Patent Abstract:
A vehicle enclosure ( 14 ) and method and system of installation using an adhesive-backed attachment device ( 1 ) having a base ( 4 ) with an adhesive backing ( 10 ) and a stud ( 12 ) or a socket ( 2 ) that engages a conventional a conventional snap ( 8 ). The adhesive-backed attachment device is preferably flexible so that it may be attached to uneven surfaces of a vehicle, such as a golf cart ( 15 ). The adhesive-backed attachment device eliminates unsightly brackets, drilling or screwing into the golf cart and cuts down on installation time of golf cart enclosures. The studs and sockets may also be integrated into a new roof ( 14 ) for retrofitting an existing golf cart.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to enclosures for vehicles, and more particularly to an enclosure having an adhesive-backed fastener that is used in conjunction with conventional snaps for quickly and easily installing the enclosure on a vehicle. 
         [0002]    Conventional enclosures, such as enclosures for golf carts, are attached to golf carts using a combination of hook and loop fasteners and/or snaps. Conventional snaps require an installer to drill holes into the structure of the golf cart in order to attach each snap to the golf cart with a screw. Tracks having C-shaped channels are also commonly used to attach an upper edge of a golf cart enclosure to a roof of a golf cart. A golf cart enclosure is attached to the track by sliding a cord sewn into the upper edge of the golf cart enclosure into the C-shaped channel. The tracks are attached to the roof using screws or nuts and bolts. This requires designing the brackets so screw holes on the brackets line up with existing screw holes on the roof Installation of the tracks is time consuming and costly because it often requires some dismantling of the roof and the roof support structure to gain access to existing screw holes to install the C-shaped channels (usually expensive aluminum). Furthermore, conventional installations wherein holes are drilled into any portion of a golf cart will void most golf cart manufacturers&#39; warranties. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need exists for a vehicle enclosure and method of installation that will allow a user to quickly install and secure the enclosure to a vehicle without having to drill any holes into the vehicle or use brackets to attach the enclosure to the roof of a golf cart. 
         [0004]    The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 (U.S. Patent References) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 D626,452 
                 Helwig et al. 
                 Nov. 02, 2010 
               
               
                   
                 D626,451 
                 Helwig et al. 
                 Nov. 02, 2010 
               
               
                   
                 7,560,003 
                 Naughton et al. 
                 Jul. 14, 2009 
               
               
                   
                 D557,191 
                 Curtis, Jr. et al. 
                 Dec. 11, 2007 
               
               
                   
                 7,213,864 
                 Gasper 
                 May 08, 2007 
               
               
                   
                 7,210,492 
                 Gerrie et al. 
                 May 01, 2007 
               
               
                   
                 6,979,044 
                 Tyrer 
                 Dec. 27, 2005 
               
               
                   
                 6,916,059 
                 Feinberg 
                 Jul. 12, 2005 
               
               
                   
                 RE38,272 
                 Nation 
                 Sep. 14, 2003 
               
               
                   
                 6,439,637 
                 Tyrer 
                 Aug. 27, 2002 
               
               
                   
                 6,132,089 
                 Galomb et al. 
                 Sep. 17, 2000 
               
               
                   
                 5,429,404 
                 King, Sr. 
                 Jul. 04, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,014,400 
                 Ban 
                 May 14, 1991 
               
               
                   
                 4,654,934 
                 Hasegawa 
                 Apr. 07, 1987 
               
               
                   
                 3,851,357 
                 Ribich et al. 
                 Dec. 03, 1974 
               
               
                   
                 3,784,235 
                 Kessler et al. 
                 Jan. 08, 1974 
               
               
                   
                 3,709,553 
                 Churchill et al. 
                 Jan. 09, 1973 
               
               
                   
                 1,242,108 
                 Buob, Sr. 
                 Sep. 02, 1917 
               
             
          
           
               
