Protective device for a parking space for motor vehicles

Abstract

Protective device (1) for a parking space for motor vehicles, with at least one protective element (2) arranged at the height of a motor vehicle side door to prevent damage to and / or by the motor vehicle side door as a result of its opening movement, wherein the at least one protective element (2) is held at the height of the motor vehicle side door by means of a suspension (3), characterized in that the suspension (3) has at least one elastically flexible retaining element (6) by means of which the protective element (2) is fixed to the floor (8) of the parking space.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a protective device for a parking space for motor vehicles according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] When opening a side door of a parked motor vehicle, a lack of space and / or careless opening may cause the side door, particularly a door edge, to collide with an adjacent object, particularly a neighboring vehicle. There is a particular risk of collision with a neighboring vehicle when entering or exiting narrow garages with multiple parking spaces.

[0003] DE 10 2006 024 643 B4 discloses a protective device for a motor vehicle door for preventing damage to and / or by an object that can be touched during an opening movement of the motor vehicle door, with at least one protective means that can be moved between a rest position and a functional position relative to the guide device, which protective means is preferably made at least in sections from an elastic and shock-absorbing material.

[0004] For example, DE 20 2008 005 885 U1 discloses a protective strip which is kinematically coupled to a drive wheel of a motor-driven drive via a coupling. The coupling is eccentrically hinged to the drive wheel. Furthermore, a sensor connected to the drive motor is provided for detecting the opening or closing of the vehicle door. When the vehicle door is opened, the sensor generates a control signal such that the protective strip is pivoted by the drive motor from its rest position to its active position, covering the door edge. A control signal is also generated when the vehicle door is closed. The drive motor pivots the protective strip from its active position back to its rest position to clear the door edge.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 103 812 A1 discloses a dent protection shield for a vehicle door with a stepping board having a first position for stepping into the vehicle door. A stepping board at least partially conceals or overlays a lifting device including a linkage in the lowered position. The lifting device includes an actuator for actuating the linkage to move the stepping board to a second position to at least partially protect the vehicle door from dents or bumps.

[0006] In addition, GB 2 443 064 A, US 6 240 681 B1 and US 4 101 933 A show further protective devices which are suspended and designed to protect vehicle doors.

[0007] Furthermore, for example, cladding made of polystyrene or textile fibers, which are attached to the side walls of garage walls and protect the side door, also known as the motor vehicle side door, as well as the garage wall from damage caused by collision of the motor vehicle side door with the garage wall when the motor vehicle side door is opened, are generally known.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective device for a parking space for motor vehicles so that collisions and thus damage to motor vehicles and to motor vehicle side doors can be avoided in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a protective device having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0010] The invention relates to a protective device for at least one parking space for motor vehicles, in particular for a parking space in a garage, which has a plurality of parking spaces that can be at least partially structurally separated and / or arranged next to one another. In other words, the protective device can be arranged or is arranged between two parking spaces that allow the parking of two motor vehicles parked parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] The protective device has at least one protective element arranged at the level of a side door, also referred to as a motor vehicle side door, of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, to prevent damage to and / or caused by the motor vehicle side door as a result of its opening movement. This is to be understood in particular that, in the installed position of the protective device and in a state in which a motor vehicle is parked in the parking space to which the protective device is assigned or next to which the protective device is arranged, the protective element is arranged in the vehicle's vertical direction or in the vertical direction at the level of a side door of the motor vehicle, in particular such that the side door is at least partially overlapped or covered outwards by the protective element in the vehicle's transverse direction.The protective device takes up its installation position in the position intended for its intended use, i.e. when the protective device is arranged or mounted next to the parking space.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention provides that the at least one protective element is held by means of a suspension at the height of the motor vehicle side door. The distance from an underside of the protective element, which points vertically downwards in the installed position of the protective device, to an opposite floor of the parking space is preferably 800 millimeters. This means that when the side door of the motor vehicle is opened, a rear edge of the open side door of the motor vehicle in the direction of travel or the vehicle's longitudinal direction first comes into contact with the protective element, whereupon, if the side door is opened further, the protective element comes into contact with a vehicle parked next to the motor vehicle. This can prevent collisions and damage to a respective side of the motor vehicle facing the protective device and to the vehicle itself.In other words, the protective element can protect the side door of the motor vehicle whose side door is opening, as well as the side of the vehicle parked next to it facing the protective element, from damage.

