System and Method for Mounting a Badge on a Vehicle

Abstract

A system and method for mounting a badge to a component of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a mounting base including first and second fastening apertures defined therein, and a trim ring coupled with the mounting base having an opening defined therein. The badge is adapted to be securely mounted between the trim ring and the mounting base so that the badge is positioned within the opening in the trim ring. The system further includes a flexible fastening member that is configured to be positioned within the first and second fastening apertures, positioned around at least a portion of the component of the vehicle, and between the mounting base and the badge to fasten the badge to the vehicle.

1 . A badge assembly for mounting on a vehicle, the badge assembly comprising:
 a mounting base;   a badge including a graphic layer and a base layer, said graphic layer having an indicia cut-out portion defined therein, said base layer positioned between said graphic layer and said mounting base, wherein at least a portion of said base layer is visible through said indicia cut-out portion.   a trim ring having an opening defined therein, said graphic layer positioned within said opening, said trim ring configured to be coupled to said mounting base to secure said badge to said mounting base; and   a fastening member configured for coupling said mounting base to a component of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a magnetic layer coupled to said base layer, said base layer positioned between said graphic layer and said magnetic layer; and   a metal base plate coupled to a first side of said mounting base,   wherein said magnetic layer and said metal base plate are adapted to be magnetically coupled to one another.   
     
     
         3 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said indicia cut-out portion is configured as at least one of a shape, symbol, letter or number. 
     
     
         4 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said base layer is formed of one of a translucent material, a transparent material, or an opaque material. 
     
     
         5 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 4 , further comprising a light coupled with said mounting base, said light disposed between said mounting base and said base layer. 
     
     
         6 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said light is one of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) back light or a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) back light. 
     
     
         7 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said light is configured for operation at desired time intervals. 
     
     
         8 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said mounting base includes at least one locator ridge extending from a first side of said mounting base, and wherein said at least one locator ridge is configured for positioning said badge on said mounting base. 
     
     
         9 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said graphic layer and said base layer are formed of different materials. 
     
     
         10 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said graphic layer is a first color, and wherein said base layer is a second color. 
     
     
         11 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a cap dome coupled to said trim ring, wherein said cap dome is configured for covering said opening. 
     
     
         12 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said trim ring is threadably coupled to said mounting base. 
     
     
         13 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said trim ring is hingedly coupled to said mounting base. 
     
     
         14 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising at least one fastener, wherein said trim ring has at least one aperture defined therein configured to receive said at least one fastener, and wherein said at least one fastener is configured to engage said mounting base to couple said trim ring to said mounting base. 
     
     
         15 . A badge assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners, wherein said trim ring and said mounting base each have a plurality of corresponding apertures defined therein, and wherein each of said plurality of corresponding apertures defined in said trim ring and said mounting base are configured to receive one of said plurality of fasteners to couple said trim ring to said mounting base.