GB2167719A

GB2167719A - Motor vehicle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2167719A
Application number: GB08429468A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patricia Dorothy Brown; Edna Blanch Talbot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-04
Filing date: 1984-11-22
Publication date: 1986-06-04
Also published as: GB8429468D0; GB8411472D0

Abstract

In order to give some insulation for and shade within the interior of a vehicle 1, there is provided a cover 4 of substantially opaque flexible material longitudinally stretched over the vehicle 1 and secured to the front and rear ends thereof by elastic cords 5, and spacers 6 located on the roof 7 of the vehicle 1 to provide an insulating air gap 8. The spacers 6 are loosely fitted to the roof 7 and are held in position by the tension in the cover 4. The cover 4 may be of a waterproof canvas type material such as is used for tents or of a nylon or other fabric with a reflective surface, e.g. a silvered coating, applied to the fabric. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Motor vehicle accessory This invention relates to a motor vehicle accessory.

When a car or van is left in sunshine for a period, even in a temperate climate, the interior of the vehicle tends to become uncomfortably hot, and possibly dangerously so for animals which may have to be left in the vehicle and have no means of escape.

Under cold conditions, a vehicle interior becomes uncomfortably cold, and also there is a tendency for ice to form inside and/or outside the windows and windscreen. The chilling leads to discomfort for driver and passengers (and possibly animals who may be left in the vehicle), and the ice needs to be removed before driving is safe. Accordingly, there is a use for insulation of a vehicle parked outside in cold conditions to defer the chilling and formation of ice.

It is an object of the invention to provide a shield or canopy which is easy to fit, and comparatively inexpensive, to give some insulation for and shade within the interior of the vehicle.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cover of substantially opaque flexible material adapted to be longitudinally stretched over a vehicle and secured to the front and rear ends thereof by elastic cords, and spacers locatable on the roof of the vehicle to separate the cover from the roof to provide an insulating air gap.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle having a cover in accordance with the invention as set forth above in position and stretched thereover.

The cover is very readily attached to the vehicle by means of hooks on elastic cords, such as are conventionally used for luggage straps, and these hooks engage on or in the region of the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. The spacers may be loosely fitted to the roof and are held in position by the tension in the cover.

The cover itself may be of a waterproof canvas type material such as is used for tents Alternatively, the cover may be made of a nylon or other fabric with a reflective surface, e.g. a silvered coating applied to the fabric.

The cover rolls up and stows in a very small space within the boot of the vehicle when not in use.

In a modification of the invention, the cover may be provided with one or two lateral extensions which drop down from the cover so as wholly or partially to obscure one or both sets of side windows in order to provide additional shade within the vehicle. These side extensions may be fitted by heavy duty press fasteners or by the use of a peelable hook and loop fastening material, either applied continuously along the length of the attachment or at spaced intervals therealong.

While designed primarily for use in hot weather (or hot climates) to limit heating of the vehicle interior by solar radiation, such a cover also has an insulating cover if used in cold conditions by delaying the formation of ice and limiting chilling of a vehicle interior.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, of which the single figure is a side elevation of a typical form of motor vehicle having a cover in accordance with the invention in position thereon.

A motor vehicle is illustrated at 1 in the figure and is shown as having a front bumper 2 and a rear bumper 3. Stretched between the front and rear bumpers 2 and 3 respectively is a cover 4 of a generally opaque and waterproof material, e.g. a canvas type material. Alternatively, a nylon fabric (e.g. 4oz thickness) with a reflective coating may be used The use of a reflective coating improves the efficacy of the cover in protecting the vehicle from solar radiation. The cover may be used with the silvered layer outwardly exposed or on the inner side.

The ends of the cover itself are provided with eyelets (not shown) to which elastic cords 5, such are as conventionally used for retaining luggage, may be attached, the opposite ends of the cords 5 being attached into their respective bumpers 2 and 3.

Lightweight and non-scratch spacing elements 6 are shown on the roof of the vehicle so as to space the cover 4 from the roof 7 and provide an insulating air gap 8. The spacers 6 may for instance be made of polystyrene foam. In order to improve the non-scratch characteristics, the foam material may be provided with a covering of a self-lubricating material, which may be held on by a strip of stout adhesive tape which acts as a rubbing surface against the fabric cover.

It will also be seen that further gaps 9 and 10 are located between the cover 4 and the bonnet and boot respectively of the vehicle 1.

Although the cover provides some protection from the sun, it is still advisable to leave a window open as indicated at 11. Some pet owners leave a tailgate of an estate wagon open to provide ventilation. If required a removable longitudinal extension to the cover may be provided to enable the cover to extend over an open tailgate. Such an extension could be secured by heavy duty press fasteners.

Further protection may be provided by lateral extensions hanging down from the roof covering portion of the cover 4. Such extensions are normally detachable from the cover 4 and may be secured by heavy duty press fasteners or by the peelable securing material known as " Velcro" and consisting of engaging pieces of hook and loop tape. In the latter case, either continuous strips or spaced short lengths of the tapes may be used.

The use of conventional luggage cords to secure the cover to the vehicle, and the use of simple flexible material mean that attachment is simple and the whole cover 4, together with its cords 5 may be rolled up into a very convenient roll for storage in the boot of the car. The spacers 6 may be readily stored with the cover 4. The cover may also be made comparatively inexpensive.

One or more wind bands may be provided to restrain the cover in windy conditions. Such wind bands could be passed over the cover and be anchored to the conventional gutter arranged along the sides of the roof and front and rear screens of a vehicle.

Various other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cover of substantially opaque flexible material adapted to be longitudinally stretched over a vehicle and secured to the front and rear ends thereof by elastic cords, and spacers locatable on the roof of the vehicle to separate the cover from the roof to provide an insulating air gap.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, in combination with elastic cords having hooks at the ends for attachment to the cover and to the vehicle.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the spacers are adapted to be loosely fitted to the roof and held in position by the tension in the cover.

4. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which is of a waterproof canvas type material.

5. A cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, made of a nylon or other fabric with a reflective surface applied to the fabric.

6. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which is provided with one or two lateral extensions which drop down from the cover so as wholly or partially to obscure one or both sets of side windows in order to provide additional shade within the vehicle.

7. A cover as claimed in claim 6, in which the said side extensions are fitted by heavy duty press fasteners.

8. A cover as claimed in claim 6, in which the said side extensions are fitted by the use of a peelable hook and loop fastening material.

9. A cover as claimed in claim 8, in which the fastening material is applied continuously along the length of the attachment.

10. A cover as claimed in claim 8, in which the fastening material is applied at spaced intervals along the length of the attachment.

11. A cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the spacers are of a lightweight material and are sheathed in a self-lubricating material to reduce scratching.

12. A cover for a motor vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

13. A motor vehicle having a cover as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in position and stretched thereover.

14. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, having the cover attached by elastic cords having hooks which engage on or in the region of the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle.

15. A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 13 or 14, further comprising one or more wind bands stretched transversely over the cover and anchored to the vehicle roof.