Abstract:
A hail cover for a vehicle is provided having a deformable, inflatable body member with attachment straps and an inflation tube extending therefrom. The body member has a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough. The body member is placed over top portions of a vehicle and secured thereto with the attachment straps. Once secured a user can enter their vehicle and inflate the cover to create a protective layer for the vehicle while safely inside of the vehicle. The plurality of apertures provide for a fluid-dynamic structure to the cover to assist with stabilizing the position of the cover during turbulent winds.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/788,888, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an inflatable cover configured to be removably attached to a vehicle for protecting said vehicle from impact of foreign objects. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The love affair people have with their automobiles is a well-known fact. Countless hours are spent cleaning, waxing, and detailing cars every day, just so they can look their best as they drive down the road. While physical maintenance such as that outlined above is an important part of keeping a vehicle looking good, protecting a vehicle from environmental dangers is even more important. For those vehicle owners without a garage, a common tool to aid in this effort is the vehicle cover. While the vehicle cover does provide some protection from environmental and light physical dangers, strong physical damage, such as from hail or light tree branches, can overcome its protection. Such damage from hailstorms is immediate, long lasting, and costly. Accordingly, a need has developed for a means by which automobiles can be protected against common environmental damage, especially hail, in a quick, easy, and effective manner. The development of the hail cover fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus of the present invention is a cover that provides environmental protection for vehicles, especially against hail storms. It is an inflatable cover that can be carried in the vehicle when deflated, but takes the form of a large inflatable shield when inflated. It is provided with apertures disposed throughout the cover to provide for a fluid-dynamic structure, which assists with stabilizing the position of the cover during turbulent winds. In its deflated state, the cover is unfolded and placed upon the hood, passenger section, and trunk of the vehicle. Strong elastic straps are provided to secure it to the chassis and hold the invention in place. Next, the cover is inflated by way of an inflation tube, which may be accessed by an occupant while inside the vehicle. After use, the invention can be quickly deflated by way of a valve, and folded for storage. 
     Prior art in this field consists of reinforced covers and inflatable covers, but none with the added utility that the present invention provides. Prior art reinforced covers consist of padded covers or covers having rigid plank members incorporated into the cover. These covers are not inflatable/deflatable and tend to be unwieldy. Prior art inflatable covers do exist, but with limitations that the present invention overcomes. These prior art inflatable covers do not provide a means to inflate/deflate the cover from an occupant of a vehicle while seated inside the vehicle. They also fail to provide an option to inflate the cover by a human or an ancillary compressed air source. Furthermore, these prior art inflatable covers fail to provide the fluid-dynamic aperture structure to assist with stabilizing the position of the cover during turbulent winds. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle cover that effectively protects a vehicle from bombardment of hail and similar objects. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle cover that is inflatable/deflatable and configured to be easily foldable, wieldable, and storable. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle cover that may be inflatable/deflatable from an occupant of a vehicle while the occupant is inside the vehicle and the cover is placed on the vehicle. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle cover that may be manually inflated by a human or inflated by connection to an ancillary compressed air source. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a quick and easy securement mechanism to secure the vehicle cover to a vehicle while in use. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a vehicle cover with a fluid-dynamic aperture structure to assist with stabilizing the position of the cover during turbulent winds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus is an inflatable/deflatable cover, intended to be used during inclement weather, which is placed upon upper surfaces of a vehicle and secured to the vehicle via straps. The cover is intended to protect the exterior of the vehicle by shielding it from a bombardment of hail and similar debris. The apparatus is envisioned to be fabricated in several sizes to accommodate various vehicle sizes and styles. A plurality of securing straps is provided along perimeter edge portions to affix the cover to subjacent chassis portions of the vehicle. Once placed on the vehicle, air is imparted into the cover through an inflating tube. This inflating tube is preferably located on a side of the cover commensurate with the driver-side of the vehicle so that an occupant in the driver&#39;s seat may extend the inflation tube in through the driver-side window and inflate/deflate the apparatus without having to be exposed to the inclement weather conditions. A valve is further disposed on the inflation tube to enable retention of air within the cover or to enable deflation of the cover. 
