GB2451133A

GB2451133A - Vehicle protective cover

Info

Publication number: GB2451133A
Application number: GB0714183A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2007-07-20
Publication date: 2009-01-21
Also published as: GB2451306A; GB2451306B; GB0714183D0; GB0800562D0

Abstract

A protective cover for a vehicle, car, automobile, may be comprised of a flexible material and may be shaped to fit the front wings bumper and radiator grille areas of said vehicle. Attachment straps D may be provided to fit the cover to the wing mirrors of the vehicle. Said cover may have elasticated portions B to grip said cover to the vehicle bodywork. Transparent panels C may be provided over the vehicle headlights. Padded areas E may be fitted around the radiator and wheelarch areas to provide cushioning for the bodywork. A logo or symbol F may be provided.

Description

2. DescrIption.

Technical Field of the invention.

The technical field of the Hprotector Is related to automotive garage equIpment and would be utilised in the servicing and repair industry of any domestic and SOy (Sports Utility Vehicle (4x4)) type vehicle.

3. Background to the invention.

The vast majority of modem vehicles are no longer serviced by the vehicle owner as they are far to complex and in many cases require specialist tools to do the most basic jobs. This means that garages now have a far greater risk of damaging the vehicle paintwork especially around the engine bay where technicians lean across the fenders to gain access into the engine bay itself.

The results of dropping a spanner or spark plug etc or rubbing fluids spilt onto overalls back onto the painted surfaces can result in severe damage and in worst cases re-sprays of the damaged panel, all costing money and causing disruption for the vehicle owner.

In response to the problem, the invention covers the area like other products however it has transparent front sections which allow the headlamp and light clusters to be seen when these are being tested. In addition to the ability to view the headlamps the "protector is designed to fit all vehicles and is not vehicle specific.

Claims

4. What is Claimed Is: 1.0 A protective cover for use on a vehicle having front fenders and protector, including the bumper bodywork radiator grill and metalwork in the immediate area comprising: A wrap around fabric cover which follows the contours of the vehicle to which it is fitted. The protector works in combination with the existing vehicle shape and fixtures i.e. door mirrors etc and covers all vehicles such as small cars, 4x4, sports and executive vehicles. The protector is manufactured from polyester type materials being resistant to acids and alkalis and fire retardant due to its working proximity to the engine bay of the vehicle.

The protector is manufactured from flat panels of material which are joined together by sewing or other suitable means at the front edges of the vehicle and incorporates two transparent areas which are designed to be large enough to give good vision of the headlamps and indicators of the vehicle. The protector has built In straps manufactured from elastic material which are used to wrap around the vehicle fittings such as door mirrors etc and it is these straps that hold the protector in place. Where door mirrors are not available the elastic straps can be hooked to bonnet hinges or windscreen wipers to hold the protector in place.

The front edges of the protector are lined with elastic material which will allow the protector to stretch and flex to meet the vehicle contours. This elasticity allows both large and small vehicles to be accommodated as the material Is pulled tight across the vehicle tower apron and into the wheel arches and at the same time across the upper edge around the engine bay forming a taught protective surface. The effect of the elastic added to the material stops sagging and bagging of the excess giving a smooth effect which ensures the vehicles design is always presented In its correct form.

The protector Is contoured in the area of the front wheels which allows full access to the wheels which allows tyre pressures to be taken and when this is the target area for maintenance full access to wheel nuts and subsequent brake and other mechanical items located under the wheel arch area can be fully accessed whilst the protector is still in place.

The protector incorporates protective padding in the form of foam pads which are sewn to the inside surface of the protector. The locations of these pads are in the prime damage areas i.e. over the wheel arches and at the front around the radiator grille.

4.1 The protective cover of claim 1 wherein the radiator grille, bumper lower apron and immediate bodywork Is covered with the stretched fabric of the protector layered with the protective foam. (Fig 1-A) 4.2 The protector cover of claim 1 wherein the elastic strip on the lower edge of the protector pulls the product taught across the front of the vehicle allowing the vehicle shape to be maintained and no bagging to be present. (Figi -B) 4.3 The protector cover of claim 1 wherein two off transparent sections are present in the front section of the cover allowing headlamps and light cluster to be seen through the protective cover negating the need to remove the cover when undertaking work on the light system. (Figi -C) 4.4 The protector cover of claim 1 wherein two elastic straps are sewn into the material which allow the protector to be held In place by means such as door mirrors, and bonnet hinges etc. (Figl-D) 4.5 The protector cover described in claim 1 uses a "latex type" foam pads sewn into the inside surface of the protector primarily but not exclusively around the wheel arch area and radiator area (Figi -E) 4.6 The protector as described in claim 1 will incorporate a customers logo at the front of the protector and in other positions (Figi -F)