Patent Publication Number: US-7222562-B2

Title: Electromagnetic vehicle cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION —FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention protects the exterior of a vehicle from projectiles and is affixed by electromagnets. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—PRIOR ART 
   The retrofitting of vehicles with armor to protect the exterior of the vehicle or passengers has been described in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 1,913,554 to Luker (1933) is one such example, in which armor plating is affixed to the front of a vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,363,573 to Costa (1944) discloses an armored shell, albeit to install the armored shell entails that all parts not essential to the operation of the vehicle need to be removed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,316 to Medlin (1982) discloses a lightweight armored vehicle and method of making same using woven polyester glass protective sheets. In Medlin (1982), the interior furnishings must be stripped, doors, and windows rebuilt in order to mount a bullet-proof, transparent window. U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,954 to Medlin (2001) discloses prefabricated, lightweight composite armor that protects the interior cab of a vehicle, but not the rest of the vehicle, e.g. hood, side panels, and trunk. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,035 to Madden, Jr. (1994) discloses a bullet-proof apparatus for the back side of a front seat. Another bullet-proof assembly, this time for the interior side of a door panel, is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,158 to Yang (2000). Another example of retrofitting of the interior with armor is U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,689 to Lair et al (2000). 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,898 to McDonald (1974) discloses a transparent, bullet-proof plastic panel fastened by metal clips or fabric straps to the windshield and windows. McDonald (1974) also discusses a protective panel that can be attached to the inside of a side door or other parts of the vehicle. 
   In the prior art, examples of removable armor include U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,719 to Madden, Jr. (1998). Madden, Jr. (1998) discloses a flexible, bullet-proof curtain that secures to the interior side of a door. U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,500 to Podvin (1996) discloses a bullet-proof panel affixed to the exterior surface of a door, in which the shape conforms to the contour of the sheet metal. To fasten a protective layer to the vehicle, magnets have been employed in several instances in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,147,176 to Haslam (1964) is a magnetic protector strip for a car door. U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,015 to McNeil (1989) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,145 to McNeil (1994) disclose a motor vehicle body protection apparatus which covers part of the exterior of door, and is affixed by magnets. However, McNeil&#39;s disclosure is only meant to cover a strip of the door, enough to protect the door from another vehicle&#39;s door, as commonly encountered in the context of a parking lot. U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,462 to Michaelson (2000) discloses a bullet-proof blanket, affixed by magnets, for use with law enforcement vehicles such as police vehicles. Conceived to be first installed when the officer happens upon a shootout, Michaelson&#39;s (2000) disclosure is therefore intended for stationary use only, that is, for the duration of the shootout. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,782 B2 to Bond (2002) discloses a small, light-weight, bullet-proof shield affixed on the side of a vehicle door, including a magnetic backing covered by a bullet-proof mesh material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,442 to Bartuski (1990) discloses a magnetized ferrous ceramic material encapsulated in a fiberglass layer. 
   A great deal of income is spent on the purchase of vehicles. While many of the vehicles produced have the capability to be used off-road, most are only used in an urban context. Excessive body damage such as scratches or dents from off-road use entail high repair costs. Not only are the repair costs expensive but the re-sale value of the vehicle decreases. The present invention, therefore, is primarily intended to protect the side panels of a vehicle when used both on-road or off-road. By use of a lightweight yet bullet-proof strength, protective polymeric material, potential damage to the exterior of a vehicle by sunlight, branches, projected rocks or other obstacles may be reduced. 
   With minor modifications, the present invention may be used in civilian, police, or military use. In police or military use, the cost of the protective cover is intended to be well below the cost entailed in the process of retrofitting armor to a vehicle. According to the shape of the vehicle, the electromagnetic protective cover may be tailored for an exact fit. Or, the protective cover may also be tailored to fit over a frame (e.g. a soft top) to cover passengers sitting in the back of a truck, or completely cover a vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle. The present invention, moreover, may be removed after the life span of a vehicle has expired and affixed to another vehicle. 
   A main novelty of the device is the use of electromagnetism. Electromagnetism ensures a close fit of the protective cover to the exterior of a vehicle. As long as current runs to the electromagnets, they are strongly affixed to the exterior of the vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   A main object of the protective cover is to decrease or eliminate vehicular body damage as a consequence of regular on-road or off-road use regardless of road conditions and weather. 
   It is an object to tightly affix the protective cover to the body of the vehicle by way of electromagnetism. By sending current through insulated wire, which is wound around temporary magnets, a magnetic field is created around each soft iron bar. 
   It is an object to use the protective cover in either civilian, police, or military applications with modification according to the purpose. In the case of passengers occupying the back of the military truck, the protective cover may be expanded to fit over a roll-cage. 
   Another object is that the protective cover can be folded when not in use, placed in a suitcase, and stored in the trunk. Prior to off-road use, the protective cover can be quickly placed over the body of the vehicle. 
   It is an object that the external layer is made of a protective, water-proof material such as polypropylene in order to protect the electromagnets and insulated wires. After off-road use, the protective cover may be cleaned with water. 
   Another object is that an inner layer of the protective cover includes a bullet-proof material. 
   In order to deter theft when current does not flow to the temporary magnets, an object is to include a main strap and main strap lock. As deemed necessary, more straps and locks may be added to the design. 
   To ensure quick entry and exit from the vehicle, even when the protective cover is in place, an object is to include quick releasing latches located at the top of the doors. Once the latches are closed, a covering made of Velcro.RTM is pulled over the perforation and latches. The latches can be locked. 
   Another object is that a rounded pad, potentially made of rubber or plastic, protects the corners of the vehicle from contact with obstacles. Attached to the bottom of the rounded pad, an upper frame houses the insulated wire between a panel to an adjacent panel. 
   Another object is that an electrical plug on a panel and socket on an adjacent panel are located at the ends of the upper frame. When the plug and socket are connected, electrical current flows to each electromagnet. 
   A final object is to include permanent magnets to hold the protective cover in place during mounting or when current does not flow to the electromagnets. 
   SUMMARY 
   Affixed by electromagnets to the body of a vehicle, the cover affords bullet-proof protection to the vehicle during on-road and off-road use. 

