Step rail for vehicle with applique and method of making same

• US 10,336,259 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JAC Products Incorporated (JAC Holding Enterprises, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: JAC Products Incorporated (JAC Holding Enterprises, Inc.)
• Inventors: Michie, Gordon, Wood, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, III, James A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cassidy, Brian L
• Application Number:
  US15/699,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 280169, 280163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02

Abstract

An accessory component for a vehicle is disclosed which may incorporate an elongated frame element having an elongated channel formed there along. The elongated frame element is adapted to be fixedly secured to a portion of the vehicle. A resilient metallic applique having a contour generally in accordance with at least a portion of the elongated frame element may be incorporated. The applique may have a feature adjacent a first end for engaging with the elongated channel, and a second end of the applique may be shaped to engage with a different portion of the elongated frame element such that the applique is secured to the elongated frame element without adhesives or mechanical fasteners.

Claims

1. An accessory component for a vehicle, comprising:

an elongated frame element having an elongated first feature formed there along, the elongated frame element adapted to be fixedly secured to a portion of the vehicle;

a resilient metallic applique having a contour generally in accordance with at least a portion of the elongated frame element;

the applique having a second feature adjacent a first end for engaging with the elongated first feature, and a second end of the applique being shaped to engage with a different portion of the elongated frame element such that the applique is secured to the elongated frame element without adhesives or mechanical fasteners;

the applique having at least one hole;

the elongated frame element further comprises at least one channel formed in an upper surface thereof; and

a pad including at least one depending tab, the hole in the applique enabling the depending tab to pass therethrouqh, and the depending tab configured to engage with the at least one channel in the upper surface of the elongated frame element while sandwiching at least a portion of the applique between the pad and the elongated frame element.

2. The accessory component of claim 1, wherein the accessory component comprises a step rail.

3. The accessory component of claim 1, wherein the second feature of the applique adjacent the first end comprises a curved end portion.

4. The accessory component of claim 1, wherein the first feature comprises an elongated channel having a semi-circular shape.

5. The accessory component of claim 1, wherein the applique includes a plurality of holes formed therein.

6. An accessory component for a vehicle, comprising:

an elongated frame element having an elongated semi-circular channel formed co-extensively there with;

at least one bracket secured to the elongated frame element and adapted to be secured to a frame portion of the vehicle, for supporting the elongated frame element along a portion of the vehicle;

a resilient metallic applique having a contour generally in accordance with at least a portion of the elongated frame element;

the applique having a curved portion adjacent a first end for engaging with the elongated channel, and a second end of the applique being shaped to engage with a different portion of the elongated frame element such that the applique is secured with a snap fit to the elongated frame element without adhesives or mechanical fasteners;

the applique having a plurality of longitudinally aligned holes;

the elongated frame element further comprises at least one longitudinally extending channel formed in an upper surface thereof; and

a pad including a plurality of longitudinally aligned depending tabs configured to align with the longitudinally aligned holes, the longitudinally aligned holes in the applique enabling the longitudinally aligned depending tabs to pass therethrough, and the longitudinally aligned depending tabs further configured to be aligned with, and engage, the at least one longitudinally extending channel in the upper surface of the elongated frame element, to sandwich at least a portion of the applique between the pad and the elongated frame element.

7. The accessory component of claim 6, wherein the accessory component comprises a step rail.

8. The accessory component of claim 6, wherein the applique comprises at least one of polished stainless steel or polished aluminum.

9. The accessory component of claim 6, wherein the elongated frame element includes an additional channel formed in the upper surface, and wherein the pad includes a plurality of depending tabs, wherein the depending tabs extend through the holes in the applique to engage in the additional channel.

10. The accessory component 6, wherein the elongated frame element includes an additional plurality of channels formed co-extensively with a length of the elongated frame element;

and

further including an additional resilient, metallic applique secured in specific ones of the additional plurality of channels adjacent a rear area of the elongated frame element.