Protective device for the exterior walls of a parked motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for protecting the exterior walls (2, 2', 3, 4) of a motor vehicle (1) in a parked position, combining protective means that can be deployed around said vehicle (1) and retracted from deployment and storage means, which are removably mounted in the rear trunk (5) of the vehicle (1). The protective means associated with the deployment and storage means consist of a belt (7), fixed at one of its two ends to the axis of a retractor / unretractor housing (6) constituting the deployment and storage means. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for protecting the exterior walls of a motor vehicle when parked

[0001] The invention relates to a device for protecting the exterior walls, more particularly the front and side wings, of a vehicle in a parked situation, against impacts that may come from other vehicles parking in front of or behind the vehicle or on the side parts of the vehicle that may be in contact with other vehicles or with moving elements, for example, trolleys or cycles, when the vehicle is parked along a sidewalk or in a parking space that is not isolated.

[0002] Various types of devices are already known which are intended to protect the bodywork of a motor vehicle, particularly on its lateral sides.

[0003] Devices permanently fixed along the vehicle doors are known, consisting of attached pieces made of shock-absorbing materials. These devices, although effective, require permanent installation on the vehicle and are not modular or adaptable depending on the context or circumstances.

[0004] US patent 2014 0367983 describes a door protection device that provides only lateral protection and can be deployed or retracted by means of a control located inside the vehicle's passenger compartment. This device has the disadvantage of offering protection only in the vertical plane and, in addition to providing incomplete protection, requires the device to be permanently installed on the vehicle's side panels.

[0005] Document KR 2004 68192 U describes a device consisting of a protective strip that unwinds from a dispenser and is secured by means of fastening hooks that the user must insert into the gaps between the door and the vehicle pillars. This fastening method, which is similar to that used to attach devices such as bicycle or ski racks, presents a risk of damage to the bodywork and is not easy to handle. It is not universally applicable to all types of vehicles since the parts of the device containing the shock-absorbing material must correspond to the dimensions of the areas to be protected.

[0006] The invention aims to remedy the disadvantages noted in the prior art by providing a device that is easy to implement, adaptable to all vehicles without requiring permanent installation on the exterior body of said vehicle or full and permanent mounting inside said vehicle.

[0007] The invention is characterized in that the device for protecting the front, rear, or side parts of the parked vehicle combines deployment and storage means that are available without being fixed inside the vehicle, more particularly in its rear trunk, and protection means that can be deployed or retracted outside the vehicle from said storage and deployment means, according to the user's choices.

[0008] The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction of travel of the vehicle. "Front" designates the part of the bodywork located on either side of the engine hood, in front of the driver's seat. "Rear" designates the part of the bodywork located on the opposite side, on either side of the trunk. "Side" designates the vehicle walls located on either side of the passenger compartment, connecting the front and rear walls, and housing the passenger doors.

[0009] More particularly, the device includes a winder / unwinder box which is located in the trunk of the vehicle, from which the elements which constitute the means of protection of the device can be unwound or rewound.

[0010] The invention will be better understood through the detailed description given below of a possible embodiment and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0011] [Fig-1] is a three-quarter rear view of a vehicle with the trunk open, inside of which is arranged a protective device according to the invention;

[0012] [Fig.2] is a close-up view showing the protection means at the outlet of the winder / unwinder and

[0013] [Fig.3] shows the vehicle of [Fig.1], trunk closed, all around which a protective device according to the invention has been deployed.

[0014] With reference to the attached figures, and more particularly [Fig.1], the device according to the invention is intended to protect a vehicle (1) and more particularly its side (2, 2'), front (3) and rear (4) walls.

[0015] The device is designed to be deployed from inside the vehicle (1) and more particularly from its trunk (5).

[0016] To this end, the device includes means of protection and means of deployment and storage of said means of protection which cooperate to enable a user to protect the bodywork of his vehicle when it is parked.

[0017] The means for deploying and storing the device according to the invention are mainly made up of a closed winder / unwinder box (6), comprising a reel forming its central axis, around which the protective means can be wound, respectively unwound from an exit port (6').

