Abstract:
Disclosed herein are a protective cover and related system for protecting a vehicle from the elements, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a protective cover is provided that comprises an inflatable flexible air chamber having a rectilinear shape and sized to entirely cover an upper surface and sides of a vehicle, the air chamber having a length and a width each at least 10 times its thickness. In addition, the protective cover may comprise a valve connected to the air chamber for inflating the air chamber, and a hem surrounding the perimeter of the air chamber and laterally extending therefrom. In such an embodiment, the protective cover may also comprise fastening mechanisms disposed in the hem for securing the air chamber to the upper surface and sides of the vehicle.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/865,040, filed Nov. 9, 2006, and entitled “Bouncecover.” This provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Disclosed embodiments herein relate generally to protective covers, and more particularly to a generic, inexpensive inflatable protective cover for use in protecting vehicles and other objects for the elements, and in particular, hail. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The effects of a hail storm can cause widespread damage to an automobile or even other vehicles or objects susceptible to such blunt falling objects. Hailstones can be as large as four inches in diameter, impacting vehicle surfaces at velocities of up to one hundred miles an hour or more. Hailstones cause damage to both the body panels and the glass of vehicles. Thus, a hail storm can cost car owners and car dealers tremendously expensive damage, as well as cost insurance companies millions of dollars. Where insurance companies are involved, the effects of such damage are felt across the nation in higher insurance premiums and higher prices for automobiles. These effects are also felt by private citizens who do not have comprehensive insurance and must pay out of their own pockets to repair the thousands of dollars worth of damage a single hail storm can do to an automobile. In addition to the cost involved, the vehicle owner has to contend with the inconvenience of having to arrange for the repair and obtain temporary alternate transportation. In short, millions of dollars are wasted annually by insurance companies, dealerships and private citizens in the repetitive exercise of repairing automobiles and other vehicles that have sustained hail damage. 
         [0004]    Traditionally, the only certain protection against such damage was to park the vehicle under a solid-roof structure which, in many instances, is not available. Conventional, non-inflatable vehicle covers are available for protecting vehicles from exposure to the weather, particularly sun and precipitation. These ordinary vehicle covers, however, provide little or no protection against falling objects. In addition, certain padded or inflatable covers have been developed that attempt to protect a vehicle from small falling objects such as hailstones. However, conventionally available covers are typically complex in design and structure, and thus are expensive to manufacture. For example, most are constructed with a large number of tubular cell that are filled with air to form a cushion that is intended to prevent falling objects from damaging the vehicle surface. Not only are such designs more expensive and complex to manufacture because of interconnection of such multiple tubular chambers, the resiliency of such covers may be questionable at the point where cells are adjoined. 
         [0005]    Other available covers are expensive to manufacture because of the materials involved, and in many cases are heavy and difficult for a single person to use easily. Still others are pre-formed to generally match the shape of the vehicle it is protecting, which can be a complex and expensive manufacturing process. In all such cases, the increased manufacturing cost, whether because of complexity or materials, is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. In addition, covers customized for certain vehicles or objects, while perhaps successful in protecting against objects such as hailstones, are typically limited in use to only the vehicle or object for which it is designed. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a protective cover, and related process for manufacturing such a cover, that is generic in shape for use with a variety of vehicles and objects, is manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials, and has a design and structure that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The present disclosure provides such a solution. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Disclosed herein are a protective cover and related system for protecting a vehicle from the elements, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. The protective cover is manufactured into a vessel or chamber to contain air in order to prevent impact of material hitting the upper layer of the protective cover from reaching the surface of the object protected by the lower layer of the protective cover. The protective cover may be used for the protection of automobiles against, for example, hail, as well as the impact of any medium sized blunt objects of medium velocity on any object to be protected. In addition, the protective cover may be manufactured into different shapes than for use with automobiles, for example, for protecting camping tents, boat protection, a cover for antennas and satellite dishes when not in use, and for protection of any other object desired. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, a protective cover is disclosed. In one embodiment, the protective cover comprises an inflatable flexible air chamber having a rectilinear shape and sized to entirely cover an upper surface and sides of a vehicle, the air chamber having a length and a width each at least 10 times its thickness. In addition, the protective cover may comprise a valve connected to the air chamber for inflating the air chamber, and a hem surrounding the perimeter of the air chamber and laterally extending therefrom. In such an embodiment, the protective cover may also comprise fastening mechanisms disposed in the hem for securing the air chamber to the upper surface and sides of the vehicle. