초록 ▼

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 s

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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A molded running board for a vehicle, comprising: a molded support member; and a molded second member; said molded second member being molded separately and apart from said support member; wherein said support member and said second member are welded together; and wherein sai

What is claimed is: 1. A molded running board for a vehicle, comprising: a molded support member; and a molded second member; said molded second member being molded separately and apart from said support member; wherein said support member and said second member are welded together; and wherein said support member comprises reinforcing ribs running lengthwise between opposite ends of said support member and lateral edges, and wherein a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly greater than that of said lateral edges; wherein pressure is applied to a top portion of said second member by said reinforcing ribs. 2. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein a material of said support member comprises a reinforced polypropylene, and a material of said second member comprises a thermoplastic olefin. 3. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein a material of said support portion comprises a reinforced polypropylene selected in the group consisting of polypropylene reinforced with glass fibers, polypropylene reinforced with talc nanoparticles and polypropylene reinforced with mineral fillers. 4. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein said support member is generally open. 5. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein said support member is provided with apertures on a bottom portion thereof. 6. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein said second member comprises a top member fixedly secured to said support member. 7. The molded running board according to claim 6, wherein said top member has a step surface provided with non-skid ribs. 8. The molded running board according to claim 6, wherein said support and second members are configured to yield a generally tubular running board, when assembled. 9. The molded running board according to claim 6, wherein said support member has a generally U-shaped cross-section. 10. The molded running board according to claim 9, wherein said second member has a separate step pad mounted thereto. 11. The molded running board according to claim 9, wherein said step pad is made of thermoplastic olefin and includes mounting tabs configured and sized to engage corresponding apertures of said support member. 12. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein said second member is secured to said support portion via electromagnetic welding. 13. The molded running board according to claim 12, wherein said support member includes edge portions provided with a rectangular channel therein to receive a third material. 14. The molded running board according to claim 13, wherein said second member is further provided with edges configured and sized to be received in said channel. 15. The molded running board according to claim 13, wherein said third material is compatible with said first moldable material and with said second moldable material. 16. The molded running board according to claim 15, wherein said third material melts under an electromagnetic field and bonds said support member with said second member. 17. The molded running board according to claim 15, wherein said third material is an electromagnetic material. 18. The molded running board according to claim 17, wherein said third material comprises polypropylene and ferromagnetic particles. 19. The molded running board according to claim 1, wherein said support member is mountable to the vehicle by at least two brackets. 20. The molded running board according to claim 19, wherein said at least two brackets are integrally formed with said support member. 21. The molded running board according to claim 19, wherein said at least one bracket includes a stiffening matrix of ribs. 22. The molded running board according to claim 19, wherein said at least two brackets are formed separately from said support member in a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic material and metal. 23. The molded running board according to claim 22, wherein said at least two brackets are mounted to said support member by means selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners and electromagnetic welding. 24. A generally tubular molded running board for a vehicle comprising: a first generally U-shaped member molded in a first moldable material and provided with lateral edges; a second generally U-shaped member molded in a second moldable material and provided with lateral edges; wherein a) said first moldable material has structural characteristics that are sufficient to provided adequate rigidity to said running board; b) said lateral edges of one of said first and second U-shaped members define a channel; c) said lateral edges of the other of said first and second U-shaped members include a projection corresponding to said channel; and d) said projection being secured in said channel; said first and second members being secured together by welding. 25. The generally tubular molded running board according to claim 24, wherein said projection engages in said channel via electromagnetic welding. 26. The generally tubular molded running board according to claim 24, wherein said first moldable material is reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral fillers, said second moldable material comprises a thermoplastic olefin. 27. The generally tubular molded running board according to claim 26, wherein said first moldable material includes polypropylene. 28. A molded running board for a vehicle comprising: a support member molded in a first thermoplastic material; a second member molded in a second thermoplastic material; and an electromagnetic adhesive material interposed between said support member and said second member; wherein said electromagnetic adhesive material fixedly secures said second member to said support member via electromagnetic welding; and wherein said support member comprises reinforcing ribs running lengthwise between opposite ends of said support member and said support member includes lateral edges; and wherein a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly larger than that of said lateral edges and said second member engages both said lateral edges and said reinforcing ribs. 29. The molded running board according to claim 28, wherein said second member comprises a top member. 30. The molded running board according to claim 28, wherein said first thermoplastic material comprises polypropylene reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral fillers, said second thermoplastic material comprises thermoplastic olefin.