Variable-size protective cover for passenger cars

Abstract

Hail protection for passenger cars, comprising a tubular or profiled structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3) to which a protective net (R) is attached, characterized in that the structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3) has a variable size and comprises the following: - two support bases with tubular telescopic elements (S1) which are generally straight, suitable for resting on the ground and which run essentially parallel to the passenger car to be protected; - four supports with tubular telescopic elements (S2, S2') connected and fixed to the telescopic support bases (S1) so that they are essentially directed upwards; - two net retaining elements (S3) suitable for being connected and fastened to the upper ends (S2b, S2'b) of two right and left, front or rear telescopic supports (S2, S2'), such that they are essentially on a plane orthogonal to the telescopic support bases (S1); and where the protective net (R) is attached to the net retaining elements (S3), and where the protective net (R) is held under tension by the entire structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3), the tension of which can be adjusted according to the size of the car to be protected by acting on the length of the telescopic support bases (S1) and / or the telescopic supports (S2, S2').

Description

[0001] This patent relates to hail protection covers for passenger cars.

[0002] Passenger cars are constantly exposed to the elements, both while driving and when parked in public areas.

[0003] The bodies of passenger cars are designed and built to withstand weather conditions such as frost, rain and sun, but suffer under the effects of hail.

[0004] Small hailstones with low kinetic energy bounce off the car body without damaging it.

[0005] Larger hailstones, on the other hand, severely damage the bodywork and force the owner to undertake costly repairs.

[0006] Normally, motorists try to protect passenger cars by moving them under nearby bridges, overpasses, or arcades.

[0007] Hail damage is particularly relevant for car dealers who have several vehicles parked outdoors.

[0008] It is not possible to accommodate all vehicles inside the car dealership, which is normally already occupied by other motor vehicles.

[0009] The construction of permanent canopies and shelters to protect vehicles parked outdoors is very expensive and restricts the visibility of vehicles for sale.

[0010] There are known retractable hail protection devices that must be fitted to every motor vehicle.

[0011] These hail protection devices must be attached to the vehicle to prevent them from being lifted and carried by the wind. This eliminates the risk of scratching the bodywork with the fastening hooks or even damaging the bodywork during installation and removal of the protection.

[0012] These hail protection devices must be removed each time a motor vehicle needs to be driven on public roads, for example, for a test drive by a potential buyer, and reattached to the vehicle itself when it is parked outdoors again. During the short or long period that each hail protection device is not in use, it takes up space and restricts passage or maneuvering room for other motor vehicles, or it must be folded back up.

[0013] To address all the aforementioned inconveniences, a new modular hail protection system with variable size for passenger cars was developed and implemented.

[0014] One aim of the new variable-size protective cover for passenger cars is to effectively protect the passenger car underneath from hail.

[0015] Another goal of the new protection is that it does not need to be mounted or installed on the passenger car to be protected.

[0016] Another goal of the new protection is to allow the vehicle to be moved without having to move or remove the protection itself.

[0017] Another aim of the new protection is to ensure that it does not obstruct other passenger vehicles when not in use.

[0018] Another goal is to create a lightweight hail protection structure that is easy to transport and assemble.

[0019] Another goal of the new protection is to create an elastic structure that is able to keep the protective net taut at all times.

[0020] Another goal is to create a structure whose size can be adjusted depending on the cars to be protected.

[0021] Another goal is to create a structure whose size can be adjusted according to the space requirements.

[0022] These and other immediate and complementary objectives are achieved by the new modular, variable-size hail protection system for passenger cars, which comprises a modular, assembleable structure that rests on the ground and to which a tightly woven protective net is attached, covering the entire passenger car.

[0023] The modular, assembleable structure is able to rest on the ground against the sides of the passenger car and support and tension the net above the passenger car.