     A beneficial feature of the apparatus is the fluid-dynamic aperture structure of the cover. A plurality of apertures is disposed throughout the cover, each extending from an outwardly-facing layer to an inwardly facing layer of the cover, but configured to maintain a self-contained bladder of the cover so that it can be inflated. The purpose of these apertures are to provide a means for air flow and equalization of pressure between the outwardly-facing and inwardly facing layers during turbulent wind conditions. Another beneficial feature is that the inflation tube is configured to receive air from a human mouth or from an ancillary compressed air source. Another beneficial feature is that the securing straps are preferably elastic and provided with hook fasteners. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a hail cover  10  for a vehicle  100  depicting an in-use state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the hail cover  10  for a vehicle  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a close-up view of a left side edge  22   a  of the hail cover  10  for a vehicle  100  depicting an inflating tube portion  40 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a close-up view of a securing strap portion  30  of the hail cover  10  for a vehicle  100 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the hail cover  10  for a vehicle  100  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3   a ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  hail cover 
               20  cover 
               22   a  left side edge 
               22   b  right side edge 
               23   a  front edge 
               23   b  rear edge 
               24   a  outer layer 
               24   b  inner layer 
               25  aperture 
               27  air flow 
               28  interior 
               30  securing strap 
               32  eyelet 
               34  fastener 
               36  hook end 
               40  inflating tube 
               42  adapter 
               44  valve 
               60  compressed air source 
               62  barbed adapter 
               100  vehicle 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a hail cover (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for protecting a vehicle  100  during a hail storm or similar damaging inclement weather conditions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting an in-use state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is positioned upon all upper surfaces of a vehicle  100  during inclement weather, thereby protecting and shielding an exterior of the vehicle  100  from dents and other damages. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be fabricated in several sizes to accommodate various vehicle sizes and styles. 
     The apparatus  10  provides an inflatable cover  20  having a plurality of securing straps  30  attached along edge portions  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b , which provide a means to affix the apparatus  10  to subjacent chassis portions of the vehicle  100 . The apparatus  10  further includes a means of manual inflation via an inflating tube  40 , also located along a perimeter edge (depicted as being disposed on the left side edge in  FIG. 2 , but can be disposed on any edge portion  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b ), being accessible to a user while positioned safely within the vehicle  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top view of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The cover  20  is fabricated from a durable airtight heavy-gauge material such as plastic, nylon, or the like, which offers impact protection when inflated, and can be folded or rolled up for storage when deflated. The inflatable cover  20  preferably takes on a generally rectangular form further including a left side edge  22   a , a right side edge  22   b , a front edge  23   a , and a rear edge  23   b . The cover  20  also includes parallel surface portions including an outwardly-facing layer  24   a  and an inwardly-facing layer  24   b  (see  FIG. 4 ). It is envisioned for the apparatus  10  to be employed with the inwardly-facing layer  24   b  lying adjacent to a top surface of the vehicle  100  and the front edge  23   a  is positioned commensurately with a front of the vehicle  100  so that the left side edge  22   a  is positioned commensurately with the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle for left-side driven vehicles, but employment of the apparatus  10  is certainly not limited to such configuration. 
     The cover  20  provides a plurality of securing straps  30  arranged along perimeter edges  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b . An embodiment of the apparatus  10  is depicted here having securing straps  30  located at corner portions of the cover  20  and at a plurality of intermediate locations along the perimeter edges  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b ; however, it is understood that different numbers of, and locations of, the securing straps  30  would be determined based upon a size and shape of the cover  20  and a corresponding vehicle  100 . 
