Automotive Windshield and Hood Cover Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a windshield and hood protective cover for protecting the windshield, cowl grill or vent, wiper arms and blades and a portion of the vehicle hood from accumulation of snow and ice. The windshield and hood protective cover comprises a thin flexible sheet with an attached flap. The flexible sheet can be generally rectangular in shape, and can be designed to cover the windshield area of the vehicle, while the flap can be designed to cover a portion of the hood of the vehicle. The flexible sheet can feature a plurality of protrusions to enable the shedding of ice and snow from the windshield, and prevent any damage to the vehicle. The protective cover can be manufactured in a generic size to fit a majority of vehicles, or can be custom-made to fit specific vehicles.

Claims

1. A weather protecting cover for a windshield, wiper arms and blades, cowl grill and a hood portion of a vehicle, the weather protecting cover comprising: a pliable cover of weatherproof material including a first sheet portion configured to cover the windshield, wiper arms and blades, and cowl grill of the vehicle, and a second flap portion configured to overlap said first sheet portion and extend over the hood portion of the vehicle; said cover includes an exterior surface that receives weather elements thereon, and an interior surface facing an automobile to which said cover is applied; said first sheet portion includes a generally rectangular configuration having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein at least one of said first side edge and said second side edge include a handle for grasping said cover; and said exterior surface of said cover includes projections extending therefrom for shedding accumulation of water, ice, and snow thereon.

2. The weather protecting cover of claim 1, wherein said second flap portion fastenable to said first sheet portion.

3. The weather protecting cover of claim 2, wherein said second flap portion permanently fastened to said first sheet portion.

4. The weather protecting cover of claim 2, wherein said second flap portion fastened laterally above a bottom edge of said first sheet portion to form an overlapping area.

5. The weather protecting cover of claim 4, wherein said overlapping area includes an extension distance from about 4 inches to about 12 inches.

6. The weather protecting cover of claim 4, wherein said overlapping area of said first sheet portion arranged to fit into the cowl grill area.

7. The weather protecting cover of claim 4, wherein said overlapping area of said first sheet portion arranged to fit over the cowl grill area.

8. The weather protecting cover of claim 5, wherein said second flap portion includes an area having a first extension distance from about 4 inches to about 18 inches from the cowl grill.

9. The weather protecting cover of claim 8, wherein said first sheet portion includes a thickness from about 0.2 inches to about 2.0 inches.

10. The weather protecting cover of claim 9, wherein said second flap portion includes a thickness from about 0.2 inches to about 2.0 inches.

11. The weather protecting cover of claim 10, wherein said first sheet portion includes a first flexible material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, and a canvas material.

12. The weather protecting cover of claim 11, wherein said second flap portion includes a second flexible material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, and a canvas material.

13. The weather protecting cover of claim 12, wherein said first flexible material is different than said second flexible material.

14. The weather protecting cover of claim 13, wherein said first sheet portion frictionally retained to the windshield.

15. A weather protecting cover for a windshield, wiper arms and blades, cowl grill and a hood portion of a vehicle, the weather protecting cover comprising: a pliable cover of weatherproof material including a first sheet portion constructed to cover the windshield, wiper arms and blades, and cowl grill of the vehicle, and a second flap portion constructed to overlap said first sheet portion and extend over a portion of the vehicle hood; said extension over a portion of the vehicle hood includes at least a windshield fluid spray nozzle positioned on the vehicle hood; said cover includes an exterior surface that receives weather elements thereon, and an interior surface facing an automobile to which said cover is applied; said first sheet portion includes a generally rectangular configuration having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein at least one of said first side edge and said second side edge include a handle for grasping said cover; and said first sheet portion frictionally retained to the windshield.

16. The weather protecting cover of claim 15, wherein said second flap portion fastenable laterally above a bottom edge of said first sheet portion to form an overlapping area.

17. The weather protecting cover of claim 16, wherein said overlapping area of said first sheet portion arranged to fit into the cowl grill area.

18. The weather protecting cover of claim 17, wherein said exterior surface of said cover includes projections extending therefrom for shedding accumulation of water, ice, and snow thereon.