[0013] In order to be able to avoid collisions and thus damage particularly easily and cost-effectively, as well as to ensure a particularly good protective effect and a particularly good stabilization of the protective element, it is provided according to the invention that the suspension has at least one elastically flexible holding element by means of which the protective element is fixed to the floor of the parking space. In other words, a holding element is attached to the protective element, in particular to its underside which points vertically downwards and thus faces the ground, which runs in a perpendicular or vertical direction to the ground and is connected to the floor of the parking space. The holding element can be designed as a rigid connection, such as a tube, or as an elastic connection, such as a rope or cord.This further advantageously stabilizes the protective element in its as-manufactured position. Furthermore, the retaining element is formed, for example, from a tensioning cable, which, for example, comprises an elastic band covered with a fabric. Preferably, the elastically flexible retaining element is fixed to the underside of the protective element and to the floor of the parking space. In other words, the retaining element is preferably elastically, in particular rubber-elastic, deformable, i.e., formed from an elastically, in particular rubber-elastic, deformable material, in particular plastic.

[0014] To enable time-saving assembly and disassembly of the protective device, the retaining element features a hook at its lower end, which runs or points toward the ground. This hook allows the retaining element to be securely hooked into an eyelet or ring attached to the floor of the parking space and held in place. Predefined tensioning of the retaining element can provide additional stabilization of the protective element.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the suspension of the protective device comprises at least one elastic suspension element from which the protective element is suspended. In other words, the protective element is connected to a preferably elastic suspension element, which is attached, for example, to a ceiling above the parking space. The suspension element, which can be elastic, in particular rubber-elastic, is preferably formed from a flexible and / or tensile-resistant cable, which is formed, for example, from twisted and / or braided natural and / or synthetic fibers. This allows a limited, horizontal displacement or deflection of the protective element transversely to the longitudinal direction of the parked motor vehicle when the side door is opened. This enables a large opening angle of the side door to be opened and allows comfortable entry and exit into or from the motor vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the suspension element, which is connected, for example, to the ceiling and to the protective element so that the protective element is held on the ceiling via the suspension element, is not elastic, i.e. not rubber-elastic.

[0017] It has proven particularly advantageous if the suspension of the protective device comprises two suspension elements from which the protective element is suspended. In other words, the protective element is connected to two suspension elements which are attached, for example, to the ceiling above the parking space. The two suspension elements are each attached, for example, in an outer region of the protective element in the longitudinal direction of the protective element, in particular on an upper side of the protective element, wherein the upper side of the protective element points vertically upwards in the installed position of the protective device and thus, for example, faces the ceiling. The two suspension elements can be designed as rigid connections, such as tubes, or as pliable or flexible and preferably elastic connections, such as ropes or cords.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the suspension elements are not elastic, i.e., not rubber-elastic. This stabilizes the protective element in its installed position, but can still deflect the side door to a certain extent, allowing the side door to open while avoiding damage. Furthermore, this can prevent unintentional horizontal twisting or unwanted deflection of the protective element.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the protective element is designed as a rod element that extends at least substantially horizontally in the installed position of the protective device. This means that the protective element is, for example, an at least predominantly straight or linear body whose length is large compared to its other dimensions and the resulting cross-sectional area. The length of the rod element is preferably at least or exactly four meters. This ensures sufficient effectiveness of the protective element, since in motor vehicles with one motor vehicle side door per side of the vehicle and in motor vehicles with two motor vehicle side doors per side of the vehicle, the side doors are arranged in the middle to rear area.Furthermore, it can be provided that the rod element has a cylindrical body, in particular a hollow body, or is designed as a cylindrical body, in particular a hollow body. Preferably, the diameter of the rod element is at least or exactly 50 millimeters. This only slightly reduces the parking spaces of the two adjacent parking spaces.