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a system for protecting a vehicle is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a protective cover, which itself may comprise an inflatable air chamber having a rectilinear shape and sized to entirely cover an upper surface and sides of a vehicle. In addition, the protective cover may also comprise a valve connected to the air chamber for inflating the air chamber, a hem surrounding the perimeter of the air chamber and laterally extending therefrom, and retaining rings disposed in the hem along the length of the protective cover. In such an embodiment, the system may further comprise elastic bands disposed along widths of the hem and the front and rear of the protective cover, the elastic bands adapted to engage around front and rear portions of the vehicle. Still further, such a system may include straps configured to attached to the retaining rings and pass under the vehicle, the straps securing the air chamber to an upper surface of the vehicle. Finally, in such an embodiment, the system may include an inflating device adapted to inflate the air chamber via the valve. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing a protective cover for a vehicle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming an inflatable air chamber having a rectilinear shape by providing 4 pieces of material to comprise the four sides of the air chamber, providing 2 pieces of material to comprise the top and bottom of the air chamber, wherein the bottom piece is sized larger than the top piece so as to provide a hem surrounding the perimeter of the air chamber that laterally extends therefrom, and then connecting the 6 pieces to one another so as to form the air chamber having the hem. In addition, an air valve may be provided through one of the 6 pieces for inflating the air chamber. Such a method of manufacturing may also include forming fastening mechanisms in the hem for securing the air chamber to the upper surface and sides of a vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, and the advantages of the systems and methods herein, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a protective cover constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the protective cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the protective cover illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2   
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates cross-section side and front view of a protective cover constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles secured to an automobile; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the protective cover illustrated in the prior figures, which is constructed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is one embodiment of a protective cover  100  constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. Reference is made throughout this disclosure to a protective cover  100  for use in protecting a vehicle. However, it should be understood that such generalization is for simplification of the description herein, and thus a protective cover  100  constructed according to the disclosed principles may be used to protect any type of vehicle or other object, without limitation. 
         [0018]    The protective cover  100  illustrated includes a single inflatable air chamber  110  having a generic rectilinear shape. In other embodiments, the protective cover  100  may be constructed with more than one inflatable chamber  110 , if desired. In embodiments, where multiple air chambers  110  are constructed, the discussion below with the regard to the inflation of the air chamber  110  should be adjusted to accommodate the inflation of the multiple chambers. By providing the protective cover  100  as a generally rectilinear shape, a protective cover  100  according to the disclosed principles is advantageously useable with virtually any shape or type of vehicle or other equipment being protected. In addition, by having only a generic rectilinear shape, the expense and time-consuming process of customizing the protective cover  100  for particular size and/or shapes of vehicles or other items is eliminated. Of course, be greatly reducing the cost of designing and manufacturing a protective cover  100  according to the disclosed principles, the cost savings may be passed on the consumers, thereby reducing the overall purchase price for a protective cover  100  constructed according to the disclosed principles. Moreover, instead of having to buy multiple protective cover  100   s  for different vehicles or other equipment one might want to protect, a single protective cover  100  as disclosed herein may possibly provide the protection for a large number of various sized and shaped items in need of protection. 
         [0019]    Generally speaking, the material selected for constructing the inflatable chamber  110  should be air tight and waterproof and otherwise capable of withstanding the elements since the protective cover  100  will typically be employed as the sole means of protection for the vehicle or other item from the weather. In some embodiments, the protective cover  100  may be constructed from Silk-iene®, a very fine and extremely lightweight flexible 30 denier nylon rip-stop fabric that is double coated with silicone (one coat of silicone on each side of the material). Saturation coating with silicone on each side of the material gives the fabric the desired zero porosity attribute. Accordingly, no air passes through the material. In other embodiments, the sealant used to air- and waterproof the protective cover  100  may be Silnet®. Silnet is a sealant specially formulated for providing the sealing properties found on, for example, tents and other outdoor products. Silnet is typically silicone-based, and is often used to treat nylon material. In order to construct the protective cover  100 , any weather resistant thread may be employed. For example, any 100% nylon thread is sufficient, however, other thread materials may also be employed. 
