Patent Publication Number: US-2010119304-A1

Title: Collapsible parking pad

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/112,734 filed Nov. 8, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known from the prior art (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,670) to provide a vinyl pad with raised sides which can be placed beneath a parked vehicle in a garage, maintenance, or storage area to catch melting snow, water, sand, salts, solvents, oils, mud and dirt falling off the vehicle and contain the material on the pad. However, the prior art does not fully address the needs of the user of such a pad. 
     The current invention provides for an apparatus which addresses the additional needs beyond that provided by the prior art to a user desirous of controlling detritus falling off of a vehicle (or the like) in a storage area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure in an in-use configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a variation on the parking pad depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional end view of the parking pad depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of another embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a further embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional end view of the parking pad of  FIG. 1  further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial plan view of the parking pad of  FIG. 1  further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the parking pad of  FIG. 1  in use with a collapsible ramp. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a variation of the parking pad depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a variation of the parking pad depicted in  FIG. 12 , showing additional features which can be included with the parking pad of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a side sectional view of a sleeve used with a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure, depicting how more than two elongate curb members can be accommodated within the sleeve. 
         FIG. 15  is an end sectional view of the parking pad of  FIG. 1  depicting the pad in a storage configuration. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a partial end view of the parking pad of  FIG. 16 , depicting how a curb member can be affixed directly to the main body portion of the parking pad. 
         FIG. 18  is an oblique detail of an additional feature that can be used with the parking pad of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The apparatus disclosed and described herewithin for controlling the detritus which can fall from a vehicle addresses several shortcomings of the prior art. For example, while the prior art only describes a pad configured to contain the detritus which can fall off a vehicle, the present disclosure further provides for a means for easily removing the accumulated detritus from the parking pad. 
     Further, the prior art does not recognize the likely seasonal or temporary of use for such an apparatus, and the potential desire of the user to conveniently store the apparatus during periods of non-use, and quickly deploy the apparatus when use is desired. 
     The present disclosure thus provides for a parking pad which addresses the shortcomings of the prior art. In general, the parking pad disclosed herewithin provides for the control of detritus of materials which can fall from a vehicle or the like positioned on the parking pad, and the convenient removal of such materials from the parking pad to a location away from the parking pad. Further, the parking pad disclosed herewithin is configured to be conveniently stored during periods of non-use, and quickly deployed when use is desired. 
     As will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure is a collapsible parking pad, such that a user of the parking pad can conveniently store the parking pad during periods of non-use, and quickly deploy the parking pad when use is desired. Further embodiments provide for means for facilitating removal of detritus from the parking pad. 
     By “parking pad” we mean a portable pad on which a vehicle or the like can be moved onto and off of the pad in the normal course of use. The parking pad can be sized to accommodate various vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks and motorcycles), trailers, and other equipment (e.g., snow blowers, power tillers, lawn mowers, etc.). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric figure depicts a parking pad  10  in accordance with the present disclosure in an in-use configuration. More specifically, a parking pad  10  is depicted as being deployed on a concrete parking slab  8 , with a vehicle  6  placed on the parking pad. The parking pad  10  includes a main body portion  12  which is defined by a first side  14 , a second side  16 , a first end  18 , and a second end  20 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  the main body portion  12  of the parking pad  10  is arranged in a generally rectangular shape. However, other shapes (e.g., triangular, round, etc.) for the main body portion  12  can also be employed, consistent with the overall spirit of the invention. Use of the terms “end” and “side” is not intended to imply any lengthwise relationship—an end may be longer than, shorter than or the same length as a side. Further, the terms “end” and “side” should not be considered as limiting. For example, a pentagonal shaped parking pad will have four contiguous sides which form a barrier perimeter, and one open end to allow removal of detritus from the parking pad. In general, a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure will have at least two sides forming a barrier perimeter, and one open end for the removal of detritus from the parking pad. 
