GB2389564A

GB2389564A - Protecting a vehicle from fuel spillage

Info

Publication number: GB2389564A
Application number: GB0213743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony Michael Gibas; Sandra Zelda Conway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-14
Filing date: 2002-06-14
Publication date: 2003-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-14
Also published as: GB0213743D0; GB2389564B

Abstract

A device (3) for preventing damage to the paintwork of vehicles caused by spillage of fluids comprises a sheet of material and nozzle attachment means , and preferably includes at least one impermeable layer (4) for positioning against the vehicle, and one absorbent layer (5) for absorbing any spilt fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of separably attached devices is provided.

Description

( VEHICLE PR(]'rECTION DEVICE The present invention relates to a vehicle

protection device.

Refuelling and adding water, engine oil and brake fluid to a vehicle are regular occurrences 5 in the operation of a vehicle However, these actions can result in accidental spillage.

Such spillage may damage the pantwork or other parts of the vehicle. The recommendation Is to remove any spillage by means of wiping or washing. However, contact between the fluid and the paintwork has nevertheless occurred and the vehicle should then be cleaned, although this is rarely done.

The present invention seeks to provide a vehicle protection device to protect vehicles from damage caused by spillage of lands.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle protection device comprising a sheet of material and nozzle attachment means.

Preferably the vehicle protection device is multilayered and comprises at least one absorbent layer and at least one impermeable layer.

20 The vehicle protection device fonns a barrier between the spilled Ruid and the vehicle.

The optional absorbent layer mops up small amounts of fluid, whilst the optional mpenneable layer prevents such fluid from seeping through and making contact with the vehicle. Therefore, the device negates the need for the vehicle to be immediately wiped by its user.

It is preferred that the nozzle attachment means comprise an aperture designed to be hooked over a nozzle of a vehicle tank and that the aperture is formed by removal of a perforated section of the sheet 30 In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of separably connected vehicle protection devices Is provided; these may be separable by means of perforations, and arranged in a strip able to be supported on a roll, or in a stack. Where they are provided in a stack it is preferred

( that the act of separating a device from the stack causes formation of the attachment means. Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with S reference to the accompanying drawings, In which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle protection device; Figure 2 shows the vehclc protection device of Figure I attached to the nozzle of a vehicle 10 fuel tank; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of vehicle protection devices arranged in a strip and supported on a roll; 15 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of vehicle protection devices arranged in a stack; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a plurality of vehicle protection devices arranged In a strip and supported on a roll With reference to Figure I the vehicle protection device 3 comprises a sheet of material and nozzle attachment means 7 In this embodiment the nozzle attachment means 7 comprise an aperture formed by removal of a perforated section 2 of the device. Other nozzle attachment means may be envisaged, such as a string or elastic collar, the device 3 25 may even be tied onto the nozzle. Altematively the vehicle protection device 3 may be adhesive. Figure 2 shows the vehicle protection device 3 of Figure I in use. The nozzle attachment means 7 are designed to hook over a vehicle tank nozzle 6. In this example, the vehicle 30 protection device 3 is shown us position to protect the vehicle from spillages occurring during filling of the fuel Gainly However, it will be appreciated that the vehicle protection device could be used on other parts of the vehicle, for example, within the engine port

when adding engine oil, water or brake fluid, or in any other area where spillage may occur. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, it is preferred that a plurality of vehicle protection 5 devices 3 be provided. The devices are preferably separated from each other by means of perforations. These may be arranged in a strip, for example, to be supported on a roll 1.

Alternatively they may be arranged in the form of a stack. Such an arrangement could be provided in boxes containing different quantities.

10 With reference to Future 5, a preferred embodiment the vehicle protection device 3 comprises two layers, onc of vhicll Is absorbent 5 and one of which is impermeable 4. The absorbent layer 5 will serve to "mop up" and prevent splashing of small spillages, whilst the impermeable layer 4 protects the vehicle by preventing any fluid absorbed by the absorbent layer from seeping through and making contact with the vehicle. The l 5 impermeable layer 4 could he a light "gauge" plastic, polyurethane or cellophane or any other non-absorbent material The absorbent layer 5 could be a light "gauge" paper or any other absorbent material However, the vehicle protection device 3 could comprise any number of layers, mcludng a shingle layer which may be Impermeable or absorbent.

20 In use, where a plurality o \ else protection devices 3 is provided, perforations allow the simple removal of a sn1,le sheet lor use. Where the devices are arranged in a stack, the act of removing a vehicle protection device from the stack may result in formation of the attachment aperture. Otherwise' the perforated section 2 of the vehicle protection device 3 is removed, and the aperture Conned placed over a vehicle fuel tank nozzle 6. Where there 25 is provided an impermeable layer, this is placed next to the vehicle. After use? the vehicle protection device 3 is renovcd from the vehicle tank nozzle and discarded or washed and reused. It is preferred that the vehicle protection device be fabricated from a lightweight material 30 such as paper or plastic Phe \ chicle protection device could be washable and therefore manufactured as a non-dsposablc version. Altematively the vehicle protection device could be made of a more soLd material and act like a "bib" or "drip tray"

It is envisaged that vehicle protection devices could be provided on fuel station forecourts for the use of drivers whilst refuelling or otherwise attending to their vehicles. The station attendant, or driver who wishes to prevent potential damage to their vehicle, would simply 5 "tear offs' a sheet from those provided and hook it onto the relevant nozzle After use, the sheet can be simply discarded Use of this device will thereby prevent the need for drivers to wipe off any spillage 1 om their vehicle and thus reduce damage to paintwork where drivers neglect to do this 10 Although it is envisaged that the vehicle protection device will be manufactured as "one size fits all"' it will be alprccated that it could be manufactured to any size or length, or even to suit specific vehicles or models of vehicle. The vehicle protection device may be branded by different vehicle manufactures and be supplied with the sale of a new or second-hand vehicle. The vehicle protection device may be manufactured and branded to 15 be sold by re-fuelling stations or could be supplied by re-fuelling stations as a "free" item whilst using their re-fuellug station. The vehicle protection device may be manufactured - and branded to be sold 1, supermarkets or vehicle maintenance shops.

Claims

( 5 CLAIMS

1. A vehicle protection device comprising a sheet of material and nozzle attachment means.

2. A vehicle protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet is multi-layered and comprises at least one absorbent layer and at least one impermeable layer.

3. A vehicle protection Levee as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the nozzle attachment 10 means comprise an aperture designed to be hooked over a nozzle of a vehicle tank.

4. A vehicle protection device as claimed In claim 3 wherein the aperture Is formed by removal of a perforated section of the sheet.

15

5. A plurality of separably connected vehicle protection devices as claimed in any preceding claim.

6. A plurality of vehicle protection devices as claimed in claim 5 wherein the devices are separable by means ol perforations.

7. A plurality of vehicle protection devices as claimed in claim 6 wherein one device Is separable from anothci by means of perforations that define at least a part of the device's outer edge 25

8. A plurality of vehicle protection devices as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the devices are arranged ail a strip designed to be supported on a roll.

9. A plurality of vehicle protection devices as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the devices are arranged in a stack. the act of separating a device from the stack causmg forrnaton 30 of the attachment means

10. A vehicle protection clecc substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to

and as Illustrated In flee accompanying drawings.