VEHICLE COVER AND SECUREMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A vehicle cover is provided, having a flexible fabric body defining an interior cavity which is positionable over an vehicle. Elastic members positioned in passages at the front and rear of the cover are stretchable to mounts on the sides of the cover, to stretch and impart a bias to the elastic member to form a biased contact of the cover with the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle cover, comprising: a flexible body having a top, a first side, a second side, a front end, and a rear end; said body having an interior cavity defined by an area between said top, said first side, said second side, said front end and said rear end, said interior cavity positionable over an vehicle; said body having a lower edge extending around said first side, said second side, said front side and said rear side; a first passage formed at or adjacent said lower edge of said body along said front end; said first passage having a first elastic member extending therethrough; a second passage formed at or adjacent said lower edge of said body along said rear end; said second passage having a second elastic member extending therethrough; a first mount positioned on said side first of said body; a second mount positioned on said second side of said body; a first distal end of said first elastic member and a first distal end of said second elastic member both positionable to a first connection with a said first mount; a second distal end of said first elastic member and a second distal end of said second elastic member both positionable to a second connection with a said second mount; wherein, with said first distal end of said first elastic member and said first distal end of said second elastic member in said first connection, and said second distal end of said first elastic member and said second distal end of said second elastic member in said second connection, said first elastic member is stretched to impart a first biasing force along a length of said first passage in a direction toward said vehicle positioned within said interior cavity, and said second elastic member is stretched to impart a second biasing force along a length of said second passage in a direction toward said vehicle positioned within said interior cavity.

2. The vehicle cover of claim 1, additionally comprising: said first mount being positioned in a central area of said first side; said second mount being positioned in a central area of said second side; said first elastic member having a first member extension portion thereof extending from a first end of said first passage to said first distal end thereof; said second elastic member having a first member extension portion thereof extending from a first end of said second passage to said first distal end thereof; said first elastic member having a second member extension portion thereof extending from a second end of said first passage to said second distal end thereof; said second elastic member having a second member extension portion thereof extending from a second end of said second passage to said second distal end thereof; said first member extension portion of said first elastic member extending at an upward angle thereof, from said first end of said first passage to said first connection with said first mount; said first member extension portion of said second elastic member extending at an upward angle thereof, from said first end of said second passage to said first connection with said first mount; said second member extension portion of said first elastic member extending at an upward angle thereof, from said second end of said first passage to said second connection with said second mount; and said second member extension portion of said second elastic member extending at an upward angle thereof, from a second end of said second passage to said second connection with said second mount.

3. The vehicle cover of claim 2, additionally comprising: said first mount having a first opening therethrough; said second mount having a second opening therethrough; said first connection of said first member extension of said first elastic member with said first mount being a passage thereof through said first opening; said first connection of said first member extension of said second elastic member with said first mount being a passage thereof through said first opening; said second connection of said second member portion of said first elastic member with said second mount being a passage thereof through said second opening; said second connection of said second member extension of said second elastic member with said second mount being a passage thereof through said second opening; said first member extension of said first elastic member and said first member extension of said second elastic member both being connected to first clip; second member portion of said first elastic member and said second member extension of said second elastic member both being engaged to a second clip; said first clip engageable to a first engagement point on a first side of said vehicle by a stretching of said first member extension of said first elastic member and said first member extension of said second elastic member in a direction away from said first mount and toward said first engagement point; and said second clip engageable to a second engagement point on a second side of said vehicle by a stretching of said second member portion of said first elastic member and said second member extension of said second elastic member in a direction away from said second mount and toward said second engagement point.

4. The vehicle cover of claim 3, additionally comprising: said first clip having a first clip projection thereon, said first clip projection being configured for contact therewith and pushing upon by the fingers of a user during said stretching of said first member extension of said first elastic member and said first member extension of said second elastic member in said direction away from said first mount and toward said first engagement point; and said second clip having a second clip projection thereon, said second clip projection being configured for contact therewith and pushing upon by the fingers of a user during said stretching of said stretching of said second member portion of said first elastic member and said second member extension of said second elastic member in said direction away from said second mount and toward said second engagement point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features of the vehicle cover system herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

[0029] In the drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a mode of the vehicle covering device herein showing the cover body and showing independently adjustable first and second biasing members, each having respective extensions which are adjustably connected to mounts centrally positioned on both sides of the vehicle cover.

