RECONFIGURABLE FRONT AND UPPER ONE PIECE BAFFLES FOR DIRECTING INCOMING AIR FROM A VEHICLE FRONT FASCIA TO A RADIATOR COOLING MODULE

• US 20130175011A1
• Filed: 12/26/2012
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U.S. Farathane Corporation
• Original Assignee: U.S. Farathane Corporation
• Inventors: Leonard, Stephen G.
• Granted Patent: US 9,134,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/109.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0017 moulding interconnected elements which are movable with respect to one another, e.g. chains or hinges
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1676 using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/08 Air inlets for cooling; Shutters or blinds therefor radiator or grille guards B60R19/52
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 21/06 of plastics material

Abstract

A baffle construction constructed of a two part/two shot injection molded material having an integral and three sided body. Each of the sides including a panel section surrounded by a softer interconnecting hinge such that a plurality of living hinges are configured into the body and are located around and between each of a central panel and interconnected side panels. A secondary article is provided and includes an upper baffle assembled along with the lower baffle to define a four sided box-like structure around a vehicle radiator and in order to direct incoming air through a fascia opening and into a cooling module associated with the radiator.

Claims

1. A baffle construction constructed of a two part injection molded material and comprising an integrally formed body including a first harder panel section and a second softer interconnecting hinge.

2. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising a three sided article including a central body panel and two opposite interconnected side portions.

3. The invention as described in claim 1, said panel and side portions each having a specified shape and size and being formed from a first shot harder material including at least an olefinic filled polypropylene.

4. The invention as described in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of living hinges located around and between said body and side portions.

5. The invention as described in claim 4, said living hinges each having a specified shape and size and being formed from a second shot softer material including at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanite (TPV).

6. The invention as described in claim 2, further comprising a secondary article including an upper baffle assembled along with said lower baffle to define a four sided box-like structure around the radiator.

7. The invention as described in claim 6, said upper baffle further comprising individual harder first shot panel portions, between and around which are formed additional softer second shot hinge and pivot locations.

8. The invention as described in claim 7, at least one of said three sided article and said secondary article incorporating reconfigurable portions to facilitate installation to varying sized and dimensioned vehicle fascias, bumper bars, radiators and the like.

9. A multi-sided and lay flat baffle construction for installation within an engine compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a three sided body including a central panel and opposite interconnected side panels, said body constructed of a two part injection molded material;

said panels each further being constructed of a first harder material; and

a second softer material defining interconnecting hinges between and around said panels such that said body is converted from a first lay flat condition to a second configured position adapted to surround a radiator and associated cooling module positioned within the engine compartment of the vehicle.

10. The invention as described in claim 9, said panel and side portions each having a specified shape and size and being formed from at least an olefinic filled polypropylene.

11. The invention as described in claim 10, said softer material further comprising a plurality of living hinges located around and between said body and side portions.

12. The invention as described in claim 11, said living hinges each having a specified shape and size and being formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanite (TPV).

13. The invention as described in claim 9, further comprising an upper baffle assembled along with said multi-sided body to define a four sided box-like structure around the radiator and upper cooling module.

14. The invention as described in claim 13, said upper baffle further comprising individual harder first shot panel portions, between and around which are formed additional softer second shot hinge and pivot locations.

15. The invention as described in claim 14, at least one of said three sided interconnected body and said upper incorporating reconfigurable portions to facilitate installation to varying sized and dimensioned vehicle fascias, bumper bars, radiators and the like.

16. A multi-sided baffle construction for installation within an engine compartment of a vehicle, comprising:

a three sided body including a central panel and opposite interconnected side panels, said body constructed of a two part injection molded material;

said panels each further being constructed of a first harder material;

a second softer material defining interconnecting hinges between and around said panels such that said body is converted from a first lay flat condition to a second configured position adapted to surround a radiator positioned within the engine compartment of the vehicle; and

an upper baffle assembled along with said multi-sided body to define a four sided box-like structure around the radiator and an upper positioned cooling module, said upper baffle further comprising individual harder first shot panel portions, between and around which are formed additional softer second shot hinge and pivot locations.

17. The invention as described in claim 16, said panel and side portions each having a specified shape and size and being formed from at least an olefinic filled polypropylene.

18. The invention as described in claim 16, said softer material further comprising a plurality of living hinges located around and between said body and side portions.

19. The invention as described in claim 16, said living hinges each having a specified shape and size and being formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic vulcanite (TPV).

20. The invention as described in claim 16, at least one of said three sided interconnected body and said upper incorporating reconfigurable portions to facilitate installation to varying sized and dimensioned vehicle fascias, bumper bars, radiators and the like.