摘要：
Metallic looking object trims include a transparent or translucent substrate defining top and bottom surfaces, an opaque layer applied to one of the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate, the opaque layer defining one or more apertures through which light can pass, and one or more translucent metallic-effect layers applied to a top surface of the opaque layer when the opaque layer is applied to the substrate's top surface or to the top surface of the substrate when the opaque layer is applied to the substrate's bottom surface. The one or more metallic-effect layers include one or more metallic effect paints or one or more layers of digitally printed metallic material. A light source is arranged beneath the bottom surface of the substrate and generates light that passes through the substrate, the one or more apertures, and the one or more metallic-effect layers.
权利要求：
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A trim for an object, the trim comprising:
a transparent or translucent substrate defining a top surface;
an opaque layer applied to the top surface of the substrate, the opaque layer defining one or more apertures through which light can pass; and
one or more translucent metallic-effect layers applied to a top surface of the opaque layer.
2. The trim of claim 1 , wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise one or more metallic-effect paint layers.
3. The trim of claim 1 , wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise one or more digitally printed metallic-effect material layers.
4. The trim of claim 2, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise only one or more base coat layers of metallic-effect paint.
5. The trim of claim 2, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise (i) a translucent primer layer applied to the top surface of the opaque layer and portions of the substrate corresponding to the one or more apertures and (ii) one or more translucent base coat paint layers of metallic-effect paint applied to a top surface of the primer layer.
6. The trim of claims 4 or 5, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers further comprise a transparent or translucent top coat layer applied to a top surface of the one or more base coat paint layers, wherein the top coat layer protects and enhances a metallic-effect of the one or more metallic-effect layers.
7. The trim of claim 6, wherein at least one of the primer layer and the top coat layer at least one of (i) comprises metallic particles to further enhance the metallic-effect of the one or more metallic-effect layers and (ii) is at least one of tinted and colored to further enhance the metallic-effect of the one or more metallic- effect layers.
8. The trim of any preceding claim, wherein the trim is a selectively illuminable trim that further comprises a light source arranged beneath a bottom surface of the substrate, the light source being configured to output light through the substrate, the one or more apertures defined by the opaque layer, and the one or more metallic-effect layers.
9. The trim of claim 8, further comprising a light guide arranged between the light source and the bottom surface of the substrate, the light guide being configured to distribute the light output from the light source.
10. A trim for an object, the trim comprising:
a transparent or translucent substrate defining a top surface and a bottom surface;
an opaque layer applied to the bottom surface of the substrate, the opaque layer defining one or more apertures through which light can pass; and
one or more translucent metallic-effect layers applied to the top surface of the substrate.
1 1. The trim of claim 10, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise one or more metallic-effect paint layers.
12. The trim of claim 10, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise one or more digitally printed metallic-effect material layers.
13. The trim of claim 1 1 , wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise only one or more base coat layers of metallic-effect paint.
14. The trim of claim 13, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise (i) a translucent primer layer applied to the top surface of the substrate and (ii) one or more translucent base coat paint layers of metallic-effect paint applied to a top surface of the primer layer.
15. The trim of claims 13 or 14, wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers further comprise a transparent or translucent top coat layer applied to a top surface of the one or more base coat paint layers, wherein the top coat layer protects and enhances a metallic-effect of the one or more metallic-effect layers.
16. The trim of claim 15, wherein at least one of the primer layer and the top coat layer at least one of (i) comprises metallic particles to further enhance the metallic-effect of the one or more metallic-effect layers and (ii) is at least one of tinted and colored to further enhance the metallic-effect of the one or more metallic- effect layers.
17. The trim of any of claims 10-16, wherein the trim is a selectively illuminable trim that further comprises a light source arranged beneath a bottom surface of the substrate, the light source being configured to output light through the one or more apertures defined by the opaque layer, the substrate, and the one or more metallic-effect layers.
18. The trim of claim 17, further comprising a light guide arranged between (i) the light source and (ii) the bottom surface of the substrate and the opaque layer, the light guide being configured to distribute the light output from the light source.
19. A method of manufacturing a trim for an object, the method comprising:
providing a transparent or translucent substrate defining a top surface and a bottom surface;
applying an opaque layer to one of the top surface of the substrate and the bottom surface of the substrate, the opaque layer defining one or more apertures through which light can pass; and
applying one or more translucent metallic-effect layers to one of (i) a top surface of the opaque layer when the opaque layer is applied to the top surface of the substrate and (ii) the top surface of the substrate when the opaque layer is applied to the bottom surface of the substrate.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein applying the one or more metallic- effect layers comprises applying one or more layers of metallic-effect paint.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein applying the one or more metallic- effect layers comprises digitally printing one or more layers of a metallic-effect material.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the one or more metallic-effect layers comprise only one or more base coat layers of metallic-effect paint.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein applying the one or more metallic- effect layers comprises (i) applying a translucent primer layer applied to the top surface of the opaque layer and portions of the substrate corresponding to the one
or more apertures and (ii) applying one or more translucent base coat paint layers of metallic-effect paint applied to a top surface of the primer layer.
24. The method of claims 22 or 23, further comprising applying a transparent or translucent top coat layer to a top surface of the one or more base coat paint layers, wherein the top coat layer protects and enhances a metallic-effect of the one or more metallic-effect layers.
25. The method of any of claims 19-24, wherein applying the opaque layer further comprises:
applying an initial opaque layer that does not define the one or more apertures; and
removing portions of the initial opaque layer corresponding to the one or more apertures and obtain the opaque layer.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein applying the initial opaque layer comprises spraying an opaque primer and curing the sprayed opaque primer to obtain the initial opaque layer, and wherein removing portions of the initial opaque layer comprises laser etching the initial opaque layer.
27. The method of any of claims 19-24, wherein applying the opaque layer further comprises:
applying a temporary mask layer to the one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate;
applying an initial opaque layer by spraying an opaque primer over the one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate and the temporary mask layer; and
removing the temporary mask layer and portions of the initial opaque layer associated therewith to obtain the opaque layer.
28. The method of any of claims 19-24, wherein applying the opaque layer comprises digitally printing an opaque material to portions of the top surface of the substrate.
29. The method of any of claims 19-28, further comprising injection or compression molding, thermoforming, or additive manufacturing a plastic material to form the substrate.
30. The method of any of claims 19-29, wherein the trim is a selectively illuminable trim and the method further comprises:
arranging a light source beneath the bottom surface of the substrate, the light source being configured to output light through the substrate, the one or more apertures defined by the opaque layer, and the one or more metallic-effect layers; and
packaging the light source and the selectively illuminable trim into a single integrated module.