[0031] FIG. 2 depicts the vehicle cover device herein, in a similar fashion to that of FIG. 1, which also includes on both sides of the vehicle cover body, a flexible central engagement member having a clip thereon which is configured to removably engage with a lower surface on both sides of the vehicle.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the vehicle cover device where the vehicle cover body is configured for covering a passenger car or truck and includes the two independently adjustable first and second biasing member extensions on both sides thereof, which extend to the front and rear of the vehicle being covered.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the vehicle cover device, as in FIG. 3, with the additional inclusion of the flexible central engagement members on each side of the body, each with a clip thereon, which are configured to removably engage with a lower surface, on both sides of the vehicle.

[0034] FIG. 5 depicts the vehicle cover device having a body which is configured for covering a boat or other marine vehicle and showing the independently adjustable biasing members which are located on both sides of the vehicle cover.

[0035] FIG. 6 depicts the vehicle cover device, as in FIG. 5, having the two flexible central engagement members with the clips thereon on each side of the body, both of which are configured to removably engage with a lower surface on both sides of the vehicle or a carrier for the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the vehicle cover device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Any such terms are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the vehicle cover device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0037] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-6, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 the vehicle cover device 10 herein. As shown, the body 12 is formed of woven, knitted, or other flexible fabric material which is sewn or otherwise formed to the body 12 which has an interior cavity sized to cover the chosen underlying vehicle 14 which, in FIG. 1, is a recreational style vehicle 14. This interior cavity is defined by portions of the body 12 which include a top surface 13 which communicates between intersections thereof with a first side 22 of the body 12, a second side 24 of the body 12, a front end 32 of the body 12 and a rear end 34 of the body 12. Thus, the first side 22 and second side 24 and front end 32 and rear end 34 are all formed of intersecting portions of the body 12 and surround and define the interior cavity thereof which is sized for positioning of the vehicle 14 therein.

[0038] The first side 17 or surface extends substantially from the top or top surface 13 to the lower edge 16 of the body 12. In a similar fashion, the front end 32, rear end 34, and second side 19 of the body 12 have fabric surfaces which extend from respective first ends thereof in communication with the top surface 13, to the lower edge 16 of the body 12.

[0039] Positioned at or adjacent the lower edge 16 of the body 12, at a front end 32 of the body 12 of the cover is a first passage 18 which is formed by folding the lower edge 16 and sewing the fabric to form the first passage 18 or by sewing or adhering or otherwise engaging a piece of fabric onto the surface of the body 12 in a conventional fashion. In the same manner, at the lower edge 16 of the body 12 on the rear end 34 of the body 12 of the device 10 is formed a second passage 20. By at or adjacent is meant that the respective passages are formed as part of the lower edge 16, or, within a distance of 6 inches from the lower edge 16.

[0040] While not required for the device 10 to operate, preferably both the first passage 18 and the second passage 20 are formed in a manner wherein a respective end portion 19 thereof which wrap around the respective front end 32 and rear end 34 of the body 12. In this fashion these end portions 19 on both ends of the first passage 18 and second passage 20 extend onto the first side surface 22 and onto an opposite second side surface 24 of the body 12 of the device 10.

[0041] The inclusion of extension or end portions 19 are preferred because such provides a directional exit to both ends of the first elastic member 26 slidably engaged in the first passage 18 and second elastic member 28 slidably engaged in the second passage 20. This directional exit allows the flexible elastic first elastic member 26 and second elastic member 28 to extend from the two opposing ends of their respective passage in a direction and plane of the first side 22 and second side 24 toward a central area of the first side 22 and second side 24 in an aligned fashion.

[0042] Further, the wrap around of all of the end portions 19, forms a wrap around of both elastic biased engagements against the underlying vehicle or below an edge thereof, to improve the grip of the body 12 on the vehicle 14. Such a wrap around exit also avoids damage to the material forming the body 12 from chaffing and provides a non slip curved engagement of each of the two ends of the body 12 to hold it on the vehicle 14.

[0043] As also shown in FIG. 1 and also in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the body 12 of the device 10 includes a mount 30 in an engagement with the body 12 at a central area on each of the first side 22 and second side 24 of the body 12. By central area is meant in between the front end 32 and rear end 34 of the body 12, preferably at an elevation thereon above the lower edge 16 such as substantially between 6 to 60 inches above the lower edge 16, which forms an upward angle to the stretched elastic member extensions 40 and 42 of both the first and second elastic members, from the opposite ends of the first passage 18 and second passage 20.

