GB2538761A

GB2538761A - A vehicle comprising doors with edge protector strips

Info

Publication number: GB2538761A
Application number: GB1509123.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Nicholas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-26
Filing date: 2015-05-26
Publication date: 2016-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-26
Also published as: GB2538761B; GB201509123D0

Abstract

A vehicle comprising doors 4 with edge protector strips 6 and in which each door has a protector strip 6, the protector strip extends along an edge 8 of the door that extends the furthest from the vehicle on opening. The door protector strip forms the edge of the door and lies aerodynamically flush, and forms part of at least an outer surface of the door. The protector strip has concave and convex surfaces, and is manufactured as an extrusion, or is moulded as an integral part of the door, attached to the door with adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or rivets, and made of a rubber or plastic impact-absorbing material.

Description

A VEHICLE COMPRISING DOORS WITH EDGE PROTECTOR STRIPS This invention relates to a vehicle comprising doors with edge protector strips.

Damage is often caused to vehicles by other vehicle users who open their vehicle doors carelessly and cause their vehicle doors to hit other vehicles. Damage is also caused to vehicle doors* by the vehicle door users opening their doors such that their doors accidentally strike an obstruction such for example as a wall. Usually the damage is minor but this so-called * ** minor damage devalues the vehicle, adversely affects the appearance of the * * * *** * * * vehicle, and may result in an insurance claim to have the damage repaired. * * *

* * * Often the damage is as a result of parking spaces being too small for vehicles *** * * *** having larger doors such for example as multi-purposes vehicles and those ** * * vehicles only having two side doors. * *.* Oft * * * *

** It is known to provide vehicle doors with protector strips. The known protector strips were usually pushed onto the edge of a vehicle door. These protector strips were effective in preventing damage. However the protector strips frequently fell off and they also did not look aesthetically pleasing, It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising doors with edge protector strips and in which: (i) each door has a protector strip; (ii) the protector strip extends along an edge of the door that extends furthest from the vehicle on opening of the door; (iii) the protector strip forms the edge of the door; (iv) the protector strip lies flush with and forms part of at least an outer surface of the door; (v) the protector strip is an integral part of the door; and (vi) the protector strip is made of an impact-absorbing material.

With the present invention, the vehicle is able to have doors in which the protector strip is formed as an integral part of the door. The protector strip will thus not fall off. The protector strip is able to look aesthetically pleasing.

The vehicle of the present invention provides owners and users alike with peace of mind. If the vehicle of the present invention sustains damage due to opening the door into another vehicle or an object, then the protection strip can be removed and replaced in a vehicle workshop. The appearance of the vehicle of the present invention is thus able to be maintained at much less expense than the expense of usual car body repairs required to repair the damage of doors being opened into other vehicles or into objects such as walls. This will in turn result in reduced claims on insurance companies. Also the residual value of a vehicle will not be affected due to the minor damage. * ** * * *

**111 * * * * ** * * * *** * * *** * ** * * * *** ** * * * * * ** Replacing the protector strips will not result in a complete re-spray of the entire vehicle door. Replacing a protector strip on a door is much cheaper than re-spraying the entire vehicle door as would occur during conventional vehicle repairs. This in turn results in reduced emissions from paint spraying fumes that would otherwise be caused during re-spraying of door panels.

Advantageously, the strips are able to be manufactured, for example moulded, in the required colour for the vehicle and so paint spraying for edge door chip repairs may be eliminated.

Protection strips that have been damaged and replaced can be recycled.

* * ** * Typically, the vehicle may be one in which the protector strip is an * *** * * * integral part of the door such that the door has the same width that it would * ** * * * have had if the door had been manufactured as a finished door and without ** * **^ * * the protector strip. ** * * Typically, the protector strip is provided on the door at the time of * *** *. * * * * * *. manufacture of the vehicle. This ensures that the protector strip is able to be formed not only as an integral part of the door, but also with the best aesthetic appearance.

The vehicle may be one in which the protector strip has a first connector face for engaging the door, the door has a second connector face for engaging the strip, and the first and second connector faces are non-flat faces for providing a secure contact areas between the protector strip and the door.

* ** The first and second connector faces may be stepped faces. Each stepped face may have two transverse portions which extend transversely of the door, and a longitudinal portion which extends in the plane of the door and which connects the transverse portions. Other types of stepped formations may be employed.

* * * *** * Alternatively, the first and second faces may be tongue and groove faces. The tongue may be on the door, and the groove may be on the protector strip. The reverse arrangement may be employed in which the tongue is on the protector strip, and the groove is on the door.

