Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application includes the disclosure of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/339,044 that was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 26, 2010. A priority right is claimed to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/339,044, to the extent appropriate. The completed disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/339,044 is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to vehicle shields to protect the front end of a vehicle, such as the leading edge of a hood, or a portion of the front fascia of the vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Numerous types of vehicle shields have been developed to protect a vehicle from contact with road debris, bugs, and to deflect airflow away from windshields. These devices are also commonly referred to as bug shields or airflow deflectors. Such devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,929,013 to Eke, 5,112,095 to Lund et al., 5,755,483 to Lund, 6,027,156 to Lund et al., 6,752,446 to Espinose et al, 6,910,316 Espinose et al., and 7,156,452 to Schumacher et al, each of which are hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. All of the above patents are assigned to Lund Industries, Incorporated, the assignee of this patent application. 
     Changes in the design and manufacturing of vehicles have raised new issues with respect to the construction of vehicle shields. Because hoods on later model vehicles are generally thinner and lighter, some vehicle shields can cause an excessive amount of hood flutter at high speeds. Additionally, many vehicles are produced in such a manner that traditional hood shields using clips or other fasteners cannot be attached. In some vehicle models where the leading edge of the hood is virtually horizontal, the front fascia of the vehicle needs to be protected instead of the leading edge of the hood. Furthermore, a greater emphasis on fuel economy in vehicle design has led to the need for front end vehicle protection with improved aerodynamics. Improvements are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     A vehicle shield is provided according to the disclosure. The vehicle shield is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood or front fascia for protecting the vehicle&#39;s exterior surface. By use of the term “front fascia,” it is meant to include the finished front surface of the vehicle surface that surrounds the front bumper and grille. In many instances, the front fascia is in front of the leading edge of the vehicle hood and wraps around the front sides of the vehicle such that it extends well beyond the leading edge width of the hood. The vehicle shield includes a main body and an attachment system for connecting the main body to the vehicle. The main body has an outer periphery defined by a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The main body also has a first side comprising a protection surface that extends to the edges and is defined by the outer periphery. The main body has a contour configuration designed to follow or match the contoured surface configuration of a vehicle&#39;s hood or front fascia. On the side opposite the protection surface is a second side comprising an attachment surface having a second contoured shape designed to follow the first contour of the protection surface. By the use of the term “contour” it is meant to include surfaces that are not merely planar. By the use of the term “follow,” in this context, it is meant that the vehicle shield main body surface(s), excluding the edges, are generally equidistant from the vehicle contoured surface throughout the majority of the vehicle shield. The attachment system can include first, second, third and fourth adhesive tape sections, each of which have a thickness and a tape liner. The first adhesive tape section can be connected to the attachment surface adjacent to or proximate the leading edge of the vehicle shield while the second adhesive tape section can be connected to the attachment surface adjacent to or proximate the trailing edge of the vehicle shield. By the use of the term “proximate” it is meant to delineate that the adhesive tape sections are closer to the outer periphery of the vehicle shield than they are to the central portion of the vehicle shield. Optionally, the leading edge, the trailing edge and the two side edges have a lip and/or are rolled downward towards the attachment side to define an edge depth. The vehicle shield main body can have a substantially uniform material thickness and can be formed from acrylic, ABS plastic, or other suitable materials. Additionally, the main body can also have a chrome film coating, a painted film coating, or can be given a smoke appearance. A method of installing the vehicle shield is also disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a first side view of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a second side view, opposite the first side view of  FIG. 3 , of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of a generic vehicle shield before being mounted onto a vehicle. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic bottom view of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1 , showing a first embodiment of an attachment system. 