     The main body portion  12  of the parking pad  10  is fabricated from a flexible material to allow the parking pad to be placed in a storage configuration by folding, rolling or some combination thereof. The flexible material used for the main body portion  12  is selected to be essentially, water impermeable, and preferably is also chemically resistant (i.e., resistant to degradation when exposed to oils, grease, gasoline and other fuels and lubricants, salt, chemical ice melters, and other substances which may precipitate from a vehicle onto the parking pad). The flexible material is also preferably resistant to bunching and tearing when a vehicle is moved onto and off of the parking pad. In one example the main body portion  12  is fabricated from nylon sheet. Other exemplary materials for the main body portion  12  can include, without limitation, neoprene rubber, other rubbers, fiber reinforced plastic, low density polyethylene, and ethylene-propylene rubber. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the parking pad  10  of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the parking pad  10  includes a first sleeve  22  which is located proximate the first side  14  of the main body portion  12 , a second sleeve  24  which is located proximate the second side  16  of the main body portion  12 , and a third sleeve  26  which is located proximate the first end  18  of the main body portion  12 . (Note that when the main body portion is in the shape of a triangle, the first and second sides  14  and  16  intersect, and there is essentially no first end  18 , and hence only two sleeves  22  and  24  are present.) The sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be formed integrally with the main body portion  12 . For example, the sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be formed by folding over edge portions of the main body portion  12  and then securing the outer edge of the folded over portion back onto the main body portion. The edge of the folded over portion can be secured to the main body portion  12  by gluing, ultrasonic welding, heat, fasteners, etc. The sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can also be formed separately from the main body portion  12  and thereafter either permanently or removably attached to the main body portion  12 . The sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be removably attached to the main body portion  12  for example by the use of snaps, tongue-and-groove plastic fasteners, and by other means. As depicted, the sleeves  22  and  26  intersect at corner  31 , and sleeves  24  and  26  intersect at corner  33 . Corners  31  and  33  are formed such that sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26  form a continuous barrier around the body portion  12 , leaving only end  20  free for the egress of detritus from the parking pad  10 . When the main body portion  12  and the sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26  are formed from a continuous sheet of material, then corners  31  and  33  are formed by gathering excess sheet material at the proximate ends of the sleeves and securing the excess sheet material to itself by gluing, heat welding, fasteners or other means. 
     The sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be fabricated from the same material as the main body portion  12 . However, since a vehicle to be placed on the parking pad  10  will typically enter and leave the parking pad via the second end  20  (which does not include a sleeve), the sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  will typically not be subjected to the same wear and tear as the main body portion  12 . Accordingly, the sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be fabricated from a material which is thinner than the main body portion  12 , thus allowing the sleeves to be more easily rolled or folded along with the main body portion when the parking pad  10  is placed in a storage configuration. An exemplary alternative material for the sleeves  22 ,  24 ,  26  is flashspun high-density polyethylene fiber sheet material (one example of which is sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company under the trademark brand name of Tyvek®. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the parking pad  10  includes elongate curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  which are sized to be received within respective first, second and third sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26 . The elongate curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  provide structure to the respective sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26  such that the sleeves form a perimeter barrier to prevent migration of detritus off of the main body portion  12  at sides  14  and  16 , and first end  18 , of the main body portion  12 . It will, however, be noted that since no curb member is present at the second end  20  of the main body portion  12 , detritus falling onto the main body portion can easily be removed from the parking pad  10  at this essentially unobstructed second end. 