Alternatively, the first and second connector faces may be complementary concave and convex faces. The concave connector face may be on the door, and the convex connector face may be on the protector strip. The alternative arrangement may be employed in which the concave connector face is on the protector strip, and the convex connector face is on the door.

Generally, the first and second connector faces may be of any suitable and appropriate shape for providing a secure attachment of the protector strip to the door so that the protector strip is able to be an integral part of the door.

The protector strip may be connected to the remainder of the door by an adhesive. A wide range of adhesives may be employed providing they have the required adhesive or bonding strength. The adhesive may be a one-part adhesive or a two-part adhesive. The adhesive may be a polyurethane adhesive. The polyurethane adhesive may be that known as Terostat 8597 HMLC. * * *

* * * *** * ** * * ** * * * ** * DS * * * * * ** Alternatively or additionally, the protector strip may be connected to the remainder of the door by mechanical fastener means. The mechanical fastener means may be rivets or any other suitable and appropriate mechanical fastener means.

The impact-absorbing material may be a rubber material. Alternatively, the impact-absorbing material may be a plastics material.

The protector strip will usually be a moulded protector strip. The moulded protector strip may be moulded as an extrusion. Alternatively the moulded protector strip may be moulded by placing impact-absorbing material in a two-part mould, effecting the moulding, and then opening the mould to * ** remove the moulded protector strip. * * * *** * *

* The protector strip may have flat sides and a curved outer edge. * **

* * * Alternatively, the protector strip may be of an aerodynamic shape. Any *** * *** desired profile for the protector strip may be employed. *.

* . The vehicle may be one in which the door is vertically hinged door, and * ** * ** * * * * * ** in which the protector strip extends vertically along the edge of the door.

Alternatively, the vehicle may be one in which the vehicle has gull wing doors, in which case the door will usually be a horizontally hinged door, and the protector strip will then extend horizontally. Thus, the protector strip may typically extend in the same line as the hinge line of the door.

If desired, the vehicle may be one which has at least one rear door, and in which the rear door has one of the protector strips. The rear door may be the rear door of a van, or it may be the rear boot-type door of a car. A van typically has one or two rear doors. * **

* * * *** * * * *** ** * * * *** ** * * * * * ** The protector strip may be completely colour coded to match the colour of the vehicle, especially when the protector strip is provided on the door at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. If desired, the protector strip may be provided in a contrasting colour, for example on sports or semi-sports vehicles.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a door of a vehicle of the present invention, with the door having a first protector strip; Figure 2 is a top sectional view of part of the door shown in Figure 1 and illustrates the securing in place of the first protector strip to the remainder of the door; Figure 3 shows part of a vehicle provided with the door shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view like Figure 2 but shows a second protector strip; and Figure 5 is a sectional view like Figure 2 but shows a third protector strip.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a vehicle 2 comprising doors 4 with edge protector strips 6.

Each door 4 has one of the protector strips 6. The protector strip 6 extends along an edge 8 of the door 4. The edge 8 is the edge that extends farthest from the vehicle 2 on opening of the door 4. The protector strip 6 forms the edge 8 of the door 4. As shown in Figure 1, the protector strip 6 is * * * an integral part of the door 4 such that the door 4 has the same width that it would have had if the door 4 had been manufactured as a finished door and without the protector strip 6.

* * * *** * As can best be seen from Figure 2, the protector strip lies flush with and forms part of the outer surface 10 of the door 4. The protector strip 6 also lies flush with and forms part of the inner surface 12 of the door 4. The protector strip 6 is an integral part of the door 4.

The protector strip 6 is made of an impact-absorbing material.

The protector strip 6 is provided on the door 4 at the time of manufacture of the vehicle 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the protector strip 6 has a first connector face 14 for engaging the door 4. The door 4 has a second connector face 16 for engaging the protector strip 6. The first and the second connector faces 14, 16 are non-flat faces for providing a secure contact area between the protector strip 6 and the door 4. As shown in Figure 2, the first and second connector faces are stepped faces. More specifically, the first and second connector faces 14, 16 are such that each stepped face has two transverse portions 18, 20 which extends transversely of the door 4, and a longitudinal portion 22 which extends in the plane of the door 4 and which connects the transverse portions 18,20.

The protector strip 6 is connected in position to the remainder of the door 4 by an adhesive. Any suitable and appropriate adhesive may be employed. Additionally or alternatively, the protector strip 6 may be connected * * * * * * *** * * *** * ** * * * *** ** * * * * * ** * * * in position to the remainder of the door 4 by mechanical fastener means such for example as rivets (not shown).