         FIG. 6   a  is a schematic bottom view of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  showing a second embodiment of an attachment system. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a generic vehicle shield. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a vehicle shield mounted on a vehicle. 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing a schematic view of optional side shields. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a first side view of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 21  is a second side view, opposite the first side view of  FIG. 20 , of the vehicle shield and vehicle of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A vehicle shield  100  for protecting the exterior surface  202  of a vehicle  200  is disclosed. When a vehicle is driving at a high rate of speed, debris can strike and damage the front end of the vehicle. Those surfaces of the front end of the vehicle  200  that are at an angle to the road are the most vulnerable because the potential impact angle from debris is the greatest. In some cases, this area is the leading edge  204   a  of the vehicle&#39;s hood  204 , and in others it is the front fascia  206  of the vehicle  200 . The disclosed vehicle shield  100  is designed to protect these areas of the vehicle  200 .  FIGS. 1-4  and  7 - 15  show embodiments where the vehicle shield  100  is attached to the hood  204  of the vehicle  200  while  FIGS. 16-17  show the vehicle shield  100  attached to the front fascia  206  of the vehicle  200 . 
     Vehicles  200 , or portions thereof, to which the vehicle shield  100  are attached are shown at  FIGS. 1-4  and  7 - 17 . As noted at  FIGS. 1-4 , vehicle  200  has an exterior surface  202  that extends across a hood  204 , a front fascia  206 , a right fender  208 , a left fender  210  and a front grille  212 . The hood  204  has a leading edge  204   a  and a contoured surface configuration  204   b . Hood  204  also has a first side edge  204   c  and a second side edge  204   d  separated by a width, W H . Front fascia  206  also has a contoured surface configuration  206   a . In some cases, the front grille  212 , the front fascia  206 , or the hood  204  may have an emblem  214 . 
     One aspect of vehicle shield  100  is the main body  110 . As shown, main body  110  has a length, L MB  and an outer periphery  112  defined by a leading edge  112   a , a trailing edge  112   b , a first side edge  112   c  and a second side edge  112   d . The main body  110  also has side portions  110   a  near the first and second side edges,  112   c  and  112   d . Length, L MB  extends from the first side edge  112   c  to the second side edge  112   d . When attached to a vehicle  200 , the leading edge  112   a  of the main body  110  is the forward most part of the vehicle shield  100 . The outer periphery  112  defines a first side comprising a protection surface  120 . Protection surface  120  is the portion of vehicle shield  100  that faces away from the vehicle exterior surface  202  so as to protect the exterior surface  202  from damage by debris. Opposite the protection surface  120 , and separated by a thickness T MB , is a first side comprising an attachment surface  130  to which an attachment system  150 , discussed later, is connected. Both the protection surface  120  and the attachment surface  130  can have contour configurations  122 ,  132 , respectively, that are shaped to follow the contoured surface configuration  204   b  of the hood  204  or the contoured surface configuration  206   a  of the front fascia  206 . As such, the protection surface  120 , the attachment surface  130 , and the portion of the vehicle  200  exterior  202  to which the vehicle shield  100  is attached, are generally equidistant from each other. In the particular embodiment shown, the protection surface contour configuration  122  and the attachment surface contour configuration  132  are generally equidistant from each other as thickness, T MB  is shown as being substantially constant throughout the main body  110 . It should be noted that the vehicle shield main body  110  has a pre-molded contoured shape which is in contrast to an article that is simply a planar, thin material that naturally takes the shape of the surface on which it is placed. Additionally, the contoured shape of the main body  110  in many embodiments is generally symmetrical from the leading edge  112   a  to the trailing edge  112   b  throughout the majority of the length, L MB , of the main body  110 . However, nearer to the side edges  112   c ,  112   d , at the side portions  110   a  of the main body  110 , the contoured shape often changes to accommodate the changing contour of the vehicle exterior surface  202 . As can be appreciated, the contoured shape of the main body  110  can vary significantly throughout the length, L MB  and does not have to result in a constant cross-sectional shape. 
     Another aspect of vehicle shield  100 , is attachment system  150 . As stated previously, the attachment system  150  is for bonding the main body  110  of the vehicle shield  100  to the exterior surface  202  of the vehicle. Many types of attachment systems are suitable for this purpose. In the particular embodiment shown, and as best seen at  FIG. 6 , attachment system  150  can include first, second, third and fourth adhesive tape sections,  150   a ,  150   b ,  150   c , and  150   d , respectively. Each of the tape sections  150   a - d  can comprise a single length of tape or multiple lengths of tape. Also, each of the adhesive tape sections has a thickness, T AS  and a tape liner  154  for preserving and protecting the adhesiveness of the tape sections up to the point that the vehicle shield  100  is to be installed. Attachment system  150  can also have pads  152 , for example rubber pads, disposed on the attachment surface  130  to provide support for the vehicle shield  100  at points where there is no adhesive tape section in order to prevent the hood  204  of the vehicle from becoming scratched. 
