U.S. patent application number 11/157128 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for stone guard for step bar.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Kayne.
Application Number | 20060001229 11/157128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27760060 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060001229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kayne; Jeffrey |
January 5, 2006 |
Stone guard for step bar
Abstract
A guard assembly for a vehicle step includes a guard portion
attached to the step blocking an opening and preventing road debris
from being thrown against a body of the motor vehicle. The guard
portion includes a first edge adjacent an outer edge of the vehicle
step and an inner edge inboard of the vehicle. The inner edge is
inboard of an inner edge of a tire mounted to the vehicle. A lip
portion extends transverse from the guard portion and prevents road
debris from being thrown between the guard portion and the
underside of the motor vehicle.
Inventors: |
Kayne; Jeffrey; (Macomb,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
27760060 |
Appl. No.: |
11/157128 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10156506 |
May 28, 2002 |
6910700 |
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11157128 |
Jun 20, 2005 |
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60358762 |
Feb 22, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/163 |
International
Class: |
B60R 3/00 20060101
B60R003/00 |
Claims
1. A guard assembly for a vehicle step comprising: a guard portion
attached to said step and blocking an opening between said vehicle
step and the vehicle.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guard portion includes a
first edge adjacent an outer edge of said step and an inner edge
inboard of the vehicle.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein in said inner edge is inboard
of an inner edge of a tire mounted to the vehicle.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guard portion includes a
plurality of grooves.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guard portion includes a
plurality of alternating channels extending parallel with said step
member.
6. The assembly of claim 1, further including a lip portion
transverse from said guard portion.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said guard and said lip portion
includes corresponding interlocking portions for attachment of said
lip portion to said guard
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said interlocking portions are
"V" shaped, and said interlocking portion of said guard includes a
ridge portion for securing said interlocking portion of said
lip.
9. The assembly of claim 6, further including an extension portion
attachable to said lip portion to extend a length of said lip
portion above said guard portion.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said extension portion
includes a clip section securing said extension portion to said lip
portion.
11. The assembly of claim 6, further including a decorative design
applied to said lip portion.
12. The assembly of claim 1, fabricated from a plastic
material.
13. The assembly of claim 1 fabricated from a corrosion resistant
material.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guard includes a snap
mechanism corresponding to said step for attachment to said
step.
15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said guard includes a flexible
material attached to said vehicle step by a plurality of snaps.
16. A vehicle step assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: a step
portion attached to the motor vehicle, said step defining an
opening between said steps and said motor vehicle; a guard attached
to said step portion blocking said opening.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said guard portion includes a
first edge adjacent an outer edge of said step and an inner edge
inboard of the vehicle.
18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said guard includes a
flexible material attached by a series of snaps.
19. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said guard includes lip
extending transverse relative to said guard.
20. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said guard and lip including
interlocking portions to detachably mount said lip to said guard.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/156,506; filed on May 28, 2002, which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/358,762
filed on Feb. 22, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a step bar for a motor vehicle and
specifically for a stone guard assembly for a step bar.
[0003] Typically, vehicles designed for off-road use have an
additional amount of ground clearance compared to other types of
vehicles. The greater ground clearance increases the difficulty of
getting into and out of the vehicle. For this reason, it is known
to install a side step or step bar to the motor vehicle. The step
bar aids a passenger or operator in entering and exiting the
vehicle. Step bars can be installed as original equipment by the
manufacturer or as an aftermarket item purchased and installed by
the vehicle owner.
[0004] The increased ground clearance allows the motor vehicle to
overcome obstacles and perform better in adverse road conditions
such as snow or muddy terrain. However, increased ground clearance
increases the amount of road debris and rocks kicked up by the
motor vehicle tires and thrown against the body panels of the motor
vehicle. Further, although many motor vehicles with increased
ground clearance are designed for strictly work applications,
off-road vehicles are popular and owned by many operators who may
never drive the vehicle off road. Further, vehicles with
traditional ground clearance are also susceptible to damage caused
by road debris often found on deteriorated roads prevalent in large
metropolitan areas. As appreciated, rock and road debris thrown up
against the body and rocker panel may cause paint damage and dent
the motor vehicle.
[0005] Typically, many vehicles include special coatings or paint
applied to the rocker panel regions to protect against rock damage.
