Abstract: Protective apparatus for the sidewall of the bed of a pickup truck equipped with tool boxes is disclosed. An elongate rail is mounted to the top of the sidewall by non-invasive means and one or more skirt members may be selectively, detachably mounted to the rail when desired to overlie the sidewall below the tool boxes. In an alternative embodiment a tool box for the bed of a pickup truck has a detachable skirt member mounted to the sidewall of the tool box and depending downward to overlie the truck's sidewall.

Abstract: A composite article such as an automotive trim strip comprising a thermoplastic shell secured to the front of a supporting member. An icon is embedded in a recess in the front of the shell so that the front of the icon is substantially flush with the front of the shell. The icon is secured in the recess of the shell by an adhesive. The supporting member is made of a hot melt material and is bonded to the shell in an injection mold. The heat of the molding operation softens the thermoplastic shell sufficiently to cause the icon to form a recess in the shell and become embedded therein. The heat of the molding operation also cures the adhesive bonding the icon to the shell.

Abstract: An automobile decoration molding includes a decoration molding body formed by extrusion-molding a synthetic resin material; and an end part formed by remolding the end portion of the decoration molding body with a die. At least the end portion of the decoration molding body which is to be formed into the end part is formed by using the synthetic resin material kneaded with electrically conductive metallic powder, and the end portion of the decoration molding body which is to be formed into the end part is obliquely cut in such a manner that the resultant cut becomes larger in the direction opposite to a decorative surface of the decoration molding body, and the end portion thus processed is remolded with a die consisting of an upper half die and a lower half die.

Abstract: A flexible ornamental or protective plastic molding strip has an inserted flexible decorative cord. The flexible molding strip which serves as a base strip has an exposed outer surface that is usually smoothly contoured but can, if desired, be provided with longitudinally extending depressed or projecting surface decoration. In the exposed surface are one or more longitudinally extending grooves. Into each groove is inserted a flexible decorative cord, preferably of a color selected to provide an appealing visual effect, usually a color which contrasts with the color of the base strip itself. The decorative cord can be easily inserted into the groove by pressing it into place either at the factory or at the job site, to harmonize with the decor. The cord can be removed and replaced at any time desired, yet will be held securely in the groove by its contact with the walls of the groove during normal use.

Abstract: An automotive moulding has a gas channel extending longitudinally in the widthwise central part on the back side and is manufactured by a gas injection moulding. The gas channel is formed with a hollow portion. The gas injection aperture is situated at one end of the hollow portion. The shape of the gas channel changes gradually toward the one end. The gas injection aperture is deviated in the direction of width off the extreme side edge of the hollow portion. A gas escape port is formed at the other end of the hollow portion. The gas escape port is deviated in the direction of width from the hollow portion. The direction of deviation is the same as that of the gas injection aperture. The opening of the gas escape port is directed sidewardly with respect to the automotive moulding. The opening is closed by the automotive body when the automotive moulding is attached to an automobile.

Abstract: A body side protector for vehicles equipped with a truck tool box that prevents damage to the side of a truck when the truck tool box is accessed. The protector includes a resilient mat, a flexible magnet, at least one flexible strap, and a mounting bar. The resilient mat has a resilient mat front face, a resilient mat rear face, and a resilient mat top and contains at least one longitudinally disposed mat strap slot opening at the resilient mat top. The resilient mat readily conforms to and protects the specific contour of the side rail. The flexible magnet is attached to the resilient mat rear face so that the resilient mat is readily removably affixed to the specific contour of the side rail. The at least one flexible strap is disposed within a respective one of the at least one longitudinally disposed mat strap slots. Each of the at least one flexible strap has a flexible strap distal end that extends past the resilient mat top and contains a flexible strap distal end aperture.

Abstract: An injection molded trim strip and a method for its formation are provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an elongate, polymeric strip having an upper surface, a lower surface which is spaced from the upper surface and first and second ends; removing material from the polymeric strip inwardly from at least one of the first and second ends so as to create a modified strip; and injection molding with a polymeric material to fill at least a portion of an area formerly occupied by the removed material to create a trim strip having an intermediate surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces formed from the injected polymeric material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a side protective moulding having a decorative section and a rib section. The decorative section has a protruding section protruding most with respect to a door, and a curved section extending aslant from the protruding section toward the door. The rib section has a hollow section formed on the back side of the protruding section and a reinforcing leg section extending from the hollow section toward the door. The side moulding is moulded by a hollow injection moulding process. Adopting this moulding process can improve the outside appearance of the side moulding by eliminating sink marks and wrinkles from the surface of the decorative section if a thick wall section for increasing side moulding rigidity and impact strength is formed on the back side of the decorative section.