     In the embodiments shown, the first adhesive tape section  150   a  is arranged proximate the leading edge  112   a  of the vehicle shield  100  while the second adhesive tape section  150   b  is arranged proximate to the trailing edge  112   b  of the vehicle shield  100 . The third and fourth adhesive tape sections,  150   c  and  150   d , are shown as being proximate to the first and second side edges  112   c ,  112   d , respectively. Thus, in the arrangement shown, the majority of the attachment surface  130 , and the entire central portion  130   a  of the attachment surface  130  is not covered by the adhesive tape sections. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that more or fewer adhesive tape sections may be used in various arrangements. One notable feature of attachment system  150  is that tape sections  150   a  and  150   b  are each oriented to define a channel or cut  151  at about the midpoint of main body  110 . Cut  151  can be formed by cutting away tape section lengths or by leaving a gap between tape section lengths. Cut  151  allows for moisture that may have gathered along the tape sections  150   a ,  150   b  to drain away from the main body  110 . In the particular embodiment shown, channel  151  is about 0.25 inch. Additionally, between the individual tape lengths of the tape sections allow for moisture vapor to escape and thereby help to prevent undesirable condensation from forming on the attachment surface  130  of the main body  110 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, adhesive tape sections  150   c  and  150   d  are not used, as shown in  FIG. 6   a .  FIG. 6   a  shows an alternative configuration for attachments system  150  wherein the first and second side edges  112   c, d  of the main body  110  contain no adhesive tape sections extending along the first and second edges  112   c ,  112   d  between the first and second adhesive tape sections. In some embodiments, it has been discovered that attachment system  150  provides better adhesion performance through multiple thermal expansion/contraction cycles when tape sections at the ends  112   a ,  112   b  of the main body  110  are not used. In general, main body  110  will expand and contract a greater distance from end  112   c  to end  112   d  in direction  160 , as compared to expansion occurring in a direction from the leading edge  112   a  to the trailing edge  112   b . Direction  160  is also the general lengthwise direction of the main body  110  and parallel to length L MB . As a consequence of thermal expansion, main body  110  exerts a force upon the adhesive tape sections of the attachment system  150  along direction  160 . This force can cause adhesive tape sections to become detached from the hood  204 . Adhesive tape sections extending from the leading edge  112   a  to the trailing edge  112   b  and located at the ends  112   c ,  112   d  of the main body  110  are especially prone to detachment due to the fact that they are oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of force  160 . By use of the term “generally perpendicular,” it is meant to include orientations that are greater than 45 degrees from the direction of force  160 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A , ends  112   c ,  112   d  are about 80 degrees from direction  160  as represented by angle α. In some embodiments, where adhesive tape sections at the ends  112   c ,  112   d  have sufficient strength to remain attached, the main body  110  can buckle during thermal expansion as the adhesive tape sections can physically prevent the ends from moving when the rest of the main body  110  is expanding. As such, it can be beneficial to configure attachment system  150  such that ends  112   c  and  112   d  of the main body  110  are free from generally perpendicular adhesive tape sections. It is noted that the particular embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A  does have some tape sections  150   a  at the leading edge  112   a  that are generally perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the main body  110 . While these tape sections could be removed for greater thermal expansion performance, it has been found that the overall adhesive performance is enhanced as the main body  110  must be secured to the hood  204  as the main body wraps around the front grill  212 . Additionally, thermal expansion is not as severe of an issue as is present at the ends  112   c ,  112   d  of the main body  110 . It is also noted that these generally perpendicular tape sections are shown on the outermost portions of the main body  110  for a distance from the ends  112   c ,  112   d  at least equal to or greater than the distance between the leading and trailing edges of the main body  110 . 