         [0020]    Any type of air valve currently available, or even later developed, may be used for inflating the inflatable chamber  110  of the protective cover  100 . Turning to  FIG. 2 , with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a side view of the protective cover  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the components of the protective cover  100  discussed above,  FIG. 2  also illustrates an air valve  150  that was not visible from the view in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, air valves  150  used for automobile tires are sufficient for use with the protective cover  100 . In addition, depending on the type of air valve  150  employed, the valve  150  may be secured to the material or other fabric comprising the inflatable chamber  110 . In a simplified embodiment, a typical rubber tire patch  160  may be employed since such patches are designed to bond rubber materials. As such, the tire patch  160  may be used to bond (e.g., rubber weld) a valve  150  having a rubber exterior to the inflatable chamber  110 . Of course, other approaches to install an air valve  150  to the inflatable chamber  110  may also be employed, and no limitation to this exemplary approach is intended. 
         [0021]    To inflate a protective cover  100  constructed as disclosed herein, any type of air pump (not illustrated) may be used with a protective cover  100  constructed as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a portable battery or plug-in air pump may be employed. In other embodiments, a fixed air pump may be used to inflate the protective cover  100 . Also, the air pump used may be automatically or manually operated. Still further, in some embodiments, a traditional pump may not be used, and instead a tank of compressed air may employed to inflate the protective cover  100 . Such a tank may be a portable tank, such a type that could be carried in the vehicle being protected, or may be part of an air compressor system, such as the type found in automotive shops or even in home garages. In short, the inflation of the protective cover  100  may be by any means, either now existing or later developed. 
         [0022]    Advantageously, once a protective cover  100  constructed as disclosed herein is inflated to the proper pressure, the inflation mechanism may be disengaged. Specifically, in many conventional inflatable covers, a constant inflation pressure must be maintained by the inflation equipment. Of course, such covers therefore cost more to operate, and also require some type of pressure regulation device to maintain the pressure over the period the cover is to be used. By eliminating such approaches, a protective cover  100  constructed as disclosed herein simplifies the manufacture and operation of the protective cover  100 , thereby again advantageously reducing overall costs to the consumer. 
         [0023]    Constructed around the bottom perimeter of the inflatable air chamber  110  is a hem  120  of the protective cover  100 . Typically, the hem  120  is not an inflatable portion of the protective cover  100 , and is instead stitched or otherwise attached to the bottom perimeter of the air chamber  110 . As before, nylon or other such thread may be used to attached the hem, or, alternatively, the hem may simply be the extension of material from a surface of the air chamber  110  that extends past where the air chamber  110  has been sealed in order to be inflatable. 
         [0024]    To assist in securing the protective cover  100  to a vehicle or other item, the ends of the protective cover  100  may also be constructed with an elasticized portion  120   a  on the hem  120 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the protective cover  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . More specifically, the ends of the hem  120  around the protective cover  100  include elasticized portions  120   a  so that as the protective cover  100  is fit over a vehicle, the elasticized portions  120   a  of the hem  120  can be stretched over the front and rear ends of the vehicle being protected to help attach the protective cover  100  to that vehicles. In other embodiments, the entire perimeter of the hem  120  is elasticized to further assist in securing the protective cover  100  to the vehicle being protected. 
         [0025]    Once stretched over the ends of the vehicle, additional means may be used to further secure the protective cover  100  to the vehicle along the sides of the protective cover  100 . Specifically, retaining rings  130  may be secured to the material of the protective cover  100 . More specifically, as discussed in detail above, the protective cover  100  typically would include a hem around its lowest perimeter, where the hem is not inflated as part of the chamber(s)  110  comprising the protective portion of the protective cover  100 . In specific embodiments, four retaining rings  130  may be used in the process of securing the protective cover  100  in place. The retaining rings  130  may be stitched to the hem, and placed in appropriate locations to secure the protective cover  100  to the vehicle, such as proximate to the quarter-panels when an automobile is being protected. Of course, any number of retaining rings  130  may be employed, as needed, and it is envisioned that more than four retaining rings  130  may be needed if the protective cover  100  is manufactured to cover a large vehicle or object, whereas only four, or perhaps less, retaining rings  130  would be required for smaller-sized protective cover  100   s.    
         [0026]    During use of the protective cover  100 , a rope, strap or even bungee cord could be used to fasten one retaining ring  130  to one or more of the other rings  130 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a protective cover constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles applied to an automobile to protect the vehicle from the environment. In some embodiments, as illustrated, lashing straps may be employed, such as those straps having adjustable buckles or even a ratcheting mechanism to tighten the strap. Of course, any type of strap may be employed to secure the protective cover  100  to the vehicle. Moreover, such fastening typically would occur under the vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In advantageous embodiments, the retaining rings  130  are constructed of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the rings  130  may be constructed of coated steel, for example, zinc coating, in order to protect the rings  130  from the elements. 
