Hail protection system for vehicles and associated hail protection sheet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100), comprising at least one intermediate layer (22) made of at least one type of elastomer that is ductile and has a low shrinkage rate, viscoelastic, and arranged in a crystalline microcellular manner, with vibration-absorbing properties, and capable of absorbing and horizontally dispersing the shock generated by the impact of hail on said hail protection sheet (2). The invention also relates to a storage mechanism (4) for the hail protection sheet (2) as well as to a hail protection system.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hail protection sheet, a storage mechanism for the hail protection sheet, and a hail protection system for a vehicle and associated hail protection sheet. The present invention is generally used in the protection of the bodywork of automobile-type vehicles against hailstorms. [Background technology]

[0002] Hail causes a lot of damage to vehicles each year, including scratches and dents on the body of the vehicle, and can go as far as impacting certain parts of the vehicle and creating cracks and broken glass.

[0003] By vehicle is meant any vehicle having an underbody which includes a body to be protected and which is capable of receiving the hail protection system according to the invention.

[0004] Protective sheets made of neoprene or EVA are already known which, although lightweight, are subject to wear and tear and do not have sufficient energy dissipation properties with respect to hail strikes against vehicles.

[0005] On the one hand, the installation of these hail protection sheets on vehicles is often complicated and does not guarantee the user their suitability for all types of vehicles to provide optimal protection while allowing easy deployment and storage. On the other hand, current hail protection systems may be integrated into the vehicle and have means for deploying and retracting the sheet, but due to their location in the trunk of the vehicle or integrated into the bumper of the vehicle, the operation of the system is complicated and the system is vulnerable in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0006] These systems do not have a configuration capable of accommodating a protective sheet that is sturdy enough to effectively protect a vehicle from impacts caused by hail without the bulk of the space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention alleviates these drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention relates to a hail protection sheet for vehicles, which according to its general definition comprises at least one intermediate layer made of at least one type of elastomer that is ductile and has a low shrinkage rate, viscoelastic, crystalline microcellularly arranged, and has vibration-absorbing properties, capable of absorbing and dispersing horizontally the shocks generated by the strike of a hailstone on said hail protection sheet.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the protective sheet comprises: - an impermeable and non-tearable outer layer intended to come into contact with hail; - a non-friction inner layer intended to be in direct contact with the vehicle to be protected; - an intermediate layer disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer; The multi-layer structure defines a

[0010] In practice, the intermediate layer of the hail protection sheet is made of a material sold under the name NOENE® by the company DIAFARM LABORATORIOS.

[0011] Advantageously, the hail protective sheet according to the invention makes it possible to effectively protect the vehicle against hailstorms by effectively dissipating the kinetic energy transferred by the strike of the hailstones in the protective sheet according to the invention.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hail protection sheet includes a central apron capable of covering the vehicle lengthwise in a central position, and side skirts that can be unfolded and cover the fenders of the vehicle.

[0013] In practice, the hail protective sheet comprises at least two weakening lines arranged in the direction of the length of said sheet and making it possible to fold the side skirts of the protective sheet towards the central apron of the protective sheet and to unfold the side skirts of the hail protective sheet from the central apron towards the fenders of the vehicle.

[0014] By way of example, the hail protection sheet comprises fastening means arranged on a distal end of said hail protection sheet, which fasten the front part of the vehicle and make it possible to maintain said hail protection sheet in the deployed position.

[0015] According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the hail protection sheet comprises fastening means that allow locking of the sheet in a folded position according to a selected width and that allow storage of said hail protection sheet.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a storage mechanism for application to hail protection sheeting.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a storage mechanism for application to a hail protection sheet includes a storage means capable of being secured to a rear chassis of a vehicle; and - storage means for said seat, which can be fixed to a part of the vehicle; - two rotating rollers arranged parallel to each other and to the axles of the vehicle at a selected distance from each other and capable of winding the protective sheet on itself in a stretched state between the two rollers according to a winding configuration having a winding center corresponding to the two rotating rollers in order to enable storage of the protective sheet in its length direction; - a drive loop surrounding two rotating rollers, which are integral with the proximal end of the hail protection sheet in order to provide an anchoring point during the storage procedure of said sheet; - drive means arranged on at least one of the rotating rollers, capable of rotating said rollers and thus driving the storage of the hail protection sheet in the storage means and enabling the transition from an unfolded state, in which the hail protection sheet at least partially covers the vehicle, to a stored state of the hail protection sheet, in which the hail protection sheet is contained and rolled up according to a selected configuration in the storage means; Includes.

