Abstract:
The present invention broadly comprises a protection system for a vehicle on a surface comprising a frame having a plurality of struts projecting from the vehicle, wherein the frame extends along the surface and terminates at a periphery spaced from the vehicle, a brace disposed over the vehicle, and, a flexible material coupling the brace to the periphery of the frame. The present invention also comprises a method of protecting a vehicle from weather comprising positioning an anchor beneath a tire of the vehicle, disposing a frame having a plurality of struts around the vehicle, coupling at least two of the plurality of struts to the anchor, suspending a brace on a roof of the vehicle, encapsulating the vehicle with a flexible material having a perimeter edge, and releasably securing the perimeter edge of the flexible material to the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
       [0003]    None. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for protecting vehicles from intense weather, and more particularly to a flexible material coupling a brace to a frame providing an impact resistant system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Severe weather such as tropical storms, hail, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes has recently destroyed thousands of businesses and homes. Hurricanes are particularly problematic as multiple storms develop each season, and the torrential rains and heavy winds of each storm launch windborne objects that destroy homes, vehicles and other property. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies paid approximately $40.6 billion from damage cause by Hurricane Katrina alone. This includes nearly $2.2 billion that was paid by insurance companies for damage to vehicles. 
         [0006]    Since these types of natural disasters occur repeatedly, insurance companies in states prone to severe weather are unsuccessful in maintaining a profit and being self-sustaining. Therefore, property owners suffer catastrophic losses which cannot be fully recovered from insurance companies. Thus, it is most desirable to protect personal and real property from damage during severe weather. 
         [0007]    The conventional method for protecting personal and real property is to cover the property with a tarp and to place plywood over windows, doors and other openings. While this method is inexpensive, it is also ineffective. Vehicles are particularly difficult to protect as the body is vulnerable to moderate to severe dents by windborne objects. Further, the glass can crack, break or even burst from windborne debris and changes in air pressure. Even if a vehicle is stored in a garage during a storm, vehicles are still subject to damage if the garage structure fails under the intense winds. For example, garage doors are susceptible to being breached as a result of the increased air pressure and debris. 
         [0008]    Others have attempted to create shelters to store and protect vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,236 to Dorame et al. describes a portable carport having a spacer, anchors and support assemblies arranged to hold a cover above the vehicle. However, the carport does not encapsulate the vehicle and does not have a substantial support structure, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to impinging wind and windborne objects. 
         [0009]    Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,321 to Moyet-Ortiz describes a portable vehicle garage structure having a plurality of support members extending upwardly from support members, wherein the support members are positioned underneath a wheel of the vehicle. A cover is placed over the support members. While the shelter attempts to encapsulate the vehicle, the structure is not aerodynamically shaped and impinging air can easily pass beneath the cover. Therefore, the portable garage structure cannot withstand the force of impinging wind and windborne objects. Further, this structure does not rely on the vehicle for support and can be constructed without the vehicle present since it is self-supporting. 
         [0010]    What is needed then is a method and apparatus for encapsulating a vehicle to protect the vehicle from severe weather. 
         [0011]    An aerodynamic shaped apparatus for protecting a vehicle is also needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a protection system for a vehicle positioned on a surface which includes a plurality of struts extending along a surface and terminating at a periphery spaced from the vehicle. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide an encapsulation system to protect a vehicle from severe weather which increases in volume in response to impinging air. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of protecting a vehicle by forming an aerodynamic structure that is secured by the weight of the vehicle. 
         [0015]    In accordance with the forgoing objects, the present invention includes a protection system for a vehicle on a surface. The protection system includes a lower frame having a plurality of struts projecting from the vehicle. The struts extend along the surface, such as a ground surface, and terminate at a periphery spaced from the vehicle. The vehicle protection system also includes a brace disposed on the vehicle and a flexible material coupling the brace to the periphery of the lower frame. 
         [0016]    The present invention also comprises an encapsulation system including a plurality of anchors, a brace, and a flexible material. Each of the anchors has at least two struts projecting from the anchors, extending along a surface, and terminating at a spaced location. A brace is disposed above the plurality of anchors and is coupled to the spaced location of the struts by a flexible material. 
         [0017]    The encapsulation system can include adjustable strut channels to accommodate vehicles of various sizes by changing the distance of the spaced periphery. A person having ordinary skill in the art can determine a preferred range of encapsulation system sizes that accommodates a particular category of vehicles. 
         [0018]    The invention also includes the steps of protecting a vehicle from weather including positioning an anchor beneath a tire of the vehicle, disposing a lower frame having a plurality of struts around the vehicle, suspending a brace on a roof of the vehicle, encapsulating the vehicle with a flexible material having a perimeter edge, and releasably securing the perimeter edge of the flexible material to the lower frame. 
