AU2014101375A4 - A semi car cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A semi car cover There is provided a semi car cover (100) sized and shaped for conformance with a profile of a car body (105) wherein, when covering the car body (105) in use, the semi car cover (100) is adapted to cover an upper surface of the car body (100) leaving a lower surface of the car body (105) exposed. N)

Description

A semi car cover Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to car covers and in particular, but not necessarily entirely, to a semi car cover. [2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with X and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background [3] Existing car covers are used by motorists and the like for protecting cars from the elements, such as sunlight, heat, rain, debris and the like. [4] However, existing car covers suffer from several disadvantages including requiring a large amount of material for covering the surface of the car, resulting in the car cover being bulky, nonportable, difficult to deploy and retrieve, difficult to fold, difficult to store and the like. [5] The present invention seeks to provide a semi car cover, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Disclosure [7] According to one aspect, there is provided a semi car cover sized and shaped for conformance with a profile of a car body wherein, when covering the car body in use, the semi car cover is adapted to cover an upper surface of the car body leaving a lower surface of the car body exposed. [8] The semi car cover may further comprise a plurality of fasteners adapted for fastening the cover to the car body in use. [9] The fasteners may comprise strip magnets. [10] The semi car cover may further comprise a plurality of complimentary fasteners adapted for securing the cover in a folded configuration. [11] The semi car cover may further comprise a plurality of panels sized and shaped to conform with the profile of the car and wherein the plurality of panels define panel boundaries between adjacent panels and wherein a first subset of the panel boundaries are seamed and a second subset of the panel boundaries are unseamed. [12] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 1 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 Brief Description of the Drawings [13] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [14] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a car comprising a semi car cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, [15] Figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the car comprising the semi car cover of Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, and [16] Figure 3 shows a plurality of panels of the semi car cover of Figure 1 in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Description of Embodiments [17] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure. [18] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the semi car cover are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations and materials disclosed herein as such these may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof. [19] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. [20] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms ''a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [21] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 2 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 [22] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [23] Turning now to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a car cover 100 for covering a car 105 in use. In the embodiment that follow, there will be described certain advantages of the car cover 100 especially relating to the light weight nature of the car cover, the portability of the car cover, the ease of deployment, the ability of the car cover 100 to fasten to the car 105 in use, the ease of retaining the car cover 100 in a folder configuration and the like. [24] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the car 105 whereas figure 2 shows a rear perspective view of the car 105. [25] Now, as is apparent from these figures, the car cover 100 is distinguished from conventional car covers in that the car cover 100 is adapted to cover only and upper surface of the car body 105 leaving a lower surface of the car body 105 exposed. [26] Specifically, existing car covers generally cover the entire surface, or at least the majority of the body of a car, usually leaving only the wheels of the car 105 exposed. However, disadvantages of car covers adapted for covering substantially the entire surface of the car 105 relates to the large amount of material required, resulting in a bulky car cover, having disadvantages in being heavy, difficult to transport, difficult to fold and the like. [27] Conversely, the car cover 100 as substantially shown in figures 1 and 2, covers only the upper surface of the car 105. In this manner, and for convenience, the car cover 100 is referred to herein as a semi car cover 100. [28] By covering only substantially and upper surface of the car body 105, the semi car cover 100 is yet able to provide the main advantages of a car cover including an preventing heat buildup, such as by preventing sunlight penetrating the windshields, preventing debris such as leaves, bird droppings and the like from landing on the upper surface of the car 105 and the like. [29] In this regard, the ability of existing car covers to cover the lower surfaces also of the car 105 provides few advantages, if any, over and above covering the upper surfaces of the car 105. [30] In this manner, on account of the semi car cover 100 being adapted for covering only the upper surface of the car body 105, the semi car cover 100 advantageously uses less material. In this manner, the semi car cover 100 provides advantages in being easier to transport, being lightweight, being easier to fold, being quicker to deploy and retrieve and the like. [31] It should be noted that the extent to which the semi car cover 100 covers only the upper surface of the car body 105 may vary depending on the application. However, for present purposes, the semi car cover 100 is distinguished from existing car covers in that, in embodiments, it leaves a Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 3 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 lower surface of the outer metal bodywork of the car exposed, which would otherwise have been covered by existing car covers. [32] In the embodiment shown, the semi car cover 100 is shown covering an upper surface of the car body 105 extending to a substantially horizontal midline of the car 105. However, in another embodiment, the semi car cover 105 may be sized such that the horizontal midline may be upward or downward of that shown in figures 1 and 2. [33] Specifically, the embodiment shown in figure 1 shows the semi car cover 100 being of a smaller size such that the horizontal midline is substantially upward covering mainly the bonnet, boot, and the windows of the car 105, leaving the side metal panelling such as the doors of the car 105 exposed. [34] Furthermore, the embodiment shown in figure 2, shows the semi car cover 100 being