Abstract:
An automotive windshield cover is taught using a pliable sheet with a central body for covering the windshield and side tabs that may be closed in the gasket seal between the side doors and the door frame. The sheet may include a top flexible tab for extending onto part of the roof of the vehicle and a bottom flexible tab for either extending onto the hood or for insertion into the cowl vent at the bottom of the windshield. The bottom tab is made with a contoured shape that follows shape of the sides of the cowl vent. The cover may also be inserted under the spring biased windshield wipers to be held in place. Tearing stress on the bottom tab is accounted for with a relaxed angle approach on the bottom tab to body connection. Also taught is a method for using the cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the field of environmental covers for automobiles in general. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to an environmental cover for an automotive windshield. 
   2. Description of the Known Art 
   As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a cover may be used to protect the windshield of an automobile. Details of a typical protector for a windshield are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,780, issued to Naidu on Jun. 22, 1976 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,982 issued to Carlyle on Mar. 14, 1989. Each of these patents is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,780, issued to Naidu on Jun. 22, 1976 discloses Snow Protectors for Windshields. This is described as a disposable wind-shield snow protector adapted to be removably adhered to the wind-shield of an automobile, bus, truck and the like including a flexible protection sheet and a backing sheet in overlying relationship to each other. The protection sheet includes a cord reinforcing secured to the rearward side thereof and is affixed to a handle located beyond the periphery of the protection sheet. The backing sheet is adapted to be peeled away from the protection sheet to expose an adhesive coating that adapts the device to be removably secured to any desired wind-shield. Removal by hand is easily facilitated by use of the handle provided. The device is then discarded. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,982 issued to Carlyle on Mar. 14, 1989 discloses an Automotive Window Shield and Covering. This is described as an automobile window shield and cover formed of a thin, disposable sheet of strong water resistant paper, plastic, or similar inexpensive material. The sheets are factory cut to approximate the size and shape for various sized automobile (and other vehicle) windows, such as windshields, rear and side windows, and have an adhesive backing which is factory-applied to at least peripheral edge regions of the back to enable the sheets to be adhered to an appropriate automobile window in such a manner as to cover most of it, thereby protecting it against the buildup of snow and ice in winter weather conditions. Peeling the sheet from the window before the automobile is to be driven, thus enables the driver to remove any snow and ice from the window. The sheets may be perforated from one edge to an opposite edge in one or more places, to enable the sheets to be selectively removed in sections or strips, and may be provided in pads of a number of sheets for user convenience. 
   Thus, it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization, and an improved automotive windshield cover is needed to overcome these limitations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to an improved automotive windshield cover. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a windshield cover is provided for in at least four different embodiments. In the first embodiment the cover extends across the windshield, covers a small portion of the roof, extends to cover the wipers, and is secured inside each door. In the second embodiment the cover extends across the windshield, covers the roof all the way back to the rear edge of the front doors, extends to cover the wipers, and is secured inside each door. In the third embodiment the cover extends across the windshield, covers the rear doors and extends to cover the rear windshield, extends to cover the wipers, and is secured inside each door. In the fourth embodiment the cover extends across the rear windshield, covers a small portion of the roof, and is secured inside each rear door. 
   Advantages of the present invention include: no standing in the cold weather for the scraping of ice; no problems with folding up a used cover which has ice covering it because the cover is disposable, no wasting fuel in heating up the vehicle, the doors of the automobile won&#39;t be frozen shut; and not waiting to remove ice or peeling off of the adhesive nature of the cover. 