     The elongate curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  are preferably fabricated from an essentially resilient light weight material. An exemplary material of fabrication for the elongate curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  is polyethylene foam. The use of an essentially resilient material for the curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  is desirable since it will allow the curb members to resume their shape if stepped on by a person or driven over by a vehicle. Further, the use of a light weight material for the curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  is desirable since it reduces weight of the overall parking pad  10 , which is a consideration when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration. One source for the curb members  50 ,  52  and  54  is so-called pool noodles, which are used as personal flotation assist devices in swimming pools and the like. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the parking pad  10  can also include an apron  28  which extends the main body portion  12  away from the second end  20  of the parking pad. The use of an apron  28  can allow the parking pad  10  to be placed, for example, with the second end  20  at a garage door opening, such that detritus falling on the main body portion  12  can be easily removed onto a driveway outside of the garage. While the apron  28  is depicted in  FIG. 2  as being a separate component, it can also be continuous with the main body portion  12 . 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the parking pad  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the variation that the elongate curb member  50  of  FIG. 2  is depicted in  FIG. 3  as being in multiple component parts. Specifically, in  FIG. 3  first sleeve  22  is depicting as receiving curb member components  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c . It will be appreciated that elongate curb members  52  and  54  can also be provided as component parts rather than as single units. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , sleeve  24  is provided with an elongate opening or slit  32  to allow the curb member  52  to be inserted into the sleeve. Likewise, sleeve  26  is provided with elongate opening or slit  34  to allow the curb member  54  to be inserted into the sleeve. In similar manner, sleeve  22  is provided with elongate openings or slits  30   a  and  30   b  to allow the curb member  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c  to be inserted into the sleeve. Specifically, elongate curb member  50   a  can first be inserted into elongate opening  30   a . Elongate curb member  50   b  can then be inserted into elongate opening  30   a , and finally elongate curb member  50   c  can be inserted into elongate opening  30   b . The elongate openings  30   a ,  30   b ,  32  and  34  are preferably formed in the bottom of respective sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26  so that water will not collect in the sleeves. The elongate openings  30   a ,  30   b ,  32  and  34  can also be temporarily sealable by the use of snaps, tongue-and-groove seals, hook-and-loop fasteners and the like. By providing the elongate openings  30   a ,  30   b ,  32  and  34  as either open slits, or as temporarily sealable slits, the curb members  50   a ,  50   b ,  52  and  54  can be easily installed in the sleeves  22 ,  24  and  24  for quick and easy deployment, and easily removed from the sleeves for quick storage, of the parking pad  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is an end sectional view of the parking pad  10  of  FIG. 2 . While the elongate curb members  50  and  52  are depicted in  FIG. 4  as being round or circular in cross section, all of the curb member  50 ,  52  and  54  can be other shapes in cross section as well, such as triangular, square, rectangular, elliptical, etc. 
     In addition to providing parking pads having fixed length and width dimensions (as indicated in  FIG. 2 ), the present disclosure also provides for parking pads having variable length and width dimensions. Turning now to  FIG. 5 , an adjustable length parking pad  100  is depicted in plan view. The parking pad  100  includes a main body portion  112  which comprises a first or upper body portion  112   a  and a second or lower body portion  112   b . The first and second body portions  112   a  and  112   b  overlap in region  113 , and slide along one another in directions “A” and “B” in this region  113  such that the length “L” of the parking pad  100  can be adjusted. Advantageously the exposed edge  115  of the body portion  112   a  is proximate the second end  120  of the parking pad  100 . In this way any water or other detritus moving in direction “A” towards the open end  120  of the parking pad  100  will cascade from the first body portion  112   a  to the second body portion  112   b . The parking pad  100  further includes a first sleeve  122  and a second sleeve  124 , which are configured to receive curb members in the manner described above with respect to sleeves  22  and  24  of  FIG. 3 . First sleeve  122  is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, comprising a first sleeve part  122   a  which slidingly receives a second sleeve part  122   b . Likewise, second sleeve  124  is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, comprising a first sleeve part  124   a  which slidingly receives a second sleeve part  124   b . The parking pad  100  further includes a third sleeve  126 , which is similar to sleeve  26  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , an adjustable width parking pad  200  is depicted in plan view. The parking pad  200  includes a main body portion  212  which comprises a first body portion  212   a  and a second body portion  212   b . The first and second body portions  212   a  and  212   b  overlap in region  213 , and slide along one another in directions “C” and “D” in this region such that the width “W” of the parking pad  200  can be adjusted. The parking pad  200  includes a first sleeve  222  and a second sleeve  224 , which function in essentially the same manner as sleeves  22  and  24  of  FIG. 2 . The parking pad  200  further includes a third sleeve  226  which is located at the first end  216  of the main body portion  212 . Third sleeve  226  is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, and includes first sleeve part  226   a  which slidingly receives second sleeve part  226   b.    
