Dent deflector for mobile homes

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the guard rail member has an impact-absorbing surface which is generally outwardly bowed relative to the base portion, and in which the impact-absorbing portion projects above and below each mounting member, as defined when the guard rail member is disposed in a horizontal plane, so that the impact-absorbing surface will be in a position to absorb shock coming from a relatively large envelope of directions when attached to the mobile home.

Claim 4

A dent deflector for attachment to the side of a mobile home to protect the mobile home from impact damage, the dent deflector comprising: an elongated guard rail having a front section, and a rear section formed integrally with the front section, the front section of the guard rail being made from a deformable material for providing an elongated, impact-absorbing front edge along the length of the guard rail, the rear section of the guard rail being an elongated connecting member projecting from the front section and being continuous along the length of the guard rail, a plurality of separate generally U-shaped mounting members each being freely movable relative to the other mounting members for attachment to the guard rail independently of the other mounting members, each mounting member including a base portion and a pair of spaced apart legs extending from the base portion for releasable attachment to the connecting member of the guard rail, separate fastening means associated with the base portion of each mounting member for attaching the base portions of the mounting members to the mobile home, the legS of each mounting member including separate locking means for engaging the continuous connecting member of the guard rail in a releasable interlocking fit to attach the mounting members to the connecting member in a spaced apart relation along the length of the guard rail, with each mounting member being releasably attached at locations on the connecting member independently of the locations of the other mounting members, the legs of each mounting member being generally resilient so the guard rail can be engaged with the mounting members, after the latter are fastened to the mobile home, by spreading apart the legs and engaging the locking members thereof with the connecting member of the guard rail, the legs of each mounting member being elongated to hold the guard rail spaced a substantial distance from the base portions of the mounting members.

Claim 5

A dent deflector for attachment to the side of a mobile home to protect the mobile home from impact damage, the dent deflector comprising: an elongated guard rail having a front section, and a rear section formed integrally with the front section, the front section of the guard rail being made from a deformable material for providing an elongated, impact-absorbing front edge along the length of the guard rail, the rear section of the guard rail being an elongated connecting member projecting from the front section and being continuous along the length of the guard rail, a plurality of separate generally U-shaped mounting members each being freely movable relative to the other mounting members for attachment to the guard rail independently of the other mounting members, each mounting member including a base portion and a pair of spaced apart legs extending from the base portion for releasable attachment to the connecting member of the guard rail, separate fastening means associated with the base portion of each mounting member for attaching the base portions of the mounting members to the mobile home, the legS of each mounting member including separate locking means for engaging the continuous connecting member of the guard rail in a releasable interlocking fit to attach the mounting members to the connecting member in a spaced apart relation along the length of the guard rail, with each mounting member being releasably attached at locations on the connecting member independently of the locations of the other mounting members, the legs of each mounting member being generally resilient so the guard rail can be engaged with the mounting members, after the latter are fastened to the mobile home, by spreading apart the legs and engaging the locking members thereof with the connecting member of the guard rail, the legs of each mounting member being elongated to hold the guard rail spaced a substantial distance from the base portions of the mounting members.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 including separate fastener members extending through the legs of each mounting member to rigidly secure the legs to the connecting member.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the impact-absorbing front edge of the guard rail is generally outwardly bowed relative to the rear section thereof, and in which the impact-absorbing front edge projects above and below each mounting member, as defined when the guard rail is disposed in a horizontal plane, so that the impact-absorbing front edge will absorb shock coming from a relatively large envelope of direction.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which each leg is resilient so that the guard rail member can be releasably engaged with the mounting members, after the latter are fastened to the mobile home, by engaging the connecting member with the legs of each mounting member in a snap fit.