   Other embodiments provided by the present invention also provide an improved automotive windshield cover for an automobile. These covers also use a pliable sheet with a central body that will cover the windshield. Two side tabs are adapted to be secured between the side doors and the door frames to hold the cover in place. Additional improvements include the use of a pliable sheet having a non-stick surface, a top tab to effectively overlay the roof of the automobile, and a bottom tab to cover the cowl vent and at least a part of the hood. A method for using the windshield cover is also taught as well as a unique distribution system including a plastic roll distribution for disposable covers. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automotive windshield cover on a truck as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an automotive windshield cover on a car as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative installation of the automotive windshield cover of  FIG. 1  shown from the opposite side from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the automotive windshield cover of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the automotive windshield cover of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an unrolled length of perforated sheeting forming multiple automotive windshields cover of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the sheet of  FIG. 6  in a rolled configuration. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of one of the method flows for the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing the installation using both doors of the automobile. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5  and  FIG. 9  of the drawings, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown as a windshield cover  200  for covering the windshield  102  of an automobile  100 . The application of the present invention is for use on an automobile  100 . As is well known in the art of automobiles  100 , spring biased wipers  104  may be used for removing rain and sleet form the windshield  102 . Automobiles  100  are also well known to have a hood  106  with the separation of the hood  106  to the windshield  102  being known as a cowl vent  108 . The cowl vent  108  has a left vent side  110  and a right vent side  112 . The automobile  100  is also typically constructed with a solid or convertible roof  114 . The automobile will also typically have a first side door  116  sealably closing onto a first door frame  118  and a second side door  120  sealably closing onto a second door frame  122 . 
   The present invention is directed to an automotive windshield cover  200  constructed from a pliable sheet  202 . The pliable sheet  202  defines a central body  204  which has an environment exposure side  206  and a windshield side  208  with either of both of these providing a non-stick surface  214 . Flexibly connected to the central body  204  as a part of the pliable sheet is a first side tab  210  and a second side tab  212  with alternative constructions including either of both of a top tab  216  and a bottom tab  218 . The bottom tab is unique in having a contoured shape  220  with a relaxed angle approach  222  so that the bottom tab may fit into the cowl vent  108 . 
   As shown in the drawings, the window cover  200  has a length  262  and a width  264  and is manufactured from a sheet of material having a small mil thickness. Typical thickness is in the range of from 0.74 to 1.5 Mil and depending on the material utilized. The referred embodiment uses a 1.1 Mil thickness, but these numbers should not be interpreted to limit the materials or thicknesses which may be utilized. 
     FIG. 4  shows one embodiment in which the windshield cover  200  is constructed to define a top edge  224  connected by a top to first side angle  226  to a first side edge  228 . The first side edge  228  connects through a first side to contour angle  230  to a first side primary contour edge  232 . The first side primary contour edge  232  connects through a first side initial contour angle  234  to a first side secondary contour edge  236 . The first side secondary contour edge  236  then connects through a first side secondary contour angle  238  to a first side tertiary contour edge  240 . This then provides the connection for the first contour to bottom angle  242  for connecting to the bottom edge  244 . Similar to the first side the second side shows how the bottom edge  244  connects through a second contour to bottom angle  246  to a second side tertiary contour edge  248  which connects through a second side secondary angle  250  to a second side secondary contour edge  252 . The second side secondary contour edge  252  then connects through a second side primary angle  254  to the second side primary counter edge  256  which is connected through the second side initial contour angle  258  to the second side edge  260 . The second side edge  260  is connected through the top to second side angle  221  to the top edge  224 . 
   The following chart provides the length of these components in inches and the angle in degrees: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Item (with reference number) 
               Measurement 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               a top edge 224 
               105 inches 
             
