated, or the covering film or material may be
`torn.
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`One attempt to overcome the above problems has
`been to cast the portion of the decorative trim strip
`
`2
`which is laterally curved, and then to assemble it with
`conventional extruded trim strip having the same gen-
`eral, appearance in an appropriate manner according to
`the vehicle assembly procedures. However, it may very
`often happen that the cast portion has a different ap-
`pearance, colour or contour than the remaining ex-
`truded portions; and in any event, it is comparatively
`very expensive since it requires the preparation of injec-
`tion molding dies and the use of additional molding
`equipment.
`One particular attempt to solve the above problems
`has been proposed by Loew in Canadian Pat. No.
`1,020,199, issued Nov. 1, 1977. What Loew has done is
`to provide a plurality of strips of polymeric resinous
`material which are fitted side by side in the curved
`portion of a composite decorative trim strip. The vari-
`ous longitudinal strips may have differing widths, and
`each individual strip is stressed to an extent that does
`not exceed the stress’ resistance of the material of the
`respective strip. [The term “stress resistance” is defined
`hereafter.] All of the strips are bonded in a side-by-side
`fashion to a supporting substrate.
`However, the cost of handling, and extruding sepa-
`rate longitudinal polymeric strips, and assembling them
`one at a time, can become excessive; and may require
`some compromise in the design and appearance of the
`outer surface of the strip, so that the abutting edges of
`the various individual strips are not highly visible.
`Moreover, Loew generally calls for overlapped rela- -
`tionship of adjacent strips in the composite decorative
`trim strip, which requires assembly in the correct order,
`so that the handling and general labour costs in produc-
`ing each formed composite decorative trim strip having
`a lateral curvature may become quite high. “Stress resis-
`tance” of a longitudinal
`trim strip or a longitudinal
`portion of a trim strip is defined as being the limit or
`ability to which the plastic trim strip may be laterally
`bent in a curvature such‘ that the compressive and ten-
`sile forces set up on the inside and outside, respectively,
`of the neutral axis in that strip do not cause an apparent
`visible surface aberration or failure. Such surface failure
`
`may, as noted above, include crazing, tearing, stretch
`marking, wrinkling or corrugating, any of which is
`undesirable and is usually unacceptable when present in
`a laterally curved decorative trim strip of the sort con-
`templated herein.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention overcomes a number of these
`difficulties by providing that a conventional extruded
`polymeric resinous material trim strip having the de-
`sired width and surface contour may be easily and inex-
`pensively handled in such a manner that an unstressed
`laterally curved trim strip assembly is achieved. This
`means, then, that it is not necessary to separately ex-
`trude various longitudinal portions which,
`together,
`provide a composite strip having the requisite width
`and surface contour, so that additional handling and
`extruding costs can be eliminated. Moreover, the pres-
`ent invention provides an effective method for assem-
`bling a decorative trim strip having a laterally curved
`portion therein, such that the assembled trim strip and
`backing plate are securely bonded one to the other, with
`the requisite curved and surface appearance on the
`outer side thereof, away from the backing plate.
`Putting the above in other words, the width of each
`longitudinal portion of the polymeric resinous material
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit 1016
`Page4
`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)
`
`

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`4,397,896
`
`3
`strip element in the region of the at least one longitudi-
`nal slit which is formed in said strip element—and
`which is therefore positioned in a place so as to extend
`completely around the curved portion and onwards to
`one end of the decoratuve trim strip—is such that stress
`resistance of each respective longitudinal portion of the
`single, extruded polymeric resinous material strip ele-
`ment, is not exceeded for the curvature thereof in the
`curved portion of the decorative trim strip assembly.
`The method by which a decorative trim strip assem-
`bly may be made, according to this invention, therefore
`comprises the steps of providing an elongated poly-
`meric resinous material strip element having the desired
`‘width and surface configuration, and providing the
`backing plate which has the laterally curved portion
`formed therein to the desired configuration thereof,
`making at least one longitudinal slit in the polymeric
`resinous material strip element and placing it in a jig
`which also has the desired configuration, so that the slit
`extends in the strip element past and around the curved
`portion to one end of the element, and then bonding the
`plastic strip element
`to the metallic backing plate.
