FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is related to fender protector with improved stiffness for a
vehicle. The protector can be employed for both front and rear fender.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Fender protector is known have been provided in the automobile, which is
made of single material (Eg. Polypropylene (PP I plastic) or Polyethylene
terephthalate (PET /non-wove~ fabric material)).
In case of fender protector made of PP, appearance and NVH characteristics are
not good. In case of fender protector made of PET, appearance and NVH
characteristics are better, however, it is associated with the problem of sagging,
sometime after mounting in the vehicle. This is illustrated in fig 1 indicating
fender protector (1), car wheel (2) and sagging (3).
The sagging is caused due to less stiffness. Due to saggmg, fender protector
gets shifted from its desired position and thereby causing mismatch in
mounting holes of fender protector and mating part.
In order to overcome the above occurrences, it is required to provide rigidity to
the structure as well as good appearance.
According to a disclosure made in the art as shown in fig.2, there is a fender
liner consisting of two layers of different materials including plastic and nonwoven
fabric i.e. PP+PET (1A and 1B).
Here, the plastic layer (PP) may tear during forming of the protector. Further, it
can also fail owing to less rigidity. Thus, it becomes very difficult to maintain
rigidity of this part as the fabric material (PET) is very soft, which leads to
issues in part fitment in the vehicle.
-3-
Thus, it is meant for aestheticness of vehicle without contributing to rigidity of
the fender protector. However, the PET visible to user gets distorted with usage
degrading even its aestheticness.
In accordance with another known art, fender lining structure constitutes two
layers of fiber base and water proof protective layer of plastic. The plastic layer
is having multitude of through holes that allow air to flow through the
protective layer to the surface of the base on which the protective layer is
superimposed.
However, it does not serve the purpose for which the present invention has
been devised.
Hence, the present invention has been introduced so as to address the
aforesaid issues.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to propose fender protector with improved
stiffness for a vehicle which overcomes disadvantages of prior arts.
Another object of this invention is to propose fender protector with improved
stiffness for a vehicle which is simple in construction.
Further object of this invention is to propose fender protector with improved
stiffness for a vehicle which adds to aestheticness.
Further object of this invention is to provide the ease of assembly with less

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided fender protector with improved
stiffness for a vehicle comprising a single sandwiched structure with a plurality
of strengthening ribs and mounting points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanymg
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows:
Fig. 2 shows:
Fig. 3 shows:
Fig. 4 shows:
Fig. 5 shows:
~ig. 6A, 6B, 6C
and 6D:
Conventional fender protector of single material with
sectional view.
Another known fender protector of two layers of different
material.
Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle
according to present invention.
Isometric view of fender protector in accordance with present
invention from one side.
Isometric view of fender protector in accordance with present
invention from another side.
Arrangement of strengthening ribs and mounting points m .
fender protector of invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The instant invention is pertinent to fender protector with improved stiffness
for a vehicle.
The fender protector constitutes a single sandwiched structure, which includes
three layers. The structure comprises a middle layer interposed between top
and 'bottom layer.
In respect of this, reference may be·made tq fig. 3 illustratingta:yered structure
of the present invention, in which the middle layer (1') is placed between top (2')
and bottom (3') layer.
The middle layer needs to satisfy the following characteristics:
Light in weight
Sufficient flexural rigidity
Cost effective
Formable
Top and bottom layer should possess the properties listed hereinbelow:
Abrasion resistant
Light in weight
Should be able to bond well with middle layer
Cost effective
Formable
Here, the middle layer comprises thermoplastic material such as polypropylene
(PP.),polyethylene (PE), polypropylene with glass fibre and the top and bottom
layer comprises non-woven fabric material for example PET without restricting
scope of the invention to the same.
Further, said fender protector can be manufactured by the method of hot
pressing without limiting ambit of the present invention to the same. Thus,
other materials and methods readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are
understood to be within the purview of invention.
Further, reference may be made to fig.4 and 5 in which top layer (2') is
integrated to a plurality of strengthening ribs. Said ribs include horizontal ribs
(H)· and vertical· ribs (V), wherein horizontal and vertical ribs are main and
cross ribs respectively.
In addition to the above, there is provision of multitude of protruded parts (P)
at some intersections of the horizontal and vertical ribs as shown. The
protruded parts (P) are employed for mounting of the fender protector on body
panel of vehicle.
As can be seen in fig. 4 and 5, there are atleast two horizontal ribs (H) in the
longitudinal direction of the fender protector, which are intersected by multiple
vertical ribs (V) with a gap between vertical ribs and also between horizontal
ribs.
In conjunction with the above, there are also a plurality of mounting points (P)
forming said protruded parts on top layer (2').Some of the mounting points are
located at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical ribs as shown.
The portion of the fender in proximity to the flange thereof requires to sustain
load and prevent distortion of the flange.
In order to cater to the above need, the following provision has been made.
There is atleast one vertical rib between two mounting points (P) extending
towards outer flange (F) on both side edges of the fender protector in order to
provide stiffness to .the fender, in which the flange runs in longitudinal
direction of the fender as in the figure.
The arrangement of strengthening ribs and mounting points can be further
discussed hereinunder with reference to fig. 6A-6D.

