Trim component with concealed indicium

Abstract

A vehicular trim component comprises a substrate having external and internal surfaces and a finish on at least one of the external and internal surfaces. An illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state is positioned behind the substrate to direct light through the finish with the illumination source is in the illuminated state. A mask associated with the substrate defines at least a masked portion and an unmasked portion, wherein the unmasked portion transmits more light than the unmasked portion. The finish extends across both the masked portion and the unmasked portion to conceal visible differences between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state. When the illumination source is in the illuminated state, light passes through the unmasked portion and the finish to provide a visible distinction between the masked portion and the unmasked portion.

1 . A vehicular trim component comprising: 
 a substrate having an external surface, an internal surface, and a finish on at least one of the external and internal surfaces;    an illumination source actuatable between an illuminated state and a non-illuminated state and positioned behind the substrate to direct light through the finish with the illumination source in the illuminated state; and    a mask associated with the substrate, wherein the mask defines at least a masked portion and an unmasked portion, wherein the unmasked portion transmits more light than the masked portion;    wherein the finish extends across both the masked portion and the unmasked portion, and has optical properties adapted to conceal visible differences between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the non-illuminated state, and to transmit light through the unmasked portion and the finish to provide a visible distinction between the masked portion and the unmasked portion when the illumination source is in the illuminated state.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the finish comprises a coating applied to the substrate across the masked portion and the unmasked portion.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 2  wherein the coating is paint.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 3  wherein the coating is a metallic paint.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 4  wherein the coating includes a tint so that the finish of the trim component can be matched to a vehicle on which the trim component is mounted.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises a film applied to the at least one of the external and internal surfaces of the substrate.  
   
   
       7 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 6  wherein the film is applied using a hydro-graphics process.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 6  wherein the film is insert molded with the substrate.  
   
   
       9 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the finish is texturized to provide a desired feel to the external surface.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the finish is formed integral with the substrate.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the finish comprises at least one metal deposition layer on the at least one of the external and internal surfaces of the substrate.  
   
   
       12 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the masked portion of the mask comprises a coating applied to the internal surface of the substrate.  
   
   
       13 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  the masked portion of the mask comprises a coating applied to the external surface of the substrate.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the mask comprises a body separate from the substrate and having the unmasked portion formed as an opening therein.  
   
   
       15 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 14  wherein the mask is mounted to the internal surface of the substrate.  
   
   
       16 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the unmasked portions are formed by removing material from the internal surface of the substrate.  
   
   
       17 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 16  wherein the material is removed by a laser-etching process.  
   
   
       18 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the masked portion of the mask is printed onto the substrate.  
   
   
       19 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 18  wherein the masked portion is printed by at least one of a silk screen, screen print, and print pad process.  
   
   
       20 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the masked portion of the mask is molded onto the internal surface of the substrate.  
   
   
       21 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the illumination source comprises at least one light source selected from the group consisting of: a light-emitting diode, an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb, an electroluminescent light source, a neon light, a light pipe received from a remote light source, a fiber optic-received light, a liquid-crystal display and a laser.  
   
   
       22 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 21  wherein the light source is a display screen, and the display screen is hidden by the finish when the display screen is in the non-illuminated state.  
   
   
       23 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the unmasked portion defines an indicium.  
   
   
       24 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 23  wherein the indicium is at least one of a trademark, one or more alphanumeric characters, a logo, a design, a symbol, a picture, an image, an indicator, and a frit.  
   
   
       25 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the substrate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of: a polymeric material, glass, a conductive material, and silicone.  
   
   
       26 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the unmasked portion includes at least one optic area for distributing light passing through the unmasked portion.  
   
   
       27 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1  wherein the trim component is in the form of a door handle.  
   
   
       28 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is translucent.  
   
   
       29 . The vehicular trim component of  claim 28 , wherein the finish is on the internal surface of the substrate, and the mask is applied to the finish.