Vehicle Scratch Protection Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a scratch protection device for protecting the bumpers of vehicles. The scratch protection device has a vehicle attachment means, at least one roller for deploying and retracting at least one length of anti-scratch material, the at least one roller is arranged on a frame and a motor drives rotation of the roller.

Claims

1. A scratch protection device for a vehicle comprising: a vehicle attachment means, at least one roller for deploying and retracting at least one length of anti-scratch material, the at least one roller is arranged on a frame and a motor drives rotation of the roller, and at least one substantially vertical linear actuator is provided for moving the at least one roller with respect to the frame and at least one substantially horizontal linear actuator is provided for extending and retracting a bumper.

2. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 including a roll tensioning system to retain the at least one length of anti-scratch material taut against the at least one roller.

3. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 including an automated deployment mechanism.

4. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 including at least one brush strip that is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to a vehicle bumper profile.

5. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 wherein the anti-scratch material is transparent or translucent.

6. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 wherein the anti-scratch material is decorated.

7. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 including at least one proximity sensor to detect nearby objects which causes the device to deploy.

8. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 wherein the anti-scratch material includes an end strip provided at a distal end.

9. A scratch protection device according to claim 1 including a guide means wherein the anti-scratch material includes a side edge that is guided through a channel to assist with deployment and retraction of the anti-scratch material.

10. A scratch protection device according to claim 9 wherein the side edge is a flexible T-shaped cross section that is fed through a T-shaped channel.

11. A vehicle bumper including the scratch protection device according to claim 1.

12. A vehicle including the scratch protection device as described in claim 1.

13. A method of deploying the scratch protection device described in claim 1 including the steps of: activating the horizontal linear actuator(s) to displace a bumper from a first position to a second position away from the vehicle body, activating the vertical linear actuator(s) to move the roller substantially upwards from a first position to a second position in which the roller is above the bumper, activating the motor driven train so that the scratch resistant fabric unrolls over the bumper, lowering the roller by the vertical linear actuator(s) to the first position, returning the bumper to the first position against the vehicle body by means of the horizonal linear actuators.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0068] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a scratch protection device:

[0069] FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the scratch protection device with a close up image of the drive train and tensioning means; and

[0070] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the stages of deployment of the scratch protection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0071] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of the scratch protection device 100.

[0072] The scratch protection device 100 is for a vehicle 200 and is preferably provided at the bumper regions 150 of a vehicle (FIGS. 3A and 3B which show the bumper regions).

[0073] The scratch protection device 100 has a vehicle attachment means 10 that enables the device to be connected to a vehicle 200.

[0074] The device 100 has least one roller 15 for deploying and retracting at least one length of anti-scratch material 20. The at least one roller 15 is arranged on a frame 30.

[0075] A motor driven train (belt) 40 drives rotation of the roller 15 by rotation of drive wheels 41.

[0076] The scratch protection device 100 has at least one vertical linear actuator 50 for moving the at least one roller 15, up and down, with respect to the frame 30.

[0077] This enables the roller 15 to be deployed from a stowed location in the bumper area 150 (for example bonnet space or boot space) to an area external to the bumper space 150 from which the anti-scratch material 20 can be deployed so that is lays over the bumper(s) 150.

[0078] The scratch protection device 100 also has at least one horizontal linear actuator 60 for extending and retracting part of the frame 30 that is connected to the bumper (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). This enables the bumper to be moved forward and backwards with respect to the vehicle.

[0079] In this way the roller 15 is positioned so that material 20 is deployed over an external face of the bumper.

[0080] The actuators 50, 60 may be powered by a motor, or each powered by their own motor (not shown). Preferably a stepper motor is provided.

[0081] In some embodiments the actuators may be driven by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic system (not shown).

[0082] The motor (not shown) is operatively connected to drive wheels 41, 41A that rotate the roller 15 by means of a timing belt 40 when activated (see FIG. 2). The drive wheels 41A are provided at ends and mid points of the roller 15. The drive wheels 41 are driven by the motor and connected by a timing belt to drive wheels 41A on the roller.

[0083] The scratch protection device 100 has a roll tensioning system 70 to retain the at least one length of anti-scratch material 20 taut against the at least one roller 15.

[0084] The tensioning system 70 has wheels 71 mounted in an arm 72 (see FIG. 2). The wheels 70 are arranged in contact with the material 20 to ensure that the material remains taut against the roller when deployed and when retracted.

[0085] The scratch protection device 100 has a pair of brush strips 80 that is shaped and dimensioned to correspond to a vehicle bumper. Feeding the anti-scratch material through the pair of brush strips helps prevent snagging and ensures the material is correctly deployed to cover the bumpers.

[0086] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.