19. A weather protecting cover for a windshield, wiper arms and blades, cowl grill, and a hood portion of a vehicle, the weather protecting cover comprising: a pliable cover of weatherproof material including a first sheet portion constructed to cover the windshield, wiper arms and blades, and cowl grill of the vehicle, and a second flap portion constructed to overlap said first sheet portion and extend over a portion of the vehicle hood; said extension over a portion of the vehicle hood includes at least a windshield fluid spray nozzle positioned on the vehicle hood; said cover includes an exterior surface that receives weather elements thereon, and an interior surface facing an automobile to which said cover is applied; said first sheet portion includes a generally rectangular configuration having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, wherein at least one of said first side edge and said second side edge include a handle for grasping said cover; said first sheet portion frictionally retained to the windshield; said first sheet portion includes a first flexible material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, and a canvas material; said second flap portion includes a second flexible material selected from the group consisting of a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, and a canvas material; and said first flexible material is different than said second flexible material.

20. The weather protecting cover of claim 19, wherein said second flap portion is fastenable laterally above a bottom edge of said first sheet portion to form an overlapping area, and further wherein said overlapping area of said first sheet portion arranged to fit into the cowl grill area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an automotive windshield and hood protecting cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a planar view of another potential embodiment of the windshield protecting cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the windshield and hood protection cover of the present invention placed on a vehicle for covering a windshield and a hood in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up perspective view of how a portion of one potential embodiment of the sheet portion of the present invention is placed underneath the flap for covering a cowl area in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing one potential embodiment of the windshield protecting cover covering the windshield and hood of the vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed by a user for using one potential embodiment of the windshield and hood protection cover of the present invention on a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0026] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0027] As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that protects the windshield, cowl area and hood from snow and ice. There is also a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that can be easily installed and retained in place. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that does not require any assembly or disassembly. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that eliminates the use of ice scrapers and protects wiper fluid or windshield fluid spray nozzles. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that is easy to carry and can be stored in the vehicle. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an automotive windshield protective cover that effectively prevents damage to a vehicle's windshield, wiper arms and blades, and cowl area caused by ice and snow build-up and removal of same.

[0028] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a novel windshield weather protector device. The device includes one solid piece or sheet of thin flexible rubber with an attached flap. The thin flexible rubber sheet can be a generally rectangular sheet with a top edge to be placed near the top edge of the windshield. A bottom edge of the sheet can fit in the side edges of the windshield and a pair of handles disposed on opposing side edges enable a user to place/remove the device on/from the windshield. The flap can be attached to the thin flexible rubber sheet at a longitudinal or overlapping distance from about 4 inches to about 12 inches, thereby enabling the flap to cover a portion of the hood from about 4 inches to about 18 inches from the cowl area.

[0029] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the automotive windshield and hood protecting cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The windshield protecting cover 100 of the present invention includes a lightweight and durable weather protecting device for the windshield, windshield fluid spray nozzles, wipers and cowl, and provides protection from snow build-up and removal. The protecting cover 100 does not let snow and ice build-up and accumulate directly on the windshield, wiper arms and blades and cowl. More specifically, the protecting cover 100 includes a thin and pliable sheet of a weatherproof material that is adapted to cover the windshield, wiper arms and blades, cowl and a portion of hood. The cover 100 includes an exterior surface 102 that faces the inclement weather and receives snow, rain, sunshine and other weather elements. The interior surface 104 of the cover 100 faces an automobile to which the cover 100 is applied. The protecting cover 100 includes a generally rectangular windshield protecting portion 106, adapted to cover the windshield and the wiper arms and blades of the automobile. The windshield protecting portion 106 includes a top edge 108, a bottom edge 110, a first side edge 112 and a second side edge 114. The windshield protecting portion 106 includes a pair of handles 116, 118, with a first handle 116 disposed near the first side edge 112, and a second handle 118 disposed near the second side edge 114. The handles 116, 118 are used for placing the cover 100 precisely on the automobile, and removing same, and can also be used for hanging the cover 100 when not in use. The windshield protecting portion 106 is flexible, such that the bottom edge 110 fits into or over the cowl vent area of the vehicle and the planar surface of the windshield protecting portion 106 covers the windshield. The exterior surface 102 of the windshield protecting portion 106 includes projections 1060, that enable water and snow to slip down also prohibits accumulation of same.