`Thereafter, any ends of the slit portions of the single
`slitted strip element which extend beyond a predeter-
`mined distance relative to the end of the backing plate,
`are cut off.
`Accordingly the present invention provides a decora-
`tive trim strip assembly and a method of making the
`same, economically and easily, and particularly as com-
`pared to prior assemblies and methods.
`A further object of this invention is to provide a
`method which is easily carried out by relatively un-
`skilled labour.
`Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a
`decorative trim strip assembly having a laterally curved
`portion formed therein, which may be formed in virtu-
`ally any extruded trim strip, thereby permitting greater
`design freedom for a vehicle designer.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`These and other features and objects of the invention
`are more clearly described and discussed hereafter, in
`association with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, partially idealized
`perspective view of an assembly apparatus for making
`decorative trim strip assemblies having laterally curved
`portions formed therein, and showing the relative unas-
`sembled relationship of the two major components of
`such assembly, namely an elongated polymeric resinous
`material strip element and a substantially rigid metallic
`backing plate;
`FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the
`elongated polymeric resinous material strip element
`assembled into a jig fixture shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional area showing operative
`components of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as they are situ-
`ated during the heating cycle of the assembly method
`according to this invention; and,
`FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 showing the operative
`components as they are situated during the cooling
`cycle of the assembly method according to this inven-
`tion.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`As stated, this invention provides a decorative trim
`strip assembly having a laterally curved portion formed
`therein, where the decorative trim strip assembly com-
`
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`prises a substantially rigid metallic backing plate 12 and
`an elongated polymeric resinous material strip element
`14. The metallic backing plate 12 has a substantially
`planar face 16 (the underside of the backing plate 12 as
`shown in FIG. 1), and has a laterally curved portion 18
`formed therein where the curve is to the desired config-
`uration. As seen from FIG. 1, the backing plate 12 is
`laterally curved in the portion 18 in a plane which is
`parallel to the substantially planar face 16.
`The elongated polymeric resinous material strip ele-
`ment 14 has substantially greater width than thickness,
`as indicated by the designations “W” and “T” in FIG. 1.
`The strip e?3ment 14 has a substantially planar first
`surface 25.
`I
`i the opposite surface 22 to the first sur-
`face 20 .
`-sired decorative appearance and surface
`contour. obviously,
`the decorative appearance and
`surface contour of the surface 22 of the plastic strip
`element 14 may be such as is desired by the vehicle
`designer.
`At least one longitudinal slit 24 is formed in the plas-
`tic strip element 14; and as will be seen hereafter, the
`longitudinal slit 24 is formed so as to be from a place 26
`which is situated beyond a first end of the curved por-
`tion 18 which‘ will be formed in the plastic strip when it
`is assembled to the backing plate 12. The longitudinal
`slit 24 extends around the curve to the end of the strip
`element 14 which is remote from the first end of the
`curve 18 where the slit has started.
`Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, an apparatus is
`shown in which the decorative strip assembly of the
`present invention is made, and within which the assem-
`bly method of the present invention is carried out. That
`apparatus, designated generally at 30, has a fixed base
`plate 32 and a movable upper plate 34, which moves
`upwards and downwards along guide rods 36, two of
`which are shown. The driving force for the upper plate
`34 is transferred to it by such as a rod 38 secured to the
`drive cylinder (not shown).
`Extending through the upperplate 38 and electrically
`insulated from it are electrodes 40, three of which are
`shown in the apparatus of FIG. 1, which number is
`generally sufficient for purposes of the present inven-
`tion. The electrodes 40 may conveniently be attached to
`a source of low voltage, high current electricity, such as
`a pair of series transformers or a centre-tape trans-
`former, by wires 42 from the two outer electrodes and
`wire 44 from the inner electrode which goes to the
`centre tap or the common connection between the se-
`ries transformers. Of course, any suitable source of
`electric power may be used,
`in keeping the ordinary
`skill
`Beneath the undersurface of the upper plate 34, there
`are located a number of cooling blocks 46. The exact
`number and spacing of the cooling blocks 46 is deter-
`mined by the size and configuration of the trim strip to
`be assembled; and in the embodiment shown, there are
`a number of gaps 48 between the cooling blocks 46
`which accommodate the connector stems or tongs 50
`formed in the backing plate 12.
