Abstract: A bumper assembly is provided for a vehicle having a frame. The bumper assembly includes a winch cradle defining a cradle mounting aperture corresponding to a first frame aperture of the frame. A bumper member is configured to at least partially surround the winch cradle and extend laterally from the winch cradle across a portion of the vehicle. The bumper member defines a bumper mounting aperture corresponding to a second frame aperture. The winch cradle is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the bumper member and the bumper member is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the winch cradle.

Abstract: A splash guard includes an elongate portion that extends along a side sill, and a rear wall that protrudes from a rear end of the elongate portion into a rear wheel house, wherein the rear wall covers a first flange formed by folding over an edge of the rear wheel house to a vehicle inner side, and a second flange formed by folding over an edge of the side body outer panel into the rear wheel house so as to overlap the rear side of the first flange, the rear wall covering the first flange and the second flange from behind with a clearance disposed therebetween. The splash guard further includes a pedestal formed protruding from a region nearby the rear end of the elongate portion toward the side body outer panel, and a coupling portion that couples the pedestal to the rear wall.

Abstract: A wheel house liner for a wheel house of a vehicle includes a main body and at least one flange along at least a portion of an end of the main body, the at least one flange forming a hemmed edge. The wheel house liner also includes a bonding agent to hold the at least one flange and the main body together, and at least one fastener hole. The main body is formed by a forming machine. The at least one flange is then formed by bending, by a bending tool, at least a portion of an end of the main body. The bonding agent may be applied to the portion of the end before or after the forming of the at least one flange. Finally, the hemmed edge is formed by folding, by the bending tool, the at least one flange against the main body.

Abstract: An acoustic splash shield that combines sound damping and sound absorption is provided. The splash shield can have a first solid thermoplastic layer, an optional second porous layer extending across the first solid layer and a third hollow-shaped and/or corrugated-shaped thermoplastic layer extending across the second porous layer. The first, optional second, and third layers are operatively arranged to form an integral component with the second porous layer sandwiched between the first and third layers in order to provide a sound damping and sound absorbing splash shield having a pair of non-porous outer layers. The third hollow-shape and/or corrugated-shaped thermoplastic layer forms a plurality of hollow rectangular-shaped cavities against the first solid thermoplastic layer and the cavities are shaped in order to provide a plurality of hollow sound absorbing cavities that absorb sound wave frequencies within a desired range.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle fender liner configured to easily form a solid shape and exhibit superior sound-absorption performance and excellent anti-icing, a fender liner 10 serving as a sound-absorption member to be attached to a vehicle includes a base-material layer 11 having sound-absorption function. The base-material layer 11 is formed into a solid shape of a fender liner by producing a sheet of a fibrous web 14 obtained by interlocking main fibers 12 and binder fibers 13 having a melting point lower than that of the main fibers 12, integrally providing a waterproof protective film of an LDPE resin, and then performing hot press mold.

Abstract: A fender protector structure of a vehicle which includes a body structure including a body panel and a fender panel. The body structure defines a wheel well. A fender protector is connected to the body structure for covering an outer periphery of the wheel well, and a reinforcing structure for the fender protector extends from the body panel to the fender panel, wherein the reinforcing structure includes fixing the fender protector to the body panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an all terrain straddle-type vehicle for carrying a load including a rider. The vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a rear fender, a front fender, and a body panel. The wheels, including front and rear wheels coupled to the frame. The fenders are secured to the frame for covering the wheels. The fenders are formed from a plastic material having a smooth portion and a textured portion thereon. The smooth and textured portions are disposed adjacent to one another and formed integrally on the fender. The textured portion is positioned on the fender in a location of frequent rider or other load contact. The body panel is secured to the frame forward of the rear fender. The body panel includes a textured portion situated in a location of frequent rider contact. A method of manufacturing a fender is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fender liner and a method for producing the same that allows reduction of noise caused by collision with pebbles etc. kicked by tires, that has sufficient rigidity, and that allows easier separation of attached ice. The fender liner comprises a low density nonwoven fabric layer, disposed on a side of the outside surface when it is attached to the outside surface, and a high density nonwoven fabric layer, the density of which is 0.6 to 0.9 g/cm3, in a thickness direction. The method comprises: obtaining a compound nonwoven fabric by intertwining and integrating a first and a second nonwoven fabric having predetermined amounts of mass per unit area and thicknesses respectively by a needle punching method; obtaining a nonwoven fabric laminated product for liners by heating the fabric from a side of the first nonwoven fabric layer with simultaneous pressurization; and die forming the product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for installing a vehicle-body accessory on a corresponding vehicle body include a vehicle-body accessory and an intermediate structural member configured to be positioned between the vehicle-body accessory and the corresponding vehicle body. The intermediate structural member includes one or more of a plurality of discrete projections and/or a plurality of discrete depressions for securing the structural member to the body and body accessory, such as with adhesive, spanning the projections and/or depressions. In some embodiments the structural member at least generally conforms to an internal recess, or channel, in the vehicle-body accessory. In some embodiments, the structural member includes at least one, optionally removable, alignment tab to facilitate proper installation of the intermediate structural member on a vehicle body.

Abstract: A front frame portion of an underframe which constitutes a lower portion of a vehicle body frame is formed in a triangular shape, and, at the same time, the front frame portion of the underframe is formed in a peaked shape in a plan view. The underframe is integrally formed by casting. An upper arm and a lower arm which support left and right front wheels are respectively mounted on the left and right sides of the front frame portion.

