Patent Publication Number: US-2017361784-A1

Title: Vehicle trim accessory and method of trimming a vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/352,325, filed Jun. 20, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vehicle trim accessories. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In many motor vehicles, the floor panel and the side panels are formed from separate pieces of sheet metal. The junction of the floor panel and the side panel is termed the pinch rail or pinch weld. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the side of the floor panel  30  ends in a downward projecting flange  34 . Similarly, the bottom of the side panel ends in a downward projecting flange  36 . Flanges  34  and  36  are welded together to form pinch rail  38 . The pinch rail typically runs from behind the front wheel well to before the rear tire well underneath the doors on each side of the vehicle. Typically, several through-holes are formed in the pinch rails during manufacture of the vehicle. Factory of aftermarket step rails and the like are often affixed to the pinch rail of a vehicle. 
     The pinch rail is readily visible when looking at a vehicle. Many people consider the pinch rail to have an unfinished and therefore unattractive look. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a vehicle trim accessory an elongated central portion having first and second opposing long edges, an elongated mounting flange portion having first and second opposing long edges, an elongated first curved portion connecting the first long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the mounting flange portion, an elongated free flange portion having first and second opposing long edges, and an elongated second curved portion connecting the second long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the free flange portion. The mounting flange portion defines a plurality of mounting holes adapted to affix the mounting flange portion and thereby the vehicle trim accessory to a pinch rail of a motor vehicle. The size and radius of the first curved portion are selected to create a desired angle and distance between the central portion and the mounting flange portion and therefore between the central portion and the pinch rail when the mounting flange portion is affixed to the pinch rail. Both the first and second curved portions curve toward a same side of the central portion. 
     The free flange portion may be substantially parallel to the central portion. 
     The central portion, the mounting flange portion, the first curved portion, the free flange portion, and the second curved portion may all form a unitary structure. 
     The central portion may be substantially planar. The mounting flange portion may be substantially planar. The free flange portion may be substantially planar. 
     The central portion, the mounting flange portion, the first curved portion, the free flange portion, and the second curved portion may all be a same length. The length may be selected to obstruct a view of at least a portion of the pinch rail when the vehicle trim accessory is affixed to the pinch rail. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, a method of trimming a vehicle comprises: 
     (a) obtaining a vehicle trim accessory comprising: an elongated central portion having first and second opposing long edges; an elongated mounting flange portion having first and second opposing long edges; and an elongated first curved portion connecting the first long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the mounting flange portion, such that an acute angle is defined between the central portion and the mounting flange portion; (b) positioning the vehicle trim accessory such that the mounting flange portion is against a pinch rail of a motor vehicle with its second edge pointed upward and such that the central portion angles upward and outward toward a side panel or rocker panel of the motor vehicle; and (c) affixing the mounting flange portion to the pinch rail. 
     The vehicle trim accessory may further comprise an elongated free flange portion having first and second opposing long edges and an elongated second curved portion connecting the second long edge of the central portion and the first long edge of the free flange portion. Both the first and second curved portions may curve toward a same side of the central portion. The vehicle trim accessory may be positioned such that either the free flange portion or the second curved portion or both contact the side panel or rocker panel. 
     The mounting flange portion may define a plurality of mounting holes. The positioning step may comprise aligning two or more of the plurality of mounting holes in the mounting flange portion with corresponding ones of mounting holes defined in the pinch rail and securing a fastening device in each pair of aligned holes. 
     The positioning step may comprise positioning the vehicle trim accessory such that the mounting flange portion is against a medial side of a pinch rail of a motor vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a reverse perspective view of a vehicle trim accessory, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an end view of the vehicle trim accessory of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle trim accessory of  FIG. 1  mounted to a vehicle pinch rail. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vehicle trim accessory of  FIG. 1  mounted to a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to vehicle trim accessories, specifically vehicle trim accessories for at least partly covering and/or hiding a vehicle pinch rail in a decorative manner. Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a vehicle trim accessory  10  is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The vehicle trim accessory  10  comprises an elongated rigid or semi-rigid piece. The vehicle trim accessory  10  may be constructed out of any suitable durable, rigid or semi-rigid material or combination of materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or any suitable plastic. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle trim accessory  10  is constructed of 16-gauge aluminum flat stock that is 4.5 inches wide and any desirable length (as discussed further below). As seen in the figures, two bends are made in the flat stock (one bend along each long side) to form the vehicle trim accessory  10 . In this regard, vehicle trim accessory  10  is a unitary structure without any seams, connection points, or the like which may collect dirt and debris. A first bend  18  is made in the flat stock to form a first flange  14 , and a second bend  20  is made in the opposite side of the flat stock to form a second flange  16 . A main body  12  is formed between the first and second bends. The first flange may be termed a “mounting flange,” as it is used to mount the vehicle trim accessory  10  to a vehicle as described below. The second flange may be termed a “free flange,” as the second flange is not affixed to anything when the vehicle trim accessory  10  is mounted to a vehicle as described below. In one embodiment of the invention, first bend  18  has a radius of about 5/16 inch, second bend  20  has a radius of about ¼ inch, main body  12  has a width of about 2¾ inches (dimension A in  FIG. 2 ), first flange  14  has a width of about 1¼ inches (dimension B in  FIG. 2 ), and second flange  16  has a width of about ½ inch (dimension C in  FIG. 2 ) (all of the dimensions may vary as needed). 
