A protective shield or barrier for use with a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle temporarily, e.g., seasonally, stored in a garage or other storage area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vehicle shield is comprised of a plurality of panels formed from a semi-rigid material hingedly connected to form a foldable, stowable and protective barrier. The vehicle shield may be joined with one or more additional shields via a tab and slots to extend the length of the barrier. Stabilizer feet are provided to increase the stability of the free-standing barrier. The vehicle shield is a cost-effective barrier protection against dents, scratches and the like.

RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/759,872, filed on Jan. 18, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a vehicle protection device, and more specifically to a foldable protective shield for a temporarily, e.g., seasonally, stored automobile, motorcycle or similar vehicle. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In temporarily storing a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle, it is desirable to provide a means of protection from inadvertent scratches, scrapes and dents to the vehicle body and other exterior components. This type of damage is most likely to occur in an area that is regularly utilized for other purposes, such as a garage or storage space. Items such as bicycles, tractors, lawn mowers, snow blowers, or garbage cans may be frequently moved and stored in close proximity to a stored vehicle creating the potential for inadvertent contact. Furthermore, a door from an adjacent vehicle may make contact with the stored vehicle and cause small dents or scratches. 
         [0006]    The automobile industry has responded by developing a number of shields, covers and other barrier-type protectors. While these devices may be suitable for their intended purposes, each has drawbacks associated with its use or effectiveness. For example, some vehicle protection devices protect against dents and scrapes but must be attached directly to the side of the vehicle. Other devices create a protective barrier but are suspended from an overhead support structure. Another type of vehicle protection device known as a “dust cover” blankets a vehicle with a flexible material, similar to a tarpaulin (“tarp”), but that only provides protection against dust, water and the sun. 
         [0007]    Due to the inadequacies of existing protection devices, it is desirable to have a freestanding means of protecting a stored motorcycle or automobile by providing sufficient protection from dents, scratches and the like. It is even more desirable to have a vehicle protection device that is simple to use, sturdy, inexpensive and foldable for storage when not in use. Finally, it is also desirable to be able to use this vehicle protection device in conjunction with an inexpensive cover such as a “dust cover”, blanket, tarp or plastic sheeting for maximum protection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle shield is provided formed from a plurality of rectangular panels flexibly connected together. The vehicle shield is easily folded for storage or for retail point of sale. To use the vehicle shield, it is unfolded and set in place to provide a protective barrier against scratches and dents. The vehicle shield can be made from any number of suitable rigid materials such as corrugated plastic, corrugated cardboard, pliable foam rubber and the like. The term “cardboard” as used herein is intended to include within its scope all available grades and thicknesses that are suitable for the purpose, including sheet material composed partially of corrugated layers of paper or the like. The term also includes other inexpensive materials available in sheet form, bendable and connected in the manner hereinafter described. 
         [0009]    Each vehicle shield has a joining tab located on an end of the shield with a plurality of slots spaced apart over the rest of the shield. The joining tab can be inserted into any of the slots to provide an interlocking connection. A single vehicle shield can provide an effective barrier for a smaller sized item by inserting the tab into an appropriate slot to create a completely encircled protected area. A single vehicle shield also protects one side of a motorcycle by utilizing stabilizer feet to permit the shield to be free standing. This is advantageous if the motorcycle is stored next to a wall and only one or two sides need to be protected. To protect larger items such as an automobile multiple shields can be connected together and positioned as desired. 
         [0010]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a vehicle shield formed of an impact-absorbing or resistant material having one layer of corrugations attached to one sidewall layer. The vehicle shield can be easily and quickly wrapped around a vehicle. When not in use, the vehicle shield can be compactly rolled up for storage. 
         [0011]    Numerous other aspects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment currently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. 
