Patent Publication Number: US-8978679-B2

Title: Insta-garage

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/669,192 filed Jul. 9, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Not all vehicle owners are privileged to have a garage or covered parking space at their home, apartment, or condominium. However, parking a vehicle outdoors and without a cover exposes the vehicle to destructive elements such as sunlight, rain, snow, hail, bird droppings, and other debris. Further, apartment and condominium complexes may or may not offer covered parking spaces for residents, and when they do, the covered parking spaces can be expensive. Houses and other dwellings also may lack proper covered parking facilities for vehicle owners, or the covered parking facility may take up a large amount of space. An effective solution is necessary. 
     The present invention provides vehicle owners with a proper place to store and protect their vehicles. This temporary garage device assists vehicle owners in preserving their investment in their vehicle, and helps shield the vehicle and other items from harmful elements and harsh weather conditions. Further, when not in use, the temporary garage device stores neatly and does not take up the amount of space that a garage, tent or other covered structure would. Homeowners, condominium-owners, and tenants without garages or access to covered parking would benefit from the convenience and portability this device provides. Further, this temporary garage device is designed to protect cars, trucks, boats, farm implements, garden equipment, motorcycles, motorscooters, bicycles, airplanes, outhouses, and various other structures not otherwise protected from the elements or having access to a permanent garage. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a temporary garage device that allows users to easily protect their vehicle from the elements. The temporary garage device comprises a protective cover component and a storage component for storing the protective cover component when not in use. Typically, the protective cover component is positioned in an arc-shape via a plurality of thin beams secured to the interior surface of the protective cover component to form a semi-rigid skeletal structure. Specifically, the protective cover component collapses in an accordion style for storage in the interior of the storage component when not in use. When needed, the protective cover component can then be linearly extended outward from the storage component in a semi-tubular configuration to cover the vehicle. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the protective cover component comprises a plurality of securing components, such as magnets to secure the protective cover component to the vehicle. Further, the protective cover component can comprise a pair of handles secured to either side (or both sides) of the arc-shaped protective cover component to allow a user to pull the protective cover component linearly outward from the storage component. Additionally, the storage component can comprise a plurality of wheels secured to a bottom side to allow the storage component to move and for ease in transport of the temporary garage device. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary garage device collapsed in the storage component in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary garage device being extended linearly outward to cover a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary garage device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary garage device with magnets securing the device to a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of the magnets secured to the temporary garage device in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the temporary garage device in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. 
     The present invention discloses a temporary garage device that provides vehicle owners with a proper place to store and protect their vehicles. This temporary garage device assists vehicle owners in preserving the vehicle&#39;s investment from harmful elements and harsh weather conditions. Further, when not in use, the temporary garage device stores neatly and does not take up the amount of space that a garage, tent or other covered structure would. Homeowners, condominium-owners, or apartment renters without garages or access to covered parking would benefit from the convenience and portability this device provides. 
     The temporary garage device comprises a protective cover component and a storage component for storing the protective cover component. Typically, the protective cover component is positioned in an arc-shape via a plurality of thin beams secured to the interior surface of the protective cover component to form a semi-rigid skeletal structure. Specifically, the protective cover component collapses in an accordion style for storage in the interior of the storage component. When needed, the protective cover component can then be linearly extended outward from the storage component in a semi-tubular configuration to cover the vehicle. Additionally, the storage component can comprise a plurality of wheels secured to a bottom side to allow the storage component to move and for ease in transportation of the temporary garage device. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the temporary garage device  100  that allows users to easily cover and protect their vehicle from harmful elements and other debris. The temporary garage device  100  comprises a protective cover component  102  and a storage component  104  for storing the protective cover component  102 . The protective cover component  102  comprises an interior surface  106  and an exterior surface  108 . 
     Typically, the protective cover component  102  is arc-shaped, however any other suitable shape can be used as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that the same is capable of substantially covering the vehicle. The protective cover component  102  would generally be constructed of rip-stop nylon, canvas, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Kevlar®, or any other similar lightweight, weatherproof, flexible material, etc., though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the protective cover component  102  as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The protective cover component  102  can also comprise a variety of colors and designs to suit user and manufacturing preference. When fully deployed, the protective cover component  102  is approximately between 15 and 18 feet long as measured from opposing ends  110 , and approximately between 6 and 9 feet in diameter (or width). 
