FLEXIBLE VEHICLE SURFACE PROTECTOR WITH RIGID NIBS
In one aspect, the disclosure describes a surface protector comprising a mat and a nib array. The mat includes a first material having a first hardness value. The nib array includes a second material having a second hardness value greater than the first hardness value. The nib array further includes a plurality of nibs connected by a lattice. In another aspect, the disclosure describes a method for making a surface protector. The method includes forming a nib array including a first material having a first hardness value. The nib array further includes a plurality of nibs connected by a lattice. The method includes attaching a mat to the nib array, the mat including a second material having a second hardness value less than the first hardness value.
1 . A surface protector comprising:
a mat comprising a first material having a first hardness value; and
a nib array comprising a second material having a second hardness value greater than the first hardness value; the nib array further comprising a plurality of nibs connected by a lattice.
2 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the mat and nib array are fused together.
3 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the lattice is exposed on a surface of the mat.
4 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the lattice embedded within the mat.
5 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the plurality of nibs are equally spaced apart.
6 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the lattice is configured as a rectangular grid.
7 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the first material is a thermoplastic elastomer.
8 . The surface protector of claim 1 wherein the second material is a glass-filled polypropylene.
9 . A method for making a surface protector, the method comprising:
forming a nib array comprising a first material having a first hardness value, the nib array further comprising a plurality of nibs connected by a lattice; and
attaching a mat to the nib array, the mat comprising a second material having a second hardness value less than the first hardness value.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein forming the nib array comprises molding the nib array.
11 . The method of claim 9 further comprising at least partially curing the nib array.
12 . The method of claim 9 wherein attaching the mat to the nib array comprises fusing the mat to the nib array.
13 . The method of claim 9 wherein attaching the mat to the nib array comprises positioning the nib array in a mold and introducing the second material into the mold.
14 . The method of claim 9 wherein attaching the mat to the nib array comprises embedding the lattice in the second material.
15 . A surface protector assembly comprising:
a plurality of rigid nibs;
a plurality of connectors that extend between and connect the plurality of rigid nibs.
16 . The surface protector assembly of claim 15 , and further comprising:
a mat portion.
17 . The surface protector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of rigid nibs and the mat portion are made from different materials.
18 . The surface protector assembly of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of connectors are made from the same material as the plurality of rigid nibs.
19 . The surface protector assembly of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of rigid nibs and the plurality of connectors are made from a polymer.
20 . The surface protector assembly of claim 19 , wherein the polymer comprises a glass-filled polypropylene.