[0018] The protective means associated with the deployment and storage means of the device according to the invention are composed of a belt (7), formed of a strip of flexible protective material, for example foam.

[0019] The protective belt (7) is fixed by one of its two ends to the axis of the winder / unwinder housing (6) and can be unwound, respectively rewound, by pulling on its other end, called free.

[0020] For this purpose, the housing (6) may include a braking or retraction mechanism to control the movements of the belt (7) when it is extended or when it is rewound inside the housing, which is closed by two side walls.

[0021] The housing (6) itself being of a known type, its structure and its internal mode of operation will not be described further in the remainder of the description.

[0022] In the rest position, the winder / unwinder housing (6) contains the protective belt (7) wound along its entire length around its central axis, with only its free end protruding through the exit opening (6') of the winder / unwinder housing (6), which is stored in the trunk at a location chosen by the user.

[0023] In the position of use, the protective belt (7) is unrolled outwards from the vehicle from the retractor / unroller housing (6), which will be returned to it in the trunk (5) of the vehicle (1) after deployment of the belt (7).

[0024] The protective belt (7) has weakly magnetized pads (8), which are embedded along its entire length at regular intervals.

[0025] The free end (7') of the protective belt (7) is extended by a quick attachment (9).

[0026] Inside the trunk (5) of the vehicle (1), a fastening ring (10) is provided which is intended to be engaged by the quick attachment (9) when the protective belt (7) is to be deployed around the entire perimeter of the vehicle (1).

[0027] To use the device, the user does not need to handle or move any elements since these are permanently present in the trunk of his car.

[0028] He will simply need to open his trunk, then engage the quick-release fastener (9) of the free end (7') of the belt (7) in the fixing ring (10) which is provided in the trunk (5), then deploy the required length of the protective belt (7) from the retractor / unwinder housing (6), and wrap said belt around the vehicle.

[0029] Once the vehicle (1) has been circumvented using the protective belt (7), the user puts the winder / unwinder box (6) back in the trunk (5).

[0030] Then the user will close the trunk (5) and will then be able to lock the closures of his vehicle.

[0031] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the rear wall is protected only at its two lateral ends, which correspond to the area where the optics are located. rear of the vehicle. The area between the exit point and the entry point of the belt (7) cannot obviously be covered by said belt.

[0032] The positioning of the protective belt (7) on the front and side walls (3, 3' and 5) of the vehicle (1) is ensured by means of the magnets (8).

[0033] List of numerical references:

[0034] 1. Vehicle

[0035] 2, 2'. Side walls of the vehicle

[0036] 3. Front wall of the vehicle

[0037] 4. Rear wall of the vehicle

[0038] 5. Vehicle trunk

[0039] 6. Winder / unwinder housing

[0040] 6' Housing outlet opening

[0041] 7. Protective belt

[0042] 7'. Free end of the belt

[0043] 8. Magnets

[0044] 9. Quick release

[0045] 10. Fixing ring

Claims

Demands

1. Device for protecting the exterior walls of a motor vehicle in a parked situation, combining protective means that can be deployed around a vehicle (1) and retracted from deployment and storage means, characterized in that the deployment and storage means are mounted removably in the rear trunk (5) of the vehicle (1).

2. Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the deployment and storage means comprise a closed winder / unwinder housing (6) having a spool forming its central axis, around which the associated protective means can be wound, respectively unwound from an exit port (6').

3. Protective device according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective means associated with the deployment and storage means are composed of a belt (7), fixed by one of its two ends to the axis of the winder / unwinder housing (6) and able to be unwound, respectively rewound, by exerting a pull on its other end (7'), said to be free.

4. Protective device according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective belt (7) has weakly magnetized pellets (8), which are embedded along its entire length, at regular intervals.

5. Protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the free end (7') of the protective belt (7) is extended by a quick attachment (9).

6. Protective device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a fastening ring (10) mounted inside the trunk (5) of the vehicle (1) and intended to be engaged by the quick attachment (9) when the protective belt (7) is deployed around the entire perimeter of the vehicle (1).

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