US Patent:
20040226400, Nov 18, 2004
Inventors:
Eric Proudfit - Mesa AZ, US
International Classification:
B62D001/06
Abstract:
An accessory for a vehicle, such as a steering wheel cover, with at least one decorative design appliqué affixed to a covering material by a heat transfer method, such as ultrasonic welding. The accessory may be made by molding at least one design appliqué of a thermoplastic material of at least one first pre-selected color. The mold and thermoplastic material are baked in an oven to set or cure the thermoplastic material, removed from the oven, and pressed onto a covering material for the accessory. With the mold surrounding the design appliqué, it is affixed onto the covering material by a heat transfer method, such as ultrasonic welding, and the mold is removed. Alternatively, the accessory may be provided with at least one design appliqué initially applied to the covering material in a rough, unfinished, generally planar shape, and then shaped and cut to its final form when it is affixed to the covering material by the heat transfer method. Such an at least one design appliqué may be initially applied to the covering material in a plurality of rough, unfinished, generally planar shaped, stacked layers.