[0018] By way of example, the drive means belongs to the group consisting of a stepper motor, a spring type elastic return means.

[0019] In practice, the hail protection system according to the invention includes a decoupling mode in which the rotating rollers are decoupled from the drive means to allow manual deployment of the protective sheet.

[0020] The present invention further relates to a hail protection system.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a hail protection system includes a protective sheet according to the invention and a containment mechanism according to the invention.

[0022] Advantageously, the present invention allows users to benefit from a deployment and storage system adapted to hail protection sheets that is mechanically assisted, easy to operate and more durable than those of the prior art.

[0023] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of a hail protective sheet according to the invention; [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic representation of a hail protection sheet according to the invention in a deployed state on a vehicle; [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic representation of a storage means of the hail protection system according to the invention; [Figure 4]1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a hail protection system according to the invention; [Diagram 5] 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a hail protection system according to the invention; [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a storage means of a hail protection system according to the invention; [Figure 7] 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a storage means of a hail protection system according to the invention; [Figure 8] 1 shows a schematic front view of a hail protective sheet deployed on a vehicle according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] With reference to Figures 1 to 8, a hail protection system 1 for a vehicle 100 according to the present invention comprises a hail protection sheet 2 as well as a storage means 3 for said hail protection sheet 2 which can be fixed to the vehicle 100, and a storage mechanism 4 which can enable mechanically assisted storage of the protection sheet 2 in said storage means 3.

[0026] The hail protection system 1 includes a hail protection sheet 2, hereinafter referred to as protective sheet 2, which can be deployed on the vehicle 100 to ensure protection against damage caused by hail and has a structure having at least one protective layer of selected characteristics, hereinafter referred to as intermediate layer 22.

[0027] The intermediate layer 22 is made of a special viscoelastic rubber with vibration absorbing properties. The elastomer that makes up this special rubber is made up of crystalline microcells that are arranged in such a way that they are able to absorb and disperse in a horizontal plane the kinetic energy transferred to the protective sheet 2 during an impact.

[0028] In practice, the intermediate layer 22 of the protective sheet 2 is made of a material sold under the name NOENE® by the company DIAFARM LABORATORIOS, or of a similar viscoelastic material with the same vibration-absorbing properties.

[0029] Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that NOENE®, a material commonly used in the medical industry for manufacturing shoe soles, allows for the optimization of shock absorbing properties and thus better protection of the vehicle to be protected.

[0030] Moreover, the crystalline microcellular structure allows the material to impart excellent impact resistance to sheet 2 whilst remaining ductile and thus allowing it to deform without fracturing.

[0031] Finally, the above-described structure of intermediate layer 22 has a low shrinkage rate, thus enabling it to maintain its shape as well as its vibration elastic properties despite the blows absorbed during extended use.

[0032] According to one particular embodiment of the present invention, the intermediate layer 22 is composed 100% of a viscoelastic elastomer having vibration absorbing properties including a crystalline microcellularly arranged structure.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the protective sheet 2 comprises a multi-layer structure defining three layers superimposed on one another to form a multi-layer assembly with strong impact resistance and capable of absorbing the impact energy of a hailstone and then dispersing it horizontally, said multi-layer assembly being present at all points of said protective sheet 2, thus making it possible to apply the same degree of protection at all points of the sheet 2 covering the zone of the vehicle to be protected.

[0034] Such a structure further allows for effective absorption of the kinetic energy of various objects, including hail, as well as limiting the damage that can occur in the event of falling branches and brush of average size.

[0035] The protective sheet 2 comprises a first layer 21, called the impermeable outer layer, made of a non-tearable material capable of withstanding hail damage while protecting the underlying layers from abrasion.

[0036] As one non-limiting example, the outer layer 21 is constructed from treated nylon.

[0037] The protective sheet 2 comprises a second layer 23, called the inner layer, which is configured to be in direct contact with the surface of the vehicle 100 to be protected and which is made of a non-friction selected material, capable of protecting the underlying elements of the vehicle 100 from marks and scratches caused by friction between the vehicle 100 and the inner layer 23.

[0038] As one non-limiting example, the inner layer 23 is constructed of a soft, non-abrasive nylon.

[0039] The protective sheet 2 in turn includes an intermediate layer 22 disposed between an outer layer 21 and an inner layer 23 .

