Patent ID: 6168516
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B60H

Abstract:
A method of preventing clogging and leaking in an automobile air vent system of an automobile, where there is an upwardly facing air vent intake grill means which comprises a perimeter grill portion and a plurality of laterally spaced bars extending in a direction of travel of the automobile and is made of a magnetically permeable material, with the grill being positioned on an upper portion of a body surface of the automobile forwardly of the forward windshield of the automobile, said method comprising: a. providing a generally planar intake cover having a perimeter configuration substantially the same as the intake opening, said cover comprising a piece of moderately flexible magnetic sheeting material which comprises magnetic particles in a polymer binder, with substantially the entire area of the cover having the magnetic particles therein; b. placing the cover over the vent intake grill means where the perimeter of the cover is over the intake opening perimeter portions so as to close the intake opening, with the cover magnetically adhering to both the perimeter grill portion and the laterally spaced bars of the grill means; c. operating the automobile by driving it over a road surface, with the cover remaining positioned over the vent intake grill means to close the vent intake grill means from water and/or debris passing therethrough; d. said air vent intake grill means having a forward and moderately downward slant, so that airflow over the hood of the car and over the cover placed on the air vent intake grill means flows at a moderately upward slant in a rearward direction, and over the windshield to create an increase in pressure over said cover, thus enhancing the cover's ability to remain positioned over the air vent grill means, said cover having a depth dimension and weight sufficiently great to resist aerodynamic flutter when it is positioned over the vent intake grill means, so as to remain substantially stationary in its position over said air vent intake grill means.