Abstract: A long molded article having a skin layer composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a core layer coated with said skin layer which is composed of 30 to 70% by weight of a matrix phase composed of a polypropylene resin and 70 to 30% by weight of one dispersed phase selected from the group consisting of ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymers and styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers. According to the present invention, there can be obtained a long molded article such as a side molding for automobile, which is excellent in attractiveness after mounting, dimensional stability, etc.

Abstract: A flexible trim strip is provided comprising an elongate strip having an outer peripheral edge. The elongate strip is formed of one or more layers of thermoplastic material and has a molded edge portion on a substantial portion of its outer peripheral edge. Provided on the underside of the elongate strip are one or more retaining members and one or more locator pins. A method is also provided for forming a trim strip having a molded edge portion on a substantial portion of its outer peripheral edge.

Abstract: A body side molding for automobiles. The molding has a rigid base and a cover which is relatively flexible with respect to the base. Covers of disclosed embodiments are of polyvinyl chloride. The base and cover snap together, the cover having retainers on its reverse face, and the base having retainers for engaging the retainers of the cover on its obverse face. The reverse face of the base is secured to a vehicle using double-sided adhesive tape.

Abstract: A bullet-proofing panel for attachment to the exterior door surfaces of a police cruiser or the like comprising an outer polymeric skin having a contour corresponding to the contour of the sheet metal of the vehicle's doors. The polymeric skin member when affixed to the outer sheet metal panels of the vehicle's doors defines a predetermined space or pocket therebetween which contains a barrier member, preferably a woven KEVLAR.RTM. material, capable of stopping bullets from practically all handguns. Because the outer polymeric skin can be shaped to follow the contours of the original vehicle and painted to match, the bullet-proof panel does not detract from the overall ornamental appearance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for preparing a part for a vehicle, the part having a weather sealed mirror finish decorative portion integral therewith is presented. The inventive process includes the steps of providing a sheet of relatively clear, weather resistant polymeric material having two surfaces, an external surface and an internal surface; providing a sheet of a formable substrate material having a internal surface and an external surface; metallizing a portion of at least one of the internal surfaces of the polymeric material and the substrate material, such that metallization is contained within the edge of the metallized material; adhering the internal surface of the substrate material to the internal surface of the polymeric material such that the metallization is disposed between the polymeric material and the substrate material to form a sandwich; and forming the sandwich into a vehicle part having a weather sealed mirror finish decorative portion.

Abstract: A flexible ornamental or protective plastic molding strip has an inserted flexible decorative cord. The flexible molding strip which serves as a base strip has an exposed outer surface that is usually smoothly contoured but can, if desired, be provided with longitudinally extending depressed or projecting surface decoration. In the exposed surface are one or more longitudinally extending grooves. Into each groove is inserted a flexible decorative cord, preferably of a color selected to provide an appealing visual effect, usually a color which contrasts with the color of the base strip itself. The decorative cord can be easily inserted into the groove by pressing it into place either at the factory or at the job site, to harmonize with the decor. The cord can be removed and replaced at any time desired, yet will be held securely in the groove by its contact with the walls of the groove during normal use.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a trim strip with hollow cavities having an elongated strip portion with at least a pair of side walls defining a valley between the side walls. A backing strip is bonded to the elongated strip portion. The trim strip is formed having a hollow cavity defined by the side walls and the backing strip.

Abstract: A protective assembly and method for use in combination with a vehicle body to protect the side and door panels of the vehicle body comprises an elongated guard movable between a retracted position in which it underlies the vehicle body and an extended position in which it overlies the side of said vehicle body, a bi-directional electric motor for rotatingly driving the guard between its retracted and extended positions, a pair of linkage assemblies pivotally securing the guard within the wheel wells of the vehicle body wherein one of the linkage assemblies is secured to a drive shaft of the motor to define an intermediary through which the motion of the drive shaft is transferred to the guard, an electrical energy source, and wireless control units allowing for the remote activation of the protective assembly.

