Molded running board

Abstract

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.

1 . A molded running board for a vehicle comprising: 
 a molded support portion; and    a molded second portion, said molded second portion being molded separately from said support portion; and    wherein said support portion and said second portion are welded together.    
   
   
       2 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is a top portion fixedly secured to said support portion.  
   
   
       3 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is secured to said support portion via electromagnetic welding.  
   
   
       4 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said first molded support portion is reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral filler.  
   
   
       5 . The molded running board according to  claim 4 , wherein said first molded support portion includes polypropylene.  
   
   
       6 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said molded second portion includes thermoplastic olefin (TPO).  
   
   
       7 . The molded running board according to  claim 2 , wherein said support portion comprises reinforcing.  
   
   
       8 . The molded running board according to  claim 7 , wherein said support portion includes lateral edges, and wherein a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly larger than that of said lateral edges; whereby a pressure is applied to said top portion by said reinforcing ribs.  
   
   
       9 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said support portion is generally open.  
   
   
       10 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said support portion is mountable to the vehicle by at least two brackets.  
   
   
       11 . The molded running board according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least two brackets are integrally formed with said support portion.  
   
   
       12 . The molded running board according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least two brackets are formed separately from said support portion in a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic material and metal.  
   
   
       13 . The molded running board according to  claim 12 , wherein said at least two brackets are mounted to said support portion by means selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners and electromagnetic welding.  
   
   
       14 . The molded running board according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one bracket includes a stiffening matrix of ribs.  
   
   
       15 . The molded running board according to  claim 2 , wherein said second portion has a step surface provided with non-skid ribs.  
   
   
       16 . The molded running board according to  claim 1 , wherein said support portion is provided with apertures on a bottom portion thereof.  
   
   
       17 . The molded running board according to  claim 2 , wherein said support portion has a generally U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       18 . The molded running board according to  claim 17 , wherein said second portion has a separate step pad mounted thereto  
   
   
       19 . The molded running board according to  claim 18 , wherein said step pad is made of thermoplastic olefin and includes mounting tabs configured and sized to engage corresponding apertures of said support portion.  
   
   
       20 . The molded running board according to  claim 3 , wherein said support portion includes edge portions provided with a rectangular channel therein to receive thin strands of an electromagnetic adhesive.  
   
   
       21 . The molded running board according to  claim 20 , wherein said second portion is further provided with edges so configured and sized as to be received in said channel.  
   
   
       22 . The molded running board according to  claim 2 , wherein said support and second portions are so configured as to yield a generally tubular running board, when assembled.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . A molded running board for a vehicle comprising: 
 a rigid support portion molded in a first thermoplastic material;    a second portion molded in a second thermoplastic material; and    an electromagnetic adhesive material interposed between said support portion and said second portion;    wherein said electromagnetic adhesive material fixedly secures said second portion to said support portion via electromagnetic welding.    
   
   
       32 . The molded running board according to  claim 31 , wherein said second portion is a top portion.  
   
   
       33 . The molded running board according to  claim 31 , wherein said first thermoplastic material is reinforced with a material selected from the group consisting of glass fiber, talc nanoparticles and mineral fillers.  
   
   
       34 . The molded running board according to  claim 33 , wherein said first thermoplastic material includes polypropylene.  
   
   
       35 . The molded running board according to  claim 31 , wherein said second thermoplastic material includes thermoplastic olefin.  
   
   
       36 . The molded running board according to  claim 31 , wherein a) said support portion comprises reinforcing ribs running lengthwise between opposite ends of said support portion; b) said support portion includes lateral edges, and c) a height of said reinforcing ribs is slightly larger than that of said lateral edges; whereby said top portion engages both said lateral edges and said reinforcing ribs.