[0040] The hail protection sheet 2 has a deployed state in which it at least partially covers the vehicle 100, as well as a stored state in which the sheet is rolled up according to a specific rolling configuration in the storage means 3 of the system 1.

[0041] The protective sheet 2 has a horizontal or nearly horizontal surface spanning the entire length of the vehicle 100 as well as a central apron 27 which can cover vertical portions of the rear and front of the vehicle 100 .

[0042] The central apron 27 of the protective sheet 2 includes a proximal portion 25 that can be secured to a storage means 4 disposed within the storage means 3 by at least one drive loop 45, and a distal portion 26 that is configured to at least partially cover a front vertical portion of the vehicle 100.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distal portion 26 of the protective sheet 2 comprises a deployed position fixing means 5 arranged on an edge 261 of the distal portion 26 of the protective sheet 2 .

[0044] The protective sheet 2 further includes at least two side skirts 24 that can be unfolded when the sheet 2 is deployed, thus covering the vertical or nearly vertical side surfaces of the vehicle 100, hereinafter referred to as the fenders of the vehicle 100.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the two side flaps 24 of the protective sheet 2 comprise deployed position fixing means 5 arranged on their ends 241 .

[0046] Alternatively, the protective sheet 2 of the hail protection system 1 according to the invention comprises deployed position fixing means 5 on the two side flaps 24 and on the distal part 26 of the sheet 2, in which the sheet 2 is hooked at the front chassis of the vehicle 100, thus making it possible to avoid any fastening on the body of the vehicle 100.

[0047] The deployed position maintaining means 5 may be from the group consisting of, but not limited to, ballast, magnetized surface, hooks, elastic cords.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the protective sheet 2 comprises at least two weakened lines 242 arranged in the longitudinal direction of said sheet 2, which enable the side skirts 24 of the protective sheet 2 to be folded towards the central apron 27 along a selected final width that fits into the storage means 3.

[0049] The weakened lines 242 additionally allow the side skirts 24 to unfold over the sidewalls of the vehicle 100 when the protective sheet 2 is deployed.

[0050] Other supplementary weakening lines 242 can be added in order to adapt the seat 2 to different shapes of the vehicle 100. These supplementary weakening lines 242 can be arranged on the seat 2 parallel or perpendicular to the axles of the vehicle 100.

[0051] Once the side skirts 24 have been folded over the central apron 27, the protective sheet 2 can be stored in the storage means 3 by the storage mechanism 4.

[0052] In practice, the protective sheet 2 further comprises folded-over position maintaining means (not shown) of the side skirts 24, which can maintain the protective sheet 2 in the folded configuration during the storage procedure.

[0053] By way of example and not of limitation, the means for maintaining the folded position of the side skirt 24 may belong to the group consisting of a hook and loop type surface, a magnetic strap.

[0054] With reference to figures 3 to 7, the hail protection system 1 further comprises a storage means 3 forming a storage compartment, which can be fixed to the rear part of the underbody of the vehicle 100 by selected fastening means 31 .

[0055] The storage means 3 for the protective sheet 2 includes a substantially parallelepiped box and a manually openable flip-top type opening 6 intended to allow a user access to a distal portion 26 of the protective sheet 2 to initiate deployment of the protective sheet, and to lock access to the protective sheet 2 once it has been stored within the storage means 3.

[0056] Such a system, because of its location on the rear chassis, does not require any modification to the design of the vehicle 100.

[0057] In practice, the upper part of the storage means 3 in contact with the rear part of the underbody of the vehicle 100 comprises an insulating surface capable of protecting the protective sheet 2 from the exhaust system of the vehicle 100 .

[0058] Advantageously, locating the storage means 3 under the vehicle in the rear part of the underbody of the vehicle 100, permanently fixed under the chassis, further makes it possible to prevent any theft attempts, since access to the vehicle is made more difficult.

[0059] Furthermore, the location of the storage means 3 under the chassis, at the rear part of the underbody of the vehicle 100, protects the vehicle against impacts during parking maneuvers.

[0060] Clever placement of the storage means 3 under the chassis allows the hail protection sheet 2 to be stored without it crowding the trunk of the vehicle 100 and prevents the ingress of particles and dirt into said trunk.

[0061] The storage means 3 incorporates a storage mechanism 4 for the protection sheet 2 that can store the protection sheet 2 from an unfolded and folded state to a stored state within the storage means 3.

[0062] The storage mechanism 4 of the hail protection system 1 according to the invention comprises two rotating rollers 42, 43 arranged parallel to each other and to the axle of the vehicle 100 and at a selected distance from each other.