Abstract: Shaped, flexible decorative emblems and a method for making the same are provided. The decorative emblems comprises a substrate layer having a decorative pattern thereon, a plastic lens cap, and an adhesive layer protected by a release liner. The decorative emblems are formed in the non-planar shape corresponding to the shape of the desired application surface. The method for making the non-planar decorative emblem involves casting the plastic lens cap on the substrate surface while the substrate is held substantially flat, subject the plastic to an initial cure while still flat, molding the emblem to a mandrel formed in the desired non-planar shape and subjecting the shaped emblem to a final cure to fix the emblem in the non-planar shape.

Abstract: A molding having a relatively simple structure, but which provides a pleasing appearance which is adaptable to a variety of ornamental and artistic applications. The molding includes an ornamental core which varies in width along the longitudinal direction of the molding, with a trimming attached to the sides of the ornamental core. The overall width of the molding (including the ornamental core and trimming) varies along the longitudinal direction of the molding corresponding to the varying width of the ornamental core. In addition, merging portions or sections are provided at which the trimming merges together, with the ornamental core not visible or not present at such portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for molding composite automotive trim members having a layer of a first material and a backing member made of a second thermoplastic material. The first material is introduced to the mold in the form of an elastic sheet having a show surface. This sheet is placed in the mold and the second thermoplastic material is subsequently injected into the mold cavity. This causes the second thermoplastic material to bond to one side of the sheet and forces the show surface on the opposite side of the sheet into abutting engagement with the mold surface, thereby creating the trim member. The second thermoplastic material forms a backing member that provides structural support for the sheet. The sheet forms an outer layer for the trim member. Note that the show surface on the sheet remains intact during and after injection and therefore provides a show surface for the trim member.

Abstract: A vehicle parking accessory for protecting vehicles against damage from adjacent vehicles and for deterring theft of the vehicle having a rectangular tubular frame connected to two wheel chock members for front and back tires and a locking apparatus to prevent disassembly of the accessory. The rectangular tubular frame is adjustable to the length and height of a vehicle by a set of turnbuckles located on both the horizontal and vertical frame members. The vehicle parking accessory is further provided with a side protector panel having an interiorly situated shock absorbent cushion which is used to prevent damage such as dents, dimples and scratches to the side of equipped vehicles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a trim strip with a first and second outer heat settable layer molding bonded to a base with an adhesive attaching member. The method includes heating liquid heat settable materials to be bonded to a hard base with an adhesive member at very low pressures to form a trim strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a trim strip with an outer heat settable layer bonded to a core. The method includes heating a liquid heat settable material to be bonded to a core having a desired configuration at very low pressures to form a trim strip.

Abstract: A self-supporting structural element for cladding, decorating, protecting and/or sealing housings or bodywork of vehicles with at least one axial end which is integrally molded without any transition and is made up of a strip or panel-like synthetic plastics body having webs bearing on the housing and which includes an integrated reinforcement of hard material and also softly resilient bearing elements, the reinforcement consisting of narrow strips of metal plate coated with a hard synthetic plastics material and of a mineral fiber reinforced material or a hard synthetic plastics material which on the inside of the webs of the structural element which bear on the housing or the like are connected to these latter in the same substance and which have at least one lip of softly resilient material which bears on the housing or the like.

Abstract: A trim strip for attachment to a substrate such as a vehicle includes a metallic core member and a one-piece outer layer which includes injection molded plastic inserts. In addition, a method of making the trim strip includes the steps of bonding an outer layer to the core member wherein the outer layer extends beyond the longitudinal ends of the core member, injection molding plastic inserts which bond to the outer layer, and forming the outer layer over the ends of the core member, thereby forming end caps over the metallic core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit or assembly for mounting to a vehicle to protect the side body and particularly the doors of the vehicle from being banged and scarred by doors being opened from other vehicles. When mounted on a vehicle, the side body protector includes a telescoping rod that is extended from a rear wheel well to a front wheel well. The extended telescoping rod is supported in spaced apart relationship from the vehicle by a support structure secured about both the front and rear wheel wells.