     Main body  12 , first flange  14 , and second flange  16  are all typically (but not necessarily) substantially planar (not including the first and second bends). The main body  12  may alternatively be non-planar, such as having an outward curvature. The width of the first flange  14  and the radius and angle of the first bend  18  are typically selected such that the first flange can be affixed to the pinch rail as described below and such that there is enough room for the fastener used to affix the first flange to the pinch rail. The width of the main body  12  and the angle of the first bend  18  are typically selected such that the vehicle trim accessory  10  adequately hides the pinch rail. The angle between the main body  12  and the first flange  14  is typically in the range of 30-45 (or possibly up to 60) degrees (i.e., from the flat stock, the first flange  14  has been bent 135-150 (or possibly as little as 120) degrees). The angle between the main body  12  and the second flange  16  is typically zero degrees (i.e., from the flat stock, the second flange  16  has been bent 180 degrees), that is, the main body  12  and the second flange are typically substantially parallel, as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However, the angle between the main body  12  and the second flange  16  may be greater than zero degrees, if desired. For example, the angle between the main body  12  and the second flange  16  may be as much as 50 degrees (i.e., from the flat stock, the second flange  16  may be bent 130 degrees). If the main body  12  and the second flange are not parallel, the maximum desired angle therebetween would typically be selected such that the point of contact between the second flange  16  and the horizontal portion of the side panel/rocker panel  32  is either the second bend  20  or the flat part of second flange  16 . It is typically not desirable for the free end of the second flange  16  to contact the side panel/rocker panel  32 , as the free end of the second flange  16  may scratch or otherwise damage the side panel/rocker panel  32 . 
     One or more mounting holes  22  may be defined in the first flange  14  to enable the vehicle trim accessory  10  to be mounted to a vehicle pinch rail as described below. The mounting holes may be defined during manufacture of the vehicle trim accessory (the location and spacing of the holes being selected to correspond to mounting holes defined in the pinch rail of one or more specific vehicle make/model) or just prior to mounting (such that the location and spacing of the holes can be made to correspond to mounting holes defined in the pinch rail of any vehicle make/mode). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of the vehicle trim accessory of  FIG. 1  mounted to a vehicle pinch rail is illustrated. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the vehicle trim accessory  10  is affixed to the pinch rail such that the main body  12  forms a generally triangular shape with the pinch rail  38  and a horizontal portion of the side panel/rocker panel  32 . In this regard, the main body  12  of the vehicle trim accessory  10  hides the pinch rail  38 . The vehicle trim accessory  10  not only hides the pinch rail from sight, but the vehicle trim accessory  10  may itself may be decorative, such as by being painted to match the vehicle color. 
     To mount the vehicle trim accessory  10  to the pinch rail  38 , the first flange  14  is placed against the pinch rail  38 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the first flange  14  being placed against the medial (inward) surface of the pinch rail  38 ; however the first flange  14  could be placed against the lateral (outward) surface of the pinch rail  38  if desired. Existing mounting holes  22  (if present and correctly positioned) are aligned with corresponding holes in the pinch rail, or if needed new mounting holes are created in the vehicle trim accessory  10  to align with corresponding holes in the pinch rail. Any suitable fasteners  40  (such as bolts or self-tapping screws) are used to secure the first flange  14  to the pinch rail  38 . The second bend  20  typically contacts the side panel/rocker panel  32  (it is possible that, in some circumstances, the second flange  16  could contact the side panel/rocker panel  32 , or the contact point could be where the second flange  16  and the second bend  20  meet). Having the second bend (rather than just a planar edge) provides better contact between the vehicle trim accessory  10  and the side panel/rocker panel  32  and helps prevent water, debris, etc. from getting behind the vehicle trim accessory  10 . However, in alternative embodiments of the invention (not illustrated) the second bend and second flange may be omitted leaving a planar free edge of the main body (i.e., the edge opposite the first flange). In other alternative embodiments, the second flange may be omitted. In such alternative embodiments, the second bend may curve around to or nearly to itself or to an interior surface of the main body, thereby forming a partial or complete cylinder. 
     The vehicle trim accessory  10  may be constructed in any desirable length or lengths. For example, the vehicle trim accessory  10  may be constructed in specific lengths to cover an entire pinch rail for a specific vehicle type. Alternatively the vehicle trim accessory  10  may be constructed long enough to cover an entire pinch rail for many different makes/models of vehicles, such that the vehicle trim accessory  10  is cut down to the desired length for installation on a specific make/model of vehicle. Further, the vehicle trim accessory  10  may be installed on a vehicle on which a step rail (or other accessory) has already been (or is to be) installed on the pinch rail, in which case shorter lengths of the vehicle trim accessory  10  will be needed to mount fore and aft of and between the attachment points of the step rail. The vehicle trim accessory  10  may be manufactured in such shorter lengths, or the vehicle trim accessory  10  may be cut down to the desired shorter lengths. 
     The vehicle trim accessory  10  may be uncoated or coated (such as with rubber or plastic) and may be unpainted or painted. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , when the vehicle trim accessory  10  is affixed to a motor vehicle  50 , the vehicle trim accessory  10  obstructs the view of the pinch rail  38  and is visible as a decorative substantially planar, angled trim piece below the rocker panel. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.