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a partial end sectional view of a parking pad  110  (similar to parking pad  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 ) is depicted, showing additional optional features which can be included with a parking pad consistent with the present disclosure. As depicted, the main body portion  12  can be provided with a heating element  72  disposed between upper ( 12   a ) and lower ( 12   b ) parts of the main body portion  12 . The heating element  72  can be integral with the main body portion  12 , and not provided in the sandwiched configuration depicted in  FIG. 7 . Further, the heating element  72  can be provided on the upper surface  70  of the main body portion  12 . The heating element  72  is provided with energy via electrical plug  76  (or by other means), and the temperature of the heating element can be controlled by heating element controller  74 . By providing the parking pad  110  with a heating element  72 , snow and ice accumulating on the upper surface  70  of the main body portion  12  can be melted, thus facilitating removal of the melt from the second open end  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the parking pad  110 . Further, providing heat to the upper surface  70  of the main body portion  12  of the parking pad  110  can facilitate removal of oil and grease from the parking pad. 
     As also depicted in  FIG. 7 , the main body portion  12  of the parking pad  110  can be provided with a flexible metallic strip  78  attached thereto which facilitates in holding the main body portion in an essentially flat position on a support surface (such as on slab  8  of  FIG. 1 ). A flexible metallic strip  78  can be provided proximate each (or either) of the first and second sides  14 ,  16  of the main body portion  12 , or as an integral part of the main body portion. The flexible metallic strip  78  can be fabricated using a malleable metal (such as lead, zinc, copper, and alloys thereof) such that when the parking pad  110  is placed in an in-use configuration (as per  FIG. 1 ), the parking pad will not tend to roll up due to any shape retention memory in the main body portion  12  resulting from storage of the parking pad in a rolled or folded position (per  FIG. 15 ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , a partial plan view of a parking pad  210  (similar to parking pad  10  of  FIG. 2 ) depicts further optional features which can be included with a parking pad consistent with the present disclosure. As depicted, the parking pad  210  includes a fluid conduit  80  located proximate the first end  18  of the main body portion  12 . The fluid conduit  80  is in fluid communication with fluid outlets (e.g., nozzles)  82 , which are directed in direction “Z” towards the second (open) end  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the main body portion  12 . The fluid conduit  80  can be provided with a fluid (such as water) via fluid supply line  84 , which can be, for example, a hose member connected to a garden hose attachment  86 . In this way a user can connect a garden hose (or the like) to the fluid conduit  80 , and can thus easily flush detritus off of the main body portion  12  of the parking pad  210 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an isometric view of yet a further embodiment of a parking pad  300  in accordance with the present disclosure. The parking pad  300  includes a main body portion  312  (similar to the main body portion  12  of the parking pad  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 ). In the parking pad  300  of  FIG. 9  the main body portion  312  is configured in a “U” shaped configuration (versus the essentially rectangular configuration of the main body portion  12  of  FIG. 2 ). Further, in the parking pad  300  of  FIG. 9 , the first sleeve  322 , the second sleeve  324 , and the third sleeve  326  are joined into one continuous sleeve  380 . In this way, when the elongate curb member (or members) are sufficiently flexible to negotiate the bends between sleeves  322  and  326  (and sleeves  324  and  326 ), a reduced number of elongate curb members (typically, no more than two, and not shown in  FIG. 9 ) are required in order to form the barrier for directing detritus accumulating on main body portion  312  to the egress area (second end  320 ) of the parking pad. In the embodiment depicted, a single curb member can be used to