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US 6,612,595 B1Granted
Grille guard with footstep
OwnerRon D. Storerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grille guard for an automobile has a footstep for facilitating safe and easy access to the hood and engine compartment thereof. The footstep is defined by a generally tubular horizontal member having a flattened portion formed along the upper surface thereof and preferably having a non-skid surface formed thereupon.
Claims16
A grille guard for an automobile, said grille guard comprising:
- a) at least one first grille guard member extending generally horizontally so as to protect a portion of an automobile's front;
- b) at least one second grille guard member extending generally vertically and formed to said at least one first grille guard member;
- c) a footstep to said at least one second grille guard member proximate a lower end thereof, the footstep being disposed in weight-supportive attachment with said at least one second grille guard, the weight-supportive attachment being sufficient to resist a person's weight said step comprising:
- i) a generally tubular horizontal member formed of a material sufficient to resist bending due to the force of a person's weight thereon;
- and
- ii) an integrated flattened portion formed in said generally tubular horizontal member for providing a user with a structural visual cue that said flattened portion is to be used for stepping upon.
3 more elements
A method for forming a grille guard for an automobile, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least one first grille guard member configured to extend generally horizontally so as to protect a portion of the automobile's front;
- b) providing at least one second grille guard member configured to extend generally vertically;
- c) attaching said at least one first grille guard member to said at least one second grille guard member;
- d) forming a footstep according to a method comprising the steps of:
- i) providing a tubular member of a desired length to define a step, the tubular member being formed of a material sufficient to resist bending due to the force of a person's weight thereon;
- ii) pressing the tubular member to form an integrated flattened portion thereon for providing a user with a structural visual cue that said flattened portion is to be used for stepping upon;
- and
- e) attaching the footstep to said at least one second grille guard member proximate a lower end thereof with such attachment force so as to sufficiently resist a person's weight.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.