GB2521484A - Car door protecting mitt - Google Patents

Abstract

A reusable car door protecting glove 16, that is easily attached, detached and reattached to a vehicle door edge 44 by hand 43 whilst either sat inside or stood outside a vehicle. Totally flexible and preferably attached by magnetism, meaning it can be applied to any part of the outer steel edge of a car door, wrapping around to the interior steel edge giving all round protection. The magnets would be bonded to a configuration inside the material so that when folded they will hold the mitt together meaning it will fit neatly in to a car door pocket. Once folded, as it will be made of a high quality microfiber or terry towel to make a de mister and duster. Additionally it preferably has an opening on the top edge for insertion of an ice scraper should one be desired.

Description

Car door protecting mitt

Introduction & Background to the Invention

This invention relates to a fully flexible car door protecting mitt that is completely detachable and re attachable from either inside or outside the vehicle to any area of the outer edge of a vehicle door, wrapping around to the inside edge.

Due to increasing vehicle sizes, and parking bay sizes not increasing as a result of developers and supermarkets wanting to maximize the amount of vehicle parking available, the risk of not only damaging your own vehicle door, but the doors of other vehicle users is significantly higher.

Getting in and out of a vehicle becomes more difficult for those of us that have impaired movement such as the elderly or pregnant women or those with children, when a larger space dedicated to them is unavailable.

As an example the 2013 BMW 3 series is 1811mm with its mirrors folded in, some 200mm wider than the original model from 1975. The 2013 Volkswagen Golf is 1799mm wide meaning it is again some 200mm wider than the original.

The increase in vehicle width is due to manufacturers wanting to offer more interior space for comfort and as a result of people getting taller and larger around the waist. It is also to comply with safety standards by adding crumple zones, side impact bars and reinforcing the superstructure of the vehicle. These are just 2 examples of average sized vehicles. As the sales of SUV, crossover and 4x4 vehicles increase this further more adds to the potential for damage as these vehicles are wider again.

If you were fixing a device to protect your vehicle door you would fix it to the outermost edge of the door, as that would be the area most likely to make contact with either another vehicle parked adjacent or an object that could cause damage.

The majority of conventional vehicle doors that hinge at the front facing edge are by design usually rounded in shape to follow the contours of the vehicle body with the outermost part, on, or under the handle area. This will mean that if you have a permanent fixture protecting device, should you have an object or vehicle parked next to you that is not at the same height as the permanently fixed device it will render it useless.

Many protection devices currently on the market that are a permanent fixture can protrude outwards from the vehicle meaning not only do they create drag as a result of altering the aerodynamics of the vehicle but you can lose the aesthetics of the vehicle design. Also if the colour of the protector doesn't match the colour of your vehicle exactly, it can also look unsightly.

Some other solutions can be bulky and impractical to carry around in the vehicle causing clutter. Some of these solutions are also cumbersome and take time to fit.

They can also only look to protect your own vehicle and not the vehicle next to you. Some solutions also don't allow you to fix to the part of the door that will make contact with the vehicle or object parked next to it for example a larger 4x4 or SUV will have an edge that will make contact higher than a smaller vehicle.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a completely flexible easily attachable and removable protection mitt, which can be attached by hand in a matter of seconds around the outermost extremity of a car door when required, whilst either sat inside, or stood outside of the vehicle. This will free up both hands to aid access in and out of vehicles and also reduce the risk of damage as a result. The mitt can be removed once the user has exited the vehicle to avoid theft and also removed whilst sat inside the vehicle so as not to affect the looks of the vehicle.

The Mitt will be comprised of three pieces of equal sized material sewn around 3 edges with the remaining unsewn edge of a size large enough to insert an adult hand. Two of the pieces of the material will be bonded, with magnets contained within, as well as an extra piece of material added to cover the magnet giving extra protection to the side that will make contact with the vehicle body.

The attaching means to the vehicle is provided by way of magnetism, and due to the positioning of the magnets, once the hand is inserted, two magnets around where the finger tips will be, two magnets where the palm of the hand will be and two magnets around where the wrist will be.

With the hand inside the mitt the user can use this hand to reach around to the outer edge of the door whilst sat inside their vehicle. The mitt is positioned to the outside of the vehicle using the four magnets from the fingers and palm.