[0063] The storage mechanism 4 further includes a drive loop 45 tensioned between and surrounding rotating rollers 42, 43, which is integral with the proximal portion 25 of the protective sheet 2 for the purpose of providing an anchoring point that enables storage of the protective sheet 2 in the form of a self-rolling sheet.

[0064] The drive loop 45 acts as a belt and guide for the self-rolling of the protective sheet 2 .

[0065] In this manner, the two rotating rollers 42, 43 and the drive loop 45 can wind the protective sheet 2 while maintaining the sheet 2 in a stretched state between the two rollers 42, 43, for the purpose of enabling storage of the sheet in its lengthwise direction according to a self-rolling configuration having a center of winding corresponding to the two rotating rollers 42, 43.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one rotating roller 42 is connected to the drive means 41 to enable storage of the protection sheet 2 according to a selected winding configuration.

[0067] In practice, the drive means 41 belongs to the group consisting of a spring-type elastic return means 412 and a stepping motor 413 .

[0068] The storage mechanism 4 further comprises a transmission means 411 connecting at least one of the rotating rollers 42, 43 to an electrically powered drive means 413 capable of driving the rotating roller 42 to enable storage of the protective sheet 2 in the storage means 3.

[0069] In practice, the motorized drive means 41 comprises a power supply capable of powering a stepper motor 413 .

[0070] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the drive means 41 of the storage mechanism 4 is disengageable, thus providing the hail protection system 1 with a disengagement mode that allows deployment of the protective sheet 2 from the stowed state to the deployed state.

[0071] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the hail protection system 1 comprises a push-button type manual activation means (not shown) capable of activating the motorized drive means 411 and thus effecting storage of the folded protective sheet 2 from the unfolded folded state to the stored state in the storage means 3.

[0072] According to one variant embodiment of the invention, the hail protection system 1 comprises processing means (not shown) as well as a transmitting / receiving device (not shown) capable of receiving an activation signal of the motorized drive means 41 originating from an external wireless control means and thus carrying out the storage of the protective sheet 2.

[0073] In practice, the first rotating roller 42 is disengaged from the drive means 41 when said drive means 41 is stopped.

[0074] According to one variant embodiment of the invention, the spring-type drive means 412 incorporates a locking means for the protective sheet 2 in the deployed state, capable of interrupting said spring-type drive means 412 and thus preventing said sheet 2 from returning.

[0075] The unfolding procedure of the hail protective sheet 2 is performed by manual opening of the flip lid 6, allowing the user to pull on the distal portion 26 of the protective sheet 2 and unfold said sheet 2 in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle 100, thus obtaining a folded protective sheet 2 in an unfolded state.

[0076] The user then unfolds the side skirts 24 to allow the protective sheet to cover the sidewalls of the vehicle 100, thus achieving the unfolded, deployed state.

[0077] In effect, the protective sheet 2 deployed in this manner covers the entire vehicle 100, unlike existing deployment systems which generally leave a portion of the rear bumper unprotected.

[0078] The system according to the invention allows the sheet to be easily placed in place since it is always ready to be used in a rolled configuration.

[0079] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, rolling and unrolling is accomplished in less than 10 seconds.

[0080] It should be noted that the positioning of the storage means 3 is further configured to limit modification of the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 100.

[0081] The stowing procedure of the hail protection sheet 2 is carried out by using a drive means 41, which is connected to a fastening point of the proximal part 25 of the sheet 2, and the rotation of the first rotating roller 42 and the second rotating roller 43 by the transmission means 411 drives the guided stowing of the protection sheet 2 according to its collapsed O-shaped self-rolling configuration around the two rotating rollers 42, 43.

[0082] Surprisingly, the system according to the present invention allows for simplified installation and fastening while allowing for convenience for the user.

[0083] Advantageously, the viscoelastic and low shrinkage properties of the protective sheet 2 enable the implementation of a specific rolling configuration by the storage mechanism 4, thus facilitating its storage in the storage means 3 while limiting deformation of the protective sheet 2 and ensuring a high degree of protection of the vehicle 100 against hail.

[0084] Another advantage of locating the storage means 3 under the chassis of the vehicle 100 is that a larger storage length is obtained, thus allowing the protective sheet to be stored according to a specific winding configuration along its length, since it is wound longitudinally along the length of the vehicle chassis, and the number of revolutions around the two rotating rollers 42, 43 is limited, making it possible to minimize deformations associated with the storage of said protective sheet. Since the vehicle chassis is likewise larger than the trunk, the storage means 3 and the seat 2 fixed in this way can therefore be larger than in conventional protective systems.

