Geometrical instruments – Gauge – Template
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-04-24
Gibson, Randy W. (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
Template
C033S0010BB, C033S121000, C033S566000, C033S600000, C705S400000, C705S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219930
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for estimating the cost to repair damaged surfaces, and more particularly to a method for estimating the repair cost of vehicles damaged by environmental action, such as hail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Damage to vehicle surfaces from hail or other icy precipitation is typically manifested as randomly dispersed symmetrical and concavely-shaped depressions or dents. Motor vehicles subject to such damage may suffer a substantial loss in value, and as a result, it may be desirable to repair such a hail damaged vehicle. One approach to repairing hail damage is to simply replace a damaged panel with a new panel and finish the panel to match the existing panels. Yet another approach to repairing hail damage is to apply a hardening fill material (e.g., Bondo®) in a hail dent depression, sand and prep the defect area, and then refinish the area to match. Both of these approaches are time inefficient and expensive, since extraneous panel surface areas are refinished. Another approach to repairing hail damaged surfaces is a technique referred to as “paintless dent repair” or PDR. Using the PDR technique, a repair technician manipulates elongate tools to bias or otherwise force the dented metal back into shape from the reverse side of the panel. Most significantly, the previously damaged panel need not be refinished as the paint associated with the dent typically remains intact.
Paintless dent repair is an inherently labor intensive repair process, as little or no replacement of parts or additional supplies may be required during the repair. However, it has been difficult to accurately and uniformly estimate the time and cost to repair hail damaged motor vehicles using the paintless dent repair technique as the time and cost of this type of repair varies widely depending on the number and relative severity of the dents. Estimates have traditionally been “best guess” approximations, which may vary dramatically between repair facilities. At the present time, there is a need for effective and precise means for calculating an estimate of the time to repair a hail damaged vehicle. This need is particularly significant to insurers, as an insurance claim adjuster may have a very short time to review and estimate each damaged vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention provides a method for rapidly and reliably estimating the repair time and cost for vehicles damaged by hail. Another aspect of the present invention provides a first damage grading template that can be positioned over a portion of the damaged vehicle and which allows the user to determine the number of defects per representative unit area of the damaged surface. A second template may then be used to grade the severity of the dents within the representative area against a predetermined comparison scale. The surface area of the vehicle panels can be estimated, measured, or determined from a look-up chart with reference to the particular make and model of car. An estimate of repair time can then be based upon the number of dents of various grades within the representative area and the panel surface area data. The total repair labor cost can be calculated based upon the shop labor rate.
The present invention provides templates for determining damage data on a motor vehicle. In particular, the damage data may be provided by a plurality of templates: a first template for use in determining the number of dents within a representative area of a vehicle surface, and a second template for determining the relative severity of individual dents within the representative area. The estimating system is desirable to insurers since it promotes uniformity and standardization of paintless dent repair estimates among repair facilities.
The present invention additionally provides an electronic-based system for determining damage data on a motor vehicle. An electronic scanning means may be used to both count the number of dents within a representative area of a vehicle surface and determine the relative severity of one or more individual dents within the representative area.
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Gibson Randy W.
Klos John F.
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd.
McPherson Randall M.
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