Importance

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Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a high temperature injection molded polymeric rainhat for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning air intake of an automotive vehicle is provided. The rainhat includes a flange for adhesively and sealably joining to a portion of the generally planar automotive vehicle cowling encircling a flared air inlet opening. A water dam joined to the flange extends beyond an end of the flared opening. The water dam has an extreme upper edge forming an opening. A foreign matter ingestion preventer is also included. The foreign matter ingestion preventer has a plurality of first curvilinear supports extending in a first direction over the water dam upper edge opening. Each first support has opposite ends joined with the water dam, and each first support has a middle portion domed above the opening of the water dam. Each first support has a tapered exterior side. The foreign matter ingestion preventer also has plurality of second supports intersecting with the first curvilinear supports. Each second support has a middle portion being domed above the water dam. Each second support has a tapered exterior side. A surface area of the foreign matter ingestion preventer minus the surface area defined by the transverse dimensions of the first and second supports is generally equal to or greater than the area defined by the opening of the upper edge of the water dam.

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First Claim