Patent Publication Number: US-2018049527-A1

Title: System for Protecting Vehicles from Debris

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/792,328 filed Jul. 6, 2015, which is a non-provisional of and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/188,024 filed Jul. 2, 2015 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although there have been many advances in automobile design, virtually all automobiles still maintain a rain gutter region for safely collecting and dispersing water that runs off of the automobile windshield. With all of the advances in design and configuration, the rain gutter region still provides a difficulty in that debris continually accumulates thereon. The present invention provides a simple way to protect the automobile rain gutter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides several embodiments for an assembly to protect the automobile rain gutter from accumulation of debris. In one embodiment, a rectangular main body is constructed and arranged to cover the interface of the automobile windshield and the automobile hood, thus covering the automobile rain gutter. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a single band incorporated within the assembly along the horizontal edge closest to the driver, and suction cups along the horizontal edge away from the driver. The edges are all contemplated being reinforced for strength and stability. In one embodiment, the securing means of the assembly include adjustable straps. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention is an assembly for protecting the rain gutter of an automobile, said assembly comprising: a main assembly body, having a first longitudinal edge, nearest to said automobile front end and a second longitudinal edge furthest from said automobile front edge, a first horizontal edge nearest to a driver side of said automobile, and a second horizontal edge, nearest to a passenger side of said automobile; a first securing means attached to said first horizontal edge, and a second securing means attached to said second horizontal edge, whereby said assembly is constructed and arranged to cover the rain gutter of an automobile. 
     The edges define a shape that is somewhat rectangular although with rounded corner regions. 
     Although horizontal and vertical edges are used to define the boundary of the main body, these terms are relative as seen in the figures. The edges are not strictly linear as they follow the curvature of the main body. 
     In one embodiment, the first securing means and second securing means are straps constructed and arranged to attach to existing rear view mirrors of an automobile. 
     In one embodiment, the main assembly body is an automobile rain gutter cover. 
     In one embodiment, the main assembly body is an automobile rain gutter cover includes one or more suction cups positioned along said first longitudinal edge. That is to say, the suction cups are on the edge furthest from the driver, which is also the edge closest to the front of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the main assembly body is an automobile rain gutter cover includes one or more suction cups positioned along said first longitudinal edge and one or more suction cups positioned along said second longitudinal edge. The second edge is the horizontal edge closest to the driver. 
     In one embodiment, the main assembly body includes an elastic member along said second longitudinal edge. 
     In one embodiment, the first securing means and second securing means are adjustable straps constructed and arranged to attach to existing rear view mirrors of said automobile. 
     In one embodiment, the assembly is further comprising a windshield cover having a lower longitudinal edge and an upper longitudinal edge, said windshield cover is attached to said main body, wherein said lower longitudinal edge of said windshield cover is attached to said second longitudinal edge of said main body. 
     In one embodiment, the windshield cover permanently attached to said main body. 
     In one embodiment, the windshield cover removably attached to said main body. 
     In one embodiment, the windshield cover includes one or more suction cups along said upper longitudinal edge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an automobile affixed with the windshield gutter guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an automobile affixed with the windshield gutter guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side enlarged view of the windshield gutter guard according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the rooftop portion from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the elastic strap portion from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of one embodiment including a strap handle from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of one embodiment including a strap handle from  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As generally understood, the present invention includes a windshield gutter guard assembly  10  that is constructed and arranged to affix to an automobile  12  and generally is configured to cover the interface between an automobile windshield and the automobile hood where debris typically accumulates. Although the figures demonstrate a standard passenger automobile, the present assembly  10  is contemplated as being customizable for any vehicle. In one embodiment, assembly  10  includes a pair of looped straps  20  affixed to opposite ends of assembly  10  such that looped straps  20  are constructed and arranged to secure assembly  10  in position on automobile  10  by wrapping around existing automobile side-view mirrors  14 . Assembly  10  includes, in one embodiment as demonstrated in  FIG. 2 , windshield cover  16  and gutter cover  18 . In one embodiment, each of windshield cover  16  and gutter cover  18  are formed of separate materials that are permanently attached. In another embodiment, windshield cover  16  and gutter cover  18  are formed of a single unitary piece of material. 
     In one embodiment, assembly  10  includes only gutter cover  18  as the main body of assembly  10 . 
     In one embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 4 , automobile windshield  13  is covered by windshield cover portion  16  and looped strap  20  is positioned on the lower portion of windshield  13  above automobile rain gutter  22 . Gutter cover  18  is formed to cover the entirety of automobile rain gutter  22  and is secured onto automobile  12  utilizing one or more lower suction cups  24  positioned on assembly  10  for securing onto the hood of automobile  12 . In the embodiment demonstrated in  FIG. 4 , assembly  10  further includes a fabric edge trim  26  along the lower edge of assembly  10 . In one embodiment, demonstrated in  FIG. 6 , assembly  10  includes fabric edge trim  26  placed along the upper portion of assembly  10  and upper suction cup  28  constructed and arranged to attach to either the front windshield or the roof of an automobile  12 . 
     As demonstrated in  FIG. 7 , looped strap  20  is constructed and arranged as a complete loop that wraps around each of the opposing automobile side-view mirrors  14 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 8 , each of looped straps  20  further includes strap handle  30  and strap securing belt  32  for tightening assembly  10  into a taut position. In one embodiment, as demonstrated in  FIG. 9 , strap  20  has a plurality of grommet openings  36  in which a locking mechanism  34  including securing through a grommet  36  is contemplated with the present invention. In this configuration, lock  34  passed through paired opposing grommets  36 , as shown, will serve to shorten the amount of open space between in strap  20 . Although the figure demonstrates a standard padlock, the present invention is not intended to be limited to such. 
     As generally understood, the present invention provides an assembly  10  for protecting an automobile rain gutter  22  from accumulation of debris. A user will stretch assembly  10  across the front of the vehicle and secure a first end to one side of the automobile, and the second end to the opposite side of the automobile. Although the figures demonstrate this securing utilizing the looped straps  20  secured to opposing rear-view mirrors  14 , the present invention, in one embodiment, is contemplated as including any acceptable securing mechanism that stretches assembly  10  across the front of automobile  12  and covers automobile rain gutter  22 . 
     In one embodiment, the assembly  10  is constructed and arranged of material suitable for protection from snow. 
     In another embodiment, assembly  10  of the present invention is configured to be placed over the rear window, or rear windshield of the car and protect the interface between the rear windshield and the trunk. 
     In use, a user will position assembly  10  flat on automobile  12 . The user will further position secure assembly  10  such that automobile rain gutter  22  is covered by assembly  10 . The user will then secure assembly  10  into a secure position, thus preventing debris from accumulating in the automobile rain gutter  22 . 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.