PROTECTIVE COVERING DEVICE

Abstract

A protective covering device is a line of insulated sheathes specially designed to be placed over the wiper blades of a vehicle while it is parked. An elongated, cylindrical tube, each protective covering device is internally fabricated of a durable foam rubber material to ensure optimal insulation potential, with a waterproof, Teflon-coated, or similar water resistant non-stick substance exterior to further prevent corrosion, sticking, and other damage. An alternate embodiment may provide an internal heating element, to keep ice and snow from forming on the elongated sheath, and at least one LED light attached thereon for use in low light level situations.

Claims

1. A protective covering device for windshield wiper arms to protect against ice and snow, comprising: at least one elongated sheath member including: a central opening therethrough; wherein said elongated sheath member is formed from an insulating material; and an exterior coating applied to an exterior surface thereof adapted to prevent corrosion thereof; wherein said elongated sheath member is adapted to be placed upon a length of a windshield wiper arm to protect against ice and snow build-up thereon;

2. A protective covering device of claim 1, wherein said exterior coating is formed from TEFLON or a similar non-stick coating.

3. A protective covering device of claim 1, wherein said insulating material is formed from a foam rubber material.

4. A protective covering device of claim 1, wherein there are two said elongated sheath members, and wherein each respective sheath member is adapted to cover a respective one of two windshield wiper arms of a vehicle.

5. A protective covering device of claim 1, wherein said sheath member further comprises electric defrost wiring attached along an internal length thereof and adapted to conduct a low level electrical current therethrough to generate heat to prevent and remove ice or snow from attaching to the protective covering device.

6. A protective covering device of claim 5, wherein said sheath member further comprises a battery member attached thereto and adapted to provide said electric defrost wiring with said low level electrical current.

7. A protective covering device of claim 6, wherein said sheath member further comprises a switch member attached thereto and adapted to selectively allow electrical current from said battery member to flow to said electric defrost wiring.

8. A protective covering device of claim 7, wherein there are two said elongated sheath members, and wherein each respective sheath member is adapted to cover a respective one of two windshield wiper arms of a vehicle.

9. A protective covering device of claim 1, wherein said sheath member further comprises at least one LED light member attached thereto adapted to provide better visibility in low or zero light conditions so the driver can see what snow/ice they need to remove from the windshield.

10. A protective covering device of claim 9, wherein said sheath member further comprises a battery member attached thereto and adapted to provide said at least one LED light member with electrical current.

11. A protective covering device of claim 10, wherein said sheath member further comprises a switch member attached thereto and adapted to selectively allow electrical current from said battery member to flow to said at least one LED light member.

12. A protective covering device of claim 1, further comprising a storage pouch adapted to store both elongated sheath member therein.

13. A protective covering device of claim 13, wherein said waterproof liner member is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of plastic and nylon.

14. A protective covering device of claim 10, wherein said sheath member further comprises attachment members thereon adapted to allow releasable attachment to a windshield wiper member.

15. A protective covering device of claim 10, wherein said attachment members are formed as clasp-like O-ring devices.

16. A protective covering device of claim 10, wherein said attachment members are formed from hook and loop material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, protective covering device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a protective covering device in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a right side view illustrating a protective covering device having a hook and loop material enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a left side view illustrating protective covering device having a clasp-like O-ring device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views illustrating the receiving end of a protective covering device and a storage pouch respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0020] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a protective covering device and more particularly to a line of waterproof, weatherproof, non-stick, insulated sheathes specially designed for use in covering and protecting the wiper blades of a vehicle during cold weather conditions, as used to minimize the time the wipers are exposed to such weather to prevent frost, snow, and ice from building up on and compromising the operation of wipers during inclement weather.

[0022] Generally speaking, protective covering device for windshield wipers are a line of insulated sheathes specially designed to be placed over the wiper blades of a vehicle while it is parked. An elongated, cylindrical tube, each protective covering device is internally fabricated of a durable foam rubber material to ensure optimal insulation potential, with a waterproof, Teflon-coated exterior, or a similar water resistant substance or material to further prevent corrosion, sticking, and other damage. In addition, each protective covering device includes a snap closure made of a flexible plastic or metal material that is able to withstand the elements. Protective covering device would be made available in a variety of sizes to accommodate most wiper configurations. The protective covering device is able to slide directly over an auto's wiper assembly, sufficiently covering the entire blade and arm of the unit. During cold or hazardous weather, a user would elevate the windshield wiper assembly off of the windshield to a standing position and then place a protective covering device over each wiper, before entering the house or building. A user can leave the protective covering device in place until ready to drive again. When the user is ready to drive again, the protective covering device would simply be removed, and the wipers would be positioned to once again have contact with the windshield to be able to work as normal.

[0023] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating a protective covering device 100 in an in-use condition 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Protective covering device 100 for windshield wiper arms 160 to protect against ice and snow is disclosed herein, comprising at least one elongated sheath member 106 formed from insulating material 108 and having central opening 110. Insulating material 108 is formed from a foam rubber material, and exterior coating 114 formed from TEFLON or a similar coating is applied to exterior surface 116 of protective covering device 100 to prevent sticking and corrosion. Elongated sheath member 106 is adapted to be placed upon a windshield wiper arm 160 to protect against ice and snow build-up, and are sold in pairs. Each respective elongated sheath member 106 is adapted to cover one of two windshield wiper members 160 of a vehicle 162.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a right side view illustrating a protective covering device 100 having a hook and loop material 154 enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Elongated sheath member 106 further comprises electric defrost wire 130 attached along the length and adapted to conduct a low level electrical current to generate heat to prevent and remove ice or snow from attaching to protective covering device 100. Battery member 134 is attached thereto and adapted to provide electric defrost wire 130 with low level electrical current. Further, switch member 136 is attached thereto and adapted to selectively allow electrical current from battery member 134 to flow to electric defrost wire 130.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, a left side view illustrating protective covering device 100 having a clasp-like O-ring device 170 enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Elongated sheath member 106 also has at least one LED light member 140, which is also connected to battery 144, and adapted to provide better visibility when applying protective covering device 100 to a windshield wiper member 160. Switch 142 is attached thereon and adapted to selectively allow electrical current from battery 144 to flow to LED light member 140.

[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, perspective views illustrating the receiving end of a protective covering device 100 with a clasp-like O-ring device 170 and a storage pouch 150 respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Storage pouch 150 is provided which is adapted to store elongated sheath members 106 when not in use. Storage pouch 150 is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of plastic and nylon. Elongated sheath member 106 further comprises attachment members 118 formed from hook and loop material 154, and alternately clasp-like O-ring device 170 adapted to allow attachment to windshield wiper member 160 when the sides are pressed toward the middle.

[0031] Protective covering device 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

[0032] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.