AU2021290364A1 - Removable road vehicle covers and mouldings for dent and scratch protection - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable road vehicle cover for dent and scratch protection of a door. The cover includes: a panelled portion, a plurality of upper straps and a plurality of lower straps. The panelled portion has a plurality of foldably interconnected panels. The upper straps are connected to an upper portion of the panelled portion and have a top hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the top of the door. The lower straps are connected to a lower portion of the panelled portion and have a bottom hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the bottom of the door. The top hook arrangement has a top hook which is rotatable about a swivel clasp to which the upper strap is adjustably connected. 1/16 U LL r-4

Description

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"REMOVABLE ROAD VEHICLE COVERS AND MOULDINGS FOR DENT AND SCRATCH PROTECTION"

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in the protection of road vehicles from low level external damage. In particular, the invention relates to removable covers and mouldings which are used to protect doors and other exterior surfaces of a vehicle from denting and scratching.

[0002] In one embodiment, the invention relates to covers that are removably fastened to one or more parts of the body of a vehicle with adjustable straps and hooks or with stretchable elastic edges, and which are designed to prevent dents and scratches to part or all of the exterior surfaces of the vehicle body, such as the doors, windows, front, rear and cabin roof of the vehicle.

[0003] Such dents and scratches may arise from impact with external objects, such as when the doors of neighbouring vehicles are swung open, or when there is a collision with a shopping trolley, or when there is a hail storm or other adverse weather condition.

[0004] Also, when such covers are removably fastened to parts of a vehicle which are prone to build-up of snow and ice, a user can easily and quickly remove the snow and ice from the vehicle by simply lifting the cover(s) off the vehicle and transporting the snow and ice elsewhere.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to mouldings that are removably fastened to the edge of a vehicle door by flexible portions which pinch around the edge, and which are designed to protect the edge from colliding with, and thus being damaged by, neighbouring objects, including parked cars and walls, when the vehicle door is swung open and collides with the object.

[0006] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Background Art

[0007] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0008] Although various types of protective covers, pads, guards and other devices for fastening to road vehicles are known, they are somewhat complex in their structure and operation, and many of these devices are hooked onto the rim of the wheel arch panel of the vehicle, and are composed of bulky material that, whilst protecting the vehicle when parked, must be removed prior to driving the vehicle.

[0009] There are currently no known available removable road vehicle covers and mouldings for dent and scratch protection which provide useful and easily manufactured, low cost, alternatives to complex and bulky vehicle body protective devices currently in the market, and which can be left in place on the vehicle either temporarily or permanently.

[0010] Therefore, it is a motivation of the present inventor, and an object of this invention, to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art by providing improved road vehicle covers and mouldings for dent and scratch protection which are removable, easy to fasten to a road vehicle, simple in construction, slimline, and reliable to operate.

Disclosure of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable road vehicle cover for dent and scratch protection of a door, the cover comprising: (a) a panelled portion having a plurality of buffers for absorbing impact of a an impinging object; (b) an upper strap connected to an upper portion of the panelled portion and having a top hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the top of the door, and (c) a plurality of lower straps connected to a lower portion of the panelled portion and having a bottom hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the bottom of the doo a lower strap connected to a lower portion of the panelled portion and having a bottom hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the bottom of the door.

[0012] Preferably, the top hook arrangement has a top hook which is rotatable about a swivel clasp to which the upper strap is adjustably connected.

[0013] Preferably, the top hook arrangement has a circular rotator head and a track engaging pin for enabling rotation of the top hook.

[0014] It is preferred that the swivel clasp has elongated slots to which an uppermost end of the upper strap is adjustably connected.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable road vehicle cover comprising: an outer cover formed with a plurality of pockets at opposing ends and circumscribed by an elasticised edge for fitting to a door of the vehicle; an intermediate spaced portion between the pockets along extending between the opposing sides of the outer cover; and a panelled portion having a plurality of buffers for absorbing impact of an impinging object on the surface of the outer cover; wherein the intermediate spaced portion permits fitting of the outer cover to the door without interfering with the latching and hinging mechanisms of the door.