[0019] A further embodiment is characterized in that the protective element itself is designed to be elastically flexible, at least in some areas. In other words, the protective element is made, for example, from an elastically deformable material, in particular from an elastically deformable plastic. For example, the protective element is made from a foam material that exhibits advantageous compressibility. This means that the protective element reduces its volume when subjected to pressure.If, for example, during an opening movement of the motor vehicle side door of a first motor vehicle, the rear edge of the open motor vehicle side door of the first motor vehicle comes into contact with the protective element in the direction of travel and the protective element then comes into contact with a vehicle parked next to the motor vehicle, the edge of the motor vehicle side door of the motor vehicle presses into the protective element, whereby the volume of the foam of the protective element is reduced in this area. The pressure exerted on the protective element in this process is evenly distributed across the foam, which rests at least partially on the opposite side of the protective element in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This can also prevent minor damage, such as dents, in the side of the adjacent vehicle facing the protective element.

[0020] Finally, it has proven advantageous if the suspension comprises two holding elements. In other words, the protective element is connected to two holding elements which are attached to the floor of the parking space and are thus connected to the floor via the holding elements. The two holding elements are each attached, for example, in an outer region of the protective element in the longitudinal direction of the protective element, in particular on its underside. Preferably, the holding elements are each formed from a tensioning cable which, for example, comprises an elastic band which is covered with a fabric. By attaching two holding elements to the protective element, horizontal twisting of the protective element can be prevented.

[0021] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figure and the description of the figures.

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The single figure shows a perspective view of a protective device according to the invention for a parking space for motor vehicles.

[0023] The sole figure shows a perspective view of a protective device 1 for a parking space for motor vehicles, in particular for passenger cars. In the present case, the protective device 1 is arranged in a garage having a plurality of parking spaces, which may be at least partially structurally separated. The protective device 1 is arranged or mounted between two parking spaces, each of which can accommodate a motor vehicle in such a way that the vehicles parked simultaneously in the parking spaces are parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0024] The protective device 1 comprises a protective element 2, which, in the installed position of the protective device 1 and in a state in which the aforementioned motor vehicles are simultaneously parked in the parking spaces as described, is arranged at the level of at least one side door, also simply referred to as a side door, of at least one of the motor vehicles. In the following, one motor vehicle is also referred to as a motor vehicle or first motor vehicle, with the other motor vehicle also being referred to as a second motor vehicle or vehicle. By means of the protective element 2, damage to and / or caused by the side door of the motor vehicle as a result of its opening movement can be prevented.

[0025] The protective element 2 is held by means of a suspension 3 at the level of the motor vehicle side door above an at least substantially horizontal floor 8 of the parking space. The figure shows the protective device 1 in its installed position and thus in the position intended for the intended use of the protective device 1. The suspension 3 comprises two suspension elements 4, from which the protective element 2 is suspended. For this purpose, the suspension elements 4, which are formed separately from the protective element 2, are connected on the one hand, in particular at one end, to the protective element 2. In addition, two fastening elements 11, which are formed separately from the suspension elements 4, are provided, which are preferably inherently rigid, i.e., dimensionally stable, and are fastened to a ceiling 7. The ceiling 7, which is arranged vertically above the parking spaces, covers the parking spaces vertically upwards.The suspension elements 4, which are connected on the one hand, in particular at one end, to the protective element 2, are on the other hand, in particular at the other end, connected to the fastening elements 11 by a respective loop 12 of the suspension elements 4, such that the suspension elements 4 are suspended from the ceiling 7 via the fastening elements 11, i.e. are held to the ceiling 7. As a result, the suspension 3 and thus the protective element 2 are attached, i.e. held, to the ceiling 7 of the parking space via the suspension elements 4. This means that the suspension elements 4 are connected, for example, by their respective upper ends, to the ceiling 7 of the parking space at least indirectly, in this case via the fastening elements 11. In this case, the respective fastening element 11 is a particularly L-shaped angle.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the suspension elements 4 are flexible, i.e., dimensionally unstable. In particular, the suspension elements 4 are designed as traction means, in particular as cables or cords, which may optionally be elastic or, preferably, non-elastic, in particular non-rubber-elastic. Respective lower ends of the suspension elements 4, which are located vertically lower and opposite the upper ends, are each attached to an outer region of the protective element 2 in the longitudinal direction of the protective element 2, in particular to its upper side, in order to hold the protective element 2 in an at least substantially horizontal rest position running parallel to the floor 8 of the parking space.In order to be able to change the height of the protective element 2 or the distance from the floor of the parking space to the protective element 2, the invention provides that the suspension elements 4 each have at least two loops 12 at their upper ends, whereby a shortening or lengthening of the suspension elements 4 and thus a change in the height of the protective element 2 can be effected. This means that the length from the protective element 2 to the fastening element 11, for example when hooked in by one loop 12, is greater than the length from the protective element 2 to the fastening element 11 when hooked in by the other loop 12. As a result, the height of the protective element 2 can be quickly adapted to the height of the side door of the parked motor vehicle.The protective element 2, or its longitudinal direction or longitudinal extension, runs parallel to the parking spaces or parallel to the respective longitudinal direction of the respective motor vehicle parked in the respective parking space. This ensures the protective effect of the protective element 2 over the entire length of the motor vehicles and thus their side doors when parked.