Abstract: A blow molding is composed of a blow molded body with a hollow interior, an ornamental strip integrally bonded therewith on the outer surface thereof, and an end cap attached to both ends of the ornamental strip, which is free from warpage or forming a gap between the ornamental strip and the blow molded body owing to the change of temperature in use. The end cap is so attached to slide longitudinally to the ornamental strip, keeping a space between its end portion and an edge surface of the ornamental strip for accommodating the molding expansion. A fixture of the ornamental strip and the end cap are embedded in the blow molded body.

Abstract: The present invention is a removably attachable vehicle body protection pad which is designed to be placed on the doors of a vehicle in a removable fashion when the vehicle is parked, so that the vehicle is protected when people in adjacent vehicles open their doors. The present invention provides a protection for the vehicle from being scratched or dented by other vehicles. The removably attachable pad includes an impact absorbent member having a fabric front surface and a plastic back surface, one or more magnetic strips for attaching the pad to a vehicle body, and one or more handle holes for holding the pad and fastening a security cable.

Abstract: A system of elongated rails installed on the exterior hull surfaces of boats and projecting externally from the exterior hull surfaces of the boats, and having the functional attributes of: deflecting spray, reducing the tendencies of the bows to go under in choppy or turbulent seas, reducing heel and side-slipping while turning, contributing lift, acting as fenders to protect the hulls, providing accessible hand holds and foot steps, reducing the rocking motions of the boats and adding flotation to the boats. The rails are formed of a polymeric foam interior and a skin formed of a polymeric sheet or a fabric material.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the side of a vehicle comprises a sheet of impact absorbing material such as foam which is bonded to a sheet of magnetic material, such as magnetic material embedded in a thin flexible polymer matrix. The apparatus is encased in a cover and is cross stitched to form a series of panels which are separated by fold lines.

Abstract: This invention employs a structure wherein the coupling section 23b of the clip 23 is engaged to the coupling section 25b of the holder 25 by sliding the clip 23 at an angle to the widthwise direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the trim 24, wherein the position of the coupling section 25b of the holder 25 is set closer toward the back surface of the trim 24, and wherein the recessed groove in the automobile body panel 21 for installation of said trim may be formed by shallower drawing, thus enabling satisfactory molding of trim 24 to be realized without affecting the standard press working processes of the automobile body panel 21.

Abstract: A decorative molding strip for automobiles and the like, consisting of a polymeric body member having a stabilizing layer imbedded therein. One surface of the strip is mounted on a portion of an auto, for example, such as a bumper or a side panel, and the opposite surface is exposed and subject to impact from an outside source. The layer is made of a woven fabric, preferably of glass fibers, and allows the surface which has been impacted to recover from indentation, thus preserving the original smooth and unblemished appearance.

Abstract: A protective guard for demountable attachment to the side of a vehicle comprising a single panel unit fabricated of a light weight material, such as cellular polystyrene, formed generally in the shape of an elongated triangle having one internal wall section and two approximately equal converging sidewalls. The interior wall is generally flat along the longitudinal edge portions and includes a channel formed down the center from one end of the panel to the other. The end portions of the panel are slightly tapered from a pre-determined point near each end of the panel where the two side walls converge. Imbedded in the interior wall of the panel are a plurality of encapsulated magnets that are used to attach and secure the panel to the vehicle's surface. Each capsule, which is generally conical in shape, includes an annular flange disposed about the wider, open end of the capsule. The opposite, narrower end of the capsule is permanently sealed and supports therein a generally thin disc shaped magnet.

Abstract: An end piece for use with a flush fitting strip bumper. The assembly protects, for example, a table or other substrate on which it is mounted. The end piece includes a shell having stepped sections arranged to engage a resilient strip and a mounting member, and a rigid clip having two spaced apart vertical portions one of which terminates in a projection including a series of teeth arranged to extend into the resilient strip.