                 (Foreign Patent, References) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 EP2263491 
                 Hayashi 
                 Dec. 22, 2010 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle enclosure and method of installation that will allow a user to quickly install and secure the enclosure to a vehicle without having to drill any holes into the vehicle. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle enclosure and method of installation that will allow a user to quickly install and secure the enclosure to a vehicle without having to use brackets to attach the enclosure to the roof of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an enclosure and method of installation comprising an enclosure having a plurality of adhesive-backed attachment devices, each having a stud or a socket that engages a conventional stud or a conventional socket of a conventional snap. The adhesive-backed attachment devices are preferably flexible so that the adhesive-backed attachment devices may be attached to uneven surfaces of a vehicle, such as rounded fenders or curved roofs of a golf cart. The adhesive-backed attachment devices eliminate unsightly brackets and decreases installation time of the enclosure. For example, an installer installing an enclosure having conventional studs and/or conventional sockets secured to the outer perimeter of the enclosure can attach adhesive-backed attachment devices to each conventional snap and conventional stud. Then, the installer can simply peel a protective layer off a rear surface of each adhesive-backed attachment device, thereby exposing an adhesive layer, and attach one-by-one each adhesive-backed attachment device to a vehicle, such as a golf cart. The installer can start on one corner of an upper edge of the enclosure and simply move along the upper edge peeling and sticking each adhesive-backed attachment device to the appropriate spot of the roof of the golf cart and then to the body of the golf cart. The studs and sockets may also be integrated into the vehicle, such as a new golf cart or into a new roof for retrofitting an existing golf cart. 
         [0008]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an adhesive-backed attachment device of the present invention having a socket as an engagement means; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an adhesive-backed attachment device of the present invention having a stud as an engagement means; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a conventional stud of a conventional snap; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a conventional socket from a conventional snap; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention attached to a golf cart using adhesive-backed attachment devices; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section view along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention secured to a golf cart roof; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway side view of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention attached to a curved surface using a conventional socket and a flexible adhesive-backed attachment device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of an inner surface of a golf cart roof having adhesive-backed attachment devices integrated therein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a method of installation of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention on a roof of a golf cart; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a method of installation of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention on a body of a golf cart. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 adhesive-backed attachment device 
               
               
                 2. 
                 socket 
               
               
                 3. 
                 engagement means 
               
               
                 4. 
                 base 
               
               
                 5. 
                 rear surface 
               
               
                 6. 
                 front surface 
               
               
                 7. 
                 conventional stud 
               
               
                 8. 
                 conventional snap 
               
               
                 9. 
                 securing means 
               
               
                 10. 
                 adhesive 
               
               
                 11. 
                 peel away cover 
               
               
                 12. 
                 stud 
               
               
                 13. 
                 conventional socket 
               
               
                 14. 
                 vehicle enclosure 
               
               
                 15. 
                 golf cart 
               
               
                 16. 
                 upper edge 
               
               
                 17. 
                 inner surface 
               
               
                 18. 
                 roof 
               
               
                 19. 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 20. 
                 outer surface 
               