[0030] A flap 120 can be attached to the windshield protection portion 106 using a permanent fastener 122, such as a permanent sewn edge. The flap 120 can be attached laterally above the bottom edge 110 of the windshield protecting portion 106, at a distance shown as overlapping area 124. Alternatively, the flap 120 may be integrally formed with the windshield protection portion 106. In one potential embodiment, the overlapping distance 124 can be from about 4 inches to about 12 inches. The portion of the windshield protecting area 106 that lies under the flap 120 is designed to work as an under flap or under layer, thereby enabling the bottom edge 110 to fit into the cowl vent area of the vehicle. The flap 120 can be made from flexible and weather-resistant material, and can be designed to cover a portion of hood of the vehicle. The flap 120 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a trailing edge 1200, a first side edge 1202 and a second side edge 1204, along with the top sewn edge 1206 that includes fasteners 122 for attaching the flap 120 to the windshield protecting portion 106 for forming a single unit cover 100 of the present invention. The flap 120 can be configured to create a protective layer from the bottom of the windshield to generally about 4 to 18 inches over the hood of the vehicle.

[0031] The windshield protecting portion 106 includes a thickness of between 0.2 inches and 2.0 inches based on the size of the cover 100. The flap 120 includes a thickness of between 0.2 inches and 2.0 inches. The windshield protecting portion 106 is large enough to cover a typical vehicle windshield and can be from about 50 inches to about 80 inches from side to side, between the first side edge 112 and the second side edge 114, and from about 30 inches to about 60 inches from the top edge 108 to the bottom edge 110. The flap 120 can be from about 60 inches to about 80 inches from side to side, and from about 8 inches to about 30 inches from sewn edge 1206 to the trailing edge 1200.

[0032] The cover 100 and all its components including the windshield protecting portion 106, flap 120, and handles 116, 118 can be made from a flexible, weather-resistant and resilient material including, but not limited to, a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, a canvas material or any other material. The material should be strong enough and durable enough so that the cover 100 can withstand a large accumulation of snow and ice thereon, and can be strong enough and sturdy enough so that it can withstand the removal of same using scrapers or other similar snow-removing tools. The cover 100 includes material able to withstand high temperatures, such as when the cover is used in hot weather, or in direct sunlight, as a sunscreen.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a planar view of another embodiment of the windshield protecting cover of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the windshield protecting cover 200 includes a planar windshield protecting sheet 202 and a hood portion protecting flap 204. The top surface 206 of the planar windshield protecting sheet 202 includes a logo 210 that can be any indicia, trademark, copyright or tag line for advertising and marketing purposes. The top surface 206 can be planar and void of outward projections. The rear surface 208 frictionally adheres to the windshield of the vehicle. The planar windshield protecting sheet 202 includes a top edge 212, a bottom edge 214, and a pair of side edges 216, 218. The edges 212, 214, 216, 218 help with enhanced grip and/or friction of the sheet 202 on the windshield and the sheet 202 also covers the wipers from snow as the bottom edge 214 fits into or over the cowl cavity of the vehicle. The flap 204 can be attached to the sheet 202 along the sewing or fastening edge 2046 of the flap 204 using a fastener 224 across the side-to-side length of the sheet 202. The portion 226 of the sheet between the bottom edge 214 and the lateral length of the sheet 202, where the flap 204 attached to the sheet 202 can be fixed into the cowl cavity of the vehicle, thereby protecting the cowl area from snow. The sewing edge 2046 can be positioned such that the flap 204 extends from the base of the windshield. The overlapping portion 226 lies underneath the flap 204 and is flexible, thus portion 226 can fit into or over the cowl area. Further, the flap 204 covers a portion of the hood of the vehicle and protects windshield fluid spray nozzles positioned on the hood of the vehicle from snow, ice, and inclement weather. The sewing or fastening edge 2046 can be positioned at the bottom of the windshield, and the flap 204 can extend from the fastening edge 2046 to the trailing edge 2040 to protect the hood with the side-to-side coverage of the flap 204 between the side edges 2042, 2044, thereby protecting the hood across its breadth.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the windshield and hood protection cover 100 of the present invention placed on a vehicle 300 for covering windshield and hood in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As stated, the application of the cover 100 of the present invention is for use on an automobile 300. As is well known in the art of automobiles 100, windshield wipers 308 are used for removing rain and snow from the windshield 302. Automobiles 100 are also well-known to have a hood 304 with the separation of the hood 304 to the windshield 302 via a cowl vent area 306. The windshield protection sheet 106 can be placed on the windshield 302 such that the bottom edge 110 of the sheet 106 fits into or over the cowl area 306, thereby enabling a portion of the sheet 106 to be used as an under flap for protecting the cowl area 306 from snow. The sheet 106 can be flexible and conformable to the shape of the windshield surface 302 in a non-sticky manner. The sheet 106 also protects the wipers 308 from snow and ice, and thus protects the wiper arms and blades as well.