fill the entire sleeve  380 . Further, two elongate curb members can be used in the embodiment depict—i.e., a first elongate curb member inserted via a first open end  330  in sleeve  380 , and a second elongate curb member inserted via a second open end  332  in the sleeve, with the two elongate curb members meeting in the general area indicated by  329 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts an isometric view of yet another parking pad  400  in accordance with the present disclosure. In the parking pad  400 , the first, second and third sleeves ( 422 ,  424 ,  426 ) are joined together in one continuous sleeve  480 , and the ends  430  and  432  of the sleeve are sealed ends (versus being open ends, as for example open ends  330  and  332  of sleeve  380  of  FIG. 9 ). The continuous sleeve  480  is an air-tight sleeve forming a barrier around the main body portion  412  (save for open second end  420  of main body portion, thus allowing an area for egress of detritus from the main body portion  412 ). Rather than providing elongate curb members in the sleeves of the parking pad  400 , in the parking pad  400  the continuous sleeve  480  is an inflatable sleeve. To this end, continuous sleeve  480  is provided with an inflation fitting  440 , allowing air (or other gas, or fluid) to be provided to the sleeve  480 . It will be appreciated that this concept of using an inflatable sleeve with a parking pad also allows for multiple separate sleeves  422 ,  424 ,  426 , in addition to the single sleeve ( 480 ) of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a side elevation view depicts a further variation on the parking pad of the present disclosure. In  FIG. 11  the parking pad  10  of  FIG. 1  is disposed on a collapsible ramp  500  which is disposed between the parking pad  10  and the support surface  8 . The collapsible ramp  500  provides a favorable pitch between the first end  18  of the main body portion  12  and the apron  28  of the parking pad  10  to thus facilitate removal of detritus from the parking pad. The collapsible ramp  500  can include multiple ramp portions  502  which are connected to one another by ramp portion hinges  504 . By selectively providing the ramp portion hinges  504  relative to the ramp portions  502 , the ramp  500  can be collapsibly stored with the parking pad  10  when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration. 
       FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  depict another embodiment of a parking pad  800  in accordance with the present disclosure. Turning to  FIG. 12 , the parking pad  800  includes a main body portion  812  defined by respective first and second sides  814 ,  816 , and first and second ends  818 ,  820 . The parking pad  800  further includes a first sleeve  822  which is located proximate the first side  814  of the main body portion  812 , a second sleeve  824  which is located proximate the second side  816  of the main body portion  812 , and a third sleeve  826  which is located proximate the first end  818  of the main body portion  812 . The first sleeve  822  includes a first open end  830 , and can also include a second open end  836 . Likewise, the second sleeve  824  includes a first open end  832 , and can also include a second open end  838 . The third sleeve  826  includes a first open end  834 , and can also include a second open end  840 . The parking pad  10  includes elongate curb members  850 ,  852  and  854  which are sized to be received within respective first, second and third sleeves  822 ,  824  and  826  via respective open ends  830 ,  832  and  834  (as well as via second open ends  836 ,  838  and  840 , when so provided). Corner members  331  and  333  can be provided to discourage egress of detritus at the respective intersecting corners of the sleeves  822 ,  824  and  826 . The corner members  331 ,  333  can be, for example, foam pieces which are removably attached to the sleeves  822 ,  824  and  826  by hook-and-loop fastener material. When the sleeves  822 ,  824  are only provided with respective first open ends  830 ,  832 , then corner members  331 ,  333  can be replaced with the sealed corners  31 ,  33  depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 13  is an isometric figure of the parking pad  800  of  FIG. 12 , further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad. As indicated in  FIG. 13 , elongate curb member  852  of  FIG. 12  can