These special coatings provide only a limited amount of protection
and only slow the deterioration of paint on the body and rocker
panels of the motor vehicle. Further, the deterioration of the
rocker panel can create an unsightly cosmetic appearance that is
highly undesirable to an operator or consumer who has a significant
investment in the motor vehicle. In addition to the degradation of
cosmetic appearance of the vehicle, chipped paint caused by rocks
and road debris thrown up against the rocker panel can lead to
premature corrosion of the body. Premature corrosion of the motor
vehicle body and specifically the rocker panel may require
significant costly repair.
[0006] In addition to the purely cosmetic degradation of the rocker
panel of the motor vehicle, rocks and road debris, especially
larger rocks encountered in off-road travel, can cause significant
dents and damage to the rocker panel. Another significant problem
encountered by rocks and road debris being thrown against the
rocker panel is the increased amount of noise heard in the
passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. As is appreciated, the
popularity of such off-road type vehicles has lead to many
purchasers of such vehicles using them in non-off-road applications
where passenger comfort is a desired and expected characteristic of
the motor vehicle. The increased noise emitted into the passenger
compartment caused by road debris and rocks being thrown against
the rocker panel is therefore undesirable.
[0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to design a device installable
onto a step for a motor vehicle that substantially prevents damage
to the surface coating of the motor vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An embodiment of this invention is a guard assembly for a
vehicle step blocking road debris from being thrown against a
vehicle body.
[0009] The vehicle step partially defines an opening allowing road
debris to be thrown against the vehicle rocker panel. The guard
assembly attaches to the step bar, blocking the opening and
preventing road debris from being thrown against the rocker
panel.
[0010] The guard assembly includes a guard portion suspended from a
bottom surface of the step bar and extending inboard of the rocker
panel and tires of the motor vehicle. A lip extends transverse to
the guard portion preventing road debris from being thrown between
the guard portion and an underside of the motor vehicle. An
embodiment of this invention includes a lip extends upward from the
guard providing a location for the application of decorative items
such as lights, text messages, or illustrations.
[0011] Embodiments of the guard assembly are attached in various
positions relative to the step. In one embodiment, the guard
portion is attached to a bottom surface of the step and in another
embodiment the guard attaches to a top surface of the step bar. In
still another embodiment, the guard is mounted to an intermediate
surface disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of the step
bar.
[0012] The guard includes a plurality of fasteners extending
through openings within the guard and secured to the step. One
embodiment of the guard includes snap features securing the guard
assembly to the step bar. The snap features eliminate the need for
separate fasteners for securing the guard assembly to the step
bar.
[0013] The rock guard assembly of this invention prevents and
protects the rocker panel of the motor vehicle from rock and road
debris being thrown up by the wheels of the motor vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly
described as follows:
[0015] FIG. 1 is side view of a step bar with guard installed to a
motor vehicle;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the guard installed to the
step bar;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the guard
installed to a step bar;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the
guard installed to a step bar;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of the
guard installed to a step bar;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side view of the step bar with the guard;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top view of the guard installed to the step
bar;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a top view of the guard with a snap fit
feature;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of a guard with the snap fit
feature
[0024] FIG. 10A is a top view of another embodiment of the
guard;
[0025] FIG. 10B is a cross section of the guard of FIG. 10A;
[0026] FIG. 11A is a top view of another embodiment of the
guard;
[0027] FIG. 11B is a cross section of the guard of FIG. 11A;
[0028] FIG. 12A is a side view of another embodiment of the
guard
[0029] FIG. 12B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 A;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a side view of the guard including a design
applied to a lip of the guard;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a side view of a guard with an interlocking lip
potion;
[0032] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the interlocking lip
portion;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a side view of a lip extension member; and
[0034] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the lip extension member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a motor vehicle 10 is shown
including a step bar 12 supported under the motor vehicle by
supports 18. The step bar 12 eases entrance and exit from the motor
vehicle 10. Preferably, the step bar 12 is a tubular member
extending from the underside of the motor vehicle 10 a distance
from the motor vehicle 10 and specifically from the rocker panel
16.
[0036] The step bar 12 provides a convenient step for passengers to
enter and exit the motor vehicle 10. The step bar 12 includes steps
34 to aid traction when using the step bar 12. The tubular member
12 does not provide significant protection to the rocker panel 16
of the motor vehicle 10 from rocks or road debris thrown up by
tires 14. This is so because the step bar 12 includes only a
tubular member extending from mounting points 18 underneath the
motor vehicle 10. An opening 19 between the tubular member and the
rocker panel 16 allows rocks and road debris to be thrown up
against the rocker panel 16. Note that although preferably, the
step bar 12 is tubular, it is within the contemplation of this
invention to use any configuration of step as would be known to a
worker skilled in the art.
