SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR APPLICATION OF A VEHICLE BED-LINE

Abstract

A system of reusable masking aids usable in a method of spraying a bed-liner on a portion of a vehicle is provided. A method of applying a spray-on bed-liner to a vehicle is also provided. The method makes use of the system of reusable masking aids to make the process of spraying on a bed-liner more efficient, generate less waste, and more apt to subject any part of the method to automation.

Description

BACKGROUND

A bed-liner has the advantage of protecting a truck bed, for example, from dents, scratches and pain chipping. Bed-liners can be easy to clean and keep cargo from moving around when a vehicle is in use. Spray-on bed-liners create a custom coat on the truck bed to protect bed against scratches and seals the truck bed floor, sidewalls and tailgate.

Most spray-on bed-liners processes begin with a step of masking off portions of a vehicle where spray-on bed-liner is not desired. This process involves manually applying to a vehicle tape, wired tape, and plastic to cover entire portions vehicle where bed-liner spray is not desired. The masking may include canvas wheel and cab covers (FIG. 1). The process of masking the vehicle prior to application of a spray-on bed-liner is time consuming, requires manual labor, and generates a lot of waste.

Therefore a need exists to lend the process of spray-on bed-liners to automation and obviating the need for the time-consuming step of masking the vehicle prior to application of the bed-liner.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a system of reusable masking aids usable in a method for spraying on a bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle. The system and process significantly reduce costs and time required to apply a spray-on bed-liner to a vehicle. A method of applying a spray-on bed-liner to a vehicle is also provided. The method makes use of the system of reusable masking aids to make the process of spraying on a bed-liner more efficient, generate less waste, and more apt to subject any part of the method to automation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1B demonstrates a prior art process of applying a bed-liner to a pickup truck.

FIG. 2A-2D demonstrate components of the reusable masking aid system of the present invention.

FIG. 3A-3C demonstrates different views of the cab structure component of the masking aid system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 demonstrates an exploded view of the reusable masking aid system of the present invention.

FIG. 5A-5C demonstrates a new process of applying a bedliner to a pickup truck with use of the reusable masking aid system of the present invention and automation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for application of a spray-on bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle, the method including steps of: providing a system of reusable masking aids; securing the system of vehicle masking aids to a vehicle; applying a spray-on bed-liner to the vehicle; and removing the masking aids. By following the steps of this method, then, a spray-on bed-liner is applied to the portion of the vehicle. Securing the system of vehicle masking aids to the vehicle encompasses any methods of adding, situating or placing the system components on the vehicle so that they will remain in place during the application of the spray-on bed-liner and will be able to be removed after the spray-on process is complete without marring the bed-liner.

In some aspects, the method for application of a spray-on bed-liner may include a step of performing a quality control inspection of the vehicle once masking aids are removed from the vehicle.

In some aspects, the method for application of a spray-on bed-liner may include, prior to attaching the system of vehicle masking aids to a vehicle, cleaning, drying, or etching the portion of the vehicle to which the bed-liner is applied.

In some aspects, the system of reusable masking aids may include any combination of at least one fender side protector; at least one sidewall masking aid; at least one coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid; at least one a coated D-Pillar; and at least one cab structure. It is of course contemplated that the system may encompass at least one fender side protector; at least one sidewall masking aid; at least one coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid; at least one a coated D-Pillar. The system may encompass at least one fender side protector; at least one sidewall masking aid; and at least one a coated D-Pillar. The system may encompass two fender side protectors; at least one sidewall masking aid; at least one coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid; at least two a coated D-Pillar; and a cab structure.