             
               a top to first side angle 226 
               90 degrees 
             
             
               a first side edge 228 
               24 inches 
             
             
               a first side to contour angle 230 
               100–120 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 115 degrees) 
             
             
               a first side primary contour edge 232 
               18 inches 
             
             
               a first side initial contour angle 234 
               130–250 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 230 degrees) 
             
             
               a first side secondary contour edge 236 
               6 inches 
             
             
               a first side secondary contour angle 238 
               100–150 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 105 degrees) 
             
             
               a first side tertiary contour edge 240 
               5–10 inches (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 6 inches) 
             
             
               a first contour to bottom angle 242 
               90 degrees 
             
             
               a bottom edge 244 
               62 inches 
             
             
               a second contour to bottom angle 246 
               90 degrees 
             
             
               a second side tertiary contour edge 248 
               3–10 inches (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 6 inches) 
             
             
               a second side secondary angle 250 
               100–150 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 105 degrees) 
             
             
               a second side secondary contour edge 252 
               6 inches 
             
             
               a second side primary angle 254 
               130–250 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 230 degrees) 
             
             
               a second side primary contour edge 256 
               18 inches 
             
             
               a second side initial contour angle 258 
               100–120 degrees (preferred 
             
             
                 
               is 115 degrees) 
             
             
               a second side edge 260 
               24 inches 
             
             
               a top to second side angle 221 
               90 inches 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment in which the windshield cover  200  is made with a curved top edge  266 . The curved top edge  266  is connected through a top to first side angle  268  to a first body side edge  270 . The first body side edge  270  has a first side initial segment  272  which is connected through a first side to tab initial angle  274  to a first side primary tab edge  276 . The first side primary tab edge  276  is connected through a first tab primary angle  278  to a first side secondary tab edge  280 . The first side secondary tab edge  280  is connected through a first side secondary angle  282  to a first side tertiary tab edge  284 . The first side tertiary tab edge  284  is connected through a first tab to side angle  286  to a first side second segment  288 . The first side second segment  288  is connected through a first side to bottom angle  290  to a curved bottom edge  292 . The curved bottom edge  292  is connected through a second side to bottom angle  294  to a second side second segment  296 . The second side second segment  296  is connected through a second tab to side angle  298  to a second side tertiary tab edge  300 . The second side tertiary tab edge  300  is connected through a second side secondary angle  302  to a second side secondary tab edge  304 . The second side secondary tab edge  304  is connected through a second tab primary angle  306  to a second side primary tab edge  308 . The second side primary tab edge  308  is connected through a second side to tab initial angle  310  to a second body side edge  312 . Finally, the second body side edge  312  is connected through a top to second side angle  314  to the curved top edge  266 . 
   The following chart provides the length of these components in inches and the angle in degrees: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Item (with reference number) 
               Measurement 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               a curved top edge 266 
               50 inch radius having 77 inch 
             
             
                 
               width and 18 inch height 
             
             
               a top to first side angle 268 
               45 degrees 
             
             
               a first body side edge 270 
               40 inches 
             
             
               a first side initial segment 272 
               7.78 inches 
             
             
               a first side to tab initial angle 274 
               255 degrees 
             
             
               a first side primary tab edge 276 
               12.42 inches 
             
             
               a first tab primary angle 278 
               105 degrees 
             
             
               a first side secondary tab edge 280 
               18 inches 
             
             
               a first side secondary angle 282 
               105 degrees 
             
             
               a first side tertiary tab edge 284 
               12.42 inches 
             
             
               a first tab to side angle 286 
               255 degrees 
             
             
               a first side second segment 288 
               7.78 inches 
             
             
               a first side to bottom angle 290 
               45 degrees 
             
             
               a curved bottom edge 292 
               50 inch radius having 77 inch 
             
             
                 