           [0013]    In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle shield constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  connected to a second vehicle shield forming a protective barrier around a motorcycle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  connected to two a second and third vehicle shield forming a partial protective barrier adjacent to an automobile; side view showing a vehicle shield folded into a stack; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  connected to a second vehicle shield; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a partially cut-away side view showing the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  in the process of being connected to a second vehicle shield; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is a partially cut-away side view showing the two vehicle shields of  FIG. 5A  in an interlocking connection according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 1  in a folded position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a vehicle shield constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the vehicle shield of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    A vehicle shield constructed in accordance with the present invention may be used to protect a number of immobile objects. It is particularly well-suited for use with a stored vehicle in a garage, storage space or similar type environment. Hence while a preferred vehicle shield will now be described in conjunction with a motorcycle and automobile, it is to be understood that the invention is in no way so limited. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a foldable, stowable protective barrier, i.e., vehicle shield  10 , constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The vehicle shield  10  is constructed from a single sheet of a lightweight yet slightly rigid material. The shield includes a number of flexible connections, i.e., hinges,  12  created during the manufacture of the shield  10  by any number of well known methods. The hinges  12  serve to subdivide the shield  10  into a number of individual panels  14 . The panels  14  can be angled with respect to one another so that the shield  10  can be erected in a variety of configurations. One such configuration is shown in  FIG. 1  but it can be appreciated that many other configurations are possible. 
         [0025]    In a preferred embodiment, the shield  10  is constructed of a unitary piece of corrugated cardboard measuring eight feet in length and thirty inches in height. The shield  10  is subdivided by fifteen hinges  12  into sixteen panels  14  of equal size each measuring approximately six inches wide and thirty inches high. In another preferred embodiment, the shield  10  measures twelve feet in length and thirty-six inches in height. The shield is subdivided by seventeen hinges  12  into eighteen panels  14  of equal size each measuring approximately eight inches wide and thirty-six inches high. It will be appreciated that the number and size of the individual panels  14  can be modified as required by the intended application. 
         [0026]    In the first embodiment, the flexible connection  12  is a living hinge. As utilized herein, the term “living hinge” is meant to define a hinge formed in and integral with, a relatively resilient material by rendering a portion of the material more flexible as for example by perforations, tempering, embossing or forming a thinner region therein. Hinges of this type are well known to those of skill in the art and are utilized in a variety of applications. A living hinge may be bent multiple times without breakage or fracture of the hinge material. 
         [0027]    The vehicle shield  10  is formed with two side edges  16 , a top edge  18  and a bottom edge  20 . The shield  10  preferably includes at least one, but preferably four, stabilizer foot  22  integrally formed within the panels  14 . Each stabilizer foot  22  has a first side  24  hingedly connected to the surrounding panel  14 , a top side  26  and second side  28  releasably attached to the surrounding panel  14 , by scoring, cutting, forming perforations  30  or similar means, and a bottom side  32  that is also part of the bottom edge  20  of the vehicle shield  10 . In alternate embodiment, stabilizer feet can be formed as separate pieces and affixed to the bottom  20  of the shield  10  as needed. 
         [0028]    A joining tab  34  is provided to connect the shield  10  to an additional shield  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Apertures, or slots,  36  are formed in the upper portion of a number of the panels  14 . The number of slots  36  depends on the number of panels  14  though preferably one slot  36  is provided on every other panel  14 . The slots  36  are located at approximately the same height as the tab  34  to facilitate joining shields  10  together as explained in further detail below and shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Alternatively, other joining techniques, such as clamping or an adhesive, could be used to join a shield  10  to itself or to another shield  10 . 
         [0029]    The vehicle shield  10  of the first embodiment can be made from any number of materials that are durable enough to last yet will also prevent an adjacent car door or similar impacting object from scratching or denting the protected vehicle. Examples of suitable materials include foam board, double walled plastic, corrugated thermoplastic, corrugated cardboard and cardboard panels. The choice of materials will affect various characteristics of the shield  10  including weight, durability, effectiveness and price. For example, a low-priced, low-quality material, such as corrugated cardboard, could be used to make an inexpensive and temporary shield while a material such as foam board could be used to make a more permanent and durable shield. Alternatively, a thicker shield of any material would provide better protection but weigh more than a thinner shield constructed of the same material. 