               
                 21. 
                 body 
               
               
                 22. 
                 attachment means 
               
               
                 23. 
                 zipper 
               
               
                 24. 
                 sleeve 
               
               
                 25. 
                 curved surface 
               
               
                 26. 
                 side edge 
               
               
                 27. 
                 rear edge 
               
               
                 28. 
                 attaching conventional snap to enclosure 
               
               
                 29. 
                 attaching enclosure attachment device to conventional snap 
               
               
                 30. 
                 cleaning surface 
               
               
                 31. 
                 securing the enclosure attachment device to surface 
               
               
                 32. 
                 repeating previous step 
               
               
                 33. 
                 attaching remaining portions of enclosure 
               
               
                 34. 
                 attaching conventional snap to enclosure 
               
               
                 35. 
                 attaching upper edge to roof 
               
               
                 36. 
                 attaching enclosure attachment device to conventional snap 
               
               
                 37. 
                 cleaning surface 
               
               
                 38. 
                 securing the enclosure attachment device to surface 
               
               
                 39. 
                 repeating previous step 
               
               
                 40. 
                 attaching remaining portions ofen closure 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a top perspective view of an adhesive-backed attachment device  1  of the present invention having a socket  2  as an engagement means  3  is illustrated. The adhesive-backed attachment device  1  comprises a base  4  having a rear surface  5  and a front surface  6 . The socket  2  extends upward from a central location of the front surface  6  of the adhesive-backed attachment device  1 . The socket  2  is attachable to a conventional stud  7  of a conventional snap  8 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . A securing means  9 , such as adhesive  10 , is located on the rear surface  5  of the base  4  to allow a user to secure the adhesive-backed attachment device  1  to a surface, such as a golf cart. The adhesive  10  is preferably covered by a peel away cover  11 . The expanded surface area provided by the larger size of the base  4  provides additional contact area between the base  4  and a surface that the adhesive-backed attachment device  1  is being secured to. The adhesive-backed attachment device  1  may be made of a rigid material, such as plastic, metal and so forth, or of a flexible material, such as rubber, silicone and so forth, to allow a user to attach the adhesive-backed attachment device  1  to a curved surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a top perspective view of an adhesive-backed attachment device  1  of the present invention having a stud  12  as an engagement means  3  is illustrated. The adhesive-backed attachment device  1  comprises a base  4  having a rear surface  5  and a front surface  6 . The stud  12  extends upward from a central location of the front surface  6  of the adhesive-backed attachment device  1 . The stud  13  is attachable to a conventional socket  13  of a conventional snap  9 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . A securing means  9 , such as adhesive  10 , is located on the rear surface  5  of the base  4  to allow a user to secure the adhesive-backed attachment device  1  to a surface, such as a golf cart. The adhesive  10  is preferably covered by a peel away cover  11 . 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a top perspective view of a conventional stud  7  of a conventional snap  9  is illustrated. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , a top perspective view of a conventional socket  13  from a conventional snap  9  is illustrated. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , a side view of a vehicle enclosure  14  of the present invention attached to a golf cart using adhesive-backed attachment devices  1  is illustrated. An upper edge  16  of the vehicle enclosure  14  is attached to an inner surface  17  of a golf cart roof  18  using conventional studs  7  and adhesive-backed attachment devices  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Side edges  19  of the vehicle enclosure  14  are attached to an outer surface  20  of a body  21  of the golf cart  15  using conventional sockets  13  and adhesive-backed attachment devices  1 . The vehicle enclosure  14  is also attached to the golf cart  15  using attachment means  22 , such as conventional snaps  8 , hook and loop fasteners, zippers  23 , sleeves  24  and so forth. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a partial cross-section view along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  of a vehicle enclosure  14  of the present invention secured to a golf cart roof  14  is illustrated. An upper edge  16  of the vehicle enclosure  14  is attached to an inner surface  17  of the golf cart roof  18  using conventional studs  7  and adhesive-backed attachment devices  1 . 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , a side cutaway view of a vehicle enclosure  14  of the present invention attached to a curved surface  25  using a conventional socket  13  and a flexible adhesive-backed attachment device  1  is illustrated. The flexible adhesive-backed attachment device  1  may also be user inside curves, such as an inner corner of a golf cart roof  18 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , a bottom view of an inner surface  17  of a golf cart roof  18  having adhesive-backed attachment devices  1  of the present invention integrated therein. The adhesive-backed attachment devices  1  are integrated into side edges  26  and a rear edge  27  of the golf cart roof  24  to allow a user to easily secure a vehicle enclosure  14  to the roof using conventional snaps  8  and without having to modify the roof  18 . 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 9 , a flow chart illustrating a method of installation of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention on a roof of a golf cart is shown. First, conventional snaps are attached proximate to an upper edge of a vehicle enclosure  28 . Then, adhesive-backed attachment devices are attached to the conventional snaps  29 . Next, an inner surface of the roof is cleaned  30 . Then, an adhesive-backed attachment device is secured to the inner surface of the roof using a securing means  31 . Next, the previous step is repeated until each adhesive-backed attachment device is secured to the inner surface of the roof  32 . By attaching the adhesive-backed attachment devices to the roof while the adhesive-backed attachment devices are attached to the conventional snaps and the golf cart enclosure, a user does not have to measure out attachment points on the roof and can instead eyeball the installation by starting at one corner of the vehicle enclosure and working along the upper edge of the enclosure attaching each adhesive-backed attachment device one-by-one to the roof. Finally, the remaining portions, such as side edges, bottom edges, etc., of the vehicle enclosure are attached to the golf cart using an attachment means, such as adhesive-backed fasteners of the present invention, conventional snaps, hook and loop fastener, zippers, sleeves and so forth  33 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart illustrating a method of installation of a vehicle enclosure of the present invention on a body of a golf cart is shown. First, conventional snaps are attached proximate to a side edge of a vehicle enclosure  34 . Then an upper edge of the vehicle enclosure is attached to a roof of the golf cart using an attachment means, such as adhesive-backed fasteners of the present invention, conventional snaps, roof cover, rails, clips and so forth  35 . Next, adhesive-backed attachment devices are attached to the conventional snaps  36 . Next, the surface of the golf cart body is cleaned  37 . Then, one of the adhesive-backed attachment devices is attached to the body of the golf cart using a securing means  38 . Next, the previous step is repeated until each adhesive-backed attachment device is attached to the surface of the body  39 . Finally, any remaining unattached portions of the golf cart enclosure, such as side edges, bottom edges, etc., are attached to the golf cart using an attachment means, such as adhesive-backed fasteners of the present invention, conventional snaps, hook and loop fastener, zippers, sleeves and so forth  40 . 
         [0031]    It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5