`On the bottom plate 32, there is a jig fixture 52, which
`has formed in its upper face 54 the configuration of the
`lateral curve l8_which is desired for the decorative trim
`strip assembly being made, and the upper face of the jig
`fixture 52 is conveniently contoured in such a manner as
`to accommodate the surface contour 22 of the poly-
`meric resinous material strip element 14.
`A number of hold-down elements 56 are rotatably
`mounted above the bottom plate 32, on either side of the
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit1016
`Page5
`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:24)
`
`

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`4,397,896
`
`5
`jig fixture 52, and conveniently have pins which extend
`into holes 58 formed in the bottom plate 32 for those
`purposes (shown in FIG. 2). Additionally, another
`hold-down element 60 is mounted on the bottom plate
`32, on the inside of the curved portion 18 of the jig
`fixture 52.
`
`Ordinarily, the rigid metallic backing plate 12 is of
`lesser width that the polymeric resinous material strip
`element 14, (as shown in the drawings) but not necessar-
`ily so, and it may conveniently have a pair of edge
`flanges 62 which are formed and dimensioned so as to
`extend into a pair of recesses 64 formed longitudinally
`in the first surface 20 of the strip element lint».
`As seen in FIG. 2, the strip element 114 is assembled
`into the jig fixture 52 in such a manner that the con-
`toured face 22 fits downward into the accommodating
`contoured portion of the jig fixture. In the embodiment
`illustrated, there is a single slit 24. formed in the strip
`element 14!», beginning from a point 26; and as seen in
`FIG. 2, the point 26 is so related to the curved portion
`18 that it is at a first end of the curved portion. The slit
`24 thus divides the strip element 14 into two portions, in
`this case, designated 14a and 14b; and the slit 24 extends
`from the first end of the curve at the point 26 to the end
`66 of the strip element 14 which is beyond the curved
`portion remote from the first end thereof.
`As clearly seen in FIG. 2, when the polymeric resin-
`ous material strip element 14 is assembled into the jig
`fixture 52, the portion 1441 extends somewhat beyond
`the end 66 of the portion 14b. Indeed, where a plurality
`of slits may be formed, each of the portions will extend
`to a differing amount beyond the curved portion 13.
`What is of particular importance is the fact that each
`of the portions 14:1 and Nb in the embodiment shown
`(and, in any event, all of the slit portions defined by the
`one or more longitudinal slits 24 formed in the strip
`element 14) is stressed to an extent in the area of the
`curvature 18 less than the amount of stress for such
`portion which is defined above as its stress resistance
`limit. In other words, the width of each longitudinal
`strip portion 14a and Mb in the region of the longitudi-
`nal slit 24 which extends from the point 26 is such that
`the stress resistance of that respective longitudinal por-
`tion is not exceeded for the curvature thereof as defined
`by its relative position to the inside or outside of the
`curved portion 18 of the decorative trim strip being
`assembled.
`‘
`In the assembly procedure for the decorative strip
`assembly of the present invention, once the polymeric
`resinous material strip element M has been assembled
`into the jig fixture 52 in the manner suggested in FIG. 2
`(but without limitation to that which is shown), the
`preformed substantially rigid metallic backing plate 12
`is positioned over the jigged strip element 14. In the
`precise embodiment shown, the edge flanges 62 extend
`downwardly into the recesses 64 which are extruded in
`the surface 20 of the strip element 14. The strip element
`is, of course, held in its place in the jig fixture 52 by the
`hold-down members 56 and 60, which extend over the
`outer edges of the surface 20 of the strip element 14
`sufficiently to secure it in place, (see especially FIGS. 3
`and 4). The electrodes 40 are then lowered so that their
`lower ends contact the back or upper surface (in this
`case) of the backing plate 12, and the electric power is
`then turned on so that the backing plate 12 forms a
`resistance heating element in a circuit which comprises
`the electrodes and the backing plate 12 connected
`across the source of electric power. The electrodes may
`
`6
`be a carbon/nickel alloy, or any other low resistance
`element of the sort which may be readily available for
`purposes similar to the resistance heating purposes to
`which they are put in the present invention.