       FIG. 6A  also shows a preferred arrangement of tape sections  150   b  along the trailing edge  112   b  of the main body  110 . Instead of using a continuous length of tape from cut  150  to the ends  112   c ,  112   d ,  FIG. 6A  shows two separate lengths  150   b  on each side and separated from pads  152 . As can be seen at  FIG. 1 , the main body  110  has an aggressively shaped contour with highly radiused curves at the general location of pads  152 . In locations such as these, the tape sections can have difficulty following the contours while still maintaining good adhesion performance. As such, using multiple tape sections  150   b  in these areas, in conjunction with pads  152 , can result in better adhesion performance while ensuring that hood  214  remains protected from the main body  110 .  FIG. 6A  also shows a preferred arrangement of multiple lengths of tape sections  150   a  used for the generally perpendicular lengths that wrap downwardly along the front grill  212  of the hood. It has been found that using multiple sections in areas typical of this provide enhanced adhesion performance. 
     The particular adhesive used in the embodiments shown is a double-sided automotive grade foam core acrylic tape from the 3M Corporation (model 5390). The tape shown is approximately 2 millimeters thick and 8 millimeters wide, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. For example, the tape sections could be less than 1 millimeter thick and up to 5 millimeters, or more thick. The width could also be less than 1 millimeter wide and up to the width of the main body  110 , depending on the configurations of the tape sections. Through the use of attachment system  150 , it should be appreciated that vehicle shield  100  can be configured such that no part of the main body  110  of the vehicle shield  100  comes into contact with the exterior surface  202  of the vehicle  200 . 
     As can be best seen at  FIG. 7 , the leading edge  112   a , the trailing edge  112   b , the first side edge  112   c  and the second side edge  112   d  of the vehicle shield  100  can be rolled downwards towards the attachment surface  130  to define a lip having an edge depth, D MB . As shown, the lip extends towards the vehicle surface  202  beyond the plain of the attachment surface  130  and can be formed by a variety of methods. For example, the lip can be formed during the thermoforming process and optionally further trimmed after thermoforming. The lip can also be separately formed after the thermoforming process for the main body  110 . Instead of rolling or thermoforming the edges, edge depth, D MB , can also be created through the use of an extruded seal around the outer periphery  112 . However created, the lip having edge depth, D MB , aids in concealing the attachment system  150  from view once the vehicle shield  100  has been installed on the vehicle  200 . Furthermore, edge depth, D MB , increases the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle shield  100  by directing airflow over the protection surface  120 . 
     Once the vehicle shield  100  has been installed, the protection surface  120  is located at a stand off height, H, above the exterior surface  202  of the vehicle  200 . As can be seen at  FIG. 7 , stand off height, H, is approximately the sum of the adhesive tape section thickness, T AS  and the main body thickness, T MB . In the case that the main body  110  edges are rolled, edge depth, D MB , will be slightly less than the height, H, such that the adhesive tape sections project away from the attachment surface  130  sufficiently to reach the hood  204  or front fascia  206  of the vehicle  200 . Or stated another way, the minimum thickness of the adhesive tape sections, T AS , is at least the same or exceeds the edge depth, D MB . Because the vehicle shield has a contoured shape  122 ,  132 , that follows the contoured shape of the vehicle hood  204  or the front fascia  206 , the stand off height, H, is relatively constant across the main body  110 . In some embodiments, this configuration will result in the stand off height, H, at any point along the main body as being less than 0.25 inches. Because of this low stand off height, it should be appreciated that substantial protection to the hood  204  or front fascia  206  can be obtained with minimal impact on the aerodynamics of the vehicle, while also achieving improved vehicle aesthetics with the disclosed low profile design of the vehicle shield  100 . Furthermore, it should also be appreciated that the aerodynamic low profile design of vehicle shield  100  will reduce the likelihood of excessive hood flutter while driving at high speeds. 
