Dec 2, 2025

US12487061 - Panel assembly, a panel, a mounting arrangement and method of securing same to a surface

The present invention provides a panel comprising a protective plate which is adapted to be fitted to a vehicle body panel to cover the vehicle body panel. The protective plate includes a plurality of fasteners to releasably secure the protective plate to the vehicle body panel. Each fastener comprises a first fastening portion which is secured to the protective plate, and a second fastening portion which is secured to the surface of the vehicle's body panel. Upon securing the protective plate in place, the first fastening portion is biased away from the second fastening portion to retain the fastener in a locked position. The protective plate is adapted to remain fixed to the vehicle body panel when the vehicle is driven in either an on-road or off-road environment.

The invention describes a panel assembly designed to be securely attached to a vehicle’s exterior, featuring a protective plate and a series of fasteners that utilize a biasing mechanism to maintain a locked position. This assembly ensures that the protective plate remains fixed to the vehicle body, even in challenging driving conditions.

Claim 1

1 . A panel assembly adapted to be secured to an exterior of a vehicle, the panel assembly comprises: a panel having a plate body; a plurality of fasteners to releasably secure the plate body to the exterior of the vehicle; and a biasing means; wherein the biasing means retains the fastener in a locked position when the panel is secured on the vehicle; a panel having a plate body; a plurality of fasteners to releasably secure the plate body to the exterior of the vehicle; and a biasing means; wherein the biasing means retains the fastener in a locked position when the panel is secured on the vehicle; wherein there is a gap is between the panel and the exterior of the vehicle when the panel is secured to the vehicle.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12487061

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12487061