Abstract: A gimp made of flexible, compressible material attaches an edge of a trim piece to a panel. The gimp is bonded to the panel without visual gaps between the gimp and the panel. The gimp has a slip connection to the trim piece. The slip connection is provided by a slot in the gimp slidably receiving the edge of the trim piece.

Abstract: A protector system configured to engage a portion of the exterior surface of tubular components of a motorcycle, such as engine guard(s), saddlebag guard(s), handle bars, to provide a surface deposed to prevent or minimize damage of such tubular components resulting from impact or to alter transmission of impact or operational forces to such tubular components.

Abstract: A fender skirt for use with a fender of a vehicle, such as a tractor, is provided. The fender skirt is disposed between the tire and the frame of the vehicle to effectively deflect debris away from the frame and engine compartment of the vehicle. The fender skirt preferably includes two rigid members spaced apart adjacent the inner side of the fender frame between the tire and the frame of the vehicle. A flexible skirt extends between the rigid members to form a canopy adjacent at least a portion of the tire.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inexpensive plastic protective guard that is securely attached to the crash bars and/or saddlebag protectors of a motorcycle or motorbike to protect the chrome finish thereon. The protective guard is comprised of a hollow pre-molded impact resistant plastic component which conforms to the shape of the crash bar or protective bar. The protective guard includes a longitudinal slit through its wall to allow opening of the guard and placed thereover where it securely snaps into place and serves to protect the chrome finish on these components in the event of a crash, dropping or scrape when these components come into contact with the pavement.

Abstract: An automobile hood cover is comprised of a flexible planar substrate of vinyl coated fabric or other plastic material, which substrate has substantially all of its exterior (outwardly facing) surface covered with protective and decorative lace means, namely, either lace cloth or lace indicia. The cloth or indicia form a lace pattern comprised of regularly recurring sets of discrete graphical motifs.

Abstract: A vehicle body extension system is provided for mounting on the fenders and rocker panels of a vehicle. The extensions include fender flare extension units designed to fit each fender. The perimeter of each fender flare unit includes an inner edge which conforms to the shape of the wheel opening and an outer edge which is generally squared-off, with horizontal vertical portions that generally match the shape of the vehicle fender itself. When installed on the vehicle, the fender flare extension units blend with the vehicle's shape and contours to closely resemble custom body work rather than add-on fender flares. Each extension unit has a contoured cross section which includes a protruding region near the wheel opening, a shoulder region, a reverse-turned region and a nonprotuberant border flange region, immediately adjacent the outer edge. Matching molding strips are provided for installation over the rocker panels. A method of installation using adhesives is also described.

Abstract: A guard assembly for a snowmobile having two forwardly extending skis includes a first support mountable to a first ski and a second support mountable to a second ski. A slide assembly is mounted to and between the first and second supports. The slide assembly includes a first slide member joined to the first support and a second slide member joined to the second support. The first slide member moves relative to the second slide member during operation of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A contoured-part arrangement (10) at a wheel cut-out of a car, which extends along at least one third, preferably at least two thirds, of an edge (5) of the car body defining the wheel cut-out, protrudes outwardly, with an outer region (14) extending beyond the edge defining the wheel cut-out. The contoured-part arrangement is composed of strip-shaped sections (11, 12, 13) made from deformable material which are arranged with their adjacent ends overlapping one another and which have, in a direction of their longitudinal extension, a pre-formed curvature, a curvature center line being essentially parallel to a rotational axis of the associated wheel (1).

Abstract: A vehicle wheel splash attenuator has a deflection-suppressing member designed to be installed in a tire housing so as to face a tire and define a space of more than 15 mm between itself and the inner face of the tire housing. The deflection-suppressing member has strands formed therein which define a plurality of apertures through which muddy water flung by the tire is passed. The deflection-suppressing member thus suppresses the deflection of the muddy water impinging upon the tire housing. The opening ratio of the apertures is within a range of 25 to 55%, the diameter of the apertures elongated circumferentially of the tire is within a range of 30 to 150 mm, and the width of those strands defining the apertures and facing the tire is within a range of 2 to 15 mm. The cross-section of at least those strands projected toward the tire is shaped into a triangle whose apex is directed toward the tire and whose bottom is directed toward the tire housing.

Abstract: A new and unique car utility apron is presented having a soft flexible outer layer with a number of pockets spaced on the two sides of the apron. The front of the apron has the upper half cut out and replaced with webbing so that the radiator can take air in if the engine is running while the apron is in place. One side of the auto apron has an air power connecting hose while the opposite side has an electrical power connecting hose. The auto apron is attached about the engine compartment of a car by hooks at the top and an elastic band and another set of hooks at the bottom. Tools may be placed in the pockets when not in use or in convenient slots near the upper portion of the apron while temporarily not in use. Electrical or air power may be connected through to the engine compartment simply by connecting the appropriate hose or electrical cord at the bottom of the auto apron. When the apron is not in use it may be folded or rolled into a small package to hold the tools.

Abstract: An inner fender liner can be applied against the underside of an exposed fender for protecting the fender from damage by rocks or other objects which may be thrown up against it. The fender liner comprises a relatively thick, but flexible, sheet of plastic material shaped to cover the rear portion of the fender. The liner is bent to conform to the underside of the fender and fit flush thereagainst. At least one peripheral attachment flange, formed by a scored section of the liner, may be used to help hold the liner in place using some of the fasteners normally used to hold the fender on the vehicle.