     The cover  20  comprises a plurality of equally-spaced apertures  25 , each preferably approximately one-quarter (¼ in.) of an inch in diameter and arranged in rows that are substantially parallel and orthogonal to each other; however, other size apertures  25  and arrangements thereof may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the apparatus  10 . Nonetheless, the number of, the size of, and the arrangement of apertures  25  must be such as to not detract from the ability of the apparatus  10  to provide a barrier-protection from hail and other debris bombarding the cover  20 . The apertures  25  extend through the cover  20  to communicate an air flow  27  through the cover  20 , thereby acting to stabilize the apparatus  10  upon the vehicle  100  during turbulent windy conditions (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   a , a close-up view of a left side edge portion  22   a  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A portion of the left side edge  22   a  of the cover  20  is illustrated here including an inflating tube  40 . The inflating tube  40  provides a means of inflating the cover portion  20  of the apparatus  10 . The inflating tube  40  is envisioned to provide a plastic or rubber section of tubing positioned near the driver-side window, thereby enabling the driver to route the inflating tube  40  into the vehicle  100  for subsequent inflating while occupying a safe interior position. The inflating tube  40  is envisioned to be utilized in a manual manner; however, the inflating tube  40  may also utilize a compressed air source  60  such as hose that is extended from a portable air compressor being equipped with a barbed adapter  62 , or equivalent means, to provide pneumatic connection to an end portion of the inflating tube  40 . Although the inflating tube  40  is shown being disposed on the left side edge  22   a , it is understood that the inflating tube  40  may be disposed on any perimeter edge  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b.    
     The cover  20  provides an attachment means to the inflating tube  40  via an integrally-molded or otherwise affixed adapter  42  along the left side edge  22   a . Although the affixing adapter  42  is shown being disposed on the left side edge  22   a , it is understood that the affixing adapter  42  may be disposed on any perimeter edge  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b . The adapter  42  further includes a manually-operated valve  44 . The adapter  42  and valve  44  conduct and retain a flow of air  27  to provide fluid communication between the inflating tube  40  and an interior  28  of the cover  20 , and also enable the cover  20  to be deflated after use. The valve  44  is envisioned to be a plastic in-line quarter-turn ball valve unit, or equivalent flow control device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   b , a close-up view of a securing strap portion  30  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The cover  20  includes a plurality of securing straps  30  along the perimeter edges  22   a ,  22   b ,  23   a ,  23   b . Each securing strap  30  is to be attached to the cover  20  preferably using an integrally molded eyelet  32 . The securing strap  30  is routed through the eyelet  32  forming a loop, which is secured using a crimping-type fastener  34 ; however, it is understood that other attachment methods may be employed with equal benefit such as, but not limited to: sewing techniques, adhesive bonding, plastic welding and the like, without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The securing straps  30  are used to retain the apparatus  10  upon the vehicle  100 . Each securing strap  30  is envisioned to comprise an elastic cord, similar to a bungee-type cord, including an integral hook end  36  to provide removable attachment to undercarriage and/or similar portions of the vehicle  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3   a ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apertures  25  provide tubular structures sealed along upper and bottom portions to respective outer layer  24   a  and inner layer  24   b  portions of the cover  20 , thereby acting to mechanically join the outer  24   a  and inner  24   b  layers. During use, the apertures  25  also provide a means to equalize external air pressure along outer  24   a  and inner  24   b  surfaces of the cover  20  due to windy conditions, thereby helping to stabilize the position of the apparatus  10  upon the vehicle  100 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1   
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the apparatus  10  being particularly sized to cover all top surfaces of an intended vehicle  100 ; unfolding or unrolling the cover  20 ; placing the cover  20  upon upper surfaces of the vehicle  100 ; retaining the cover  20  upon the vehicle  100  by engaging the hook ends  36  of each securing strap  30  to the undercarriage and/or similar feature of the vehicle  100 , preferably such that the inflating tube portion  40  is positioned above a driver&#39;s door portion of the vehicle  100 ; allowing a user to enter the vehicle  100 ; placing the inflating tube  40  within the vehicle  100 , preferably by routing it through the driver&#39;s door window portion; opening the valve  44 , if not previously opened; inflating the cover  20  by manually blowing air into the inflating tube  40 , or; connecting the inflating tube  40  to a compressed air source  60  equipped with hose and barbed fitting  62  portions to connect and conduct air through the inflating tube  40  and into the interior  28  of the cover  20 ; closing the valve  44 ; enabling the cover  20  to shield the vehicle  100  during a period of damaging weather such as a hail or sleet storm; opening the valve  44  to deflate the air within the cover  20  out through the inflating tube  40 ; folding or rolling the cover  20  for storage, as desired; storing the device  10  until needed again; and, benefiting from protection of a vehicle  100  from damaging projectile-type weather events afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.