Vehicle rock slider with removable cover

A vehicle rock slider having a removable cover and methods of using the same. The rock slider may be attachable to a rocker panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The rock slider may have a cover removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use.

The present disclosure is directed to vehicle rock sliders, particularly rock sliders having removable covers, and methods of using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Rock sliders are commonly used among vehicle owners who use their vehicles (e.g., SUVs, UTVs, pick-up trucks, etc.) off-road and/or on rough terrain. Generally, rock sliders are installed over the rocker panels on the sides of a vehicle. Rock sliders protect vehicles, particularly rocker panels and bottoms of vehicles, from damage arising from rocks and other types of debris found on the driving surface. Rocker panels and vehicle bottoms are close to the ground and thus highly likely to be damaged off-road. Hence, rock slider protection can be critical to vehicle protection.

Currently available rock sliders, however, are generally bulky, heavy, visually unappealing, and difficult to install. Some rock sliders may have to be custom made to fit a particular vehicle. Installation of rock sliders may require drilling holes in the frame and/or the body or welding.

Hence, there is a need for an integrated vehicle rock slider with a removable cover.

SUMMARY

A vehicle rock slider having a removable cover and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. The rock slider may be integrated into the rocker panel of the vehicle. The rock slider may be within a styling envelop of the vehicle. The rock slider may be attachable to a rocker panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The rock slider may have a cover removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use. The cover may be removed when off-roading or driving on a surface having low ground clearance to use the rock sliders and prevent damage to the body panels.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a vehicle having an having an improved crash performance and body panel damage protection. The vehicle may include a rocker panel. The rocker panel may have a bottom and a length. The length may extend along a side of the vehicle. A rocker flange may extend downward from the bottom. A rock slider may be attachable to the rocker panel along the length such that an edge of the rock slider extends below the rocker flange.

The vehicle may further include a cover. The cover may be removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use. The rock slider may have a body and one or more legs extending from the body. Each end of the one or more legs may be attachable to the rocker panel. The body of the rock slider may be tubular. The rock slider may be attachable to the rocker panel with one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may allow the rock slider to be removed, replaced, and serviced with ease. The rock slider may be configured to be used as a step for entering and exiting the vehicle. The rock slider may be further configured to be used as a recovery point.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be an apparatus for improving crash performance and preventing damage to body panels of a vehicle. The apparatus may include a rock slider attachable to a rocker panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The apparatus may further include a cover. The cover may be removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use. The cover may be removably attachable onto the rock slider by one or more snap-on clips. The rock slider may have a body and one or more legs extending from the body. Each end of the one or more legs may be attachable to the rocker panel. The body of the rock slider may be tubular. The rock slider may be attachable to the rocker panel with one or more fasteners. The one or more fasteners may allow the rock slider to be removed, replaced, and serviced with ease. The rock slider may be configured to be used as a step for entering and exiting the vehicle. The rock slider may be further configured to be used as a recovery point.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there may be a method of using an apparatus for improving crash performance and preventing damage to body panels of a vehicle. The method may include attaching a rock slider to a rock panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The method may further include attaching a cover onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use. The method may include detaching the cover from the rock slider before the rock slider is to be used. The cover may be attached onto the rock slider with one or more snap-on clips. The rock slider may have a body and one or more legs extending from the body. The rock slider may be attached to the rocker panel from each end of the one or more legs. The body of the rock slider may be tubular. The rock slider may be configured to be used as a step for entering and exiting the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus and methods described herein enable users (e.g., drivers and/or passengers (interchangeable when referring to autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles)) to protect their vehicles from damage when off-roading or driving over rough terrain and restore the visual appearance of their vehicles when driving on paved roads, freeways, designated roads, etc. Further, the apparatus and methods improve the rigidity and crash performance of the vehicle against frontal, rear, and side impacts.

A rock slider integrated into a vehicle may eliminate the difficult installation process, reduce the bulkiness, and improve rigidity as well as the crash performance of the vehicle against frontal, rear, and side impacts. A rock slider may be coupled to a vehicle and span a length of the rocker panel. The rock slider may be contained within the styling envelop of the vehicle. The rock slider may be mounted below a rocker flange of the vehicle to advantageously prevent damage to the rocker flange. When not off-roading or driving on rough terrain, a cover may be attached over the rock slider to advantageously maintain the style and overall appearance of the vehicle and hide the rock slider.

FIG.1Aillustrates a side view of a vehicle100having a rock slider102according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The vehicle100is a conveyance capable of transporting a person, an object, or a permanently or temporarily affixed apparatus. The vehicle100may have an automatic or manual transmission. The vehicle100may be a self-propelled wheeled conveyance, such as a car, an SUV, a truck, a bus, a van, or other motor or battery driven vehicle. For example, the vehicle100may be an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or any other type of vehicle that includes a motor/generator.FIG.1Adepicts a pick-up truck by example. The vehicle100may be an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle having self-driving capabilities. The vehicle100may have doors104to enter and exit out of the vehicle100.

The rock slider102may extend along a rocker panel106(seeFIG.2) of the vehicle100. In some embodiments, the rock slider102may extend along a portion of the rocker panel106. The rock slider102may be attached to the rocker panel106. In some embodiments, the rock slider102may be welded onto the rocker panel106. In some embodiments, the rock slider102may be fastened onto the rocker panel106with bolts, screws, nuts, or other conventional fasteners. In such embodiments, holes108(seeFIG.2) may be drilled in the rocker panel106.

