Systems and methods for altering the color, appearance, or feel of a vehicle surface

Abstract

Systems and methods for altering the appearance and / or texture of a vehicle surface include installing a vest relative to a vehicle surface such that an exterior side of the vest, spaced from the vehicle surface, defines a fluid-tight space between the vehicle surface and the exterior side of the vest. Visual media can be provided into and from the fluid-tight space using one or more ports, the exterior side being at least partially transparent or translucent such that the visible media within the fluid-tight space are visible through the exterior side of the vest, thereby allowing the repeatable alteration of the appearance of the surface.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Patent Application Ser. No. 14 / 227,859 filed March 27, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] Embodiments available within the scope of the present disclosure generally relate to devices, systems, and methods for altering the visual appearance and / or tactile feel (e.g., texture) of an object (e.g., a surface thereof), and more particularly, to methods for efficiently and Systems and methods for cost-effectively changing the color, visual appearance and / or other characteristics of automobiles and / or other vehicles. Background technique [0004] Typically, portions of automobile bodies (e.g., pieces of metal frames, panels, and / or similar materials) are provided with a desired visual appearance (e.g., color, reflections, gloss / metallic sheen, etc.) by applying paint to their exterior surfaces . After application, the paint...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0007] Because the color of a vehicle can only be changed through a time-consuming and expensive process, consumers limit vehicle purchases to those of their preferred color, shifting the burden and inconvenience of this expense onto the manufacturer and dealer

Automobile manufacturers and dealers must maintain sizable inventories of various models of vehicles in multiple colors, increasing manufacturing costs because generally identical vehicles differing only in superficial appearance must be manufactured and stocked for future use purchase

This practice also incurs substantial business overhead in the form of large warehouses and numerous dealerships necessary to store large numbers of vehicles, the transportation costs required to move these vehicles, and the need for customers in a given location where there is currently no stock in stock. Logistical difficulties inherent in moving and / or obtaining vehicles of preferred color / look / texture

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