Extruded multi-layer molded running board
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsPaul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Michael Musleh, Talat Karmo, David Brian Glickman, Harry Lobo, Joseph Myszka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle running board includes opposing vertical walls extending along a length of a tubular structure and including a carbon-fiber component. Opposing horizontal walls extend between the opposing vertical walls and include a glass component. The opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls form the tubular structure having a generally rectilinear cross section. A polymer outer covering extends over the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls.
Claims20
A vehicle running board comprising:
- opposing vertical walls extending along a length of a tubular structure and including a carbon-fiber component;
- opposing horizontal walls extending between the opposing vertical walls and including a glass component, the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls forming the tubular structure having a generally rectilinear cross section;
- and
- a polymer outer covering extending over the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls.
A method for forming a vehicle running board, the method comprising steps of:
- bi-extruding a vertically-oriented carbon-fiber reinforcing material with a laterally-oriented glass reinforcing material to form a tubular parison;
- co-extruding a polymer outer covering with the tubular parison;
- and
- molding the tubular parison and the polymer outer covering to form a tubular running board structure.
A vehicle running board comprising:
- opposing vertical walls extending along a length of a tubular structure and including a carbon-fiber component and being free of a glass component;
- opposing horizontal walls extending between the opposing vertical walls and including the glass component and being free of the carbon-fiber component;
- and
- a polymer outer covering extending over the opposing vertical and opposing horizontal walls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.