[0016] There has been thus outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of one aspect of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and put into practical effect, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

[0017] There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which the disclosure is based, may be readily utilized as the basis for designing other structures, assemblies, method steps and system configurations for carrying out the object of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the broad outline of the invention described above be regarded as including such equivalent features insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The accompanying drawings depict different modes of the invention and several embodiments including the best mode for carrying out the invention.

[0019] Fig 1A is a front perspective view of a road vehicle with a closed front door to which is removably fastened a door cover according to a first embodiment of a first mode of the invention.

[0020] Fig 1B is a rear perspective view of the road vehicle shown in Fig 1A, to an open rear door of which is removably fastened an identical door cover to the door cover shown fastened to the vehicle in Fig 1A.

[0021] Fig 1C is an end perspective view of a foldable panelled portion and connected strap members of the door cover shown in Figs 1A and 1B showing the panels of the panelled portion fully folded together concertina-like for the purpose of storage.

[0022] Fig 1D is similar view to that of Fig 1C but showing when the panels of the panelled portion are partly folded together in a concertina-like manner.

[0023] Fig 2A is a front perspective view of a road vehicle with a closed front door to which is removably fastened a door cover according to a second embodiment of the first mode of the invention.

[0024] Fig 2A' is an enlarged front view of a top hook arrangement for upper straps used for fastening the door cover shown in Fig 2A to the top of the door of the vehicle.

[0025] Fig 3 is an enlarged front view of a bottom hook arrangement for lower straps used for fastening the door cover shown in Fig 2A to the bottom of the door of the vehicle.

[0026] Fig 4 is a rear perspective view of a road vehicle, to a rear door of which is removably fastened an identical door cover to the door cover shown fastened to the vehicle in Fig 2A.

[0027] Fig 5 is a front perspective view of the vehicle of Fig 2A, showing alternative embodiments of possible locations of the upper and lower straps of the door cover shown in Fig 2A.

[0028] Fig 6 is a front perspective view of a front hook swivel assembly of the top hook arrangement shown in Fig 3.

[0029] Fig 7 is a rear perspective view of the top hook arrangement shown in Fig 3.

[0030] Fig 8 is an end perspective view of a foldable panelled portion and connected strap members of the door cover shown in Fig 2A, when the panels of the panelled portion are partly folded together in a concertina-like manner.

[0031] Fig 9 is a similar view to that of Fig 8 but showing the panels of the panelled portion fully folded together concertina-like for the purpose of storage.

[0032] Fig 10 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of a portion of the door cover shown in Fig 2A when made according to a first possible method of construction.

[0033] Fig 11 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of a portion of the door cover shown in Fig 2A when made according to a second (alternative to the first) possible method of construction.

[0034] Fig 12 is a front perspective view of a road vehicle with a front door to which is removably fastened a door cover according to an embodiment of a second mode of the invention.

[0035] Fig 13 is a rear perspective view of the road vehicle with a rear door t which is removably fastened an identical door cover to the door cover shown fastened to the vehicle in Fig 12.

[0036] Fig 14 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of a portion of the door cover shown in Fig 12 when made according to a possible method of construction.

[0037] Fig 15A is a front perspective view of a road vehicle with doors, windows and cabin roof to which are removably fastened a cabin cover according to a first embodiment of a third mode of the invention.

[0038] Fig 15B is an enlarged front view of a bottom hook arrangement for lower straps used for fastening the cabin cover shown in Fig 15A to the bottom of the body (or rocker panels) of the vehicle.

[0039] Fig 16A is a front perspective view of the road vehicle of Fig 15A with the doors, windows and cabin roof to which are removably fastened a cabin cover according to a second embodiment of the third mode of the invention.

[0040] Fig 16B is an enlarged front view of a bottom hook arrangement for lower straps used for fastening the cabin cover shown in Fig 16A to the bottom of the doors of the vehicle and body (or rocker panels) of the vehicle.

[0041] Fig 17 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of a portion of the cabin cover shown in Fig 15A and Fig 16A when made according to a possible method of construction.

[0042] Fig 18A is a front perspective view of a road vehicle with the doors, windows, front, rear and cabin roof (i.e. entire body) to which are removably fastened a vehicle body cover according to a first embodiment of a fourth mode of the invention.

[0043] Fig 18B is an enlarged front view of a bottom hook arrangement for lower straps used for fastening the vehicle body cover shown in Fig 18A to the bottom of the body (or rocker panels and bumpers) of the vehicle.

