Apparatus for protecting the exterior of a vehicle

• US 7,210,718 B1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan Budhu
• Original Assignee: Alan Budhu
• Inventors: Budhu, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/249,914
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 293/114, 293/118, 293/119
• US Class Current: 293/114
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/38 adjustably or movably mounted, e.g. horizontally displaceable for securing a space between parked vehicles adjustably mounted for compensating manufacturing tolerances B60R19/24, B60R19/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/48 combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds

Abstract

A vehicle protection apparatus can protect a vehicle'"'"'s exterior. The exterior can have an optional opening. A support attached to the vehicle can support a guard and allow it to move between (a) a retracted position that does not obtrude on the appearance of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and (a) a deployed position in front of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior and, when existing, in front of the opening in the exterior. The guard may be mounted on the support to translate linearly and in some cases angularly as well. In such cases the guard may be in an upright position when deployed, and in a non-upright position under the vehicle when retracted.

Claims

1. Apparatus for protecting a vehicle'"'"'s exterior, the exterior having an opening, the apparatus comprising:

a guard moveable between (a) a deployed position in front of the opening in the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and (b) a retracted position that does not obtrude on the appearance of the vehicles exterior; and

a door having a closed position at said opening of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and an open position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said door is finished to match the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said door is hinged.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said door is hinged and biased to a closed position.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising:

a lever arm supporting said door and operable to move said door between the open and the closed position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising:

an actuator adapted for mounting in said vehicle for rotating said lever arm.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said door is adapted to be slidably mounted at said opening.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said driver has a pair of telescopically arranged components.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising:

a drive rod adapted for mounting in said vehicle and for longitudinal reciprocation, said guard being transversely and distally mounted on said drive rod.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said drive rod is adapted to rotate about its axis.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to (a) move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position, and (b) rotate said guard to an upright orientation in the deployed position.

14. A vehicle protection apparatus for protecting a vehicle'"'"'s exterior, comprising:

a vehicle body having an exterior with an opening;

a guard moveable between (a) a deployed position in front of the opening in the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and (b) a retracted position that does not obtrude on the appearance of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior; and

a door having a closed position at said opening of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and an open position.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said door is finished to match the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said door is hinged.

17. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said door is adapted to be slidably mounted at said opening.

18. Apparatus according to claim 14 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position.

20. Apparatus for protecting a vehicle'"'"'s exteriors comprising:

a support adapted for attachment to the vehicle; and

a guard mounted on said support to translate linearly and angularly, said guard being moveable on said support between (a) an upright position in front of a portion of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior, and (b) a retracted, non-upright position under the vehicle that does not obtrude on the appearance of the vehicle'"'"'s exterior.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said driver has a pair of telescopically arranged components.

23. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said driver comprises:

a drive rod mounted for longitudinal reciprocation, said guard being transversely and distally mounted on said drive rod.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said drive rod is adapted to rotate about its axis.

25. Apparatus according to claim 20 comprising:

a driver adapted for mounting in said vehicle and operable to (a) move said guard between the deployed and the retracted position, and (b) rotate said guard to an upright orientation in the deployed position.