Abstract:
The present invention is, in a first aspect, a two-piece vehicular splash guard assembly including a splash guard body, having at least one slit, and a cover, having at least one tab corresponding to and registerable with the at least one slit. Removably securing the cover about an interior surface of the splash guard body, either before or after painting the splash guard body, ensures that no paint bleeds onto the inside surface of the splash guard body during the manufacturing process. In a second aspect, a method of painting said splash guard assembly is provided in order to create fine paint lines along the edges of the splash guard body. The cover may be attached either prior to or after painting and, thereafter, the combined cover and splash guard body may be attached to a vehicle or, alternatively, the splash guard body alone may be attached to the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a completion application and which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/235,819, filed Oct. 1, 2015, for “VEHICLE SPLASH GUARD AND METHOD OF PAINTING SAME,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, including the drawing. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to vehicular splash guards and a method of painting the splash guards. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     As vehicles are driven, a number of objects such as water, rocks, dirt, road tar, and other foreign objects may be propelled onto the exterior of the vehicle which can do costly damage to the components on the undercarriage of the vehicle in addition to damaging the paint along the sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, these damaging objects may project rearwardly, thereby damaging any vehicles to the rear of the driven vehicle and endangering other drivers on the road. Repairs for such damage to a vehicle&#39;s paint, windshield, or parts beneath the vehicle may easily run in the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. 
     One preventative method for maintaining the quality of the vehicle is to install splash guards behind each wheel of the vehicle&#39;s body and, typically, in the wheel well, rearward of the front, rear, or both sets of tires. Splash guards are well known and commercially available are typified in the prior art such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,709,938 and 6,193,278, and U.S. Patent Publication Serial No. 2013/0161935, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,938, filed Nov. 18, 1985, teaches a splash guard formed from a sufficiently elastic material which permits deformation during installation, but which is sufficiently inelastic to substantially retain its shape once installed on a vehicle. However, this reference fails to teach a cover to facilitate painting, but, instead, teaches a wheel well flange cover when in use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,278, filed Apr. 13, 1999, teaches a two-piece splash guard including a mounting component and a contoured member. The contoured member acts as a removable cover for a top portion of the mounting component such that when the mounting component and contoured member are secured together, the splash guard provides the appearance of a unitary, custom molded splash guard. The cover does not conceal an entire surface of the mounting component in order to provide fine paint lines. 
     U.S. Patent Publication Serial No. 2013/0161935, filed Dec. 22, 2011, discloses a splash guard having an inside panel and an outside panel. The outside panel defines a partial cover which cooperates with the inside panel to provide a pocket therebetween. The cover assists in the installation process of the splash guard to a vehicle. 
     Further, as known to those skilled in the art, a large number of newly manufactured vehicles have splash guards installed at the dealership behind both the front and rear wheels as an original vehicle part or as an OEM part. Typically, these splash guards are molded from a durable thermoplastic polyolefin material or similar durable thermoplastic such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or the like. 
     Oftentimes, splash guards are installed as an aftermarket part. Thus, either as an OEM or an aftermarket part, splash guards have become an often used part of the vehicle. 
     As an OEM or aftermarket part, splash guards must be manufactured in accordance with the automobile company&#39;s design specifications. As such, these splash guards must adhere to strict manufacturing specifications. Thus, for aesthetic purposes, such design specifications for splash guards usually require that the non-tire facing side of the splash guard be painted without allowing the paint to bleed onto the opposite or tire side of the splash guard. This provides precisely painted edges or fine line painted edges on the non-tire facing side. 
     Requiring such strict guidelines causes the manufacturing process of these splash guards to be a very tedious and time consuming process. To accomplish this, each splash guard must be taped or masked at its edges to make sure that no paint bleeds onto the opposite side, similar to using painter&#39;s tape when painting a wall to ensure well-defined edges. After painting the splash guard, the tape/mask is then removed to reveal fine paint lines along its edges. 