         [0027]    Although the protective cover  100 , an in particular the air chamber(s)  110 , is manufactured in the advantageous generic rectilinear shape discussed in detail above, the flexible nature of the material used to construct the air chamber  110  allows the protective cover  100  to somewhat flex with the contour and shape of the item (e.g., a vehicle in  FIG. 4 ) it is mounted on. More specifically, as the protective cover  100  is tightened onto the top of the vehicle, for example, with the ratcheting straps discussed above, the air chamber  110  is continuously pulled down onto the top surfaces of the vehicle. As the protective cover  100  is tightened further and further onto the vehicle, the air chamber  110  flexes to accommodate the shape and contour of the upper surfaces of the vehicle. Accordingly, rather than having to customize the protective cover  100  itself to the shape and contour of the item it is intended to protect, the generic rectilinear shape of the protective cover  100  allows it to fit variously shaped items, while the flexible nature of the material used to manufacture the air chamber  110  allows the protective cover  100  to accommodate the shape of the item as it is fastened onto the item. 
         [0028]    What follows now is an exemplary embodiment of a process for the construction of the medium-sized protective cover  100  discussed above, in accordance with the disclosed principles. However, it should be noted that the same or similar principles discussed below may be employed to manufacture a protective cover  100  of any larger or smaller size, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed principles. In the market today, the manufactures of car and other vehicle covers produce covers with dimensions from about 13′2″ to 22′, and typically categorized into five different sizes based on car length (13′2″-14′2″, 14′3″-16′8″, 16;9″-19′, and 19′1″ to 22). To simplify the discussion below, certain dimensions for the vehicle and protective cover  100  are assumed, without excluding the construction of the protective cover  100  to potentially fit all sizes and shapes. As such, the dimensions for the exemplary protective cover  100  discussed below are: length—16′, width—13′, and a height—X (of the inflated part). Of course, any size protective cover  100  may be constructed, and no limitation to any particular dimensions is intended or should be implied. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrated an exploded isometric view of the protective cover  100  illustrated in the prior figures, which is constructed in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. The construction process may begin with the cutting of the Silk-iene fabric into the various pieces that will be stitched or otherwise connected together to create the protective cover  100 . The process begins in this exemplary embodiment by cutting a piece of material having approximate dimensions of 16′×13′ to produce piece A 1 , which represents the maximum perimeter of the protective cover  100  including the hem  120 . A second piece having dimensions 15′×12′, and which represents piece A 2 , may then be cut. This piece A 2  represents the top of the inflatable air chamber  110 . Next, the ends of the air chamber  110  are cut from the same material. Specifically, two pieces B 1 , B 2  having dimensions of approximately 12′×6″ are cut. In addition, two more pieces C 1 , C 2  are cut that represent the sides of the air chamber  110 . These pieces C 1 , C 2  are cut to approximately dimensions of 15′×6″. 
         [0030]    Now a standard tire air valve  150  may be placed through the center of standard a tire repair patch  160  until there is a snug fit at the upper end of the base of the valve  150 . By using standard PVC glue, the patch  160  may be secured to the valve  150 . Of course, any commercially available adhesive may be used to hold these pieces together. In the center of end piece B 2 , a small hole  140  approximately the diameter of the outside of the tire valve  150  is made. The valve  150  is placed through the hole  140  so that the patch  160  rests against the surface of piece B 2  around the hole  140 . Adhesive or sealant, for example, Silnet, may be applied generously on both sides of the piece B 2  around the valve  150  and between the patch  160  and the material B 2 . If Silnet is used, it typically is left to solidify and cure to achieve its full strength for 16 hours. 