[0024] The structure comprises, in its main parts: - two first telescopically extendable elements, later referred to as telescopic support bases, which are suitable to rest on the ground and generally run parallel to the passenger vehicle to be protected, - four second telescopically extendable elements, later referred to as telescopic supports or telescopic rods, which are connected and fixed to the telescopic support bases so that they are essentially directed upwards; - two third elements, later referred to as net holding elements, which are suitable to be joined and attached to the upper ends of two right and left, front or rear telescopic supports, so that they are essentially orthogonal to the support bases.

[0025] In particular, these support bases, being telescopic, can be adjusted so that the mutual distance between the two net holding elements can be varied depending on the length of the vehicle to be protected.

[0026] Since these supports are also telescopic, they can be adjusted so that both the mutual distance between the two net holding elements and the height of the structure can be varied depending on the size of the vehicle to be protected.

[0027] Depending on the requirements, it is possible to adjust the length of only these telescopic support bases, or only these telescopic supports, or both.

[0028] After adjusting the distance between these net retaining elements, the telescopic parts are secured using locking devices such as screws.

[0029] It is intended that each of these support bases has a generally straight or curved shape, with concavity facing downwards and ends pointing upwards.

[0030] It is also provided that each support base has elements, parts or attachments for securing it to the ground or for inserting or fixing it onto a base.

[0031] The mounting bases are designed to be telescopic to accommodate possible changes in the structure's length.

[0032] The support elements are designed to be telescopic to allow for possible changes in the length and height of the structure.

[0033] Each of the two net holding elements has a length that is appropriately greater than the width of a motor vehicle to be protected, so that the distance between each telescopic support base and the corresponding telescopic supports and the opposite telescopic support base with the corresponding telescopic supports is greater than the width of a motor vehicle to be protected.

[0034] It is preferable that each net retaining element has a generally curved shape, with the concavity facing downwards and with downward-facing ends.

[0035] In an alternative form, the net retaining element comprises two sections angled towards each other, similar to two roof slopes, with downward-facing ends.

[0036] It is intended that the telescopic support bases, the telescopic supports, and the net holding elements will consist of elements suitable for being joined together by snapping or interlocking with elements or anti-slip devices, so that they can be easily and quickly assembled together.

[0037] The elements that make up the modular structure can be made from tubular or metal profiles, laminated timber, fiberglass, Kevlar or other suitable materials.

[0038] The modular, assembleable structure therefore consists of two telescopic support bases on either side of the vehicle, two pairs of telescopic supports or telescopic rods joined to the telescopic support bases and aligned upwards, and two arches or upper supplementary net retaining elements, each joined to the upper ends of the two front or rear telescopic supports or telescopic rods.

[0039] The protective net consists of a mesh made of durable plastic material with meshes that are dense enough to retain hailstones that are harmful to the vehicle body.

[0040] This safety net is stretched and secured between the two net support elements to cover the entire area between the net support elements, the telescopic supports, and the telescopic base plates. Hook-in elements are provided for attaching the safety net to the net support elements.

[0041] These hook-in elements preferably consist of clips with a C-shaped cross section, so that they can be applied to the net holding elements by pressing on them.

[0042] In an initial version, these hook-in elements are separate objects: In this case, the fastening of the protective net includes positioning the edge of the net on the net holding element and applying the hook-in elements so that this edge of the protective net is held back between the hook-in elements and the net holding element.

[0043] In a second version, these hook-in elements are joined to the edge of the protective net: The protective net is attached simply by stretching the net and attaching the corresponding hook-in elements to the net holding element.

[0044] By bringing the net holding elements of the modular structure closer together, the two side arches, each consisting of a telescopic support base and two telescopic rods or supports, are elastically tensioned, which facilitates the installation of the protective net.

[0045] After the protective net is attached, these two side arches, which consist of the telescopic support base and telescopic supports, keep the protective net under tension over the vehicle.

[0046] The ability to modulate the length of the telescopic support bases and / or telescopic supports depending on the size of the car ensures optimal tension and protection, which would not be guaranteed with fixed bases or supports.

[0047] It is possible to provide another embodiment of the telescopic supports, the upper end part of which is U-shaped.