         [0030]    In operation, the shield  10  prevents dents, scratches and other marks to stored motorcycles, automobiles and other vehicles. The shield  10  can be positioned to stand alone, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the aid of stabilizer feet  22 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the shield  10  can be connected to additional shields  10  via the joining tab  34  and a slot  36  to completely surround a vehicle such as a motorcycle  38 . For example, in  FIG. 3 , three shields  10  are joined together to form a protective barrier  40  placed adjacent to a car  42 . Depending on the length of the car  42 , the length of the barrier  40  can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of overlapping panels  14  between shields  10 . In that case, the tabs  34  are inserted into any of the different slot  36  to shorten or lengthen the barrier  40 . The stabilizer feet  22  may not always be needed but do provide greater stability. For example, in  FIG. 3 , the stabilizer feet  22  are not necessarily needed to keep the shield  10  standing upright, but when used will ensure that the shield  10  does not tip over in the direction away from the car  42 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5A-B  details the process for linking a shield  10  to itself or to another shield  10 . The tab  34  is first pulled slightly away from the panel  14 . One of the shields  10  is then moved closer to the other shield  10  until the leading edge  44  of tab  34  is brought into contact with the slot  36 . Because the tab  34  is formed from the panel  14 , it can be pushed outwards in either direction from the shield  10 . The panel  14  with the tab  34  must be lifted up slightly to permit the tab  34  to be fully inserted through the slot  36 . After insertion, the panel  14  and tab  34  move downward, either by gravity or an applied force. The two shields  10  are locked together as the trailing edge  46  of tab  34  is no longer adjacent to the slot  36  and therefore cannot be pulled back through the slot  36 . The tab  34  can be disengaged from the joined shield  10  by lifting upwards on the panel  14  containing the tab  34  and pulling the entire assembly away from the slot  36 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a folded vehicle shield  10 . It can be folded up when not in use or when on display in a retail setting. Prior to folding the shield  10 , the tab  34  and stabilizer feet  22  can be placed back into their respective panels  14  and held there with a fiction fit. A Velcro® strap could be provided to ensure that the shield  10  remains folded when not in use. Additionally, corporate branding, e.g., trademarks of motorcycle manufacturers, can be printed or otherwise affixed on the shield  10 . 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIGS. 7-8 , the motorcycle of  FIG. 1  is shown in conjunction with an alternative vehicle shield  110 . The vehicle shield  110  of this embodiment is preferably constructed from an inexpensive and flexible material. The shield  110  shown in  FIG. 7  is constructed from corrugated cardboard or plastic having corrugations  112  bonded to a single side wall  114 . Similar impact-absorbing material is sold in rolls and used as protective packaging material in mailing and shipping applications. In a preferred embodiment, the shield  110  has a thickness of five millimeters (5 mm) or greater. Alternatively, the shield  110  may be constructed from any suitable foamed or padded material flexible enough to completely surround a vehicle without forming permanent kinks or bends. 
         [0034]    In operation, the shield  110  is wrapped completely around a vehicle, e.g., motorcycle  38 , to protect against impacts from all horizontal directions. A first end  116  is overlapped by a second end  118  to form an overlapping portion  120 . The two ends  116 ,  118  can be joined in any number of well known methods for joining two similar materials together. This includes, but is not limited to, tape, pressure-sensitive adhesives, clamps, and the like. A joining means may not be needed if the overlapping portion  120  is sufficiently large. When not in use, the shield  110  can be easily rolled up into a compact roll for storage. When protection is needed, the shield  110  is quickly and easily wrapped around the motorcycle  38 . 
         [0035]    As one skilled in the art will fully appreciate, the heretofore description of a vehicle shield has applications beyond the disclosed applications. It is appreciated that the present invention is equivalently applicable with any device providing inexpensive protection for stored items. Description of a vehicle shield just illustrates the preferred embodiment in which the present invention may be implemented. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. Various other embodiments including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.