         [0031]    As mentioned above, piece A 1  is the piece that lays directly on the surface of the vehicle or other item to be protected. Since in this embodiment, the air chamber  110  is defined to be 15′×12′×6″, all of the seams may be located about 6″ interior to the edges of piece A 1 . Specifically, on the dimension of length of piece A 1 , which is 16′, at approximately 6″ off each edge the first seam with piece C 1  occurs. Again measuring 6″ off another edge of A 1  the seam between piece B 2  and A 1  is made, as well as between piece B 2  and piece C 1  at right angle with respect to C 1 . The height of pieces B 1 , B 2 , C 1  and C 2  all represent the thickness of the inflatable chamber  110 . The next step in the process is to again measure 6″ of the side of A 1  facing piece B 1 , and make the seam between piece B 1  and piece A 1 , and between piece C 2  at a right angle with piece B 1 . Similarly, again 6″ is measured off of the side of A 1  this time facing piece C 1 , and the seam between piece C 1  and piece A 1  is made, and also between piece C 1  at a right angle with piece B 1 . 
         [0032]    The final piece may now be connected to the rest of the protective cover  100 . Specifically, piece A 2  is placed parallel to A 1  and at right angles to B 1 , C 1 , B 2  and C 2 . This may be done in two stages. First, piece A 2  may be connected with seams in the orientation described with C 2 , B 2 , C 1 . The seams will be lined on the exterior and interior surfaces with a sealant, again such as Silnet, and curing time may be given so that it reaches its full strength. Second, is the connection between piece A 2  and piece B 1 . For the obvious reason, one cannot first place these pieces in place together, and then line the interior part of the seam with adhesive. Therefore, an approximation of where pieces A 2  and B 1  will connect is done. Specifically, at about 1.25 inches from the approximation of this intended seam. From that point of approximation, for the length of B 1  and with a width of 1″, that area may be lined with adhesive and the two piece placed together. After the Silnet or other adhesive/sealant cures and reaches its full effect, the remaining 0.25″ of the two approximate surfaces would be used for the application of the seam, and afterwards the exterior of the seam could further be lined with Silnet again. 
         [0033]    In all of the seams described above, the nature of how the seam is made is determined by the manufacturer of the protective cover  100  at the time; however, double stitching of the seams is recommended in the experience of the present inventors. Additionally, along the construction process, Silnet or other advantageous sealant or adhesive may be applied to all of the seams between all of the various pieces of the protective cover  100  to ensure an air tight seal in all areas. As before, if Silnet is used here, ample cure time for the sealant may be provided before continuing with the construction process. 
         [0034]    In the preceding steps of the construction of the protective cover  100 , it is established that both the length and the width of piece A 1  extends 6″ from the inflatable air chamber  110  portion of the protective cover  100 . That 6″ of fabric now surround the air chamber  110  as the hem  120 . At the final 1″ of that hem  120 , the material may be folded 1″ for the perimeter of the protective cover  100 , and then stitching that fold back on to piece A 1 . In this manner, a space  120   a  at the hem  120  is created for an elastic band to be inserted in order to elasticize the hem as described above. 
         [0035]    Then, in this embodiment, two retaining rings  130  are stitched on each side of the length of the hem  120  of piece A 1 . Each pair of retaining rings  130  may be placed 3′ off the end of the length side of piece A 1  parallel to each other, approximating a position behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels of the vehicle being protected. This positioning may be seen in  FIG. 4 . The internal diameter of the retaining rings  130  is recommended to be 1⅝″, however, other sizes could also be used. As described in detail above, the use of the retaining rings  130  in the protective cover  100  will allow the use of two fastening straps, for example, light duty lashing straps 14 feet long and 1 inch wide, with a stainless steel buckle to adjust length. Once attached to the vehicle or other item, an inflation device as discussed in detail above may then be used to inflate the air chamber  110 . By inflating the air chamber  110  after securely attaching the protective cover  100  to the vehicle, the cover  100  will easily follow the curvature and shape of the vehicle. Of course, pre-inflation and then cinching the protective cover  100  down on the vehicle also allows the disclosed cover  100  to conform to the shape of the vehicle. 
       Hail Impact Analysis 
       [0036]    In this section, an analysis is presented of all variables that directly contribute and effect the design section of the protective cover  100  with regard to hail impact. The first portion of this section will deal with hail data. Following the first part, a demonstration of the scientific data regarding the inflatable air chamber  110  of the protective cover  100  is provided. Finally, from both parts there will be a conclusion for the proposed design with regard to hail protection and impact. 