[0048] Each telescopic support with a U-shaped upper end is joined with a telescopic support base and enables the support of two net holder elements.

[0049] In this way it is possible to obtain two or more new hail protection devices side by side by using telescopic support bases and unique telescopic supports that are shared between the two net holding elements of two adjacent structures.

[0050] The characteristics of the new modular hail protection system with variable size for passenger cars are better illustrated by the following description with reference to the drawings, which are attached as a non-restrictive example.

[0051] In Fig. Figure 1a illustrates an embodiment of the new variable-size protection for passenger cars in an axonometric view.

[0052] In the Fig. 1b and Fig. Figure 1c illustrates two side views of the new variable-size guard for passenger cars, with a first variant in which the supports (S2) are extended telescopically and a second variant in which the support base (S1) is extended telescopically.

[0053] In Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the new variable-size guard for passenger cars.

[0054] The new variable-size protection includes a support structure (S1, S2, S3) and a tightly woven protective net (R).

[0055] The support structure (S1, S2, S3) comprises two telescopic support bases (S1), four telescopic supports (S2), and two net holding elements (S3).

[0056] Each telescopic support base (S1) also includes devices for attaching it to the floor or to one or more bases (B).

[0057] In Fig. Figure 3a shows a side view of an embodiment of a telescopic support base (S1).

[0058] The telescopic support base (S1) has a generally straight shape and comprises a main part (S1a) and two ends (S1b) which are mirror images directed upwards and angled to the main part (S1a), the main part (S1a) being extendable since it consists of two telescopic sections which are held together by a locking device (S1c) which is suitable to maintain the desired overall length.

[0059] In Fig. Figure 3b shows a first embodiment of a telescopic support (S2) in side view.

[0060] The telescopic support (S2) has a generally straight shape with the end part (S2b) which is angled towards the main part (S2a), is of greater length and extendable, as it consists of two telescopic sections joined together, and also includes a locking device (S2c) which is suitable for keeping the main part (S2a) of the telescopic support (S2) locked at a certain length.

[0061] The end of the extendable main part (S2a) of the telescopic support (S2) is suitable to be joined with the end (S1b) of a telescopic support base (S1), while the end of the angled end part (S2b) of the telescopic support (S2) is suitable to be joined with an end (S3b) of a net holding element (S3).

[0062] In Fig. Figure 3c illustrates a second embodiment of a telescopic support (S2') in top view.

[0063] In this second example, the telescopic support (S2'), which consists of two telescopic sections held together by a locking device (S2'c), has its angled, U-shaped end part (S2'b) which is suitable for joining with the ends (S3b) of two net holding elements (S3).

[0064] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of a net holding element (S3).

[0065] In this example, the net holding element (S3) comprises two sections (S3a', S3a") which are angled downwards towards each other, similar to the slopes of a roof, and whose ends (S3b) are bent downwards.

[0066] Each end (S3b) of the net holding element (S3) is suitable for joining with the end of the angled end part (S2b, S2'b) of a telescopic support (S2, S2').

[0067] The protective net (R) consists of a net made of resistant plastic material with meshes that are dense enough to retain hailstones that are harmful to the vehicle body.

[0068] On two opposite edges of this protective net (R) are hook elements (Ra) which are suitable for attaching the protective net (R) to the net holding elements (S3).

[0069] These hook-in elements (Ra) consist of clips with a C-shaped cross-section, allowing them to be attached to the net retaining elements (S3) by pressing them on. The assembly of the support structure (S1, S2, S3) results in the connection of the various elements, such as the telescopic support bases (S1), the telescopic supports (S2), and the net retaining elements (S3), which together form a support structure, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0070] The in the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c, Fig. The second illustrated example serves to protect a single motor vehicle.

[0071] The protective net (R) is attached to the net holding elements (S3) using these fastening elements (Ra).