     However, heretofore, the art has not addressed the painting of the splash guards to create fine paint lines by removing a cover. A need, therefore, exists to accelerate the painting process while still adhering to OEM specifications. 
     It is to this to which the present invention is directed. 
     The above references are identified herein in recognition of a duty of disclosure of related subject matter, which may be relevant under 37 CFR 1.56, and specifically incorporated, herein by reference as regards the conventional approaches and constructions taught therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a two-piece splash guard assembly for a vehicle, the splash guard assembly, comprising: (a) a splash guard body, the splash guard body having an inside surface, an outside surface, a first edge, a second edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a perimetral body edge, the splash guard body further including at least one body aperture for attaching the splash guard body to a vehicle; (b) a cover, the cover having an inside surface, an outside surface, a first edge, a second edge, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a perimetral cover edge, the inside surface of the cover being substantially complementary to the inside surface of the splash guard body, the cover further including at least one cover aperture for attaching the cover to the vehicle; and (c) means for removably securing the cover to the splash guard body. 
     The means for removably securing the cover to the splash guard body comprises at least one and, preferably, a plurality of slits formed along the perimetral body edge and at least one and, preferably, a plurality of tabs disposed along the perimetral cover edge, each tab being in registry with an associated slit. The slits and tabs cooperate to removably secure the cover to the splash guard body. 
     To join the cover to the splash guard body, the cover is positioned over the splash guard body, within the confines of the perimetral body edge, wherein the inside surface of the cover faces and mates with the inside surface of the splash guard body. The tabs are then inserted into an associated slit in order to removably secure the cover to the splash guard. The cover may be removed from the splash guard body by disengaging the tabs from within each associated slit. 
     The at least one body aperture and at least one cover aperture cooperate to attach either the splash guard body, alone, or the combined splash guard body and combined to the vehicle, behind each wheel. 
     In a second aspect hereof, the present invention provides a method for painting a two-piece splash guard assembly to ensure that no paint bleeds to an undesired surface of the splash guard assembly. 
     In a first embodiment of the present method hereof, the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a splash guard body having a perimetral body edge; (b) providing a cover for the splash guard, the cover being substantially complementary to the splash guard body; (c) removably securing the cover to the splash guard body; (d) painting at least a portion of the splash guard body not concealed by the cover; (e) removing the cover from the splash guard body after painting, wherein removing the cover reveals fine paint lines along the perimetral body edge of the splash guard body; and (f) attaching the splash guard body to a vehicle without the cover. 
     Alternatively, and in a second embodiment of the present method hereof, the method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a splash guard body having a perimetral body edge; (b) painting at least a portion of the splash guard body; (c) providing a cover for the splash guard body, the cover being substantially complementary to the splash guard body; (d) removably securing the cover to the splash guard body after painting to provide the appearance of fine paint lines along the perimetral body edge of the splash guard body; and (e) attaching the splash guard body and the cover to a vehicle. 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, front perspective view of a splash guard assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view of the splash guard assembly hereof; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a slit as shown within circle A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a tab as shown within circle B of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the splash guard assembly hereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the splash guard assembly hereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the splash guard assembly hereof; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the splash guard assembly hereof taken along line C-C of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As noted hereinbelow, the present invention, generally, comprises, in a first aspect, a two-piece splash guard assembly which creates distinct and fine paint lines along an edge of the splash guard assembly when painted and, in a second aspect, a method of painting a two-piece splash guard assembly for creating fine paint lines and securing the splash guard assembly to a wheel well of a vehicle. 