[0044] Fig 19A is a front perspective view of the road vehicle of Fig 18A with the doors, windows and cabin roof to which are removably fastened a cabin cover according to a second embodiment of the third mode of the invention.

[0045] Fig 19B is an enlarged front view of a bottom hook arrangement for lower straps used for fastening the cabin cover shown in Fig 19A to the bottom of the doors of the vehicle and body (or rocker panels) of the vehicle.

[0046] Fig 20 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of a portion of the vehicle body cover shown in Fig 18A when made according to a possible method of construction.

[0047] Fig 21 is a right end perspective view of a protective moulding for a vehicle door according to an embodiment of a fifth mode of the invention.

[0048] Fig 22 is a left end perspective view of the door protective moulding shown in Fig 21.

[0049] Fig 23 is a rear perspective view of the door protective moulding shown in Fig 21.

[0050] Fig 24 is a top perspective view of the door protective moulding shown in Fig 21.

[0051] Fig 25 is a side view of a road vehicle door to which is removably fastened the door protective moulding of Figs 21 to 24.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

[0052] With reference now to the above summarized drawings of Figs 1A to 20, several different modes for carrying out the invention will be described, including the best modes.

[0053] The first mode is directed towards a road vehicle cover that protects a portion of a door having regard to different embodiments of removable road vehicle covers for dent and scratch protection which embody the principles and concepts of the present invention.

[0054] The road vehicle 10 shown in Fig 1A has a front door 12 to which is removably fastened a door cover 13 in accordance with a first embodiment.

[0055] The door cover 13 has a panelled portion 15 to which an upper strap 17 and lower strap 19 are connected. The panelled portion 15 is made of a plurality of buffers for absorbing the impact of an impinging object such as the edge of an adjacent car door that is opened. The panelled portion includes a plurality of foldably interconnected panels 21 (or fabric covered pockets) which contain foam padding to form the buffers.

[0056] As shown in Fig 1B, the straps 17' and 19' of an identical door cover to that shown in Fig 1A, but fitted to a rear door 12' of the vehicle 10, are terminated with respective male and female components of a slide release buckle 23. The proximal attachment loops of the respective male and female components of the buckle 23 can be adjusted to firmly secure the panelled portion 15 to the outer surface of the door to which it is attached.

[0057] The panelled portion 15 of the door cover 13 is capable of a concertina-like folding of its foldably interconnected panels 21, as shown in Figs 1C and 1D. Fig 1D shows the panelled portion 15 and its connected strap members 17, 19 of the door cover 13 when its panels 21 are partly folded together in a concertina-like manner. Fig 1C shows the panels 21 of the panelled portion 15 fully folded together in a concertina-like manner so as to be sufficiently flat for the purpose of storage.

[0058] The road vehicle 10 shown in Fig 2A has a front door 12 to which is removably fastened a door cover 14 in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0059] The door cover 14 has a panelled portion 16 to which upper straps 18 and lower straps 20 are connected. The panelled portion 16 is made of a plurality of foldably interconnected panels 22 (or fabric covered pockets) which contain foam padding.

[0060] Figs 2A, 6 and 7 show a top hook arrangement 24 for an upper strap 18 which is used to fasten the door cover 14 to the top of the door 12 of the vehicle 10. The top hook arrangement 24 has a top hook 26 which is rotatable, via its circular rotator head 27 and its track engaging pin 28 (see Fig 7), about a swivel clasp 29 to which an uppermost end of the strap 18 is adjustably connected. The swivel clasp 29 has elongated slots 30 (the uppermost slot 30a of which has a serrated inner edge) to which an uppermost end of the strap 18 is adjustably connected. Hence, the lengths of the upper straps 18 are adjustable. The top hook 26 can rotate (see arrow A in Fig 3) relative to the clasp 29 to suit different angles along the top of the door 12.

[0061] A bottom hook arrangement 31 is shown in Figure 2A'for a lower strap 20 which is used to fasten the door cover 14 to the bottom of the door 12 of the vehicle 10. The bottom hook arrangement 31 has a bottom hook 32 with an integrally connected clasp structure 34 of elongated slots 36 to which a lowermost end of the strap 20 is adjustably connected. Hence, the lengths of the lower straps 20 are adjustable.

