GB2457728A

GB2457728A - Car protector

Info

Publication number: GB2457728A
Application number: GB0803355A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Gerarde Beckett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-02-23
Filing date: 2008-02-23
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: GB0803355D0

Abstract

An inflatable device(s) 5 is attached to the side of a car so as to protect the paintwork and body panels of the vehicle against shopping trolleys or adjacent vehicle doors being brought into contact with said car. The inflatable device may be secured to the car by means of magnets 3 located within the inflatable member, or the device may be secured by means of external magnets, ties or rubber suckers. The device may be inflated by opening a one-way valve 1 or by attaching an air pump to valve 4. The device may be deflated by opening plug 2 and closing the one way valve. The device may be tubular or circular (figure 4), and may be provided in more than one section (figure 2) and be provided with regions of greater volume (6, figure 3) to offer increased protection in areas that may be at greater risk. A reflective strip may be provided down the side of the device, and the vehicle's registration number may be printed on it. The device may have a soft covering on the side in contact with the car.

Description

1 2457728 Car Protector This invention relates to a protective harrier for a parked car.

When people park their cars in a car park. there is a risk that adjacent parked cars may sLibsequently have their doors opened to such an extent that they come into contact with the body work of the parked car, causing damage to its paint work and body panels. There is also a risk in a car park connected with commerce, such as a supermarket car park, that a parked car may experience damage due to a shopping trolley coming into direct contact with the paintwork and body panels of the car.

To overcome (his, the present invention proposes an inflatable structure that can be secured to the sides of the vehicle.

The inflatable structure will provide a degree of protection for the paintwork/hody panels of the car, by being able to cushion the eilct of the impact of an adjacent car inadvertently having its door/s opened to such a degree that it comes into contact with the parked car.

The inliatable device/structure is preferably secured/attached to the parked car by magnets secured inside the inflatable device, although it may be tied onto the structure of the car, or have magnets on the outside of the device, or be secured by rubber suckers, or by some other means.

The inflatable device/structure is preferably inflated with open one way valves, which when opened allow air to enter the device, although it may be inflated by an air pump.

operated electrically or by some other means.

The inflatable device is preferably deflated when no longer deployed, by opening a plug, which when opened allows air to exit the device, in order to make storage easier.

The inflatable device may have a reflective strip down its side.

The inflatable device can be any shape, preferably tubular.

The inflatable device will preferably have a soil covering on the side in contact with the car's body work.

The inflatable device will preferably be made of nylon, plastic, rubber or a combination of the three, but could be made from any air-tight material.

The inflatable device may have the registration number of the car printed on it to deter theft.

The inflatable device will preferably be in one piece each per side of the car, hut may comprise of two or more inflated devices per side of car.

The inflatable device may vary in volume along its length, providing, for example, larger areas of inflation in the middle and ends of the device.

The invention will now he described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the inflatable device in one piece form, inflated and deployed on one side of the vehicle.

Figure 2 shows the inflatable device in two separate sections, inflated afl(I deployed on one side of the vehicle, Figure 3 shows the inflatable device in one piece. with areas of greater volume at the end and in the middle, Figure 4 shows the inflatable device in a one piece circular form, inflated and deployed in the middle of the side of the vehicle, FigureS shows a bird's eye view of the inflatable devices, inflated and deployed either side of the vehicle.

In figure 1. the inflatable device 5 is in one piece form, inflated and deployed on one side of the vehicle 7. Ii is protecting the vehicle from the potential of damage to its paintwork and body panels if an adjacent parked car should have its doors opened to such an extent that it comes into contact with the parked car. The inflatable device is inflated by opening the one way valve 1, or by connecting a pump (probably electrically operated) to a valve 4. The inflatable device is held in place by magnets 3 secured inside the inflatable device. The inflatable device is deflated when no longer deployed, by opening a plug 2 and closing the one way valves I. In figure 2, the inflatable device 5 is in two separate sections, inflated and deployed on one side of the vehicle 7. The inflatable devices are inflated by opening the one way valves I. or connecting a (probably electrically operated) pump to valves 4. The inflatable devices are held in place by magnets 3 secured inside the inflatable devices.

The inflatable devices are deflated when no longer deployed by opening plugs 2 and closing the one way valves I. In figure 3, the inflatable device 5 is in one piece and attached to the vehicle 7. It has areas of greater volume 6 at the end and in the middle, to offer greater protection in areas that may be perceived as at greater potential risk. The inflatable device is inflated by opening the one way valve I or connecting a (probably electrically.

operated) pump to a valve 4. The inflatable device is held in place by magnets 3 secured inside the inflatable device. When no longer in use the inflatable device can be deflated by closing the one way valve 1 and opening the plug 2.

In figure 4. the inflatable device 5 is attached to the vehicle 7. It is in a circular one piece form, positioned in the middle of the doors. It is held in place by a magnet 3 secured inside the inflatable device 5. The inflatable device 5 is inflated by opening the one way valve I or attaching a (probably electrically operated) pump to a valve 4.

It is deflated by opening a plug 2 and closing the one way valve I. In figure 5. the inflatable devices 5 are inflated and deployed either side of the vehicle 7.