[0037] A guard assembly 20 fastened to a bottom surface of the step
bar 12 blocks the opening partially defined by the step bar 12. The
guard assembly 20 prevents road debris from being thrown up against
the rocker panel by blocking the opening. Preferably, the guard
assembly 20 is suspended from the bottom surface of the step bar 12
and extends inboard of the step bar 12 and the rocker panels 16 of
the motor vehicle 10.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, although preferably the guard
assembly 20 is attached to a bottom surface of the step bar 12
(FIG. 3), other mounting configurations are within the
contemplation of this invention. One embodiment includes the guard
attached to an inner surface 44 toward the top of the step bar 12
(FIG. 4). Preferably, the guard 20 is attached to the step bar 12
such that it does not form a load baring structure that is stepped
on to gain access to the motor vehicle 12. The guard 20 is attached
to the step bar 12 such that the step bar 12 will bear any load
from an occupant entering or exiting the motor vehicle 10. Another
embodiment includes mounting of the guard assembly 20 on the inner
surface 44 disposed between the top and bottom surfaces 40,42 of
the step bar 12 (FIG. 5). Different mounting configurations of the
guard assembly 20 provide adaptability to specific vehicle
configurations. A worker skilled in the art would understand that
specific mounting configurations of the guard are application
dependent and would fall with the contemplation of this
invention.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the guard assembly 20 includes a guard
portion 21 preferably comprised of a sheet member extending from an
outermost point of the step bar 12 to a point inboard of the tires
14. The motor vehicle rocker panel 16 is susceptible to rock debris
thrown from the tires 14 through the opening 19 in the range
indicated at 36. The guard assembly 20 includes a plurality of
attachment points 32. Each attachment point 32 includes a threaded
fastener 38 extending through the guard portion 21 into the step
bar 12. Although preferably threaded fasteners 38 are used to
secure the guard assembly 20 to the step bar 12, it is within the
contemplation of this invention to use any type of fastener known
to a worker skilled in the art.
[0040] Preferably, the guard portion 21 extends to a point inboard
of the inboard portion 26 of the tire 14. Although, preferably the
guard portion 21 extends inboard of the tires 14, it is within the
contemplation of this invention that the guard portion 21 extends
inboard of the step bar 12 at any point that would provide
protection of the rocker panel 16 from road debris.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the guard assembly 20 blocks rock
and road debris from being thrown between the outermost portion of
the step bar 12 up and into the rocker panel 16. Preferably, the
guard assembly 20 includes the guard portion 21 that is a
substantially rectangular pan suspended below the step bar 12 and
extending to a point inboard of the tires 14 (FIG. 2) of the motor
vehicle 10. It is within the contemplation of this invention to
provide a guard portion 21 of any shape adapted to the specific
configuration of the motor vehicle 10 and the step bar 12.
[0042] The guard portion 21 includes a width 24 and a length 22.
Preferably, the width 24 is such that the guard portion 21 extends
inboard of the vehicle tire 14 (FIG. 2). The length 22 of the guard
portion 21 is application specific, and a worker skilled in the art
would understand that the length is configured according to the
specific configuration of the motor vehicle 10 and the step bar
12.
[0043] The guard 21 is preferably fabricated from a flat sheet of
metal that is attached by a plurality of fasteners at attachment
points 32. It should be understood that the type of fastener used
to attached the guard 21 to the step bar 12 may be of any type
known to a worker skilled in the art, such as screws, rivets or
bolts. Further, the guard 21 may be attached by other means such as
welding, molding, snap type fits and the like. Further, referring
to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternate embodiment of the guard assembly 20
is shown including snap features 46. The snap features 46 provide a
temporary holding mechanism for the step bar to ease installation.
The snap features 46 hold one side of the guard 20 to the step bar
12 while fasteners at attachment points 32 are secured to attach
the guard to the step bar 12. The snap features 46 shown in FIGS. 8
and 9 are only one possible configuration of a snap feature within
the contemplation of this invention, other configurations as are
known to a worker skilled are within the scope of this
invention.