         [0019]    The invention will now be described in detail in terms of the drawings and the description which follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a protection system showing a vehicle encapsulated in a flexible material supported by a brace and a lower frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the lower frame shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an anchor plate of the protection system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the anchor plate of  FIG. 4 , taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the brace of a protection system for the vehicle. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the protection system encapsulating the vehicle. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the anchor of the protection system for the vehicle showing strut channels receiving struts and the flexible material releasably secured to the struts. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the anchor of the protection system for the vehicle showing the flexible material releasably secured to the struts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that the use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle protection system  10  for a vehicle  12 . The vehicle protection system  10  broadly comprises a brace  14 , a lower frame  16  comprising a plurality of struts  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c , and  18   d , and a flexible material  20 . It should be apparent that vehicle means any transportation device, for example, compact, mid-sized or full-sized cars, trucks, vans, minivans, boats (including boats mounted on trailers), etc. The struts  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c  extend along a surface and terminate at a periphery spaced from the vehicle  12 . By “surface” is meant to refer to the ground surface or other type of surface the vehicle  12  is positioned on. The struts  18   d  are also referred to herein as perimeter rods and surround the vehicle  12  proximal to the terminal ends of the struts  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c , defining the spaced periphery. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the struts  18   a - 18   d  are substantially parallel to the ground surface. By “substantially parallel” it is meant that the struts  18   a - 18   c  lie in a plane having an angle that is less than 20 degrees from the ground surface, preferably less than 10 degrees and more preferably less than 5 degrees. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the terminal ends  22  of the struts  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c  are connected, via connectors  24 , to perimeter rods  18   d  disposed along the spaced periphery. It should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the distance of the spaced periphery is adjustable and determined according to the preferred “angle of incidence” of wind and debris deflecting off the surface of the flexible material  20 . That is, without the vehicle protection system  10 , a significant amount of wind and debris will strike the surface of the vehicle  12  “straight-on” meaning at a line perpendicular to the surface of the vehicle  12 . The vehicle protection system  10 , however, includes the flexible material  20  having angled sides that will cause a significant amount of wind and debris to strike the surface of the system  10  at an “angle of incidence,” wherein the wind and debris will be deflected at an angle from the line perpendicular to a planar surface of flexible material  20 . The angle of incidence is preferably, greater than 5 degrees, more preferably greater than 25 degrees and even more preferably greater than 45 degrees. 
         [0031]    This angle of incidence is a vector that can be resolved into a horizontal component and a perpendicular component. Having a greater angle of incidence increases the horizontal component magnitude and decreases the perpendicular component magnitude. Decreasing the perpendicular component magnitude will reduce the amount of force the vehicle protection system  10  sustains when struck by wind and debris. Thus, increasing the spaced periphery distance, that is the distance from the vehicle to the perimeter rods  18   d , reduces the angle between the flexible material  20  and the ground surface, increases the angle of incidence of wind and debris striking the surface of the flexible material  20 , and thereby reduces the force sustained by the protection system  10 . 
         [0032]    Further, the spacing between the vehicle  12  and the flexible material  20  allows the impact to be absorbed away from the vehicle  12 , leaving the vehicle  12  sheltered from hurricane force winds, heavy rain, and debris. 
         [0033]    The connectors  24  include openings  26  wherein opening  26  receives the terminal end  22  of one of the struts  18   a ,  18   b ,  18   c , and  18   d.  The connectors  24  can be block-shaped, round, triangular, etc. In a preferred embodiment, a connector  19  has openings disposed on different planes and at predetermined angles that correspond to the angle of the converging terminal ends  28  of the struts  18   d.  The struts  18   a  and  18   b  can project perpendicularly from anchor plates  30 , wherein the struts  18   a  extend from the front or the back of the vehicle  12 , depending on whether the anchor  30  is positioned in front of or behind the vehicle. The struts  18   b  and  18   c  extend from the side of the vehicle  12 . The struts  18   c  preferably extend from the anchor plate  30  at an angle suitable for providing additional support to the lower frame  16 . The struts  18   a - 18   d  and the connectors  24  can be made of any impact resistant material, including but not limited to metal, fiberglass, stainless steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, high durometer plastic, polyurethane, etc. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the anchor plate  30 , in one embodiment, has a substantially rectangular base  32  having an inclined entry ramp  34  and rear stop  36  on both ends  37 ,  39 . Although dual inclined entry ramps  34  on each anchor  30  are not required, dual inclined entry ramps  34  are preferable to allow the anchor plate  30  to be used at any position and orientation. 