of greater size such that at least a portion of the side metal panelling of the doors of the coal 105 is also covered. [35] In one embodiment, the semi car cover 100 is adapted to cover at least the windshields of the car 105, so as to be at least be able to substantially prevent or reduce heat buildup within the car 105 by preventing sunlight penetrating the windshields and windows. [36] In one embodiment, the semi car cover 100 is manufactured from a lightweight material. In embodiments, the material may be waterproof or semipermeable. In a further embodiment, the semi car cover 100 may be manufactured from a reflective material adapted to reflect sunlight, or an insulating material adapted to prevent the transmission of heat through the semi car cover 100. [37] Now, as is apparent from the embodiment shown, the semi car cover 100, given that it covers only and upper surface of the car body 105 in use, is prone to dislodgement, such as under the effects of wind and the like. In this manner, in a further embodiment, the semi car cover 100 comprises a plurality of fasteners adapted for fastening the cover to the car body in use. [38] In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners comprise strip magnets 110 which may be sewn into the semi car cover 100 at specific locations. The specific locations of the strip magnets 110 may be chosen such that in use, the strip magnets 110 coincide with metal panel portions of the car 105 so as to be able to fasten magnetically thereto. [39] It should be noted that other kinds of magnets may be used also over and above strip magnets 110. [40] Specifically, referring to Figures 1 and figure 2, there is shown an exemplary placements of the strip magnets 110, which are located at specific locations of the bonnet, trunk, doors, roof and the like of the car 105. It should be noted that the locations of the strip magnets 110 is shown in the Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 4 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 accompanying figures is exemplary only and in embodiments, the semi car cover 110 may comprise a subset of the strip magnets 110 shown, more strip magnets 110 than is shown, or strip magnets 110 in different locations as shown in the figures, these alternative embodiments being within the purposive scope of substantially securing the semi car cover 100 to the car 105 in use. [41] The use of strip magnets 110 provides advantages in being able to fasten to differing locations of the car 105, which may be difficult if other fasteners were used, such as clip fasteners or the like. Furthermore, the strip magnets 110 have low profile, providing advantages in allowing for the compact folding of the car cover 110. [42] Turning now to figure 3, there is shown the semi car cover 100 divided into a plurality of panels, each of the panels adapted for locating adjacent a surface portion of the car 105 in use. [43] Specifically, the panels shown in figure 3 may comprise a bonnet panel 115, front windshield panel 120, roof panel 125, rearward shield panel 140, boot panel 150, left door panel 135, right or panel 130, front left windshield panel 175, front right windshield panel 170, left rear windshield panel 160 and right a rear panel 155. [44] During manufacture, these panels may be manufactured separately and then seamed together. However, it should be noted that in embodiment, the panels need not necessarily be manufactured separately and the panels, or at least a subset thereof, need not necessarily comprise all of the seams as are substantially shown in figure 3. [45] Now, in embodiments, the semi car cover 100 comprises a plurality of complimentary fasteners 190 adapted for assisting in the securement of the semi car cover 100 in a folded configuration in use. Specifically, referring to figure 3, there is shown an exemplary complimentary fastener 190 which is adapted to fasten to another complimentary fastener 190 when the semi car cover 100 is folded. In this manner, when folding the semi car cover 100, the user may fasten the complimentary fasteners 190 together such that the semi car cover 110 remains in the folder configuration. [46] Differing fasteners 190 may be employed to depending on the application. In the embodiment shown, the fastener 190 takes the form of a hook and loop fastener. In other embodiments, other fasteners 190 may be employed, such as press studs, buttons and the like. [47] As is also apparent from figure 3, certain of the edges of the panels may be seamed 185, whereas other edges of the panels may be unseamed 180 so as to allow for expansion between panels to accommodate cars having differing shapes and sizes. [48] Specifically, as is shown in figure 3, the boundary between the right hand door panel 130 and the rear right windscreen portion 155 is unseamed, so as to accommodate cars 105 having differing Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 5 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 rear windshield profiles. It should be noted that for the unseamed boundaries 180, the above mentioned strip magnets fasteners 110 may be located adjacent the unseamed boundaries 180, so as to substantially maintain the boundary. Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 6 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 Interpretation Embodiments: [49] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [50] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [51] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects [52] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [53] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 7 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689 other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [54] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [55] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [56] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [57] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [58] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 8 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689

Claims (5)

1. A semi car cover sized and shaped for conformance with a profile of a car body wherein, when covering the car body in use, the semi car cover is adapted to cover an upper surface of the car body leaving a lower surface of the car body exposed.

2. A semi car cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners adapted for fastening the cover to the car body in use.

3. A semi car cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fasteners comprise strip magnets.

4. A semi car cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of complimentary fasteners adapted for securing the cover in a folded configuration.

5. A semi car cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of panels sized and shaped to conform with the profile of the car and wherein the plurality of panels define panel boundaries between adjacent panels and wherein a first subset of the panel boundaries are seamed and a second subset of the panel boundaries are unseamed. Patentec Patent Attorneys Page 9 of 9 Level 11, 65 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia www.patentec.com.au 0291889689