`It will be noted from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4
`that the electrode 40 are spring loaded by spring 70 so
`as to extend below the bottom surface of the cooling
`blocks 46. When the upper plate 34 is forced down-
`wardly, as in FIG. 4, the spring 70 compresses, thereby
`permitting the cooling blocks 46 to contact the backing
`plate 12, without damage to the electrodes 40 or the
`backing plate 12.
`As the backing plate 12 becomes hot due to its own
`electrical resistance, there is an induction heating of the
`polymeric resinous material strip element 14, due to the
`heat within the backing plate 12, so that a heat bonding
`of the material of the strip element 14 to the backing
`plate 12 may be achieved.
`After a sufficient length of time that the heat bonding
`of the backing plate 12 to the strip element 14 is assured,
`the upper plate 34 with the cooling block 46 is lowered
`so that the cooling block 46 contacts the upper or rear
`surface of the metallic backing plate 12, (see FIG. 4). At
`the same time, the supply of electrical power to the
`electrodes 40 is terminated. Conveniently, the cooling
`blocks 46 have channels or tubes 68 formed in them
`through which a suitable cooling medium such as water
`may be pumped. A very rapid cooling of the metallic
`backing plate 12 and the polymeric resinous material
`strip element 14 which is, by now, heat bonded to the
`backing plate 12, is thereby assured.
`the
`Following the cooling cycle, pressure against
`movable upper plate 34 is relieved and the plate with-
`drawn upwardly, following which the assembled deco-
`rative trim strip assembly may be removed from the jig
`fixture 52. Thereafter, the ends of any of the portions
`such as the portion 14a of the slitted strip element 14
`which extend beyond a predetermined distance relative
`to the end of the backing plate 12, are cut off, thus
`concluding the assembly operations for the decorative
`trim strip assembly having a laterally curved portion
`formed therein, according to the present invention.
`It should be noted, of course,
`that the assembled
`decorative trim strip assembly may be such that the
`backing plate 12 and the elongated polymeric resinous
`material strip element 14 are bonded together other
`than by heat bonding. For example, a suitable adhesive
`material may be placed on one or both of the contacting
`surfaces, which may be heat activated or pressure acti-
`vated, so as to achieve the bond; and, indeed, if it is heat
`activated then the steps of the method according to the
`present invention would, in any event, be followed, as
`discussed above.
`As stated, generally the elongated polymeric resinous
`material strip element is formed of extruded polyvinyl
`chloride material. Further, as noted above,
`the con-
`toured face 22 of the strip element 14 may have secured
`to it such other materials as a pre-printed vinyl or a
`metallized polyethylene teraphthalate.
`The material of the backing plate 12 may be other
`than steel,
`in certain circumstances, providing that a
`bonding system——either adhesive or heat bonding-—may
`be set up between the backing plate and the polymeric
`resinous material strip element. However, in the usual
`circumstances, the backing plate 12 is formed of steel,
`and as noted above, the polymeric resinous material is
`usually polyvinyl chloride.
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`60
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`65
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`Wavelock
`Exhibit1016
`Page6
`(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:25)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)
`
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`4,397,896
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`As discussed above, the slit 24—one or more of the-
`m—is placed across the width of the strip element 14in
`any convenient place, and in any event is placed in such
`a position that the width of each longitudinal portion of
`the strip element 14 in the region of the slit is such that
`the stress resistance of each respective longitudinal
`portion is not exceeded for the curvature thereof in the
`curved portion of that respective longitudinal portion.
`Where the contoured and Wecorative surface 22 of the
`strip element 14 is such that specific sections of it are
`delineated by discontinuities or reversals of curvature,
`or by transition from one form of decorative surface to
`another (such as from a metallized appearance to a
`woodgrain appearance),
`the longitudinal slit 24 may
`conveniently be placed at such boundaries. However,
`by carefully and properly jigging the material, it may be
`possible to place the longitudinal slit in other places,
`subject to the condition that the stress resistance for
`each longitudinal portion of the slit polymeric strip
`element is not exceeded for the curvature of each re-
`spective slitted portion.