[0027] The protective element 2 of the protective device 1 is preferably designed as a rod element 5. This means that the protective element 2 is designed as an at least substantially horizontally extending rod element 5. The rod element 5 shown in the single figure has a cylindrical shape on its outer circumference, with its length being large compared to its width or diameter. The rod element 5 is preferably formed from an elastically flexible foam, which can optionally be designed as a hollow body. Thus, the rod element 5 is, for example, a foam rod.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the suspension 3 of the protective device 1 has two further holding elements 6, which are preferably formed separately from the protective element 2 and separately from the suspension elements 4. The holding elements 6 are each attached, in particular at their upper ends, in an outer region of the protective element 2 in the longitudinal direction of the protective element 2, in particular on its underside. In other words, the holding elements 6 are connected, on the one hand, in particular at one end, to the protective element 2. On the other hand, in particular at the other end, the holding elements 6 are at least indirectly connected to the ground 8, so that the protective element 2 is connected to the ground 8 via the holding elements 6. For example, respective lower ends of the holding elements 6 are connected to the ground 8 of the parking space. This means that the holding elements 6 are fixed to the ground 8 of the parking space in a direction perpendicular to the ground 8.The holding elements 6 are preferably designed as elastic cables, in particular as rubberized tensioning cables. Furthermore, for quick assembly and disassembly of the protective device 1, the holding elements 6 each have a hook 9 at their respective lower ends. In order to be able to fix the holding elements 6 to the floor 8 of the parking space, two eyelets 10 are attached to the floor 8 of the parking space. The hooks 9 are held or suspended in these eyelets 10. In an alternative embodiment, two weights made of iron and / or lead with a plastic coating and an eyelet are adhesively attached to the floor 8 of the parking space, whereby non-destructive removal of the weights is possible. The holding elements 6 can be brought into secure engagement with the respective eyelet 10 via the respective hook 9 and thus connected to the floor 8 of the parking space.Furthermore, after the retaining elements 6 have been removed from the eyelets 10, the protective device 1 can be placed in or on the fastening elements 11. This allows for quick and convenient assembly and disassembly of the protective device 1. The suspension 3 is thus reversible, meaning it can be detachably connected to both the ceiling 7 and the floor 8 without causing any damage.

Claims

[1] A protective device (1) for a parking space for motor vehicles, comprising at least one protective element (2) arranged at the level of a motor vehicle side door to prevent damage to and / or by the motor vehicle side door as a result of its opening movement, wherein the at least one protective element (2) is held at the level of the motor vehicle side door by means of a suspension (3), characterized by that the suspension (3) has at least one elastically flexible holding element (6) by means of which the protective element (2) is fixed to the floor (8) of the parking space. [2] Protective device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the suspension (3) comprises at least one elastic suspension element (4) on which the protective element (2) is suspended. [3] Protective device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the suspension (3) comprises two suspension elements (4). [4] Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective element (2) is designed as an at least substantially horizontally extending rod element (5). [5] Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective element (2) is designed to be elastically flexible at least in some areas. [6] Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the suspension (3) comprises two holding elements (6).

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