[0062] In this embodiment, the top and bottom hooks 26, 32 are made of moulded polypropylene and have a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) overmoulding 38 on the inside surfaces.

[0063] The road vehicle 40 shown in Fig 4 has a rear door 42 to which is removably fastened an identical door cover 14 to the door cover shown fastened to the vehicle in Fig 2A and described above.

[0064] Fig 5 shows alternative embodiments of possible locations of the upper and lower straps 18, 20 of the door cover 14 which is removably fastened to the front door 12 of the vehicle 10. Such alternative locations are facilitated by having a plurality of apertures 44 for receiving the straps 18, 20 along the top of the uppermost panel 46 and along the bottom of the lowermost panel 48 of the panelled portion 16 of the door cover 14. Such adjustable positioning of the straps 18, 20 allows for optimal fitting of the cover 14 to suit the shape and size of the door 12.

[0065] The panelled portion 16 of the door cover 14 is capable of a concertina-like folding of its foldably interconnected panels 22, as shown in Figs 8 and 9. Fig 8 shows the panelled portion 16 and its connected strap members 18, 20 of the door cover 14 when its panels 22 are partly folded together in a concertina-like manner. Fig 9 shows the panels 22 of the panelled portion 16 fully folded together in a concertina-like manner so as to be sufficiently flat for the purpose of storage.

[0066] A first possible method of construction of the door cover 14 is shown in Fig 10. Each panel 22 has an outer fabric cover 50 which surrounds closed cell foam padding 52 of 5 to 10 mm thickness. The openings 44 in the outer fabric cover 50 for receiving the straps 18, 20 allow the straps to be firmly engaged to internal panel clips 54.

[0067] A second possible method of construction of the door cover 14 is shown in Fig 11. It is the same as the method described above with reference to Fig 10 except that there is a vacuum formed shell 56 of 1mm thickness under the outer fabric cover 50.

[0068] The road vehicle 60 shown in Fig 12 has a front door 62 to which is removably fastened a door cover 64 according to an embodiment of a second mode of the invention.

[0069] The door cover 64 is made of elasticized or stretchable material, which may be UV resistant, and includes a fabric outer cover 50. The door cover 64 also has a plurality of sewn pockets 66 that have elastic material of 15 mm width along the edges of each of the pockets.

[0070] The pockets are divided into a top pocket 83 for fitting to the top of the door and a bottom pocket 85 for fitting to the bottom of the door. The sides of the door cover have an intermediate spaced portion where the respective pockets recede to the edge of the cover to accommodate for the cover to be fitted to the door without interfering with the door latching mechanism associated with the door handle at the distal edge of the door and the hinge mechanism attaching the door to the chassis of the vehicle at the proximal end of the door. This is better shown in Fig 13.

[0071] Fitted within each of the sewn pockets 66 is foam padding having protective plastic shields. The door cover 64 is made undersize so that it can stretch towards the edges of the door 62. There is a cut-out 72 which fits around the door mirror 74. The cut-out 72 has sewn elastic material along its hemmed edge.

[0072] The road vehicle 80 shown in Fig 13 has a rear door 82 to which is removably fastened an identical door cover 64 to the door cover shown fastened to the vehicle 60 in Fig 12 and described above. The fabric material of the outer cover may continue all the way to the edges of the door 62, 82 and elastically wrap around so that the top pocket 83 fits to the top of the door and the bottom pocket fits to the bottom edge of the door.

[0073] A possible alternative method of construction of the door cover 64 is shown in Figure 14. Each sewn pocket 66 has an outer fabric cover 50 and under the outer fabric cover there is a vacuum formed shell 56 of 1mm thickness which surrounds closed cell foam padding 52 of 5mm thickness. The fabric material of the outer cover 50 continues to nearly all the way to the edges of the door 62, 82, and the top and bottom edges 84 of the fabric material are sewn to respective edges 86 of mm thickness top and bottom elastic straps 88. The elastic straps 88 pass through, and are firmly engaged by, elongated slots 89 of a respective top and bottom hook 91, each of which hooks 91 are securely clipped around the respective top and bottom edges of the door 62, 82, as shown in Fig 14.