be provided in two pieces,  852   a  and  852   b . In this way elongate curb member first part  852   a  can be inserted into the second sleeve  824  via first opening  832 , while elongate curb member second part  852   b  can be inserted into the second sleeve  824  via second opening  838 . Curb member parts  852   a  and  852   b  can be easily removed from sleeve  824  using tabs  860 , which are attached to the curb member parts. Preferably, elongate curb member parts  852   a  and  852   b  are sized so that in combination (within sleeve  824 ) they extend the length “L” of the sleeve (defined along the edge  816 ,  FIG. 12 ). Further, elongate curb member parts  852   a  and  852   b  are preferably sized so that when removed from sleeve  824 , they will generally fit the width “W” of the main body portion  812  defined between the first and second edges  814 ,  816 . In this way when the parking pad  800  is placed in a storage configuration, the elongate curb member parts  852   a  and  852   b  can be easily combined with the rolled or folded remaining parts of the parking pad. Elongate curb member  850  can likewise be provided in two or more parts for ease of storage. This same principle can be applied to the parking pad  10  of  FIGS. 1-3 . More particularly, and with reference to  FIG. 15  (which is a side sectional view of a modified version of the parking pad  10  of  FIG. 3  in a rolled storage configuration), elongate curb member parts  50   a ,  50   b ,  52   a  and  52   b , and elongate curb member  54 , can be rolled (as shown) or folded with the main body portion  12  into a convenient storage configuration. The parking pad  10 , when placed in a storage configuration such as depicted in  FIG. 15 , can be secured in this position by use of a restraining member, such as a bungee cord, wrapped around the unit. 
     When the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad  800  (see  FIG. 13 , for example) is generally in the range of about 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members  850 ,  852  ( FIG. 12 ) as two-part components (as depicted for curb member  50  in  FIG. 3 ). When the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad  10  or  800  is generally in the range of about 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members  50 ,  52  ( FIG. 2 ) or  850 ,  852  ( FIG. 12 ) as single components. However, when the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad  800  exceeds about 2.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members  850 ,  852  ( FIG. 12 ) in more than two parts. Providing curb members in parts which do not exceed the width “W” of the main body portion  12  or  812  of the parking pad  10  or  800  by more than about 50% of the width “W” allows for a more compact storage configuration (per FIG.  15 )—i.e., it is desirable that the curb members (or curb member parts) do not excessively overhang the main body portion  12  ( 812 ) of the parking pad  10  ( 800 ) when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration. It will be appreciated that providing elongate curb members in more than two parts presents an issue of how to retrieve all of the curb member parts from the sleeve when the parking pad is to be placed in the storage configuration. Two solutions to this problem are depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side sectional view of a sleeve  622  (similar to sleeve  822  of  FIG. 12 ) used with a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure, depicting how more than two elongate curb members can be accommodated within the sleeve. In this example, four elongate curb member parts  650   a ,  650   b ,  650   c  and  650   d  are received within the sleeve  622 . Curb member part  650   b  can be inserted through first open end  630  of sleeve  622 , followed by insertion of curb member part  650   a . When removing the curb member parts  650   a  and  650   b , curb member part  650   a  can be removed using tab  660 , and curb member part  650   b  can be removed using tether  662  (which is attached to curb member part  650   b , and extends outward of first open end  630 ). Further, sleeve  622  can optionally be provided with a vertical slit  664 , allowing curb member part  650   c  to be inserted into (and removed from) sleeve  622  via the slit without the use of a tether. As is evident, curb member part  650   d  can be removed from sleeve  622  using tab  660 . 