The rock slider102may be built with hot rolled electric resistance welded (HREW) or drawn over mandrel (DOM) steel tubing. SAE1020mild carbon steel may be used to make the rock slider102. In some embodiments, aluminum may be used instead. Other suitable materials and manufacturing processes conventionally used in rock slider making are also contemplated. The rock slider102may have a tubular body or be a tube110. The tube110may have a hollow cavity or interior. The hollow interior may advantageously provide a relatively lighter rock slider102. The tube110may have a round cross-section. The round cross-section may advantageously provide a uniform and sturdy structure without sharp edges that are prone to damage more easily. In some embodiments, the cross section of the tube110may be oval, square, rectangle, triangle, or any other shape.

The rock slider102may have one or more attachment points or legs112that attach the rock slider102to the vehicle. The legs112may be the same material as the tube110. In some embodiments, the legs112may be plastic or a metal other than the material of the tube110. The legs112may be welded or fastened onto the tube110. For example, the legs112may have openings114(seeFIG.3B) being shaped and sized to provide a snug fitment over the tube110.

The rock slider102may protect the vehicle100against rocks, logs, and/or the like that may otherwise cause damage to the vehicle100. The rock slider102may serve as an attachment point for recovery and stability. The rock slider102may be used as a step if it has a width that can accommodate a foot or feet of a person that can use the rock slider102as leverage.

FIG.1Billustrates a side view of the vehicle100having a cover116over the rock slider102(seeFIG.1A) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The cover116may be a vanity cover to conceal the rock slider102and preserve the overall appearance of the vehicle100. The cover116may cover an entirety or a portion of the rock slider102. InFIG.1B, the entirety of the rock slider102is concealed. When attached, the cover116may sit directly under the doors104(only one shown). The cover116may be made from the same material as the doors104. In other examples, the cover116may be made from plastic, metal, carbon fiber, or wood. Outer surface118of the cover116may be coated with paint. For example, the outer surface118may be coated with the same color as the vehicle100to achieve a homogenized and seamless appearance.

FIG.2illustrates a cross-section view of the rocker panel106, the rock slider102, and the cover116according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The rock slider102may be attached to the rocker panel106. The attachment may be facilitated via welding or fasteners, such as the bolts120mating with the holes108shown inFIG.2. The attachment may be at a top surface122, bottom surface124, or a side surface126of the rocker panel106.FIG.2shows the attachment at the bottom surface124by example. The top surface122, bottom surface124, and/or the side surface126may be horizontally or vertically straight or sloped.FIG.2shows a tapered bottom surface124by example.

The rocker panel106may have a left panel member128aand a right panel member128b. The left and right panel members128a,bmay be made separately and pieced together to make the rocker panel106. The left and right panel members128a,bmay be coupled together by a rocker flange130. As shown inFIG.2, the rocker panel106may have an upper rocker flange130aand a lower rocker flange130b. In some embodiments, the rocker panel106may have a unitarily constructed body. The rock slider102may extend below the lower rocker flange130b. The legs112of the rock slider102may extend from the rocker panel106such that at least the tube110may be positioned below a bottom end132of the lower rocker flange130b. The legs112may also extend at least partially below the bottom end132. The rocker flange130may be prone to damage from rocks and other debris on and off the road, and having the rock slider102below the lower rocker flange130bmay protect it from damage.

The tube110may be hollow as shown inFIG.2or solid. The tube110may have a diameter or width134between 0.5 inches (in) to 4 in. Preferably, the tube110may have a diameter or width134between 2 in to 4 in. The cover116may be partially or completely attached to the tube110. In some embodiments, the cover116may be partially or completely attached to the rocker panel106. In some embodiments, the cover116may be both attached to the tube110and the rocker panel106. The cover116may be snapped onto the tube110with clips136as shown inFIG.2. The cover116may conform to the shape of the tube110to provide further structural support and engagement. For example, the cover116shown inFIG.2curves under the tube110to support the tube110. In some embodiments, the cover116may be slid over the tube110. In some embodiments, the cover116may be hooked onto the tube110. In some embodiments, the cover116may be attached to the tube110with conventional fasteners.

The cover116may be shaped and sized to conceal the tube110and the legs112of the rock slider102. The cover116may have bumps, creases, grooves, lines, and/or the like. An upper end138of the cover116may bias the rocker panel106. For example, the upper end138may bias the side surface126as shown inFIG.2. In some embodiments, the upper end138may be affixed to the rocker panel106. For example, conventional fasteners may be used to affix the upper end138to the rocker panel106.

FIG.3Aillustrates a perspective view of a door104of the vehicle100(seeFIG.1A), the rock slider102, and the cover116according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The cover116may be shaped and sized to accommodate at least a portion of a bottom140of the door104. The outer surface118of the cover116may be shaped so that the bottom140of the door104sits flush on the cover116when closed. In some embodiments, the cover116may be recessed relative to an outer surface142of the door104. In some embodiments, the cover116may extend over the outer surface142of the door104. The rock slider102may also be shaped and sized to accommodate at least a portion of the bottom140of the door104. The cover116may be longer in length than the rocker panel106and the tube110in order to conceal both. In some embodiments, the cover116may be only longer than the tube110to cover the rock slider102. When the door104is closed the outer surface118of the cover116and the outer surface142of the door104may be flush. The door104and the cover116may have a cohesive appearance when the door104is closed. In some embodiments, the cover116may extend out further than the outer surface142. In such embodiments, the tube110may stick out further such that the rock slider102extends out further than the outer surface142as well.

FIG.3Billustrates a perspective view of the door104and the rock slider102without the cover116(seeFIG.3A) according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The door104is shown in the closed position, the bottom140of the door104resting flush against the rocker panel106. A portion of the bottom140may hang from the rocker panel106as shown inFIG.3B. The cover116may be removed by snapping off or sliding off the clips136(seeFIG.2) and/or disengaging any fasteners used in placing the cover116over the rock slider102. The legs112of the rock slider102are shown engaged to and slid over the tube110as an example.