     Typically, the protective cover component  102  is positioned in an arc-shape via a plurality of beams  112  secured to the interior surface  106  of the protective cover component  102  to form a semi-rigid skeletal structure (or configuration). The beams  112  provide strength to the structure and keep the protective cover component  102  clear of the top of the vehicle. The beams  112  would generally be secured to the interior surface  106  of the protective cover component  102  via stitching, gluing, straps, fasteners, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Further, the beams  112  would generally be constructed of plastic, aluminum, or wood, etc., though any other suitable flexible material may be used to manufacture the beams  112  as is known in the art. Further, the beams  112  can be encapsulated in nylon material, or any other suitable material as is known in the art, so as not to damage the vehicle. Typically, the beams  112  are positioned at approximately equally spaced intervals along the length of the protective cover component  102  to form the semi-rigid skeletal structure. Specifically, the beams  112  are positioned along the length of the protective cover component  102  to form a tubular (or cylindrical) configuration that acts to cover or surround a vehicle. 
     The protective cover component  102  further comprises a plurality of securing components (magnets  400  as shown in  FIG. 4 ) positioned on a bottom edge of the protective cover component  102  to secure the protective cover component  102  to the vehicle  200 . Typically, the securing component comprise magnets  400 , but any other suitable securing means can be used as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The magnets  400  act to secure the protective cover component  102  to the vehicle  200  by clinging to (via magnetic attraction) the sides and/or underneath the vehicle  200  once the protective cover component  102  is deployed. In moderate weather, the protective cover component  102  needs only to be secured via the magnets  400 , which are typically located toward the end of the protective cover component  102 , and which would secure at the end or front of the vehicle depending on how the vehicle is parked. In severe weather, the temporary garage device  100  should not be used. 
     The temporary garage device  100  further comprises a storage component  104  for storing the protective cover component  102 . The storage component  104  comprises an interior space  114  and an exterior surface  116 . Typically, the storage component  104  is rectangular in shape, however any other suitable shape can be used as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The storage component  104  would generally be constructed of a weather-proof material, such as aluminum, plastic, or stainless steel, etc., though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the storage component  104  as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The storage component  104  can also comprise a variety of colors and designs to suit user and manufacturing preference. The storage component  104  is approximately between 6 and 9 feet wide as measured from opposing sides  118 , and approximately between 3 and 7 feet in height as measured from top and bottom ends  120 , and approximately between 4 and 6 feet in length as measured from the front surface  122  to the back surface (not shown). 
     Typically, the storage component  104  is configured to store the protective cover component  102  within the interior of the storage component  104 , and the protective cover component  102  is repositionable between a stored position and a deployed position. Specifically, in the stored position, the protective cover component  102  collapses in an accordion style for storage in the storage component  104 . The beams  112  positioned along the length of the protective cover component  102  act to support the protective cover component  102  as the cover component  102  is collapsed (or compacted or folded) in an accordion style and positioned within the interior of the storage component  104  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). Then in the deployed position, the protective cover component  102  can be extended outward from the storage component  104  to cover a vehicle  200  when needed. Specifically, the arc-shaped protective cover component  102  linearly extends outward from the storage component  104  in a semi-tubular (or semi-cylindrical) configuration to cover the vehicle  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 ), but an end of the protective cover component  102  remains secured to the interior of the storage component  104 . Additionally, the storage component  104  comprises doors  128  that secure the protective cover component  102  within the interior of the storage component  104 . The doors are typically swing open type doors, however any other suitable door-like structure could used, such as roll-up doors, etc., as is known in the art. 
     Additionally, a user may manipulate the protective cover component  102  via collapsing struts, folding struts, or without the use of struts, or by any other suitable means as is known in the art. 