`By way of example only, the following details con-
`cern one specific embodiment of many different em-
`bodiments of trim strip which have been produced ac-
`cording to the present invention. An extruded polyvinyl
`chloride strip, having a cross section similar to that
`illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, was produced having an
`overall width of 1.020 inches, and the thickest dimen-
`sion of the extruded polyvinyl chloride strip was 0.275
`inches. The radius of curvature at the innermost edge of 30
`the assembled,
`laterally curved trim strip was 2.750
`inches. On the face of the trim strip opposite the steel
`backing plate, there was placed a decorative strip of
`polyvinyl chloride having a woodgrain effect, and hav-
`ing a thickness of 0.006 inches; and an aluminized mylar 35
`bilaminate polyester/polyvinyl chloride strip having a
`thickness of 0.004 inches was placed at each side of the
`face of the assembly. The heating cycle, during which
`time the steel backing plate was heated, was 30 seconds;
`and the cooling cycle, during which time the cooling
`blocks were in contact with the steel backing plate, was
`also 30 seconds. Many other laterally curved decorative
`trim strip assemblies having differing dimensions of
`width and thickness, different radii of curvature, and so
`on, have been assembled according to this invention,
`with the cooling and heating times being adjusted ac-
`cordingly, considering the mass of the steel plate and
`the mass of extruded polyvinyl chloride strip being
`secured during the assembly proceedure.
`Other materials, jigging and tooling assemblies, bond-
`ing techniques, or details or orientation of assembly,
`may be altered or amended as will occur expedient to
`
`8
`the ordinary practitioner, without departing from the
`spirit and scope of the appended claims.
`I claim:
`1. A decorative trim strip assembly having a laterally
`curved portion formed therein, comprising:
`a substantially rigid metallic backing plate 12 having
`a substantially planar face 16, and having a laterally
`curved portion 18 formed therein to a desired con-
`figuration in a plane parallel to said substantially
`planar face;
`an elongated polymeric resinous material strip ele-
`ment 14 having substantially greater width than
`thickness, and having a substantially planar first
`surface 20 bonded to said substantially planar face
`of said backing plate, the opposite surface 22 to said
`first surface having a desired decorative appear-
`ance and surface contour;
`and at least one longitudinal slit 24 formed in said
`polymeric resinous material strip element from a
`place situated beyond a first end of said curved
`portion thereof to the end of said strip element
`which is beyond said curved portion remote from
`said first end thereof;
`the width of each longitudinal portion of said poly-
`meric resinous material strip element in the region
`of said at least one longitudinal slit being such that
`the stress resistance of each respective longitudinal
`portion is not exceeded for the curvature thereof in
`said curved portion of said decorative trim strip.
`2. The decorative trim strip of claim 1, where said
`elongated polymeric resinous material strip element is
`heat bonded to said rigid metallic backing plate.
`3. The decorative trim strip of claim 1, where said
`elongated polymeric resinous material strip element is
`extruded polyvinyl chloride.
`4. The decorative trim strip of claim 1, 2 or 3, where
`said rigid metallic backing plate is steel.
`5. The decorative trim strip of claim 1, 2 or 3, where
`said rigid metallic backing plate is of lesser width than
`said polymeric resinous material strip element, and has
`edge flanges which extend into recesses formed longitu-
`dinally in said first surface of said polymeric resinous
`material strip element.
`6. The decorative trim strip of claim 1, where said
`elongated polymeric resinous material strip element is
`adhesively bonded to said rigid metallic backing plate.
`7. The decorative trim strip of claim 1. where said
`elongated polymeric resinous material strip element is
`such that
`the desired decorative appearance of said
`opposite surface to said first surface has decorative film
`bonded to at least a portion thereof.
`it
`is
`*
`its
`*
`«flit
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Wavelock
`Exhibit1016
`Page?
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