               width and 18 inch height 
             
             
               a second side to bottom angle 294 
               45 degrees 
             
             
               a second side second segment 296 
               7.78 inches 
             
             
               a second tab to side angle 298 
               255 degrees 
             
             
               a second side tertiary tab edge 300 
               12.42 inches 
             
             
               a second side secondary angle 302 
               105 degrees 
             
             
               a second side secondary tab edge 304 
               18 inches 
             
             
               a second tab primary angle 306 
               105 degrees 
             
             
               a second side primary tab edge 308 
               12.42 inches 
             
             
               a second side to tab initial angle 310 
               255 degrees 
             
             
               a second body side edge 312 
               7.78 inches 
             
             
               a top to second side angle 314 
               45 degrees 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIGS. 6 and 7  of the drawings show a multiple automotive windshield cover roll  342  with perforations  344  for a side tear line  348 . It is also possible to provide a complete cut at the location of the perforations  344  to provide the tear line  348 . Note that in the preferred embodiment shown, that the side tear line defines edges of both a first side tab  210  and a second side tab  212 . 
     FIG. 8  of the drawings shows the main elements of the procedures to be followed for using of the cover  200 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the basic windshield protection method  316  includes providing a pliable sheet with first and second side tabs  318 , covering the automotive windshield  320 , securing the first side tab  322 , and then securing the second side tab  324 . Note that this illustration is not meant to limit these actions to this order, but is provided for illustration of the preferred embodiment. Additional actions may be used within this framework to add additional installation processes to the basic flow. These process may be added anywhere in the original process and are shown inserted after the initial providing step for illustration purposes and not as a limitation on the order or the process steps for any of these processes. The first additional procedure is shown as providing a top tab  326  and then overlaying the top tab  328  onto the roof of the automobile. The next process is providing a bottom tab  330  and then overlaying the bottom tab  332  onto the hood or trunk of the automobile. An additional step can then be provided for inserting the bottom tab into the cowl vent  334 . The last shown additional process is for raising the wipers  336 , passing the pliable sheet between the wipers and the windshield  338  and then lowering the wipers to capture the pliable sheet  340 . These different processes may be combined in whole or in part together to form the basic installation method of the present invention. Removal process may be understood by reversing these installation processes. 
   Reference numbers used in the corresponding drawings are as follows:
         an automobile  100     a windshield  102     spring biased wipers  104     a hood  106     a cowl vent  108     a left vent side  110     a right vent side  112     a roof  114     a first side door  116     a first door frame  118     a second side door  120     a second door frame  122     an automotive windshield cover  200     a pliable sheet  202     a central body  204     environment exposure side  206     windshield side  208     a first side tab  210     a second side tab  212     a non-stick surface  214     a top tab  216     a bottom tab  218     a contoured shape  220     a relaxed angle approach  222     a top edge  224     a top to first side angle  226     a first side edge  228     a first side to contour angle  230     a first side primary contour edge  232     a first side initial contour angle  234     a first side secondary contour edge  236     a first side secondary contour angle  238     a first side tertiary contour edge  240     a first contour to bottom angle  242     a bottom edge  244     a second contour to bottom angle  246     a second side tertiary contour edge  248     a second side secondary angle  250     a second side secondary contour edge  252     a second side primary angle  254     a second side primary counter edge  256     a second side initial contour angle  258     a second side edge  260     a length  262     a width  264     a curved top edge  266     a top to first side angle  268     a first body side edge  270     a first side initial segment  272     a first side to tab initial angle  274     a first side primary tab edge  276     a first tab primary angle  278     a first side secondary tab edge  280     a first side secondary angle  282     a first side tertiary tab edge  284     a first tab to side angle  286     a first side second segment  288     a first side to bottom angle  290     a curved bottom edge  292     a second side to bottom angle  294     a second side second segment  296     a second tab to side angle  298     a second side tertiary tab edge  300     a second side secondary angle  302     a second side secondary tab edge  304     a second tab primary angle  306     a second side primary tab edge  308     a second side to tab initial angle  310     a second body side edge  312     a top to second side angle  314     A windshield protection method  316     providing a pliable sheet with first and second side tabs  318     covering the automotive windshield  320     securing the first side tab  322     securing the second side tab  324     providing a top tab  326     overlaying the top tab  328     providing a bottom tab  330     overlaying the bottom tab  332     inserting the bottom tab into the cowl vent  334     raising the wipers  336     passing the pliable sheet between the wipers and the windshield  338     lowering the wipers to capture the pliable sheet  340     a multiple automotive windshield cover roll  342     perforations  344     side tear line  348         

   From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.