Molded running board
A molded running board provided with a support portion and a top portion is described herein. The support portion is made of plastic material and provided with reinforcing ribs and the top portion is made of a plastic material that is advantageously compatible with the plastic material forming the support portion. A method for the assembly of such a molded running board is also described herein. This method includes the welding of a top portion to a support portion via the use of a thin strand of plastic material compatible with material used in the top portion and the support portion and metallic particles in an electromagnetic press, for example.
1 . A molded running board for a vehicle comprising:
a molded support portion; and
a molded second portion, said molded second portion being molded separately from said support portion; and
wherein said support portion and said second portion are welded together.
2 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said second portion is a top portion fixedly secured to said support portion.
3 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said second portion is secured to said support portion via electromagnetic welding.
4 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said first molded support portion is reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral filler.
5 . The molded running board according to claim 4 , wherein said first molded support portion includes polypropylene.
6 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said molded second portion includes thermoplastic olefin (TPO).
7 . The molded running board according to claim 2 , wherein said support portion comprises reinforcing.
8 . The molded running board according to claim 7 , wherein said support portion includes lateral edges, and wherein a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly larger than that of said lateral edges; whereby a pressure is applied to said top portion by said reinforcing ribs.
9 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said support portion is generally open.
10 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said support portion is mountable to the vehicle by at least two brackets.
11 . The molded running board according to claim 10 , wherein said at least two brackets are integrally formed with said support portion.
12 . The molded running board according to claim 10 , wherein said at least two brackets are formed separately from said support portion in a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic material and metal.
13 . The molded running board according to claim 12 , wherein said at least two brackets are mounted to said support portion by means selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners and electromagnetic welding.
14 . The molded running board according to claim 10 , wherein said at least one bracket includes a stiffening matrix of ribs.
15 . The molded running board according to claim 2 , wherein said second portion has a step surface provided with non-skid ribs.
16 . The molded running board according to claim 1 , wherein said support portion is provided with apertures on a bottom portion thereof.
17 . The molded running board according to claim 2 , wherein said support portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section.
18 . The molded running board according to claim 17 , wherein said second portion has a separate step pad mounted thereto
19 . The molded running board according to claim 18 , wherein said step pad is made of thermoplastic olefin and includes mounting tabs configured and sized to engage corresponding apertures of said support portion.
20 . The molded running board according to claim 3 , wherein said support portion includes edge portions provided with a rectangular channel therein to receive thin strands of an electromagnetic adhesive.
21 . The molded running board according to claim 20 , wherein said second portion is further provided with edges so configured and sized as to be received in said channel.
22 . The molded running board according to claim 2 , wherein said support and second portions are so configured as to yield a generally tubular running board, when assembled.
23 . (canceled)
24 . (canceled)
25 . (canceled)
26 . (canceled)
27 . (canceled)
28 . (canceled)
29 . (canceled)
30 . (canceled)
31 . A molded running board for a vehicle comprising:
a rigid support portion molded in a first thermoplastic material;
a second portion molded in a second thermoplastic material; and
an electromagnetic adhesive material interposed between said support portion and said second portion;
wherein said electromagnetic adhesive material fixedly secures said second portion to said support portion via electromagnetic welding.
32 . The molded running board according to claim 31 , wherein said second portion is a top portion.
33 . The molded running board according to claim 31 , wherein said first thermoplastic material is reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral fillers.
34 . The molded running board according to claim 33 , wherein said first thermoplastic material includes polypropylene.
35 . The molded running board according to claim 31 , wherein said second thermoplastic material includes thermoplastic olefin.
36 . The molded running board according to claim 31 , wherein a) said support portion comprises reinforcing ribs running lengthwise between opposite ends of said support portion; b) said support portion includes lateral edges, and c) a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly larger than that of said lateral edges; whereby said top portion engages both said lateral edges and said reinforcing ribs.