Device for protecting doors

A protecting device for a vehicle is disclosed. The protection device has an elongated member having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of generally flat profiles along one side of the member, at least one magnet positioned in at least one of the generally flat profiles, and an extendible tether attached to the member. At least one concavity extends between the generally flat profiles along the longitudinal axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a device for protecting a metal surface from impact. Specifically, this device may be used for protecting the doors of a vehicle. In particular, this device may be configured for protecting either two-door or four-door cars.

2. Description of the Related Art

The sides of cars have long been subject to unwarranted impacts resulting in the denting of their surfaces. This particularly occurs, when cars are parked, the owner is nowhere in sight, and a car door from a car parked too close, hits and dents the surface thereof. All kinds of permanent trim and impact resistant materials have been used, with limited success. Detachable elements have also been used, although these are either difficult to attach properly or difficult to detach, once attached. There is therefore a great need in the art for a device that may be easily attached to prevent and protect the sides of parked cars and subsequently, easily detached.

Accordingly, there is now provided with this invention an improved protection device effectively overcoming the aforementioned difficulties and longstanding problems inherent in protecting the sides of parked cars. These problems have been solved in a simple, convenient, and highly effective way by which to easily attach an easily detachable protection device on a vehicle. More particularly, further features are provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, the protection device has an elongated member having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of generally flat profiles along one side of the member, at least one magnet positioned in at least one of the generally flat profiles, and an extendible tether attached to the member. At least one concavity extends between the generally flat profiles along the longitudinal axis.

As will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, a major advantage provided by the present invention is to have an easily attachable and easily detachable protection device for vehicles. Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

The method and apparatus of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed discussion of specific embodiments and the attached figures which illustrate and exemplify such embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following preferred embodiment as exemplified by the drawings is illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention as encompassed by the claims of this application. An apparatus and method for protecting doors of a vehicle is disclosed herein.

The protection device1, as illustrated inFIG. 1, is shown from the bottom side of the protection device. This is the side that is to be attached to the area of the vehicle to which protection is desired. The device is preferably formed of an elastomeric material having a great ability to absorb the shock of an impact, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate foam. Such an elastomeric material may be a rubber or the like, having a shore durometer measurement in the range of from about 15 to about 75.

The device is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis2. Along the longitudinal axis2there is at least one generally flat profile4in the cross section of the longitudinal axis. As shown in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1, there are three flat profiles4, although any number may be used. Positioned in the plane of the generally flat profile4is a magnet6. Although the embodiment shown inFIG. 1has a magnet in each of the flat profiles, this is not necessary, so long as at least one of the flat profiles has a magnet therein. Preferably, the magnet generates a strong magnetic field for strong attachment to the surface to be protected. For example, a rare earth magnet may be used for this purpose.

Furthermore, magnet6is preferably covered by or encased in a non-scratching material which may also have a high coefficient of static friction (i.e., is “grippy”). In this manner, the device will prevent the magnet from scratching a vehicle to which it is attached and will assist in maintaining the desired location of the device by minimizing or eliminating the tendency of the device to slip. The material may be, for example, rubber, silicone, or other elastomeric material.

Extending from an end of the device is a tether8. The tether8is preferably a hardened steel cable. Further, the tether is preferably relatively flexible and not rigid. Accordingly, the tether may be a woven steel cable that is encased in a water resistant material.

As shown in the cross-section A-A ofFIG. 1and specifically inFIG. 2, a hollow10extends between the flat profiles4. Providing hollow10affords greater resiliency and cushioning between the surface to be protected and any unwanted impact.

The tether8is attached to an end of the protection device and extends into a sleeve12. The sleeve12is positioned in one of the hollows10. The sleeve12has an aperture14at one end. Aperture14is essentially a constriction in the sleeve12. The portion of the tether within the sleeve12has an end that cannot pull through this constriction. The end of the tether may have, for example, a bulbuous end having a larger diameter than the diameter of the aperture. In this way, the constriction14of the sleeve12securely holds the end of the tether8therein while still allowing that end to travel the length of the sleeve.

FIG. 4is a side view of an embodiment of the device1. It is a view that is rotated 90° fromFIG. 1about axis2. In this view, a concavity16is shown between the generally flat profiles. Providing such concavities16allows a user to grab the device while it is attached to a surface for more easy detachment than was previously achieved. Concavities16also increase the impact absorption capabilities of the device.

FIG. 5is a top view of the device. It is a view that is rotated 90° fromFIG. 4about axis2and is the side that directly receives any unwanted impact. As shown inFIG. 5, the device has rounded ends and a generally continuous surface provided for protection.

The tether8is shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, and more particularly inFIG. 6, shown apart from the device. The tether8has a suction cup18attached thereto. The suction cup18has a hole20through which the tether is threaded. At both ends of the tether are embodiments of extending prevention devices22and24. For example, extending prevention device22keeps the tether within its sleeve. Extending prevention devices24keeps the suction cup attached to the tether. The suction cup may include a tab26to grab for easy removal.

FIG. 7shows an embodiment of the device that includes a pair of substantially identical devices attached to one another by a connection assembly28. The connection assembly28is preferably a hardened steel cable. Further, the connection assembly is preferably relatively flexible and not rigid. Accordingly, the connection assembly may be a woven steel cable that is encased in a water resistant material.

The connection assembly is specifically illustrated inFIG. 8apart from the pair of protection devices. Each of the pair of protection devices1would have a sleeve12therein. The connection assembly has a cable30extending between the sleeves together with a tether8. The cable30is secured within both sleeves by having extending prevention ends that cannot be pulled through the apertures14of the sleeves. The pair of protection devices still may be pulled apart from one another and move toward one another to the extent that the ends of the cable30travel within their respective sleeves. As shown, the cable30is threaded through the end22of the tether, although any permanent attachment of the tether8to the cable30may be used.

In use, when a vehicle is parked, and a surface of which is decided to be protected from an impact, the device is secured to the surface by the magnets. The tether is then extended up and around the window of the vehicle so that the suction cup attaches on the inside of the window of the vehicle. When the door of the vehicle is then locked, the tether is secured in the vehicle thus preventing theft of the protection device. When the protection device is to be subsequently removed, one can fit the fingers of one's hand in the concavities16, to easily overcome the magnetic attraction between the protection device and the side of the vehicle. One then pulls the suction cup by its tab26from the window of the vehicle.

Although the particular embodiments shown and described above will prove to be useful in many applications in the art of protection devices for vehicles, to which the present invention pertains, further modifications of the present invention will occur to persons skilled in the art. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.