[0044] These member extensions communicating at an upward angle impart a bias to both the stretched elastic members 26 and 28, which is both toward the vehicle 14 and inclining upward rather than just a horizontal or planar biasing force. While not shown, the mount 30 in the central area of the second side 24 of the body 12 would be configured the same as that shown on the first side 22 of the body 12. By upward angle, therefore herein, is meant that the elastic member extensions or end portions 40 and 42, of both the first and second elastic members 26 and 28, exit at open ends of a respective one of the first passage 18 or second passage 20 and incline, from the point of exit, to their distal ends 41 and 43 and to a connection to the mount 30 or connector, if serving as the mount 30.

[0045] These mounts 30, positioned on both the first side 22 and second side 24 of the body 12, may be engaged to the body 12 itself or may include engagement adjacent to or with a central reinforcing strap 36, which may extend across the top 13 and both the first side 22 and second side 24 of the body 12. The central reinforcing strap 36 is, preferably, formed of a flexible belt or webbing material, much like seat belt material or the like, and acts to reinforce and better hold the center area of the body 12 in a covering engagement over the vehicle 14, such as shown in the figure.

[0046] As noted, the mount 30 is formed with an opening 38 communicating therethrough. The opening 38 is configured for passage of the respective distal ends 41 and 43 of two first member extensions 40 from the first elastic member 26 and from the second elastic member 28.

[0047] As shown in the drawings, the first member extensions 40 may be end portions of the first elastic member 26, itself, or may be a separate elastic extension segment engaged to the ends of the first elastic member 26. Thus, by a connection of the distal ends 41 and 43 with a mount 30 is meant a communication thereof through an opening 38 in the mount 30, and then tying them to the mount 30 or attaching a connector 46 to them to hold them in position and set length communicating through the opening in the mount 30. The distal ends can either be at end portions of the first elastic member 26 and second elastic member 28 extending to distal ends 41 and 43, or distal ends of elastic extensions or segments engaged to the ends of the first elastic member 26 and second elastic member 28 at one end thereof, and which then extend to distal ends 41 and 43.

[0048] As noted, the two first elastic extensions 40 of the first elastic member 26 are situated on opposite sides of the body 12 and extend from the opposing ends of the first passage 18, preferably, at the upward angle to the mount 30. In a similar fashion, the two second member extensions 42 of the second elastic member 28 are situated on both the first side 22 and second side 24 of the body 12 and extend from the opposing ends of the second passage 20 to the mounts situated on the first side 22 and second side 24, in the same fashion.

[0049] As noted, the first member extensions 40 may be portions of the first elastic member 26 which extend from both ends of the first passage 18 which form a connection with the mount 30. Alternatively, they may be separate elastic members which connect at a first end with a fastener 44, such as with hooks or tying or otherwise, to both of the respective two ends of the first elastic member 26 and thereby, form the connections for the ends of the first elastic member 26 with the mount 30. The same configuration can be employed with the second member extensions 42, to form the connection to the mount for the ends of the second elastic member, or where there are elongated end portions of the second elastic member at both ends forming connections with the mount 30.

[0050] In either configuration, the first member extensions 40 extend to the distal ends 41 and are positionable to a connection with the mount 30, such as by passing through the opening 38 and being removable engaged with a connector 46 (FIG. 2). The second member extensions 42 also extend to the distal ends 43 which are positionable to a connection with the mount 30, such as by passing them through the opening 38 and engaging them with a connector 46, as shown in enlarged format in FIG. 2. The connector 46 can be any connector to which the user can stretch and then removably engage the ends of the first member extensions 40 and second member extensions 42 therewith and thereby hold a connection to a respective connector 30.

[0051] A current preferred such connector 46 is a cord lock type connector which has biased retainers 48 positioned to translate within apertures 50. In this mode of the connector 46, the distal ends 41 and 43 are communicated through the opening 38 in the mount 30 and then through the respective aperture 50, a length, to elongate and impart a desired biasing force to both the first member extensions 40 and second member extensions 42, which in turn stretch both the first elastic member and second elastic member.

[0052] Once the biasing force on each extension is adjusted to a force which pulls on and extends the first elastic member 26 and second elastic member 28 to cause the lower edge 16 of the body 12, in areas where the first passage 18 and second passage 20 are positioned, to curl around and under the body of the vehicle 14 in biased contacts. The retainers 48 form contacts with the first and second member extensions to hold the connection with the mount 30 and thereby maintain the biasing force. The connector 46 may be engaged to the central area of the body 12 itself and operate as the mount 30 itself, thereby eliminating the need for the separate mount 30. Thus, the term mount herein can be the connector, if fixed in engagement to the cover.