[0072] The shape of the two lateral telescopic support bases (S1) allows them to bend, bringing the two net retaining elements (S3) closer together and ensuring the proper attachment of the safety net (R). Furthermore, the tension exerted on the telescopic supports (S2) and the net retaining elements (S3) by the two telescopic support bases (S1) maintains the tension of the safety net (R) attached to the two net retaining elements (S3).

[0073] The size of the structure can be adjusted by changing the length of the telescopic support bases (S1) and / or the telescopic supports (S2), depending on the size of the car to be protected. Once the length of the telescopically extendable parts (S1a, S2a, S2'a) is determined, it is maintained by tightening the respective locking devices (S1c, S2c, S2'c).

[0074] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the new modular hail protection in an axonometric view, in which the telescopic supports (S2') with U-shaped end part (S2'b) are used.

[0075] In this example, the lateral telescopic support bases (S1) are joined with telescopic supports (S2) with a single end part (S2b), while the telescopic intermediate support bases (S1) are joined with telescopic supports (S2') with a U-shaped end part (S2'b).

[0076] The in Fig.The illustrated example 5 is suitable for protecting several adjacent motor vehicles.

[0077] These are the schematic modalities that are sufficient for a person skilled in the art to solve the invention, so that there may be variations in the actual application without affecting the substance of the innovative concept.

[0078] With reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, the following claims are therefore made.

Claims

[1] Hail protection for passenger cars, comprising a tubular or profiled structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3) to which a protective net (R) is attached, characterized by that the structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3) has a variable size and comprises: - two support bases with tubular telescopic elements (S1), generally rectilinear, suitable for resting on the ground and substantially parallel to the passenger car to be protected; - four supports with tubular telescopic elements (S2, S2') connected and fixed to the telescopic support bases (S1) so that they are directed substantially upwards; - two net support elements (S3) suitable for being connected and fixed to the upper ends (S2b, S2'b) of two right and left, front or rear telescopic supports (S2, S2'), so as to be located substantially on a plane orthogonal to the telescopic support bases (S1); and where the protective net (R) is fixed to the net support elements (S3), and where the protective net (R) is kept under tension by the entire structure (S1, S2 or S2', S3), which can be adjusted depending on the size of the car to be protected by acting on the length of the telescopic support bases (S1) and / or the telescopic supports (S2, S2'). [2] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to claim 1, characterized byin that each telescopic support base (S1) comprises a main part (S1a) and two ends (S1b) which are directed upwards in a mirror image and are angled towards the main part (S1a), the main part (S1a) being extendable since it consists of two telescopic sections which are held together by a locking device (S1c) suitable for maintaining the desired overall length. [3] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized by that the support base (S1) comprises devices for its attachment to the floor or to one or more bases (B). [4] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized byin that the telescopic supports (S2, S2') comprise an extendable rectilinear main section (S2a, S2'a) consisting of two telescopic sections joined together, an end part (S2b, S2'b) inclined with respect to the extendable main part (S2a, S2'a), and a locking device (S2c, S2'c) suitable for keeping the extendable main section (S2a, S2'a) of the telescopic support (S2, S2') locked at a certain length. [5] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized by that the two telescopic support bases (S1) together with the respective telescopic front and rear supports (S2) form two elastic arches suitable for keeping the two net holding elements (S3) spaced apart from each other and for keeping the protective net (R) attached to the two net holding elements (S3) under tension. [6] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized by that the net holding element (S3) comprises two middle sections (S3a', S3a'') which are angled downwards towards each other and whose ends (S3b) are bent downwards. [7] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterized by that the net holding element (S3) comprises a curved central section with a concavity downwards. [8] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized by that the telescopic supports (S2') have the U-shaped end part (S2'b), and where each end of the U-shaped end part (S2'b) is suitable for connection to one end (S3b) of a net holding element (S3). [9] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized bythat it comprises elastic hooking elements (Ra) with C or Omega cross-section, suitable for retaining the edge of the protective net (R) on the net holding elements (S3). [10] Modular hail protection for passenger cars according to the preceding claims, characterized by that the hooking elements (Ra) are attached to at least two opposite edges of the protective net (R).

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