[0085] The system repeatedly performs the rolling and unrolling steps, and such a storage configuration further enables the physical integrity of the protection sheet 3 to be maintained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1 Hail protection system 2 Hail protection sheet 3 Storage means 4 Storage mechanism 5 Deployment position fixing means 21 Outer layer 22 Middle Class 23 Inner layer 24 Side Skirt 25 Proximal part 26 Distal part 27 Central Apron 41 Driving means 42, 43 Rotating roller 45 Drive Loop 100 vehicles

Claims

1. A hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100) is laminated on top of one another to form a multi-layer assembly; an impermeable and non-tearable outer layer (21) intended to come into contact with hail; a non-frictional inner layer (23) intended to be in direct contact with the vehicle (100) to be protected; at least one intermediate layer (22) arranged between the outer layer (21) and the inner layer (23), composed of at least one type of ductile, vibration-absorbing and viscoelastic elastomer arranged in a crystalline microcellular manner and capable of absorbing and dispersing horizontally the shocks generated by the strike of a hailstone on said hail protection sheet (2); a multi-layer structure defining three layers including: It is adapted to be wound in said multi-layer assembly according to a winding configuration selected by a storage mechanism (4) in a storage means (3) integral with the vehicle (100) to be protected; A hail protection sheet (2) characterized by:

2. 2. The hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a central apron (27) capable of covering the vehicle (100) in the longitudinal direction at a central position, and side skirts (24) which can be folded / unfolded and can cover the fenders of the vehicle (100).

3. 3. A hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least two weakening lines (242) arranged in the length direction of the hail protection sheet (2) and capable of folding the side skirts (24) of the hail protection sheet (2) towards the central apron (27) of the hail protection sheet (2) and of unfolding the side skirts (24) of the hail protection sheet (2) from the central apron (27) towards the fenders of the vehicle (100).

4. A hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises fastening means (5) arranged on a distal end (26) of said hail protection sheet (2) capable of being fastened to the front part of the vehicle (100) and of maintaining said hail protection sheet (2) in the deployed position.

5. A hail protection sheet (2) for a vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it comprises fastening means (241) which allow the hail protection sheet (2) to be maintained in a folded position according to a selected width and which allow the hail protection sheet (2) to be stowed.

6. A hail protection system (1) for a vehicle (100), comprising: - a hail protection sheet (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, - a storage mechanism (4) for a hail protection sheet (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises storage means (3) which can be fixed by selected fastening means (31) at a rear part of the underbody of a vehicle (100) relative to the rear chassis of said vehicle (100), and - two rotating rollers (42, 43) arranged at a selected distance from each other, parallel to each other and to the axles of the vehicle (100), and capable of winding the hail protection sheet (2) on itself in a stretched state between the two rotating rollers (42, 43) according to a winding configuration having a winding center corresponding to the two rotating rollers (42, 43) to allow storage in the longitudinal direction of the hail protection sheet; a drive loop (45) surrounding two rotating rollers (42, 43) integrated with the proximal end (25) of the hail protection sheet (2) in order to provide an anchoring point during the storage procedure of said sheet (2); - drive means (44) arranged on at least one of the rotating rollers (42) and capable of rotating said rotating rollers (42) and thus driving the storage of the hail protection sheet (2) in the storage means (3) and enabling the transition of the hail protection sheet (2) from an unfolded state, in which the sheet at least partially covers the vehicle (100), to a stored state in which the sheet (2) is contained and rolled up according to a selected configuration in the storage means (3); A storage mechanism (4) including: A hail protection system comprising: the upper part of the storage means (3) in contact with the rear part of the underbody of the vehicle (100) comprises a heat-insulating surface capable of protecting the hail protection sheet (2) from the exhaust system of the vehicle (100); A hail protection system (1) for a vehicle (100).

7. 7. A hail protection system (1) for a vehicle (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the storage mechanism (4) includes a decoupling mode in which the rotating rollers (42, 43) are decoupled from the drive means (41) to allow manual deployment of the hail protection sheet (2).

8. 8. A hail protection system (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises processing means and a transmitting / receiving device capable of receiving an activation signal of the motorized drive means (41) coming from an external wireless control means and thus carrying out the storage of the hail protection sheet (2).

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