i) Two parallel reinforcing beams on the upper area of wheel arch and
multiple reinforcing beams joining the two parallel beams in a mesh
form as in fig. 6A.
ii) Two parallel reinforcing beams joining one of the mounting holes with
body panel and another perpendicular reinforcing beam as in fig. 6B.
iii) Reinforcing beam between one mounting hole to another mounting
hole with body panel as in fig. 6C.
iv) Reinforcing beam from upper area of wheel arch, extending towards
outer flange of the fender protector, in order to provide stiffening as in
fig. 6D.
Thus, the fender liner is obtained by laminating a thermoplastic layer on one
surface of non-woven fabric material and also, at the same time,
superimposing another layer of non-woven fabric material onto the
thermoplastic layer.
According to another embodiment of present invention, an additional layer of
PET or some damping material-can be provided on the top layer so as to
increase NVH characteristics of vehicle. The additional layer is atleast one in
number.
The top layer faces towards fender of the vehicle and bottom layer_ is directed
towards tires of vehicle (visible to customers).
The thickness of layered structure of present invention is determined relying on
number·of mountings and size of protector, which depends upon size of vehicle.
The layered structure of invention gives rise to the following advantageous
features:-
Maintains appearance by avoiding distortion of visible layer.
Facilitates manufacturing by avoiding tearing of polypropylene layer
unlike prior art.
Contributes to rigidity which in turn avoids failure of fender.
With the above fender protector design, issues of sagging and thus, mismatch
in mounting have been resolved, without hamperingappearance of the part.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to·~ modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle comprising a single
sandwiched structure with a plurality of strengthening ribs and
mounting points.

2. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle a~ claimed in claim
1 wherein said sandwiched structure includes a middle layer interposed
between top and bottom layer, in which the middle and top/bottom layer
possesses characteristics such as herein described.

3. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in claim
1 or 2 wherein the middle layer comprises thermoplastic material such
as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene with glass fibre
and the top and bottom layer comprises non-woven fabric material for
example PET.

4. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims wherein said top layer of non woven fabric is
integrated to said plurality of strengthening ribs and mounting points
forming protruded parts, which are directed towards fender of the
vehicle.

5. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceoing claims wherein the top layer can be superimposed with .
atleast one additional layer of PET or any damping material to increase·
NVH characteristics of vehicle.

6. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims wherein the thickness of the fender relies on
number of mountings and size of protector.

7. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims wherein the strengthening ribs include horizontal
and vertical ribs and said protruded parts are located at some
intersections of the horizontal and vertical ribs.

8. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims comprising of atleast two horizontal ribs in the
longitudinal direction of the fender protector, which are intersected by
multiple vertical rib~.

9. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in any
of the preceding claims comprising of atleast one vertical rib between two
mounting points extending towards outer·flange on both side edges of the
fender protector.

10. Fender protector with improved stiffness for a vehicle as claimed in
any of the preceding claims is associated with the advantageous features
such as herein described.