   
     DRAWINGS—FIGURES 
     The annexed drawings supplement the text in order to give a comprehensive description of the protective cover. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one panel of the protective cover. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one panel of the protective cover, minus the bullet-proof layer and water-proof layer. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of one panel of the protective cover. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of one panel of the protective cover, attached to the exterior of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the protective cover with perforations closed. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the protective cover with perforations closed, showing the general locations of the electromagnets. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the protective cover with perforations open. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the protective cover with perforations opened, attached to the exterior of a vehicle. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the protective cover with perforations closed, attached to the exterior of a vehicle. 
   

   DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   
       
         10  protective cover 
         12  main strap 
         14  main strap lock 
         16  underside lock 
         20  rounded pad 
         22  latch on rounded pad 
         24  Velcro.RTM cover 
         26  zipper 
         28  fasteners 
         30  electrical plug 
         32  electrical socket 
         34  upper frame 
         36  insulated wire 
         38  iron bar 
         40  iron head 
         42  rubber layer with inlaid pattern 
         44  lower frame 
         46  bullet-proof layer 
         48  water-proof layer 
         50  body of vehicle 
     
  
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   To better understand the preferred embodiment, the following description of figures is useful. 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an individual panel of the protective cover, showing all layers involved. Rounded pad  20  is indicated at the top and bottom of the protective cover. Below and attached to rounded pad  20  is upper frame  34 . Insulated wire  36  enters and exits each panel of the protective cover through upper frame  34 . The parallel configuration of soft iron bars  38  is shown in  FIG. 1  with the positive side (iron head  40 ) next to an adjacent electromagnet and its negative side (iron bar  38 ). The soft iron bars (plus iron heads) are housed within a rubber panel  42 . According to the shape of soft iron bar  38  and head  40 , a pattern is cut-out in the rubber panel with inlaid pattern  42 . By housing the electromagnets in a rubber panel, movement of electromagnets is restricted. With current, insulated wire  36 , tightly wound around each soft iron bar, creates a magnetic field around each soft iron bar  38 . Iron head  40  becomes the side of the electromagnet with attraction to the steel body of a vehicle. Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is a bullet-proof layer  46  over the electromagnets. Finally, over the protective panel, a water-proof layer  48  is seen. At the bottom of the protective cover, lower frame  44  provides support. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an individual panel of the protective cover as in  FIG. 1  but minus the outer two layers (bullet-proof layer  46  and water-proof layer  48 ). 
     FIG. 3  is a front view of an individual panel of the protective cover. In  FIG. 3 , rounded pad  20  is connected to upper frame  34 . Through upper frame  34 , insulated wire  36  connects from panel to adjacent panel. In the rubber panel with inlaid pattern  42 , electromagnets consisting of iron bar  38  and iron head  40  are shown. At the bottom of the panel and attached to rounded pad  20  is lower frame  44 . 
     FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an individual panel of the protective cover, as attached directly with iron head  40  to body of vehicle  50 . The upper frame  34  connects to rounded pad  20 , upper part of the electromagnet or iron head  40 , bullet-proof layer  46 , and water-proof layer  48 . At the bottom of the protective cover is lower frame  44 , connected to rounded pad  20 . 
   In  FIG. 5 , protective cover  10  is shown in a perspective view, unattached to a vehicle. All perforations are closed, including main strap  12 , main strap lock  14 , and underside lock  16 . Forming a frame on the top and bottom of protective cover  10  is rounded pad  20 , and latch on rounded pad  22 . 
   In  FIG. 6 , protective cover  10  is shown in a perspective view as in  FIG. 5  with the addition of electromagnets, indicated by iron bar  38  and iron head  40 . All perforations are closed. All components are shown as in  FIG. 5 , including main strap  12 , main strap lock  14 , underside lock  16 , rounded pad  20 , and latch on rounded pad  22 . 
   In  FIG. 7 , protective cover  10  is shown in a perspective view but the perforations are opened, symbolizing attaching or detaching the protective cover. Main strap  12  and main strap lock  14  are unfastened. Below the vehicle, the location of underside lock  16  is indicated. Rounded pad  20  opens at the door, as well as at the front and rear of the vehicle. The Velcro.RTM cover  24  is opened at the door, as well as at the front and rear of the vehicle. Along the perforations at the hinge side of the door is zipper  26 . Along the perforations at the doors, fasteners  28  are shown and meant for quick release and reattachment. Electrical plug  30  and electrical socket  32  are indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , protective cover  10  is shown in a perspective view as attached to the exterior of a vehicle, but all perforations are opened. Main strap  12  and main strap lock  14  are opened. Underside lock  16 , located under the front bumper, is opened. At the door opening, on the end of rounded pad  20 , latch on rounded pad  22  is opened. The Velcro.RTM cover  24  is also opened. 
   In  FIG. 9 , protective cover  10  is shown in a perspective view as attached to the exterior of a vehicle as in  FIG. 8 , but all perforations are closed. Main strap  12  and main strap lock  14  are closed. Underside lock  16 , located under the front bumper, is closed. At the door opening, latch on rounded pad  22  is closed, and rounded pad  20  forms a frames along the perimeter of the vehicle. The Velcro.RTM cover  24  is also closed.