Patent Application
20110062735
This invention relates to moldings, and more particularly to molding assemblies useful in aircraft or other vehicles.
Vehicles such as aircraft, buses, ships, and the like may utilize moldings, also sometimes referred to as kick strips, secured to walls, corners, or other features of the cabin. Such moldings may be purely decorative or may be protective. Accordingly, molding designs may find utility in various vehicles including aircrafts, buses, ships and the like.
In various aspects, protective kick strips are provided. In some embodiments, protective kick strips may be mounted on a wall or other structure in an aircraft, bus, ship, or other vehicle as a decorative ornament and/or to protect the wall or other structure from damage caused by impact from an object.
Thus, in one aspect there is provided a kickstrip assembly. The assembly comprising a base plate having a length extending along a longitudinal axis, and comprising an upper segment having an upper edge and an upper lip, and a lower segment having a lower edge and a lower lip. The upper lip and the lower lip define a middle section. The assembly further comprises an insert formed from a flexible polymeric material and comprising a faceplate, an upper edge depending from the faceplate, and a lower edge depending from the faceplate. The faceplate is dimensioned to fit within middle section of the base plate.
In another aspect there is provided an a vehicle, comprising a body defining an interior cabin, and a kickstrip assembly secured to a wall section of the cabin. The assembly comprising a base plate having a length extending along a longitudinal axis, and comprising an upper segment having an upper edge and an upper lip, and a lower segment having a lower edge and a lower lip. The upper lip and the lower lip define a middle section. The assembly further comprises an insert formed from a flexible polymeric material and comprising a faceplate, an upper edge depending from the faceplate, and a lower edge depending from the faceplate. The faceplate is dimensioned to fit within middle section of the base plate.
The features, functions and advantages discussed herein can be achieved independently in various embodiments described herein or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Described herein are exemplary protective kickstrip assemblies and vehicles comprising such assemblies. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been illustrated or described in detail so as not to obscure the particular embodiments.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the assembly 100 may further comprise one or more spacer elements 162 which may be interposed between the base plate 110 an a structure such as a wall 180. Further, the assembly 100 may comprise one or more end caps 160 adapted to connect to the base plate 110, and an insert 140. Referring to
Further, when the kick plate assembly 100 is installed proximate a floor, the flange 126 provides a seal between the kick plate assembly 100 and the floor, such that fluids spilled on the floor are inhibited from seeping onto the wall, where they may be absorbed.
Base plate 110 and insert 140 may be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, base plate 110 and insert 140 may be formed from a suitable material, e.g., a suitable polymer such as a thermoplastic or metal such as aluminum by a suitable process such as a thermal extrusion process or a rolling process or a stamping process. Similarly, the fasteners 170 may be formed from a suitable polymer or metal. End caps 160 may be formed from a suitable polymer material and injection molded or from a suitable metal and molded or formed.
In use, the kick strip assembly 100 may be mounted to a wall or other structure on the interior of a vehicle such as, e.g., an aircraft, a bus, or a ship.
Thus, as described herein one or more interior walls or structures of an aircraft may be equipped with a kick strip assembly 100. In some embodiments the kick strip assembly may be purely decorative, while in other embodiments the kick strip assembly may provide protection against impact by objects.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an implementation. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification may or may not be all referring to the same embodiment.
Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that claimed subject matter may not be limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as sample forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.