     Returning now to  FIG. 13 , the main body portion  812  of the parking pad  800  can be provided with a puncture resistant strip  63  of flexible material disposed on the upper surface  870  of the main body portion  812 . As depicted in  FIG. 13 , two puncture resistant strips  63  are provided in general parallel arrangement on the parking pad  800  to thus match an intended path of vehicle tires for a vehicle to be placed on the parking pad. In one variation, as opposed to two puncture resistant strips  63 , a broad strip or sheet of puncture resistant material  63  can be disposed on the upper surface  870  of the main body portion  812 . The puncture resistant strip  63  can additionally, or optionally, be selected to be wear resistant, abrasion resistant, and/or traction providing. The flexible puncture resistant material  63  is thus selected to protect the main body portion  812  of the parking pad  800  from anticipated wear which may result from the use of studded tires, rocks imbedded in tread grooves of tires, and friction and wear between a tire and the main body portion  812 . The puncture resistant strip  63  can be attached to the main body portion  812  in a permanent manner, or it can be attached to the main body portion in a removable manner so that when the puncture resistant strip  63  becomes worn, it can be replaced. An example of a material which can be used for the puncture resistant strip  63  is woven fiberglass, a grit-bearing adhesive strip, a sacrificial polymer or elastomer, etc. It will be appreciated that the puncture resistant strip  63  can be used with other embodiments of the parking pad of the present disclosure provided for herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 18 , a partial oblique view of the lower left corner of the parking pad  800  of  FIG. 12  is depicted, showing an additional feature which can be included with the sleeves  822 ,  824  and  826  of the parking pad. Specifically,  FIG. 18  depicts how a closing means  802  can be provided at the first open end  832  of sleeve  824 . A similar closing means can be provided at the open ends  830 ,  834 ,  836 ,  838  and  840  of  FIG. 12 . The closing means  802  can allow the opening  832  to be selectively opened and closed to allow the elongate curb member  852  ( FIG. 12 ) to be inserted into, and secured within, the sleeve  824 . By providing a closing means  802  at the open ends of the sleeves  822 ,  824  and/or  826 , migration of the respective curb members  850 ,  852  and/or  854  out of the respective sleeves when the parking pad  800  is placed in the in-use configuration is prevented. Examples of the closing means  802  can include a snap, a tongue-and-groove zip-type closure, a hook-and-loop closing means, etc. 
     A further embodiment of a parking pad  710  in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted in plan view in  FIG. 16 . The parking pad  710  includes a main body portion  712  (similar to main body portion  12  of  FIGS. 1-3 ), and curb members  750 ,  752  and  756 . Curb members  750  and  752  are attached directly to respective sides  714  and  716  of the main body portion  712 , and curb member  754  is attached directly to first end  718  of the main body portion  712 . (Second end  720  of the main body portion  712  is preferably left open to allow egress of detritus from the main body portion  712 .) It will be noted that the parking pad  710  does not include sleeves (such as sleeves  22 ,  24  and  26  of the parking pad  10  of  FIG. 2 ), and that the curb members  750 ,  752 ,  754  are attached directly to the main body portion  712 . As indicated in  FIG. 16 , a curb member can be provided in curb member parts (e.g., curb member  752  can be provided as curb member parts  752   a  and  752   b ). Providing the curb members as curb member parts facilitates storage of the parking pad  710  (as generally discussed above with respect to  FIG. 15 ). Preferably the curb members  750 ,  752 ,  754  of the parking pad  710  are attached directly to the main body portion  712  in a water-tight manner to prevent migration of fluids from the main body portion  712  in directions other than via second end  720 . Turning to  FIG. 17 , one example of a water tight attachment means  740  between the curb member  752  and the main body portion  712  of the parking pad  710  of  FIG. 16  is depicted in a partial end view. The water tight attachment means  740  includes a plastic (elastic) tongue-and-groove connector, with a tongue  741  being formed directly on the curb member  752 , and a groove  743  (configured to receive tongue  741 ) being disposed on the main body portion  712 . It will be appreciated that the respective placements of the tongue  741  and groove  743  with respect to the curb member  752  and the main body portion  712  can be interchanged. Other means for providing a water tight seal between curb member  752  and main body portion  712  can also be employed, such as snap fasteners accompanied by sealing gaskets, etc. 
     While the above invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features, it is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims as appropriately interpreted.