Running board, motor vehicle including a running board, and a method for installing a running board to a motor vehicle

• US 7,287,770 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2004
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lund Incorporated (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lund International Incorporated (Truck Hero, Inc.)
• Inventors: Drabant, Steve, Kozak, Shawn
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SWENSON, BRIAN L
• Application Number:
  US10/866,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20050275186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,235 Days
• Field of Search: 280/163, 280/164.1, 280/164.2, 280/166, 280/169, 280/291, D12/114, D12/107, D12/110, D12/120
• US Class Current: 280/163
• 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

A running board is provided by the invention. The running board includes a deck, a stepping surface material, and a step cover. The stepping surface material includes raised portions that prevent foot slippage. The cover portion partially overlaps the stepping material to secure it in a place on the deck. A motor vehicle with a running board and methods for installing the running board are also provided.

Claims

1. A running board comprising:

a deck including a step portion and a support structure attached to the step portion and constructed to support the step portion under a door of a motor vehicle, wherein the deck includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end;

a mat constructed to rest on the step portion; and

a step cover constructed to cover a portion of the mat and attach to the deck and wrap at least one of the first terminal end or second terminal end of the deck to provide a finished appearance.

2. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the step cover includes a flange that extends beyond a periphery edge of the mat and is constructed to be positioned adjacent the deck.

3. The running board according to claim 2, wherein the flange is attached to the deck.

4. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the step cover includes a cutout that exposes a portion of the mat.

5. The running board according to claim 4, wherein the mat includes a raised portion that extends through the cutout.

6. The running board according to claim 5, wherein the raised portion extends past a plane defined by a top surface of the step cover.

7. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the step cover includes a plurality of cutouts that expose portions of the mat.

8. The running board according to claim 7, wherein the mat includes a plurality of raised portions that extend through the plurality of cutouts.

9. The running board according to claim 8, wherein the raised portions extend past a plane defined by a top surface of the step cover.

10. The running board according to claim 7, wherein the cutouts include an elongated shape.

11. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the mat and the step cover are sized and configured such that the mat and the step cover interlock to restrain relative movement between the stepping surface and the step cover in the plane parallel to the step portion.

12. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the deck includes an underside opposite a top side and wherein the step cover partially encloses the underside of the deck.

13. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the deck includes a second step cover that extends beyond the second terminal end to provide a finished appearance.

14. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the mat comprises a resilient construction.

15. The running board according to claim 14, wherein the step cover is fastened to the deck such tat the mat is compressed between the step cover and the deck.

16. The naming board according to claim 14, wherein the mat comprises a plastic construction.

17. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a polymer composition.

18. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the deck comprises a metal construction.

19. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the step cover comprises a polymer composition.

20. The running board according to claim 1, wherein the deck includes two channels that extend along a length of the deck configured to receive fasteners.

21. The running board according to claim 20, wherein the channels extend along an entire length of the deck.

22. A motor vehicle having a running board attached along a side of the motor vehicle below at least one of the motor vehicle side doom, the running board comprising:

a deck having a stepping surface and a support structure attached to and supporting the stepping surface, wherein the deck includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end;

a mat including a portion adjacent the stepping surface of the nmning board deck; and

a step cover positioned over the mat securing the mat to the running board deck and wrap at least one of the first terminal end or second terminal end of the deck to provide a finished appearance.

23. A motor vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the mat is resilient material.

24. A motor vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the step cover includes a portion that is not positioned over the mat and rests on the running board deck.

25. A running board comprising:

a deck including a step portion and a support structure attached to the step portion and constructed to support the step portion under a door of a motor vehicle, wherein the deck includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end;

a mat constructed to rest on the step portion; and

a step cover constructed to cover a portion of the mat and attach to the deck, wherein the step cover includes a flange that extends beyond a periphery edge of the mat and is constructed to be positioned on the step portion of the deck and wrap at least one of the first terminal end or second terminal end of the deck to provide a finished appearance.