In some aspects, the method or process for applying a spray-on bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle is partially or fully automated. It is appreciated that the system and methods according to many aspects of the invention are usable with any combination of manual and automated methods and further are useful only in part. That is, in one aspect, the one fender side protector; at least one sidewall masking aid; at least one coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid; at least one a coated D-Pillar of the masking system are usable with a canvas or plastic cab cover in place of the cab structure. Likewise, a system using the fender side protector; at least one sidewall masking aid; at least one coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid; at least one a coated D-Pillar and a cab structure may also include canvas or plastic wheel covers. Further, the system maybe used without the coated tailgate bridge, at least one tailgate masking aid if the tailgate is missing from the vehicle. Elements may be added to the system as needed for any vehicle configuration. In some aspects, the method or process for applying a spray-on bed-liner can apply to a vehicle part or element. Elements may be added to the system as needed for any vehicle configuration, including any condition where the truck bed is not physically attached to the rest of the truck/chassis/vehicle and is sprayed separately.

In some aspects, the method for application of a spray-on bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle includes use of a system of masking aids that is specific for a vehicle make or model of the vehicle. Any commercial available vehicle would be suitable for the development of a vehicle specific system of masking aids.

In some aspects, the method for application of a spray-on bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle includes application of a bed-liner to the truck bed of a pick-up truck. It is appreciated that one very useful example of an application of a spray-on bedliner is to the bed of a pickup truck. However, the systems and methods described herein are useful in any application of a spray-on after market treatment to any vehicle or trailer or the like. For example, the bottom surface of a trailer, cargo vehicle, or any other surface on any kind of vehicle intended for personal or commercial use that can reasonably expect wear is protectable by a spray-on bed-liner of the instant invention.

The systems and methods of the invention are compatible with any spray-on bedliner, including for example the polyurea spray coating of Ground Effects, LLC.

In some aspects, the invention provides a system of reusable masking aids comprising any combination of: fender side protectors; sidewall masking aids; a coated tailgate bridge; tailgate masking aids; a coated D-Pillar or cab structure. With respect to the cab structure, the structure may comprise two doors. One suitable for an operator to enter and exit the structure and one for a vehicle cab to enter and/or exit the structure. In some aspects the cab container will have three exits, one for an operator to enter and exit the structure and one for a vehicle to enter the structure, with a door that meets the other aspects of the system and seals the vehicle cab from the area of the vehicle to which the spray-on bed-line is being supplied and a separate vehicle exit on the opposite side of the structure from the vehicle entrance so that the vehicle may move in a one-way direction through the cab container structure.

It is appreciated that not all types of masking aids are necessary for all vehicles or configurations of portion of the vehicle to be treated by the spray-on bedliner.

In some aspects, the system of reusable masking aids that is any combination of fender side protectors; sidewall masking aids; a tailgate bridge; tailgate masking aids; a D-Pillar are themselves coated with a material. This coating of the masking aids may be a coating of the bed-liner material itself, may be a distinct coating that resists application of the bed-liner to the reusable masking aids. In some aspects all of the masking aids of the system are coated or uncoated or a combination of coated and uncoated masking aids may form the system.

In some aspects, the invention provides a system of masking aids is specific for a vehicle make or model and in some aspects, the vehicle is a pickup truck. It is appreciated that the system of masking aids may be custom made for any make or model of vehicle and further may be custom selected in consideration of after-market modification that may have been made to the vehicle.

In some aspects, the portion of the vehicle to which the bedliner is to be applied is pretreated. This pretreatment may include a step of washing and drying either the entire vehicle or only the portion of the vehicle to which the bedliner is applied. The drying may include mechanical dryers or may be performed by a user with a drying towel. After a drying step, the pretreatment may further include laser etching the part, portion, section, area, truck bed, or segment of the vehicle to which the bed-liner is to be applied. The purpose of the etching is to enhance the durability and adhesion of the bed-liner. Thus, any type of laser etching is fully encompassed as an aspect of the invention. Any type of laser may perform this step and any amount of laser etching is encompassed as an aspect of the invention. Pretreatment may also include a step of installing a logo or any other preparatory step necessary prior to adding the masking aids to the vehicle.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Development of Reusable Masking Aids for a Pick-Up Truck

FIG. 2A-2D provides an overview of the system of masking aids according to one aspect of the invention. Referring now to FIG. 2A, the system of masking aids may include a cab structure, 200. In FIG. 2A, the cab structure door is closed and in FIG. 2B, the cab structure door 260 is open to permit entry of vehicle cab (vehicle cab not shown). Again referring to FIG. 2A, the system of masking aids may also include two sidewall masking aids, 210 and 220, a coated tailgate bridge, 230 and coated D-Pillars 240 and 250. In the exploded view of FIG. 2B, application of the system of masking aids to a truck bed 270 is shown. FIG. 2C represents truck bed with the masking system in place and FIG. 2D demonstrates view as cab of truck is driven into the cab structure 210 and cab structure door 260 in closed. Vehicle is then ready for spray-on bed-liner application.