     As stated previously, the main body  110  has a length, L MB . In the case where the vehicle shield  100  is mounted to the hood  204  of a vehicle  206 , the main body length, L MB  can be sized to substantially match the leading edge width, W H , of the hood which is defined by the front side edges of the hood. However, it should be understood that the main body  110  can be slightly inset from the side edges of the hood to ensure proper clearances. In most embodiments, the length of the main body is at least as long as a majority of a width of a leading edge of the vehicle hood for which the vehicle shield is adapted. Additionally, the leading edge  112   a  of the main body  110  can have an edge profile that matches the edge profile of the leading edge  204   a  of the hood  204 . By use of the term “edge profile” it is intended to mean the outline of the hood or main body leading edge when viewed from a top perspective. In the event that the vehicle  200  has an emblem  214  that may interfere with the installation of the vehicle shield  100 , an aperture  214  can be provided in the main body  110  for the emblem  214 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 14 . Where the main body  110  is attached to the front fascia  206  of a vehicle  200 , the length, L MB , of the main body  110  can be formed as desired to ensure proper protection and aesthetic appearance. In the embodiments shown at  FIGS. 16-17 , vehicle shield  100  is installed on the front fascia  206  between the leading edge of the hood  204   a  and the front grille  212  and has a length, L MB , that is greater than the leading edge width of the hood, W H . 
     To install the vehicle shield  100 , the above described vehicle shield  100  is positioned over the exterior surface  202  of the vehicle  200 . The vehicle shield is then aligned with the appropriate structure on the vehicle  200 , for example the leading edge  204   a  and the side edges  204   c ,  204   d  of the hood  204 . Once aligned, the adhesive tape liner  154  is removed from the adhesive tape sections,  150   a - 150   d . Subsequently, pressure is applied to the protection surface  120  of the main body  110  in the direction of the attachment surface  130  such that the adhesive tape sections,  150   a - 150   d , fully engage the exterior surface  202  of the vehicle  200 . Once the vehicle shield  100  has been installed, a protective film covering that is shipped on the protective surface can be removed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that no tools are required for such an installation, and that no part of the vehicle shield  100  extends below the hood  204 , or any other part of the vehicle in order to ensure a secure connection to the vehicle  200 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that this type of vehicle shield can be installed on any type of vehicle, even those which are not able to accept a traditional vehicle shield requiring clips or fasteners. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 18-21 , vehicle shield  100  can be complimented through the use of side shields  100 ′. As shown, side shields  100 ′ are mounted to the vehicle  200  on each side of the vehicle shield  100  at fenders  210  and  208 . This arrangement provides the appearance of a continuous shield that extends beyond the width, W H , of the hood  204 . Similarly to the vehicle shield  100 , side shields  100 ′ have a main body  110 ′ and an attachment system  150 ′. Furthermore, as side shields  100 ′ are constructed similarly to the vehicle shield  100 , the foregoing description of the vehicle shield  100  is incorporated into its entirety for the side shields  100 ′. 
     The main body  110  of shield  100  and the main body  110 ′ of the side shields  100 ′ may be made from a variety of materials, such as acrylic, ABS plastic, or other suitable materials. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials may be used without departing from the concepts presented herein. These materials allow for the main body  110 ,  110 ′ to be permanently molded into virtually any contoured shape that will complement the contoured shape of a vehicle hood  204 , the front fascia  206 , or the fenders  208 ,  210 . Typical thicknesses for the main body  110  materials are 0.085 inch and 0.1 inch. The thickness of the material can be less than 0.085 inch, such as 0.05 inch and can be more than 0.1 inch, such as 0.15 inch or 0.25 inch. These thicknesses give the main body  110 ,  110 ′ sufficient structural integrity to retain their molded contour and shape, once formed. The protection surface can also be given a smoke appearance or have a chrome or painted finish. In the case of chrome or painted finishes, this can be accomplished through the application of a film onto the protection surface  120 ,  120 ′. In the particular embodiments shown at FIGS.  8  and  10 - 12 , the protection surface  120  has a chrome finish. In the embodiments shown at FIGS.  9  and  13 - 17 , the protection surface has a smoke appearance. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Category: 7