Protective cover for automobile

• US 5,409,286 A
• Filed: 12/14/1993
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert I. Huang
• Original Assignee: Robert I. Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Robert I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US08/167,571
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 296/95.1, 296/136, 160/370.2 R, 160/370.2 A, 160/370.2 B, 160/327-329, 24/301, 24/302, 24/370, 24/265 H, 150/166, 150/168
• US Class Current: 296/136.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 11/00 Removable external protective coverings specially adapted for vehicles or parts of vehicles, e.g. parking covers covering of load on vehicles B60P7/00; guard strips for body finishing, identifying or decorating B60R13/04; tents for use as garages E04H15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4755 Hook

Abstract

A protective cover apparatus for an automobile (30) includes a cover (11) covering-passenger compartment (32) of the automobile (30), a semi-pliable metal hook (17) linked to a handhold (13) on the cover (11) by a cord(16) for securing the cover (11) to the front of the automobile (30), a storage pouch (18) for storing the the cover (11) and an adjustable belt (19) fixed to the storage pouch (18) for securing the pouch (18) and the cover (11) to the trunk (34) of the automobile (30). In a second arrangement, the front end of the cover (11) is secured to the windshield (35) by suction pads (55) under the handhold (13). The storage pouch (18) is replaced by a pair of tie-down straps (50) and a roll-up sheet (51). The tie-down straps (50) tie the folded cover (11) to the roll-up sheet (51) before the roll-up sheet (51) wraps up the cover (11) for storage. Both arrangements are similiar in operation but have different advantages in manufacturing. The first arrangement is capable of fitting automobiles (30) of different sizes or styles with one single size while the second arrangement requires specific sizing to fit.

Claims

1. A cover apparatus for an automobile having a front portion and a rear portion, said cover apparatus comprising:

a flexible sheet for covering at least a portion of said automobile, said sheet having a first end, a second end opposite to said first end, and elastic means that encircles a periphery of said sheet;

first attachment means coupled to said first end of said sheet for securing said sheet to the front portion of said automobile;

storage means coupled to said second end for storing said sheet and said first attachment means; and

second attachment means coupled to said storage means for securing said storage means and said sheet to the rear portion of said automobile, said second attachment means including

a belt coupled to said storage means, said belt having a first belt end and a second belt end, said first belt end and said second belt end extending outward from said storage means in opposite directions,

means coupled to said belt for tensing said belt when stretched;

adjusting means coupled to said belt for regulating length of said belt, and

a pair of hooks coupled to said first belt end and said second belt end respectively, each of said hooks having a secondary hook for coupling said elastic means of said flexible sheet to said hooks.

2. A cover for covering passenger compartment of an automobile including a first portion and a second portion, said cover comprising:

a flexible sheet for covering said passenger compartment, said sheet having a first end, a second end opposite to said first end, and elastic means that encircles periphery of said sheet;

a rigid handhold formed on said first end;

attachment means having a semipliable hook and a cord, said cord coupling said semipliable hook to said handhold; and

storage means for storing said sheet and said attachment means, said storage means having a pouch and a belt, said belt being fixed on said pouch for securing said pouch to said second portion, said belt having

a first belt end and a second belt end,

at least one length adjusting means for regulating length of said belt,

a belt tension device for tensing said belt when stretched, and

a pair of hooks coupled to said first belt end and said second belt end respectively, said hooks having at least one secondary hook for securing said elastic means to said hooks.

3. A cover apparatus for covering an automobile body comprising:

a cover for covering said automobile body, said cover being shaped to match said automobile body, said cover having elastic means and a first end;

storage means coupled to said first end for storing said cover; and

attachment means coupled to said storage means for securing said storage means to said automobile body, said attachment means including

a belt having an elastic section for tensing said belt when stretched, said belt having a first belt end and a second belt end,

at least one adjusting means for regulating length of said belt, and

a pair of hooks coupled to said first belt end and said second belt end respectively, said hooks having a secondary hook for securing said elastic means to said hooks.

4. A cover apparatus for covering a roof, a front window section, a rear window section, and side window sections of an automobile, said automobile having a front area and a rear area, said cover apparatus comprising:

a flexible sheet having at least a front section and a rear section;

attachment means formed on said rear section for securing said sheet on said automobile, said attachment means having

a belt coupled to said storage means, said belt having a first belt end and a second belt end, said first belt end and said second belt end extending outward from said storage means along opposite directions,

tension means formed on said belt for tensing said belt when stretched,

adjusting means coupled to said belt for regulating length of said belt, and

rear hook means coupled to said first belt end and said second belt end for securing said belt on the rear area of said automobile, said rear hook means includes a master hook coupled to the rear area of said automobile and a secondary hook formed on said master hook;

fastening means, said fastening means encircling a periphery of said sheet and being anchored to said secondary hook for securing said sheet on the roof, the front window section, the rear window section, and the side window sections of said automobile; and

storage means formed on said rear section for storing said sheet.