Patent ID: 6325121
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B60J,B60R

Abstract:
A protective cover for covering a side view mirror, the side view mirror having a reflective surface and a fairing which has a shape that gives a more aerodynamically streamlined character to the side view mirror, the fairing having an open rear and the reflective surface being positioned approximately within the open rear of the fairing, the fairing being supported adjacent a side window of an automobile by a stem, the protective cover comprising:a flexible, bonnet-like covering portion having a base opening rim and a side opening rim, said base opening rim having a first end and a second end, said side opening rim having a first end and a second end, said first end of said side opening rim being coincident with said first end of said base opening rim, said second end of said side opening rim being coincident with said second end of said base opening rim, said bonnet-like covering portion being made of a flexible material and being adapted to cover and conform to at least the shape of the fairing when the protective cover is applied to the side view mirror, said bonnet-like covering portion having an interior surface which lies adjacent the fairing when the protective cover is applied to the side view mirror, and said bonnet-like covering portion having an exterior surface which faces away from the fairing and is exposed when the protective cover is applied to the side view mirror;an elastic gather attached to said bonnet-like covering portion and extending along said side opening rim, said elastic gather having a first end and a second end, said first end of said elastic gather being positioned adjacent said first end of said side opening rim, and said second end of said elastic gather being positioned adjacent said second end of said side opening rim;a first elongated strap attached to and extending from said first end of said elastic gather, said first elongated strap having a top side and an underside, said first elongated strap having a first hook and loop fastener portion disposed on said underside thereof;a second elongated strap attached to and extending from said second end of said elastic gather, said second elongated strap having a top side and an underside, said second elongated strap having a second hook and loop fastener portion disposed on said top side thereof, said second hook and loop fastener portion being engageable with said first hook and loop fastener portion;an elongated rectangular strip having a first long side, a second long side, a first short side, and a second short side, said elongated rectangular strip being attached to said bonnet-like cover portion along said base opening rim such that said first long side is adjacent said base opening rim and said second end of said base opening rim is adjacent a corner of said elongated rectangular strip formed by said first long side meeting said first short side, said first and second long sides being longer than said base opening rim such that said second short side and portions of said first and second long sides extending beyond said first end of said base opening rim define a third strap, said third strap having a top side and an underside, and said elongated rectangular strip having a top side and an underside;a third hook and loop fastener portion disposed on said underside of said third strap; anda fourth hook and loop fastener portion disposed on said top side of said elongated rectangular strip proximate said first short side, said fourth hook and loop fastener portion being engageable with said third hook and loop fastener portion,whereby said third hook and loop fastener portion is engaged to said fourth hook and loop fastener portion to secure said base opening rim around the stem and form a base opening, said first hook and loop fastener portion is engaged to said second hook and loop fastener portion to form a side opening through which the reflective surface can be viewed, and said elastic gather draws said bonnet-like cover portion tightly about the fairing, when the protective cover is applied to the side view mirror.