     Further, the interior of the storage component  104  comprises hooks (not shown) or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art to secure the protective cover component  102  in an upright position within the interior of the storage component  104 , to make it easier for a single user to linearly extend out the protective cover component  102  from the storage component  104  by himself or herself. Additionally, the protective cover component  102  can comprise a pair of handles  124  secured to either side (or both sides) of the arc-shaped protective cover component  102 , or secured to at least one of the beams  112 . The pair of handles  124  allows a user to pull the protective cover component  102  linearly outward from the storage component  104 . Typically, the handles  124  are secured to the protective cover component  102  via stitching, gluing, fasteners, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. 
     The storage component  104  further comprises a plurality of wheels  126  secured to a bottom side  120 . The wheels can be secured to the storage component  104  via gluing, fasteners, welding, etc., or any other suitable securing means as is known in the art. The wheels  126  are positioned on the bottom of the storage component  104  to allow the storage component  104  to move and for ease in transport. Typically, the plurality of wheels  126  comprise brakes/stops to prevent the storage component  104  from moving while in use. Thus, once the storage component  104  is rolled via the plurality of wheels  126  to the desired location, the user can then engage the brakes to prevent the storage component  104  from further movement. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate the temporary garage device  100  with magnets  400  securing the protective cover component  102  to a vehicle  200 . As stated supra, the protective cover component  102  further comprises a plurality of securing components (magnets  400  as shown in  FIG. 4B ) positioned on a bottom edge  402  of the protective cover component  102  to secure the protective cover component  102  to the vehicle  200 . Typically, the securing components comprise magnets  400 , but any other suitable securing means can be used as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. The magnets  400  act to secure the protective cover component  102  to the vehicle  200  by clinging to (via magnetic attraction) the sides and/or underneath the vehicle  200  once the protective cover component  102  is in place (as shown in the  FIG. 4A ). In moderate weather, the protective cover component  102  needs only to be secured via the magnets  400 , which are typically located toward the end of the protective cover component  102 , and which would secure at the end or front of the vehicle depending on how the vehicle is parked. In severe weather, the temporary garage device  100  should not be used. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the temporary garage device  100  in use. In operation, a user (not shown) would choose the color and/or specific design of the temporary garage device  100  that meets their needs and/or wants, and depending on the size and shape of the vehicle  200  they want to protect. The user would then roll the storage component  104  via its wheels  126  to the desired location and then would engage the brakes of the wheels  126 , such that the storage component  104  is prevented from further movement. The user would then position their vehicle  200  in front of the doors  128  of the storage component  104 . The user would then open the doors  128  of the storage component  104  and grasp the handles  124  of the protective cover component  102 . Using the handles  124 , the user would then pull the protective cover component  102  out of the storage component  104 . Specifically, the user pulls the protective cover component  102  such that it extends linearly outward from the storage component  104  in a tubular (or cylindrical) configuration to cover the vehicle  200 . 
     Once the vehicle  200  is covered with the protective cover component  102 , the user would then secure the protective cover component  102  over the vehicle  200  via magnets positioned on the bottom edges of the protective cover component  102 . The magnets cling to the sides and or underneath the vehicle  200 , securing the protective cover component  102  in place. Once the user is done using the protective cover component  102 , the user disengages the magnets and retracts the protective cover component  102  back into the storage component  104 . The user collapses the protective cover component  102  in an accordion style, back within the interior of the storage component  104  and closes the doors  128 , securing the protective cover component  102  within the storage component  104 . The user can then release the wheel brakes and transport the storage component  104  to a desired location for storage. Thus, the temporary garage device  100  protects vehicles  200  from harmful elements and harsh weather conditions. 
     Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the protective cover component  102  can be secured to a house or other structure, and the vehicle  200  could be parked next to it, either head on or sideways, such that the protective cover component  102  can then be pulled over the vehicle  200  from front to back, or pulled over the vehicle  200  from side to side, depending on how the vehicle  200  is parked under the protective cover component  102 . Additionally, the protective cover component  102  could be secured to a ground structure that a user would drive the vehicle  200  onto. The protective cover component  102  can then be pulled over the vehicle  200 , or the protective cover component  102  can be split and secured to either side of the vehicle  200  and then pulled up and secured together at the top of the vehicle  200 . 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.