* * * *** * The impact-absorbing material from which the protector strip 6 is made is a rubber material. Alternatively, the impact-absorbing material may be a plastics material. The protector strip 6 is a moulded protector strip 6.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the protector strip 6 has flat sides 24, 26 and a curved outer edge 28.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the door 4 is a vertically hinged door 4. Thus the protector strip 6 extends vertically along the edge 8 of the door.

Figure 4 may be provided with an alternative protector strip 30. The protector strip 30 is connected to the remainder of the door 4 by a tongue and * groove connection 32 from which the tongue 34 is on the door 4 and the * * ** groove 36 is on the protector strip 30. The reverse arrangement may be * * * *** * *** employed.

** Figure 5 shows an alternative protector strip 38 which is connected to * * * ** * ** * * * * the remainder of the door 4 by a concave connector face 40 on the remainder * ** of the door 4, and a convex connector face 42 on the protector strip 38. The reverse arrangement may be employed.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the protector strips may be of shapes other than those shown. The protector strips may be made of a wide variety of impact-absorbing materials. The protector strips may be secured in position on the edge 8 of the door 4 by any * ** suitable and appropriate adhesive which provides a sufficiently strong bond. The door 4 is a side door. The vehicle may be any suitable and appropriate vehicle including a car or a van. The vehicle, for example a van, may have one or more vertically mounted rear doors. The rear doors can then also be provided with the protector strips. A vehicle having a rear boot-type door may also be provided with a protector strip, for example for protecting the edge of the and/or simply for aesthetic matching purposes with the other doors. The protector strips may be formed in various aerodynamic shapes* if required. Whatever shapes are chosen should be such as not to cause noise due to wind when the vehicle is moving at speed. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. * * * *** * * **

* 0 * *** * ** * * * *** ** * S * * * **

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle comprising doors with edge protector strips and in which: each door has a protector strip; the protector strip extends along an edge of the door that extends furthest from the vehicle on opening of the door; the protector strip forms the edge of the door; the protector strip lies flush with and forms part of at least an outer surface of the door; the protector strip is an integral part of the door; and the protector strip is made of an impact-absorbing material.

** 2. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the protector strip is an integral * * part of the door such that the door has the same width that it would have had if the door had been manufactured as a finished door and without the protector strip.

* *** A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the protector strip is provided on the door at the time of manufacture of the vehicle. ** * * * * * ** ) (ii) (iii) (iv) * **

* * * *** * * * (v) * * ** * * * *** * (vi) * 4. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the protector strip has a first connector face for engaging the door, the door has a second connector face for engaging the protector strip, and the first and second connector faces are non-flat faces for providing a secure contact area between the protector strip and the door.

5. A vehicle according to claim 4 in which the first and second connector faces are stepped faces.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5 in which each stepped face has two transverse portions which extend transversely of the door, and a longitudinal portion which extends in the plane of *the door and which connects the transverse portions A vehicle according to claim 4 in which the first and second connector faces are tongue and groove faces.8. A vehicle according to claim 7 in which the tongue is on the door, and the groove is on the protector strip.9. A vehicle according to claim 4 in which the first and second connector faces are complementary concave and convex faces. * *** * * *** * * * * s* * * * *** * * *** * ** * * * *** ** * * * * * ** * ** 10. A vehicle according to claim 9 in which the concave connector face is * * * *** * on the door, and the convex connector face is on the protector strip.11. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the protector strip is connected to the remainder of the door by an adhesive.12. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the protector strip is connected to the remainder of the door by mechanical fastener means.13. A vehicle according to claim 12 in which the mechanical fastener * means are rivets. * ** ** 14 A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the * * * **0 * impact-absorbing material is a rubber material.* 15. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 -13 in which the impact- *** absorbing material is a plastics material.* 16. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ** protector strip is a moulded protector strip.* * 17. A vehicle according to claim 16 in which the moulded protector strip is * *** moulded as an extrusion. ** * * * * * **18. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the protector strip has flat sides and a curved outer edge.19. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 -17 in which the protector strip has an aerodynamic shape.20. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the door is a vertically hinged door, and in which the protector strip extends vertically along the edge of the door.21. A vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vehicle has at least one door, and in which the rear door has one of the protector strips.22. A vehicle comprising doors with edge protector strips, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * *** * * *** * * * * * * * * S** * * *** * ** * * * *** ** * * * * * **