     At the outset, it should be noted that although the ensuing description of a splash guard assembly is made with reference to that shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to any configuration and/or geometry of the splash guard assembly and such is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Now, and with reference to  FIGS. 1-8  of the drawing, and in accordance with the first aspect hereof, there is shown therein a two-piece splash guard or splash guard assembly, denoted at  8 , which, generally, comprises: (a) a splash guard body  10 ; (b) a cover  20 ; (c) and means for removably securing the cover  20  to the splash guard body  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , the splash guard body  10  comprises a planar member having an exterior or outside face or surface  19  and an interior or inside body face or surface  14 . As shown, the splash guard body  10  is defined by a first substantially linear side wall or edge  11 , a bottom wall or edge  13 , a second substantially linear side wall or edge  15 , and an arcuate or top wall or edge  17  which interconnects the two side walls  11 ,  15  to provide an integrally formed or unitary splash guard body  10 . The splash guard body  10  has a perimetral body edge or wall  12  which defines a width  34 . The perimetral body edge  12  extends outwardly from the outside face  19  of the splash guard body  10  along the first side wall  11  and the bottom wall  13  to define a rim  36 . 
     At least one first or body aperture  16  is formed on the splash guard body  10  that cooperates with a suitable fastener, such as threaded fastener or the like (not shown), that permits attachment of the splash guard body  10  to the body of a vehicle at the rear of a wheel well and behind a tire. Preferably, a plurality of body apertures  16  are formed on the splash guard body  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 8 , at least one slit  18  is formed within the splash guard body  10  proximate the perimetral body edge  12 . Preferably, a plurality of slits  18  is employed wherein each one of the plurality of slits  18  is intermittently spaced apart from one another along the perimetral body edge  12 . The slits  18  permit the cover  20  to be removably secured to the splash guard body  10  as discussed hereinbelow. According to this configuration, each slit  18  of the splash guard body  10  is a substantially rectangular cutout extending through the entire width  34  of the splash guard body  10 . While the slit  18  need not be rectangular, it merely needs to permit an associated similar sized tab  26 , as described below, to fit therewithin and extend therepast. Although the slits  18  are described as being proximate the perimetral body edge  12 , it is to be understood that the slits  18  may be provided in any convenient and/or appropriate position on the splash guard body  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7 , the cover  20  comprises a planar member having an exterior or outside face or surface  29  and an interior or inside body face or surface  28 . As depicted herein, the cover  20  is further defined by a first substantially linear side wall or edge  21 , a bottom wall or edge  23 , a second substantially linear side wall or edge  25 , and an arcuate or top wall or edge  27  which interconnects the two side walls  21 ,  25  to provide an integrally formed unitary cover  20 . The cover  20  has a perimetral cover edge or wall  22  which defines a width  36 . The shape and size of the inside surface  29  of the cover  20  is constrained to abut against the inside surface  19  of the splash guard body  10  immediately within the perimetral body edge  12 , thereby being substantially complementary to one another. 
     At least one second or cover aperture  24  is provided on the perimetral cover edge  22  and is in registry with the at least one body aperture  16  allowing for the splash guard body  10  and the cover  20  to be jointly fastened to the wheel well of a vehicle. Preferably, a plurality of cover apertures  24  are employed, each in registry with an associated one of the plurality of body apertures  16 . 
     The cover  20  further comprises at least one tab  26  that projects outwardly from the inside surface  28  of the cover  20 . Preferably, a plurality of tabs  26  is employed. Each tab  26  corresponds to an associated slit  18  on the splash guard body  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , each tab  26  terminates at a downwardly facing, truncated, angular lip  30 , having an undersurface  31 , permitting the tab  26  to engage the edges of an associated slit  18  on the splash guard body  10 . The tab  26  extends through the associated slit  18  becoming secured therein. Each slit  18  cooperates with the interior surface  28  of the splash guard body  10  to define a seat  32  at which the undersurface  31  of an associated tab  26  rests against to removably secure the cover  20  to the splash guard body  10 . Thus, the tabs  26  and slits  18  act cooperatively to detachably secure the cover  20  to the splash guard body  10 . 
     In order to remove the cover  20  from the splash guard body  10 , where each one of the plurality of tabs  26  is disposed within an associated slit  18 , the user individually disengages each lip  30  of a tab  26  from its seated position in any appropriate manner, such as lifting the lip  30  from the seat  32  using a lever, finger, or the like, and the tabs  26  are then free to slide out of the associated slit  18 . 