[0035] Flexibly and permanently attached to the sheet 106, the flap 120 covers a portion of the hood 304, preferably including the windshield nozzles disposed on the hood 304. The flap 120 provides additional protection for the cowl area 306 as the flap 120 overlaps the portion of the sheet 106 that fits into the cowl area 306.

[0036] The handle 118 disposed on the sheet 106 can be accessed by a driver even while sitting in the vehicle 300 for removing the cover 100 when not needed or to quickly clear ice and snow from the windshield 302 so that the vehicle 300 can be driven after an episode of winter weather.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view showing how the portion 124 of the sheet 106 is placed underneath the flap 120 for covering the cowl area 306 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The advantage of the cover 100 of the present invention that it protects the windshield 302, cowl area 306, a portion of the hood 304, and wipers (308 as shown in FIG. 3). As shown, the portion 124 of the windshield sheet 106 extending from the point of attachment of the flap 120 and the sheet 106 using the fastener 122 and extending to the bottom edge 110 of the sheet 106 can be placed underneath the flap 120. The overlapping portion 124 can be flexible enough to fit into the cowl area 306 to provide continuous protection between the windshield and the hood in a sloping manner.

[0038] It should be noted that the cover 100, including the windshield sheet 106 and the flap 120, can be a single and unitary unit with no necessary assembly required during use of the cover 100. The projections 1060 on the windshield sheet 106 enable a smooth removal of the snow when the vehicle is to be used by a user.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the windshield protecting cover 200 covering the windshield and hood of the vehicle 300 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. When the windshield protecting cover 200 is placed on the vehicle 300, the logo 210 is visually exposed to the outside and provides an aesthetic appeal to the vehicle 300. The cover 200 can be wide enough and long enough to protect and cover the windshield 302, the cowl area 306, and a portion of the hood 304 using the flap 204.

[0040] It should be noted that the cover 200 and its integral components are flexible and include the contoured shape to precisely and properly cover the windshield 302, the cowl area 306, and a portion of the hood 304.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing exemplary steps performed by a user for using the windshield and hood protection cover 100 of the present invention on a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture. It should be understood that the present embodiment states the basic flow performed by a user and additional actions may be used to add additional installation processes to the basic flow. Initially, the windshield and hood cover is unwound or opened using handles provided on the cover (Block 602). Then, optionally, the wipers of the vehicle on which the cover is to be used are lowered to their resting position (Block 604). Thereafter, the windshield sheet is overlaid on the windshield such that a majority of the windshield is covered by the sheet from side to side and top to bottom (Block 606). For protecting the cowl area, the bottom edge of the windshield sheet is fitted into or over the cowl area with a portion of the sheet (Block 608). Finally, the flap is placed overlapping the cowl area and extending therefrom to cover a portion of the hood (Block 610).

[0042] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “windshield and hood protection cover”, “windshield protection cover”, “protection cover”, “cover”, “automobile windshield cover”, and “automotive windshield cover” are interchangeable and refer to the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200 of the present invention.

[0043] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200, as shown in the FIGS., are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200 are important design parameters for user convenience, the windshield and hood protection cover 100, 200 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use, and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0044] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0045] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.