SKID PLATE ASSEMBLY

• US 20200130620A1
• Filed: 10/04/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lund Motion Products Inc (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lund Motion Products Inc (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gutierrez, Carlos
• Granted Patent: US 11,318,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0035 relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0408 built into the vehicle body, e.g. details concerning the mounting of the headlamps on the vehicle body B60Q1/0491, B60Q1/05 take precedence, integrated front ends B62D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0483 mounted on a bracket, e.g. details concerning the mouting of the lamps on the vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/50 with lights or registration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/52 Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles cooling aspects B60K11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/155 Sub-frames or underguards
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/2072 Floor protection, e.g. from corrosion or scratching floor mats B60N3/04, armour F41H7/042, insulation B60R13/08, streamlining B62D35/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/02 Streamlining the undersurfaces B62D35/005, B62D35/007, B62D35/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/16 the sub-units or components being exterior fittings, e.g. bumpers, lights, wipers , exhausts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle that can include a bumper, a plurality of frame brackets, and a skid plate assembly, and related methods. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a skid plate assembly that can include a light source and a main body with a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of mounts. The skid plate assembly can extend below a bumper of a vehicle. The main body can define an opening that exposes the light source and the face of the light source can be aimed forward and downward.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a bumper;

a plurality of frame brackets;

a skid plate assembly coupled to the frame brackets, the skid plate assembly comprising;

a main body having a first portion, a second portion, a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of mounts;

a light source having a first end, a second end, and a face through which light is directed;

wherein the skid plate assembly extends below the bumper;

wherein the front surface of the main body defines an opening that exposes the light source; and

wherein when the vehicle is on a horizontal surface, the face of the light source is aimed forward and downward at a first angle of 60 degrees or less from horizontal.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the main body are planar surfaces.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first portion extends along an underside of the vehicle to protect a plurality of vehicle components from impact.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the second portion extends forward and upward relative to the first portion.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a light mount, wherein the light mount comprises at least one of:

(1) a first flange and a second flange extending rearward from the rear surface of the main body and configured to secure the first and second ends of the light source;

(2) a top flange and a bottom flange extending rearward from the rear surface of the main body and configured to secure the light source to the main body;

(3) a back face spaced rearward from the rear surface of the main body; and

(4) a plurality of holes extending from the rear surface to the front surface of the main body and configured to receive a plurality of fasteners to secure the light source to the main body.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners, wherein the fasteners extend through a plurality of apertures in the mounts and into the frame brackets.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the mounts comprise at least one of:

(1) a first arm and a second arm configured to attach to a first and second lateral side of the frame brackets; and

(2) a first support and a second support extending rearward from the rear surface of the main body and configured to attach to a first and second front surface of the frame brackets.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the face of the light source is recessed from the front surface of the second portion.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a power assembly and a wiring harness.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first angle of the light source is between 15 and 60 degrees relative to horizontal.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bumper is a separate component from the skid plate assembly.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the skid plate assembly is integral with the bumper.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the frame brackets are integral with the bumper.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a second angle between the first portion and the second portion of the main body is at least 120 degrees.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein an orientation of the light source is adjustable with respect to the main body.

16. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first angle is adjustable.

17. A method for installing a skid plate assembly on a vehicle, the method comprising

providing a skid plate assembly, the skid plate assembly comprising a main body having a plurality of mounts and a light source having a first end, a second end, and a face through which light is directed;

attaching the skid plate assembly to a vehicle such that the skid plate assembly extends below a vehicle bumper; and

aiming the face of the light source forward and downward at an angle of 60 degrees or less from horizontal when the vehicle is on a horizontal surface.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein attaching the skid plate assembly to the vehicle comprises extending a fastener through an aperture in at least one of the plurality of mounts of the main body and into a pre-existing groove in a frame bracket on the vehicle without drilling.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising sliding the fastener along the pre-existing groove of the frame bracket to a location before securing the fastener.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising adjusting the angle of the face of the light source relative to horizontal by pivoting the light source.