Wheel liner apparatus
OwnerDan Leuciuc, Alexandru Olteaninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wheel liner comprises a rigid frame with relatively large openings rather than a continuous surface. Non-woven fibers or potential other similar materials which are often less rigid than the frame are inserted over the openings of the frame. The resulting wheel liner is less expensive, lighter, more aesthetically pleasing, and possessing superior sound dampening capabilities than a conventional prior art wheel liner.
Claims20
A wheel liner apparatus for use on a vehicle to prevent the intrusion of debris into a wheel area of the vehicle, comprising:
- a plastic frame, said plastic frame including a plurality of openings and a plurality of attachment components, wherein said plurality of attachments components provide for attaching said wheel liner apparatus to the vehicle;
- and
- a plurality of non-woven inserts attached to said plastic frame and covering said openings;
- wherein said wheel liner apparatus is a substantially single-layered wheel liner apparatus;
- wherein said wheel liner apparatus is formed using an over-molding tool;
- wherein said plurality of non-woven inserts are a plurality of 3D molded non-woven inserts;
- and
- wherein said plastic frame is molded around said non-woven inserts.
A wheel liner apparatus for use on a vehicle to prevent the intrusion of debris into a wheel area of the vehicle, comprising:
- a frame, said frame including a plurality of openings and a plurality of attachment components, wherein said plurality of attachments components provide for attaching said wheel liner apparatus to the vehicle;
- and
- a plurality of inserts permanently attached to said frame and positioned to cover said openings;
- wherein said inserts are comprised of a material that is less dense and less rigid than said frame;
- wherein said inserts are a plurality of 3D molded non-woven inserts;
- wherein said frame is a single-layered frame;
- wherein said wheel liner apparatus is a substantially single-layered wheel liner apparatus;
- wherein said wheel liner apparatus is formed using an over-molding tool;
- and
- wherein said plastic frame is molded around said insert.
A method for manufacturing a substantially single-layered wheel liner apparatus that is comprised of a plastic frame that includes a plurality of openings filled by a plurality of inserts, said method, comprising:
- cutting a portion of raw material from a roll;
- heating the cut portion;
- placing the heated portion in a mold to form a sheet of inserts;
- removing the inserts from the sheet;
- trimming the edges of the inserts removed from the sheet;
- positioning the inserts near an injection molding machine that is used to create the frame;
- and
- molding the plastic frame over the inserts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.