[0044] Although a flat sheet of non-corrosive material such as
stainless steel is preferable, it is within the contemplation of
this invention that the guard 20 may be fabricated from any
materials such as plastics, fiberglass, steel grate, powder coated
sheet steel or other such materials as one skilled in the art would
understand is applicable to such applications. The flat sheet
comprising the guard portion 21 may includes various strengthening
features as are known to a worker skilled in the art, including
grooved, ribs, channels, groove, along with the addition of
strengthening members attached to the guard 20 to provide the
desired additional strength.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 10A-B, an alternate embodiment of the
guard portion 21 is shown including a plurality of grooves 48. The
grooves 48 provide additional traction and strength to the guard
portion 21. FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-section of the guard
portion 21 including grooves 48. It should by understood that any
groove configuration as is known to a worker skilled in the art is
within the contemplation of this invention.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, another embodiment of the
guard portion 21 includes a series of alternating channels 50
forming a corrugated guard portion 21. The alternating channels 50
are strengthening features that reinforce the guard portion 21.
FIG. 11B is a cross-section of the guard portion 21 with the
alternating channels 50. As appreciated, any configuration of a
corrugated or alternating channel guard portion 21 is within the
contemplation of this invention.
[0047] Preferably, the guard 21 includes only the mounting openings
at each of the attachment points 32, however, it is within the
conteinplation of this invention to use a guard 20 including
openings throughout the guard 20 to facilitate mounting and water
drainage. Further, the guard 20 is adaptable to the specific
applications of the step bar and motor vehicle. As would be
understood by a person skilled in the art, the exact length and
width of the guard 20 is determined on an application specific
basis.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 12A-B, another embodiment of a guard
assembly is shown and generally indicated at 60. In this
embodiment, the guard portion 64 includes a flexible sheet of
flexible material. The flexible material is preferably a vinyl
composite including a plurality of snap members 62. The snap
members 62 snap fit the vinyl material to the bottom of the step
bar to block the opening between the step bar 12 and the motor
vehicle 10. Further, any type of flexible material as is known to a
worker skilled in the art is within the contemplation of this
invention. Such material can include tarp, canvas, cloth or other
like materials secured to the bottom portion of the step bar
12.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, preferably, the guard assembly 20
includes a lip 30 substantially transverse to the guard portion 21.
The lip 30 extends upward on an inboard portion of the guard 20.
The lip 30 aids in protection of the rocker panel 16 of the motor
vehicle 10 by preventing rocks and road debris from being thrown
between the guard portion 21 and the bottom of the motor vehicle
10. The distance at which the lip 30 extends from the guard 20 may
be of any length designed to protect the rocker panel 16.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the lip 30 may also extend downwardly
from the guard portion 21 to prevent road debris from being thrown
up against the rocker panel 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
the guard portion 21 is mounted to the top surface of the step bar
21. The lip 30 corresponding to this mounting configuration extends
downward to protect against road debris being thrown up into the
rocker panel 16. The specific configuration of the lip 30 is
application specific and all configurations as is known to a worker
skilled in the art are within the contemplation of this
invention.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiment of the lip 30
extend further upward from the guard 30 to provide a location for
the application of a decorative item 38 such as lights, text
messages, or illustrations according to the desire of the owner of
the motor vehicle 10.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 14-15, another embodiment of the guard is
generally indicated at 66 and includes a guard portion 68 with an
interlocking portion 74. The interlocking portion 74 includes a "V"
shaped section 74 with a ridge 73. The lip portion 70 includes a
corresponding interlocking section 70. The interlocking section 70
is also "V" shaped and fits within the interlocking portion 74 of
the guard 68 and retained by the ridge 73. The lip 72 is assembled
separately to provide for differing motor vehicle configurations.
Different motor vehicle and step bar combinations will require lips
72 if differing lengths. The length 76 can be of any length desired
and according to the specific applications. Further, the lip 72 is
assembled separately from the guard 68 to allow lips 72 of
differing lengths 76 to tailor to each specific application.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 16-17, another embodiment of the guard
assembly is generally indicated at 78 and includes a guard 84 with
a lip 80 of a standard length 87. Attached to the lip 87 is an
extension member 82. The extension member is generally "J" shaped
with a clip portion 869. The clip portion 86 clamps onto the lip 80
of the guard 84. The extension member 82 provides for an overall
length 88 to provide for the desired height of the guard 84
according to application specific requirements. Note that the it is
within the contemplation of this invention to use any type of
attachment configuration as is known to a worker skilled in the art
to attach the separate lip to the guard portion, such as threaded
fasteners, clamps, rivets
[0054] The foregoing description is exemplary and not just a
material specification. The invention has been described in an
illustrative manner and should be understood that the terminology
used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather
than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The
preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
certain modifications are within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *