Vehicle fenders – Buffer or bumper type – Bumper extends along side of vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-02-13
Hoge, Gary C. (Department: 3612)
Vehicle fenders
Buffer or bumper type
Bumper extends along side of vehicle
C280S770000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186564
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle protector. Specifically, the present invention relates to a removable protector adapted to protect a side of a vehicle from objects coming toward the side of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, some motored vehicles have no protection against paint smears, scratches and dents caused by objects impacting the side of a vehicle while a vehicle is parked. These objects include, for example, an opening door of an adjacent vehicle, shopping carts, bicycles, garbage cans, children's toys, etc. Scratches and dents are often difficult and expensive to repair.
Some vehicles have side bumper strips which are permanently affixed to the sides of the vehicle. These permanently-affixed bumper strips only provide limited protection to a narrow section of the vehicle. For example, these permanently-affixed bumper strips often do not protect a vehicle's side from the outermost tip of another vehicle's opening door because the bumper strip is located either above or below the outermost tip of the other vehicle's opening door. Moreover, these permanently-affixed bumper strips are often designed to be very narrow because they are not aesthetically pleasing. Increasing the size of these bumper strips decreases the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle.
Some vehicle protectors are removable. Some of these removable protectors are adapted to be used with vehicles of different sizes or shapes, but the protectors require adjustments or permanent modifications to make the protector fit vehicles with different sizes or shapes. For those protectors that require adjustments, the time it takes to adjust the protector may be burdensome. For those protectors that require permanent modifications, such as cutting the protector down to size, a user may have to purchase a new protector to fit a vehicle with a different size or shape.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a removable protector adapted to protect a side of a vehicle from paint smears, dents and scratches caused by objects impacting the side of the vehicle. One embodiment of the protector comprises a first strap with a first securement means, a second strap with a second securement means, an elongated member with a hollow passage, and a magnet attached to the elongated member.
There are several advantages and features of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptable nature of the protector advantageously allows the same protector to be used on vehicles of different sizes and shapes without modifying or adjusting the protector. The adaptable nature of the protector also allows the protector to be used in a number of places, such as the lateral sides of a vehicle or the rear side of a vehicle. Some cars have nothing to protect the lateral sides or the rear side from scratches and dents.
In one embodiment, the hollow passage of the elongated member is filled with air or a liquid to help the elongated member absorb the impact of an incoming object.
In one embodiment, the protector is adapted to be firmly secured to a side of a vehicle while the door of the vehicle is closed in order to prevent theft or displacement.
In one embodiment, the protector advantageously protects a vehicle's side from an adjacent vehicle's opening door even where the protector is placed above or below the outermost tip of the adjacent vehicle's opening door. The protector is advantageously lightweight, easy to install, easy to remove and easy to manufacture.
One aspect of the invention relates to a removable protector for protecting an exterior side of a vehicle, where the side of the vehicle has at least one door. The protector comprises a first flexible strap having a first end and a second end. The first end has a first securement means which is adapted to be at least partially inserted within the door of the vehicle. The first securement means is adapted to secure the first strap to the side of the vehicle when the door of the vehicle is closed. The protector further comprises a second flexible strap having a first end and a second end. The second end has a second securement means adapted to be at least partially inserted within the door of the vehicle. The second securement means is adapted to secure the second strap to the side of the vehicle when a door of the vehicle is closed.
The protector further comprises an elongated member attached to the second end of the first strap and the first end of the second strap. The elongated member is adapted to protect the side of the vehicle from an object coming toward the side of the vehicle. The elongated member has a hollow passage which is adapted to absorb the impact of an object coming in contact with the elongated member. The protector further comprises a magnet attached to the elongated member. The magnet is adapted to releasably hold the elongated member along the side of the vehicle.
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Hoge Gary C.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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