       Hail Data 
       [0037]    The first concern in this analysis is the calculation of hail mass. There is a large amount of data available from the National Weather Service regarding the variations in hail mass. In the present calculations, the worst case scenario is assumed, and thus the following are given:
       1) Hail has spherical mass   2) No air bubbles in hail mass   3) Largest ever recorded solid ice hail density (p=917 kg/ 3 ) (weather.ou.edu/˜metr3223/physec9.pdf. Graupel and hail growth)   4) Largest ever recorded diameter (D=4.5 inches 11.4 cm=0.114 m) (“softball size”) (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/tables/hailsize.htm)       
 
       The volume will be calculated based on the following equation (1): 
       [0042]        V =(4/3)π( D/ 2) 3    (1) 
         [0000]    where D=0.114 m. Therefore the volume is V=7.757366×10 −4  m 3.  The mass is calculated using equation (2): 
         [0000]        m=p×V    (2) 
         [0000]    Therefore, using these equations, mass is calculated as m=0.7113 kg. Historical data on hail indicates that 0.75 kg is the largest mass recorded ever, so this calculated mass is suitable for a worst case scenario example. (http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99107.htm) 
         [0043]    Assuming in this model that the hail is in a state of free fall (i.e., g=9.81 m/sec 2 ) until impact with the protective cover  100 , we eliminate the air resistance and wind velocity because that allows calculation of a worst case deflection cushion for the protective cover  100 . To aid in this goal, it is also assumed that all impact occurs at right angles with the inflatable air chamber  110  since that way maximum impact occurs (impact at an angle is weaker). The ground temperature during hail impact has been known to fluctuate. In the present case, the chosen temperature is 79° F. (26° C.) which was the highest temperature for Mar. 30, 2006 in Columbia, Mo., where a hail storm occurred that was documented by the National Weather Service. (www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KCOU/2006/3/30/DailyHistory); (www.spc.nssl.noaa.gov/exper/archive/events/060330/index.html) 
       Next, the force of impact on the exemplary protective cover  100  is calculated using equation (3): 
       [0044]      F=mg   (3) 
       Thus, with m=0.7113 Kg, and we know g=9.81 m/sec 2 . Therefore, plugging to equation (3) the products from equations (1) and (2): 
       [0045]        F =(0.7113 Kg) (9.81 m/sec 2 )=6.9779 N. 
       Protective Cover Data 
       [0046]    The volume (V) of the air chamber  110  of the protective cover  100  in the present example is calculated using equation (4): 
         [0000]        V =length×width×height   (4) 
         [0000]    Thus, using the dimensions of the air chamber  110  discussed above: 
         [0000]        V =(4.572 m)×(3.6576 m)×(0.1524 m)=2.5485 m 3    
       The pressure of the air chamber  110  of the protective cover  100  is calculated using equation (5): 
       [0047]      PV=nRT   (5) 
         [0000]    where “n” is the number of moles in air (3.23×10 20  moles), R is the universal gas constant (0.082×10 −3  (m 3  atm/mol K)), and T is the selected temperature (79° F.=299.26 K). Therefore. 
         [0000]        P= 3.11014×10 18  (atm). 
       Force on the Protective Cover 
       [0048]    Finally, the force (F) acted upon the protective cover  100  throughout the surface of the air chamber  110  is calculated using equation (6): 
         [0000]        F=P×A    (6) 
         [0000]    where P is the pressure in the air chamber  110  and A is the area of the air chamber. Using the measurements discussed above for constructing the air chamber  110 , 
         [0000]        A =(2×4.572 m×3.6576 m)+(2×3.6576 m×0.1524 m)+(2×4.572 m×0.1524 m)=35.953 m 2 . 
         [0000]    Plugging this information into equation (6) results in: 
         [0000]        F=PA= 3.11014×10 18 ×101325 (N/m 2 )×35.953 m 2 =1.133×m 25  N. 
         [0049]    Using the above information, the present inventors have found that the force exerted on the surface of the exemplary protective cover  100  from the air contained in the inflatable air chamber  110  is several orders of magnitude larger then the force exerted at impact from the above hail model, which was 6.9778 N. Therefore, according to the conditions set in the present example (right angle impact), hail impacting the air chamber  110  with the maximum calculated force will simply bounce off of the air chamber portion of the protective cover  100 , thus leaving the vehicle or other item being protected undamaged from even the largest and most severe hail ever recorded. Moreover, this type of advantageous protection is provided by a protective cover having generic rectilinear shape that is adapted for use with almost any item in need of protection. Because of this generic construction, such a protective cover is therefore much less expensive to manufacture and thus much less expensive for consumers to purchase. 
         [0050]    While various embodiments of a protective cover according to the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages. 
         [0051]    Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a “Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.