Abstract: The invention features a protective strip assembly having a transparent strip of resilient material secured to a mounting member which displays useful safety and directional information. The resilient strip includes a pair of oppositely disposed, inwardly extending latch members, each extending longitudinally of the latch member and located between one of the edge portions and a point 45 degrees away from the mid-line of the body. The mounting member includes a web portion having a pair of oppositely disposed web-latch extensions extending across a chord of the body, substantially parallel to a tangent to the circumference of the body at its mid-line, and at least one leg member extending from the web portion away from the body. An information-conveying tape or similar sheet material is attached to the surface of the web portion which faces the body such that the information is visible through the protective strip.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a plastic molding strip to a vehicle metal panel exterior surface provided with two parallel rows of weld-on studs fixedly securing a series of T-shaped molding mounting plastic clips to the panel. Each clip, fixedly secured to the panel by an associated upper and lower pair of the studs, has an upper cross-head formed with an upwardly facing notched guide shoulder and a lower foot formed with a snap action fastener. The molding strip is generally C-shaped having interned flanges extending along the upper and lower edges thereof. The upper interned flange is formed with a downwardly directed upper guided rib while an inwardly directed lower guided flange, having a plurality of longitudinally spaced buttons molded thereon, is formed adjacent the lower interned flange. Attachment of the molding strip to the clips is achieved by initially slidably positioning the upper guided rib in the notched guide shoulder of each clip cross-head.

Abstract: An automobile trim molding is provided which contains a plurality of marking elements positioned on a base strip. The marking elements are constructed to mar the surface of an object encountering the molding with a sufficient force so that a person opening a vehicle door will exercise a greater degree of caution to insure that the door is not damaged by encountering the molding. A resilient outer member may be applied over the marking elements so that the marking elements are not visually observable when the molding is applied to a vehicle.

Abstract: A process for forming a vehicle molding is provided. The process includes the steps of extruding a continuous strip of a thermoplastic material, and securing a continuous decorative laminate onto the upper surface of the strip to form a continuous substrate. Thereafter, the substrate is transversed through a laminating roll having an outer surface contour conforming to a predetermined shape such that the substrate is formed into that shape after it has exited the laminating roll. The substrate is passed through a cooling bath to increase the rigidity thereof and then, severed at the ends of each shape formed in the substrate to form individual vehicle moldings. The process may include other operation steps such grinding, coating and securing an adhesive tape thereto all of which facilitate adherence to the vehicle surface.

Abstract: A molding strip, particularly for vehicles, with continuous ends formed thereon. The molding strip is a plastic injection molded part and has an integrated reinforcement which consists of at least one metal strip. The metal strip has a plurality of cut out tongues in rows along one or both lateral edges, and which extend, in whole or in separate regions of the individual tongues, out of the plane of the metal strip. The metal strip can have shaped tongues and unshaped tongues. In a row of tongues which are arranged one behind the other, unshaped tongues alternate with tongues which extend out of the plane of the metal strip at the row of tongues.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plastic reveal molding and retainer assembly for attachment to an apertured side body or door panel of an automotive vehicle. The retainer has a planar bottom portion which can be readily attached to the panel, a pair of deflectable end portions which are integrally connected to the bottom portion via living hinges and a deflectable barbed fastener integral with the bottom portion and projecting transversely therefrom. The molding is elongated, has an arcuate shape, as viewed in cross section, and has pairs of spaced chordally extending flanges adjacent its opposite ends and a pair of spaced apertured flanges at its center. The molding is attached to the retainer by moving the same thereover so that the end portion of the retainers are captured between the pairs of chordally extending flanges and so that the central flanges are snap fitted over the barbed fastener with a force fit to hold the molding in place.

Abstract: An automobile molding can be satisfactorily mounted on a vehicle body panel of an automobile without forming several holes in the vehicle body. With the use of such an arrangement that a locating boss incorporated with a holder is inserted together with a clip in an attaching hole formed in the vehicle body panel so as to effect an engaging force between the locating boss and the attaching hole, which prevents the holer and the molding body from being positionally shifted.

Abstract: A molding including a hollow molding body, and an ornamental film layer adhered on the upper surface and the side surfaces of the hollow molding body. The manufacturing process of the molding substantially comprises the steps of forming the hollow molding body by a blow molding method, and adhering the ornamental film layer on the hollow molding body. The adhesion of the ornamental film layer is achieved during formation of the hollow molding body.