     It is possible for the slits  18  and tabs  26  to have different cooperative geometries, other than as shown, such as the lip  30  being angled upwardly, tapered, or otherwise depending on the splash guard geometry, specifically the geometry of the slits  18 . While the means for removably securing the cover  20  to the splash guard body  10  is described as a plurality of slits and tabs above, it is understood that any other suitable means for removably engaging is intended to fall within the scope of the present invention without deviating therefrom. 
     Referring again to the drawing, in particular  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cover  20  is removably secured to the splash guard body  10  by being disposed or positioned within the confines of the perimetral body edge  12 , such that the inside surface  28  of the cover  20  mates with the inside surface  14  of the body  10 . Each tab  26  is then positioned within its associated slit  18 . When the cover  20  is secured to the splash guard body  10 , the body apertures  16  align and are in registry with the cover apertures  24  to allow the splash guard body  10  and the cover  20  to be jointly fastened to the vehicle in a wheel well. The splash guard assembly  8 , as described hereinabove, is utilized in the method described below. 
     In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for painting the two-piece splash guard assembly  8  as described above to create fine paint lines around the perimetral body edge  12  without the need for taping or masking the splash guard. 
     In a first embodiment of the method hereof, the splash guard body  10  is painted by any suitable technique. Thereafter, the cover  20  is secured to the splash guard body  10  by inserting the tabs  26  on the cover  20  into corresponding slits  18  on the splash guard body  10 . By attaching the cover  20  after painting the body  10 , this provides the appearance of fine paint lines along the perimetral body edge  12  as the cover  20  conceals any accidental paint spillover or bleeding onto the inside surface  14  of the splash guard body  10 . The splash guard body  10  and the cover  20  can then be jointly attached to the rear of each wheel well on a vehicle by way of the body apertures  16  and the cover apertures  24  in registry with one another. 
     In an alternative or second embodiment of the present method hereof, the cover  20  is secured to the splash guard body  10  prior to painting by inserting the tabs  26  on the cover  20  into the corresponding slits  18  on the splash guard body  10 . The splash guard body  10  is, then, painted by any suitable mode. After painting the splash guard body  10 , the cover  20  is then detached from the splash guard body  10  by individually lifting the lip  30  of each tab  26 , as noted above, and disengaging the tabs  26  from within the slits  18 . When the cover  20  is removed, fine paint lines are revealed along the perimetral body edge  12 . With the cover  20  detached, the body apertures  16  permit the splash guard body  10 , alone, to be attached on the rear of the wheel well of the vehicle. 
     It is to be understood that, in implementing the above method of painting the two-piece splash guard, any other suitable means for removably securing the cover  20  to the splash guard body  10  and securing either the splash guard body  10  and/or cover  20  to the vehicle may be employed. 
     From the above, it is to be appreciated that defined herein is a new and unique two-piece splash guard assembly, having a splash guard body and a cover for creating fine paint lines along a perimeter of the splash guard body, and a method for painting the splash guard assembly to create fine paint lines wherein the cover is secured to the splash guard body either prior to or after painting. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           8  Splash guard assembly 
           10  Splash guard body 
           11  First edge of body 
           12  Perimetral body edge 
           13  Bottom edge of body 
           14  Inside surface of body 
           15  Second edge of body 
           16  Body aperture 
           17  Top edge of body 
           18  Slit 
           19  Outside surface of body 
           20  Cover 
           21  First edge of cover 
           22  Perimetral cover edge 
           22 ′ Width of cover 
           23  Bottom edge of cover 
           24  Cover aperture 
           25  Second edge of cover 
           26  Tab 
           27  Top edge of cover 
           28  Inside surface of cover 
           29  Outside surface of cover 
           30  Lip of tab 
           31  Undersurface of lip 
           32  Seat of body 
           34  Width of body 
           36  Rim of body 
           38  Width of cover