[0074] The road vehicle 90 shown in Fig 15A has its doors, windows and cabin roof protected by a cabin cover 92 which is removably fastened to the rocker panels 93 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle according to a first embodiment of a third mode of the invention.

[0075] The cabin cover 92 is made of elasticized or stretchable material, which is UV resistant, and includes a fabric outer cover 50 over each of the doors, windows and cabin roof. The portions 94 of the cabin cover 92 which cover the door bodies (but not the door windows) have a plurality of sewn pockets 66 that have elastic material of 15mm width along the edges of each of the pockets. Fitted within each of the sewn pockets 66 is foam padding having protective plastic shields. The cabin cover 92 is made undersize so that it can stretch towards the bottom edges of the doors. There is a cut-out 72 which fits around the door mirror 74. The cut-out 72 has sewn elastic material along its hemmed edge.

[0076] 20 The door body covering portions 94 are flexibly connected to the adjacent door window covering portions 96 of the cabin cover 92 by elasticized 50mm wide webbing 98, and the door window covering portions 96 are flexibly connected to the adjacent front window covering portion 100 by identical webbing 98. The elasticized webbing 98 allows for optimal fitting of the cabin cover 92 to suit the contoured shape and size of the vehicle 90.

[0077] A bottom hook arrangement 102 is shown in Fig 15B for a lower strap 104 which is used to fasten the cabin cover 92 to the rocker panels 93 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle 90. The bottom hook arrangement 102 has a bottom hook 106 with an integrally connected clasp structure 108 of elongated slots 110 to which a lowermost end of the strap 104 is adjustably connected. Hence, the lengths of the lower straps 104 are adjustable.

[0078] In this embodiment, the bottom hooks 106 are made of moulded polypropylene and have a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) overmoulding 112 on the inside surfaces.

[0079] Fig 16A and Fig 16B show a cabin cover according to a second embodiment of the third mode of the invention. In this arrangement additional bottom hook arrangements are connected to the door itself in addition to hook arrangements that are connected to the bottom of the body or rocker panels of the vehicle.

[0080] A possible method of construction of the cabin cover 92 is shown in Fig 17. It is the same as the method described above with reference to Fig 14, except that the elastic straps 104 pass through, and are firmly engaged by, elongated slots 110 of only a respective bottom hook arrangement 102, of which bottom hooks 106 are securely clipped around the rocker panels 93 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle , as shown in Fig 17.

[0081] The road vehicle 120 shown in Fig 18A has its doors, windows, front, rear and cabin roof (i.e. its entire body) protected by a vehicle body cover 122 which is removably fastened to the rocker panels 124 and bumpers 126 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle according to a first embodiment of a fourth mode of the invention.

[0082] The vehicle body cover 122 is made of elasticized or stretchable material, which is UV resistant, and includes a fabric outer cover 50 over each of the doors, windows, front, rear and cabin roof. The portions 128 of the vehicle body cover 122 which cover the door bodies (but not the door windows) and the rear fenders have a plurality of sewn

[0083] 20 pockets 66 that have elastic material of 15 mm width along the edges of each of the pockets. Fitted within each of the sewn pockets 66 is foam padding having protective plastic shields. The portions 129 of the vehicle body cover 122 which cover the front and rear of the vehicle 120 also have a plurality of sewn pockets 66 that have elastic material of 15 mm width along the edges of each of the pockets and fitted within each of these sewn pockets 66 is foam padding having protective plastic shields. The vehicle body cover 122 is made undersize so that it can stretch towards the bottom edges of the rocker panels 123 and bumpers 126.

There is a cut-out 72 which fits around the door mirror 74. The cut-out 72 has sewn elastic material along its hemmed edge.

[0084] The door body and rear fender covering portions 128 are flexibly connected to the adjacent door window covering portions 130 of the vehicle body cover 122 by elasticized 50mm wide webbing 132, and the door window covering portions 130 are flexibly connected to the adjacent front window covering portion 134 by identical webbing 132. The elasticized webbing 132 allows for optimal fitting of the vehicle body cover 122 to suit the contoured shape and size of the vehicle 120.

[0085] A bottom hook arrangement 136 is shown in Figure 18B for a lower elastic strap 138 which is used to fasten the vehicle body cover 122 to the rocker panels 123 and bumpers 126 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle 120. The bottom hook arrangement 136 is identical in structure and function to the bottom hook arrangement 102 described earlier with reference to Figures 15, 16 and 17, and like features are identified by like numerals.