[0053] In another mode, allowing the ongoing biasing forces to be held primarily by the mount 30, the connector 46 would be engaged with, or positioned on, a first side of the mount 30, in a manner allowing for independent engagement of both the first member extension 40 and second member extension 42 thereto. In this mode, the distal ends 41 of the first member extensions 40 and the distal ends 43 of the second member extensions 42 can communicate through the opening 38 in the mount 30. They can then be independently engaged with a connector 46, which has a diameter sized larger than the largest cross section of the opening 38. So configured, it will not pass through the opening 38 and will hold the two member extensions stretched and imparting the above noted biasing force.

[0054] In this fashion, the user need only fit the body 12 of the respective cover device 10 over the vehicle 14, and then adjust the biasing force of the first member extensions 40 and the second member extensions 42 to a desired amount. This causes the first elastic member 26, within the first passage 18, to stretch and impart a biasing force to the front 32 of the body 12, at the lower edge 16, toward and against and the vehicle 14 at an inclining angle, to form a biased contact at the front 32. The same upward biased contact of the second elastic member 28 in the second passage 20 is imparted to the rear 34 of the body 12. Subsequent engagements of the body 12 over the vehicle 14 are made easier since the upward angled biasing force is imparted once the cover is engaged and slid down onto the vehicle 14.

[0055] Shown in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 is another mode of the device 10 which also includes a mounting clip 54. This mode of the device 10 provides an extra engagement of the central portion of the body 12 of the cover to the underlying vehicle 14 or a carrier (FIGS. 5-6) for the vehicle 14 such as a trailer.

[0056] In this mode, a distal portion 52 of the first member extension 40 and a distal portion 53 of the second member extensions 42 extend between the engagement through the opening 38 in the mount 30 and then to a clip 54. The first member extension 40 and second member extension 42 are routed through the opening 38 in the mount 30 and are redirected downward. In this mode, the distal ends 41 of the first member extensions 40 and the distal ends 43 of the second member extensions 42 can communicate through the opening 38 in the mount 30 and be held by a clip 54.

[0057] In this fashion, pushing the clip 54 downward to an engagement of a second end 58 of the clip to the vehicle 14 or carrier, will cause elongation and impart biasing force to each of the first distal portion 52 and second distal portion 53 and respectively onward to both the first member extension 40 and second member extension 42.

[0058] Two different biasing forces are imparted to the body 12 in this mode for extra securement. A first biasing force of the first distal portion 52 and second distal portion, between the clip 54 and the mount 30, will pull the mount 30 and central area of the body 12 downward toward the bottom of the vehicle 12. Concurrently, the second biasing force or an angled biasing force is imparted by the stretching of the first member extensions 40 which pull on both ends of the first elastic member 26 and bias the front of the body 12 toward the front of the vehicle 14, and the elongation of the second distal portions 53 which stretches the second elastic members 28 to generate the angled biasing force on both ends of the second elastic member 28, which pulls the rear of the body 12 to and against the rear of the vehicle 14.

[0059] A connection of the distal ends 41 and 43 through or with the clip 54 can be simply fixed such as by tying or otherwise forming fixed connections thereto. More preferred is a connection of the two ends 41 and 43 of the first and second distal portions 53 and 51 with the clip 54, using a positioning of a connector 46 on, or adjacent to, a clip opening 60 in the clip 54. In this fashion the distal ends 41 and 43 of the first and second extension members 40 and 42, are communicated through the clip opening 60, and engaged with the connector 46 by the retainers 48. The inclusion of the connector 46, to form the connections to the clip 54, allows a greater degree of adjustment of the elongation of the first member extension 40 and second member extension 42 to adjust the bias, noted above, which they respectively impart.

[0060] With regard to the clip 54, as noted above, a projection 65 extending away from one side of the clip 54 is preferred in modes of the device 10 herein wherein a clip 54 is employed. It was found, in experimentation, that the projection 65 extending from a central area thereof, which is configured for contact and pushing upon by the fingers of the user during use, made it easier for the user to stretch the first and second distal portions 53 and 51, with the clip 54 during the attachment of the clip to the vehicle 14 or carrier therefor.

[0061] This vehicle covering system herein has other applications potentially, and one skilled in the art could discover these. The description of the features of the vehicle cover invention herein, does not limit the claims of this application and applications developed by those skilled in the art will be included in this invention.

[0062] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the vehicle cover invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the vehicle cover invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the vehicle cover invention herein. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.