         [0035]    The anchor plates  30  are preferably disposed under the wheels of the vehicle. That is, one of the inclined entry ramps  34  of each anchor plate  30  is preferably placed immediately in front of each wheel of a vehicle, such that the vehicle can be moved forward onto the anchor plates  30 . Alternatively, one of the inclined entry ramps  34  of each anchor plate  30  is placed behind each wheel, such that the vehicle is moved backwards onto the anchor plates  30 . The weight of the vehicle  12 , therefore, secures the protecting system  10  in place. It should be apparent that the anchor plate  30 , instead, can be secured to the ground. The anchor plate  30  can be made of any impact resistant, load bearing, material such as stainless steel, plastic, aluminum or other types of metals, or fiberglass. In a preferred embodiment, anchor plates  30  are placed under four wheels of the vehicle  12 , however, more or fewer anchor plates  30  can be used to accommodate vehicles  12  having fewer or more wheels. For example, only two or three anchor plates  30  are used in a vehicle protection system  10  configured for a boat trailer. Each anchor plate  30  preferably includes strut channels  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c.  The strut channels  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c  are each configured to receive the terminal end  28  of struts  18   a ,  18   b , or  18   c , respectively. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment of the invention, the strut channels  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c  are each through-bores, allowing each strut  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c  to extend entirely through one of the channels  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c , thereby providing an adjustable vehicle protection system  10 . In this embodiment, the channels  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c  are preferably disposed along different planes and can include a releasable clamping mechanism  40  to retain the struts  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c  in a desired position. The releasable clamping mechanism  40  may comprise collars abutting the channel openings on each side of the through-bore, compression rings tightened via a release lever, or a similar mechanism known by those having ordinary skill in the art. The struts  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  can also include threaded terminal ends  28  that are received by threaded openings  26 . Alternatively, the connectors  24  can include a locking mechanism arranged to engage the struts  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c.  More specifically, a spring biased cam can be actuated to engage protruding notches along the terminal ends  28  of the struts  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c.  A further locking mechanism includes a cam having an eccentric disk that engages the terminal end  28  of a strut  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  when actuated. One skilled in the art would appreciate that other locking mechanisms can be used to secure the struts  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  in the desired position. 
         [0037]    The perimeter rods  18   d  can also be adjustable, for example via telescopic joints or ball and spring joint mechanisms, to change the distance of the circumference. More preferably, the struts  18   d  have four perpendicularly disposed adjustable assembly mechanisms  19  that allow the perimeter of the struts  18   d  to be adjusted. The vehicle protection system  10 , therefore, can be adjusted by the consumer to accommodate vehicles of various sizes. For example, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that the vehicle protection system  10  can be manufactured to accommodate most sized sedans and then adjusted by the consumer to accommodate the length, width and shape of the particular vehicle. Further, the vehicle protection system  10  can be utilized within a garage by reducing the distance of the spaced periphery accordingly. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle protection system  10  includes twelve struts  18   a - 18   c , eight perimeter rods  18   d  and four anchors  30 , wherein a set of three struts  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  project from each of the four anchors  30 . The brace  14  and the lower frame  16  are coupled via the flexible material  20 . A plurality of struts  18   d  can be connected via bungee cords, allowing the struts  18   d  to be more easily assembled. 
         [0039]    As show in  FIGS. 5-6 , the brace  14  is disposed on the roof of the vehicle  12  and includes a platform disposed to hold the flexible material  20  distal to the vehicle  12 . Preferably, the brace  14  is a frusto-pyramidal shaped platform having a width greater than the width of the vehicle  12 . That is, the brace  14  preferably has a length in the range of ten to forty feet, a width in the range of six to twenty feet, and a height in the range of four to sixteen feet. In another embodiment of the invention, the brace  14  is sized to accommodate a recreational vehicle (RV) and includes a platform that has a length in the range of twenty to forty-four feet, a width in the range of six to twenty feet and a height in the range of one to five feet. The brace  14  provides additional support for the flexible material  20  and further protects the windshield and the back window of the vehicle  12 . The brace  14  can include two extension poles that project from the brace  14  to the hood and trunk of a vehicle  12  which may be especially useful for larger or longer vehicles, such as station wagons, recreational vehicles (RV), sport utility vehicles (SUV) and minivans. 
         [0040]    The brace  14  includes suspension posts  42  coupling an upper platform-section  44  and a lower platform-section  46 . The brace  14  is releasably secured to the roof of the vehicle  12  via a suspension system. The suspension system may comprise a plurality of suction cups  50 . Alternatively, or in addition to the suction cups  50 , the brace suspension system can comprise a plurality of elasticized ropes  52  having one end secured to a portion of the upper platform-section  44  or lower platform-section  46  and one end connecting to the window frame of the vehicle  12 . That is, the elasticized ropes  52  may include clips  54  disposed at the terminal ends of the elasticized ropes  52  which fasten to the upper section of the window frame of the vehicle  12 . Alternatively, the elasticized ropes  52  can be connected to the bottom of the vehicle frame, especially for a sports car protection system arrangement. In an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle protection system  10  includes a pad  56  between the brace  14  and the roof of the vehicle  12 . The pad  56  may be constructed of rubber, plastic or polyurethane. By “pad” it is meant that any form of moldable, cushioning material configurable in various shapes, including square or rectangular blocks, can be used. The brace  14  can be constructed of any lightweight, load bearing material such as plastic, fiberglass, and lightweight metal. The brace  14  can also be made of lightweight metal alloys such as aluminum alloy or titanium alloy. 