Referring now to FIG. 3A-3C, the cab structure of the system of masking aids is described in greater detail. Generally, the cab structure may be permanently placed inside an existing bedliner spray booth. A vehicle is driven or conveyed into the both so that the bed of the vehicle matches up with previously installed components of the masking system to prevent any overspray on surfaces not meant for spray-on bed-liner. See also FIG. 5B.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the bed of a vehicle to be sprayed with a spray-on bed-liner is shown in greater detail. A vehicle bed, 270 is shown. The sidewall masking aid, 210 (220 not shown in FIG. 4), coated tailgate bridge, 230 and coated D-Pillars 250 (240 not shown in FIG. 4) are in place on the vehicle bed. Further, tailgate masking aids 280 and sidewall masking aids 290 are shown. Sidewall masking aids are also shown in FIG. 5C.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, it can now be seen how the addition of a system of masking aids lends the process of application of a spray-on bed-liner to automation of the process. In FIG. 5A, all vehicles may be placed on an automatic conveyance system or manually driven into a location for the optional steps of drying the truck bed, laser etching the vehicle bed, installing a logo, followed by installing of masking aids system either robotically or manually, the system including at least one of: fender side protectors, sidewall masking aids, a coated tailgate bridge, a tailgate masking aid, a coated D-Pillar. The process continues by driving or conveying vehicle into a cab structure and closing a cab structure door, applying a spray-on bed-liner, removing masking aids either robotically or manually, and visual quality inspection of the vehicle.

Certain embodiments have been described in the form of examples. It is impossible to depict every potential application. Thus, while the embodiments are described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail, or to any particular embodiment.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When “only A or B but not both” is intended, then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. For example, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown. Departures may be made from such details and examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A method for application of a spray-on bed-liner to a portion of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a system of reusable masking aids;securing the system of vehicle masking aids to a vehicle;applying a spray-on bed-liner to the vehicle; andremoving the masking aids.

2. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner according to claim 1, wherein prior to securing the system of vehicle masking aids to the vehicle, the portion of the vehicle to which the bed-liner it to be application is laser etched.

3. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises a step of performing a quality control inspection of the vehicle once masking aids are removed from the vehicle.

4. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein, prior to attaching the system of vehicle masking aids to a vehicle; the portion of the vehicle to which the bed-liner to be applied is cleaned, dried, or etched.

5. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein the system of masking aids comprises: fender side protectors;sidewall masking aids;a coated tailgate bridge;tailgate masking aids;a coated D-Pillar; anda cab structure.

6. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner according to claim 5, wherein one of the masking aids is itself coated.

7. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein the process is partially or fully automated.

8. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein the system of masking aids is specific for a vehicle make and model.

9. The method for application of a spray-on bed-liner of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a pick-up truck.

10. A system of reusable masking aids comprising: fender side protectors;sidewall masking aids;a coated tailgate bridge;tailgate masking aids;a coated D-Pillar; anda cab structure.

11. The system of reusable masking aids of claim 10, wherein one of the masking aids is itself coated.

12. The system of reusable masking aids of claim 10, further comprising a cab structure.

13. The system of reusable masking aids of claim 10, wherein the system of masking aids is specific for a vehicle make and model.

14. The system of reusable masking aids of claim 10, wherein the system is specific for a pick-up truck.

15. A method of preparing a vehicle for application of a bed-liner comprising: laser etching the portion of the vehicle to which the bed-liner is applied prior to application of a bed-liner.