[0086] Fig 19A and Fig 19B show a cabin cover according to a second embodiment of the fourth mode of the invention. In this arrangement additional bottom hook arrangements are connected to the door itself in addition to hook arrangements that are connected to the bottom of the body or rocker panels of the vehicle.

[0087] A possible method of construction of the vehicle body cover 122 is shown in Fig 20. It is the same as the method described above with reference to Fig 17, except that each of the bottom hooks 106 of the arrangement 136 are securely clipped around both the rocker panels 123 and bumpers 126 at the bottom of the body of the vehicle 120, as shown in Figure 20.

[0088] With reference now to the above summarized drawings of Figs 21 to 25, an embodiment of a removable road vehicle moulding for dent and scratch protection in accordance with a fifth mode which embodies the principles and concepts of the present invention will now be described.

[0089] The moulding 150 shown in Figs 21 to 24 is made of an injection moulded flexible elastomer, and has a series of integrally interconnected, substantially U shaped, flexible clip portions 152. Each clip portion 152 has a mouth 154 which is so dimensioned to tightly, but resiliently, receive therein the edge of a vehicle door 156, as shown in Figure 25. The inner surfaces of the mouths 154 of all of the interconnected clip portions 152 of the moulding 150 pinch against the door edge and stably hold the moulding in place. The moulding 150 is designed to protect the edge from colliding with, and thus being damaged by, neighbouring objects, including parked cars and walls, when the vehicle door is swung open and collides with the object.

[0090] The moulding 150 is also designed to not interfere with the normal opening and closing (or locking and unlocking) of the door 156.

[0091] When no longer required for use, or when it is desired to wash the car, the moulding 150 can be readily removed from its fastened position on the edge of the door 156.

[0092] It will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in this art, upon reading this description of embodiments of the invention, that there may be alternative embodiments of removable road vehicle covers and mouldings for dent and scratch protection which fall within the scope of the invention.

[0093] It will also be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of the design and construction of the above embodiments of the removable road vehicle covers and mouldings without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.

[0094] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates before the filing date of this patent application.

Claims (8)

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows

1. A removable road vehicle cover for dent and scratch protection of a door, the cover comprising:

(a) a panelled portion having a plurality of buffers for absorbing impact of a an impinging object;

(b) an upper strap connected to an upper portion of the panelled portion and having a top hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the top of the door; and

(c) a lower strap connected to a lower portion of the panelled portion and having a bottom hook arrangement for fastening the cover to the bottom of the door.

2. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top hook arrangement has a top hook which is rotatable about a swivel clasp to which the upper strap is adjustably connected.

3. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top hook arrangement has a circular rotator head and a track engaging pin for enabling rotation of the top hook.

4. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the swivel clasp has elongated slots to which an uppermost end of the upper strap is adjustably connected.

5. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a plurality of upper straps are connected to the upper portion of the panelled portion, one of which has a top hook arrangement that is rotatable and another of which is not rotatable relative to the upper straps to which they are connected.

6. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panelled portion is formed of a plurality of foldably interconnected panels that are partly folded together in a concertina like manner for flat packing for storage.

7. A removable road vehicle cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panelled portion has a plurality of apertures for receiving the straps proximate to the top and bottom edges to provide for alternative strap locations.

8. A removable road vehicle cover comprising:

an outer cover formed with a plurality of pockets at opposing ends and circumscribed by an elasticised edge for fitting to a door of the vehicle;

an intermediate spaced portion between the pockets along extending between the opposing sides of the outer cover; and

a panelled portion having a plurality of buffers for absorbing impact of an impinging object on the surface of the outer cover;

wherein the intermediate spaced portion permits fitting of the outer cover to the door without interfering with the latching and hinging mechanisms of the door.

21

15

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19 13

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Fig 1B

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21 Fig 1D

Fig 4

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Fig 12

Fig 14 9/16

Fig 15A 10/16

Fig 15B

Fig 16A 11/16

Fig 16B

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Fig 18B

Fig 19A 14/16

Fig 19B

Fig 20 15/16

Fig 21

Fig 22

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Fig 25 Fig 24