US 2017/0361784 A1Published application

Vehicle trim accessory and method of trimming a vehicle

OwnerJeffrey S. Pattoninventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A vehicle trim accessory vehicle trim accessory comprises an elongated central portion having first and second opposing long edges, an elongated mounting flange portion having first and second opposing long edges, an elongated first curved portion connecting the first long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the mounting flange portion, an elongated free flange portion having first and second opposing long edges, and an elongated second curved portion connecting the second long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the free flange portion. The size and radius of the curved portion is selected to create a desired angle and distance between the central portion and the mounting flange portion and therefore between the central portion and the pinch rail. Both the first and second curved portions curve toward a same side of the central portion.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A vehicle trim accessory comprising:

an elongated central portion having first and second opposing long edges;
an elongated mounting flange portion having first and second opposing long edges, the mounting flange portion defining a plurality of mounting holes adapted to affix the mounting flange portion and thereby the vehicle trim accessory to a pinch rail of a motor vehicle;
an elongated first curved portion connecting the first long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the mounting flange portion, the size and radius of the first curved portion selected to create a desired angle and distance between the central portion and the mounting flange portion and therefore between the central portion and the pinch rail when the mounting flange portion is affixed to the pinch rail;
an elongated free flange portion having first and second opposing long edges;
and
an elongated second curved portion connecting the second long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the free flange portion;
wherein both the first and second curved portions curve toward a same side of the central portion.

4 more elements

A method of trimming a vehicle, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining a vehicle trim accessory comprising:
an elongated central portion having first and second opposing long edges;
an elongated mounting flange portion having first and second opposing long edges;
and
an elongated first curved portion connecting the first long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the mounting flange portion, such that an acute angle is defined between the central portion and the mounting flange portion;
(b) positioning the vehicle trim accessory such that the mounting flange portion is against a pinch rail of a motor vehicle with its second edge pointed upward and such that the central portion angles upward and outward toward a side panel or rocker panel of the motor vehicle;
and
(c) affixing the mounting flange portion to the pinch rail.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/621,174Filed 13 Jun 2017
Priority: 20 Jun 2016
Published: 21 Dec 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B60R 13/04
Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes: external Ornamental or guard…
F16B 5/02
Joining sheets or plates , e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them: by means of fastening members using screw-thread
B60R
Vehicle fittings and parts
F16B
Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together