Abstract: This invention discloses an improved body protection device for a vehicle. The body protection device mounts between the front and rear fender wells by the attachment of a flexible attachment to the fender lip in each well. A "L" shaped linkage attaches to each flexible attachment with a pivotal spring retainer attached between the "L" shaped linkage and the flexible attachment linkage. Curved linkage attaches the "L" shaped linkage to a body protection bar which extends between the front and rear attached curved linkage. A stop is mounted on the "L" shaped linkage to limit the movement of the body protection bar against the side of the vehicle when in place. Various adjustments are incorporated to provide means to accommodate various vehicle dimensions.

Abstract: A magnetic-strip, car-door protector has an elongated, main body portion having an inner layer made of magnetic material for attaching the strip to a car door, and also has a flexible, terminal flap that is inserted in the crack of the door, so that the strip-protector is not able to be pulled out, thereby preventing the theft thereof. In another embodiment, a universal, theft-protecting flap that is slidable along the elongated main body portion is provided, so that it may be adjusted to fit all makes and sizes of cars. The main elongated portion has V-shaped depressions formed along the entire width of both the front and rear surface-faces, whereby the unit may be more readily and easily rolled up and stored.

Abstract: A vehicle body side molding comprises a trim plate and a rub strip covering part of the trim plate. The rub strip includes tabs integrally formed with the strip and projecting into apertures formed in the trim plate. The periphery of the apertures is formed with resilient barbs that engage the tab and hold it in the aperture. The tabs project from a planar abutment surface that limits movement of the tab into the aperture.

Abstract: A molding assembly in which an elongated plastic molding is anchored to a vehicle door via a central clip and slidably supported by end clips so that thermal expansion and contraction takes place evenly from the midpoint of the molding so that the ends of the molding are always evenly spaced from the front and rear edges of the door. The end clips having flexible straps extending transversely of the sides of the clips and the straps are engageable with abutments on the molding so that the clips can be pre-assembled on the molding.

Abstract: The present invention is a removable side bumper which is designed to be placed on the vehicle in a removable fashion when the vehicle is parked so that the vehicle is protected when people in neighboring vehicles open their doors. The present invention provides a shielding, by means of cushioned segments with an inner core tubing for support and a foam outer tubing for a cushioning, connected by a flexible cord which anchors to the wheel wells or the door wells of a vehicle and will prevent the side of the vehicle from being scratched or dented.

Abstract: Adhesive molding strips for protection of a vehicle body particularly the side wheel wells and the interior bed of a pickup truck. The molding strips include an adhesive layer which facilitates permanent application of the strips to the vehicle body for protection against dents and other damage. In a pickup truck, the strips are applied to the longitudinal ribs formed in the bed floor, side walls and tailgate thereby protecting against damage while facilitating evaporation of accumulated water. As molding for wheel wells and the like the strips are readily deformable to follow the curvature of the wheel well. The strips are formed of a resilient material which assumes its original configuration upon indentation.

Abstract: A vehicle rear window reveal molding provided with a rearwardly facing groove serving as a repository for reflective material in which the overhang of an upper leg of the groove shelters the reflective material against ultraviolet deterioration but allows clear visibility thereof in its activated state when it emits light in response to ground level light of headlights from approaching vehicles impinging on the reflective material.

Abstract: A plurality of strips are interconnected for a locking communication relative to one another in a longitudinal orientation relative to a forward panel, door panel, and rear panel of an associated vehicle on each side of the vehicle to include a central flexible flange mounting a removable "C" shaped covering thereover. Forward and rear strip members each include pivotally mounted "U" shaped flanges for positioning in locking communication with the fender well portion of the vehicle to fixedly secure the strip structure to the vehicle. The strips include locking end portions for maintaining the strips in aligned orientation.

Abstract: A protective cover for vehicles is disclosed, wherein a flexible material having a magnetic base portion with a resilient top portion laminated thereto is cut in segments to conform to a portion of an exterior body surface of a vehicle. More than one segment is placed adjacent to each other in side by side relation to provide a protective cover for a vehicle. The vehicle may be any known type of vehicle, and the protective cover may be cut to cover any portion of the vehicle where protection is desired. Indicia may be disposed upon at least one segment of the protective cover, and the resilient top portion is preferably visually distinct from magnetic base portion for ease of assembly. A plurality of spaced grooves are provided across the magnetic base portion of each segment so that moisture may pass beneath the flexible material, while the segments are removably secured to the vehicle.