         [0041]    The suspension posts  42 , upper platform-section  44  and lower platform-section  46  can be connected by a plurality of connectors  24 . Utilizing the connectors  24  made of a flexible material as discussed supra, allows the brace  14  to tilt in the direction of impinging air. 
         [0042]    The flexible material  20  is disposed over the vehicle  12  and the brace  14 . The flexible material  20 , having at least some tensility, encapsulates the vehicle  12  and is coupled to the lower frame  16  providing a barrier from hurricane force winds, heavy rains, and windborne debris. That is, the flexible material  20  can be pulled taut around the lower frame  16  and spaced away from the roof of the vehicle via the brace  14  allowing the vehicle protection system  10  to be impact resistant. Alternatively, the flexible material  20  can have an elastic characteristic that allows the flexible material  20  to change shape in response to debris striking the flexible material  20  and then return to its original form when the force is removed. Either the tensile strain or elasticity of the material will reduce the acceleration of windborne debris over a longer period of time and reduce the force of the impact according to Newton&#39;s second law of motion (F=ma). Therefore, the force of the debris impact will be reduced since it will have a longer time to decelerate. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment of the invention, the flexible material  20  is air permeable, which permits the flexible material  20  to inflate in response to impinging air. The air permeability of the flexible material  20  increases a magnitude of an internal pressure of the encapsulated area which increases a corresponding volume of the encapsulated area and forms a protective barrier around the vehicle  12 . The inflated barrier enhances the protective capabilities of the vehicle protection system  10  by dissipating the kinetic energy of a windborne object to cushion the impact. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the flexible material  20  can be releasably secured to the perimeter rods  18   d  by bottom hooks  58 , disposed along a perimeter edge  60  of the flexible material  20 . The flexible material  20  can also include a second set of hooks  62  positioned at a pre-determined distance above the perimeter edge  60  of the flexible material  20 . This second set of hooks  62  permits limited vertical adjustments of the flexible material  20  according to the distance of the spaced periphery. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the term “hooks” should include any type of mechanism used to fasten the flexible material  20  to the perimeter edge  60 . For example, hooks may include carabineers, Velcro® loops, string, rope, sip ties, etc. 
         [0045]    In use, the vehicle  12  is protected from weather by positioning a plurality of anchors  30  beneath the wheels of the vehicle  12 . That is, anchors  30  are placed in front of approximately preferably four wheels of the vehicle  12  and the vehicle  12  advances thereon. The vehicle  12  will not be able to move forward when the wheels contact the rear stop  36 . The plurality of struts  18   a - 18   d  are disposed around the vehicle  12 , wherein at least two of the struts  18   a  and  18   b  are coupled to each of the anchors  30 . The brace  14  is disposed on the roof of the vehicle  12  by the suspension system including suction cups  50  and/or elasticized  52  ropes connected to the window frames of the vehicle  12 . The vehicle is then encapsulated with the flexible material  20  having a perimeter edge  60 . The perimeter edge  60  is secured to the lower frame  16  by the bottom hooks  58 , or the second set of hooks  62 . 
         [0046]    There has thus been described a method for protecting a vehicle from weather and an apparatus used in conjunction with the above-described method. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made in the method and apparatus described herein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention which accordingly are intended to be limited solely by the appended claims. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST: 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 Vehicle Protection System 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Vehicle 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 Brace 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 Lower Frame 
               
               
                   
                 18a 
                 Struts 
               
               
                   
                 18b 
                 Struts 
               
               
                   
                 18c 
                 Struts 
               
               
                   
                 18d 
                 Struts or Perimeter Rods 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 Assembly Mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Flexible Material 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Terminal Ends 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 Connectors 
               
               
                   
                 26a 
                 Openings 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 Terminal Ends 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 Anchor Plate 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Rectangular Base 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 Inclined Entry Ramp 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Rear Stop 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 End 
               
               
                   
                 38a 
                 Strut Channel 
               
               
                   
                 38b 
                 Strut Channel 
               
               
                   
                 38c 
                 Strut Channel 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 End 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Clamping Mechanism 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Suspension Post 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Upper Platform-Section 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 Lower Platform-Section 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 Suction Cups 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 Elasticized Ropes 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 Clips 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 Pad 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 Bottom Hooks 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 Perimeter Edge 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 Second Set of Hooks