Upon removing the hand the 2 magnets that were around the wrist can be fixed to the inner edge of the door using the same hand. This means the mitt will give its protection all around the door edge. Once the user has exited their vehicle, the mitt can be easily removed by just pulling it free meaning it can then be folded, or simply placed inside their vehicle to be used on their return should it be required.

The positioning of the magnets within the material will also make it fold neatly, with the magnets pulling together, maintaining its looks and fitting easily in to a door pocket.

Once folded, as the mitt will be preferalily be made from a high standard non-abrasive cloth such as microfiber or terry towel which currently used as a detailing cloth to protect bodywork, can in this form also be used as a de misting pad for misted windows and mirrors or simply used as a duster. The advantage to this is that the need to have a de mister or duster in the vehicle is not needed reducing clutter.

Unfolded, the mitt will contain an opening in the top edge so that in winter months, should the user desire, they can insert an ice scraping device widely available on the market. Once inserted, the mitt will keep the users hand safe, warm whilst clearing snow and ice from their windscreen.

Brief descrintion of the drawin&s.

Figure lisa perspective view of the completed car door protecting mitt Figure 2 describes how the magnets will be illustrated.

Figure 3 is a perspective showing the components detached from each other to demonstrate how the mitt is constructed.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the completed mitt, it details the way in which the mitt can be folded to create a neat de mister.

Figure 5 shows a section taken on the line 5-S offig4 Figure 6 shows a section taken on the line 6-6 of fig 4 Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the Mitt once it has been folded as shown in fig 4 Figure 8 is a section taken online 8-8 of fig 7 Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the user positioning the protecting mitt Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the mitt attached to the door Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mitt in use Figure 12 shows a section taken on line 12-12 of fig 10 Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the mitt covering door furniture Figure 14 shows a plan view with a common Ice scraper inserted.

Detailed descriDtion of the invention.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the completed car door protecting mitt 16. It shows that there will be an unsewn edge creating an opening wide enough for inserting a hand 17. It also shows a small split will be left between the sewn edges on either side of the material 18 which will aid inserting and removing the hand once the mitt is positioned on to the vehicle door. It shows where a label could be placed to display a manufacturers logo 19.

Figure 2 describes how the magnets will be illustrated. It is well known the way that magnets are attracted to each other, so by way of illustration for this document one side of the magnet is marked with a positive sign and one side of the magnet a negative sign. This is to demonstrate that a positive side will attract to a negative side 20 and likewise a negative to a positive however a positive side will repel another positive side 21 the same as a negative will repel a negative 22 when tried to place together. The magnets will however attract to a ferrous metal 23 on either side regardless whether positive or negative 24.

Figure 3 is a perspective showing the components detached from each other to demonstrate how the mitt is constructed.

Three pieces of equal sized material 25,26 & 27 preferably rectangular in shape and made preferably of high grade microfiber or terry towel, the same that is used in car detailing and window cleaning. It should preferably be of a size that will give enough protection without being too bulky.

One piece is laid down 27. On top of that piece of material are placed six Neodymium Magnets.

The first magnet 32, is placed plus side up, in close proximity to edge 31 and in close proximity to edge 28. The next magnet 33, is placed plus side up, in close proximity to edge 31 and in close proximity to edge 30. The next magnet 34, is placed negative side up, just beyond halfway on the fabric, between edge 31 and 29, and in close proximity to edge 28. The next magnet 35, is placed minus side up, just beyond halfway on the fabric between edge 31 and 29, and in close proximity to edge 30. The next magnet 36, is placed plus side up, in close proximity to edge 28, and in close proximity to edge 29. The final magnet 37, is placed plus side up, in close proximity to edge 29 and in close proximity to edge 30.

On top of each magnet is preferably placed a further piece of the material 38 that is preferably microfiber or similar so as to keep the same materials used. It will preferably be of a greater area than the magnet so as to give extra protection for the bodywork whilst attaching the mitt to the vehicle door. The magnet and the material should preferably be glued in place so they don't move unnecessarily.

Once all the magnets and material are in place, the second piece of the material 26 is placed over and secured by gluing or sewing around the four edges 28, 29, & 31 to create a unit with the magnets enclosed. Once the material 26 and 27 are secured together, a further piece of the material 25 placed over the top then all three pieces of material 25, 26 & 27 are sewn together around three edges 28, 29 and 30 to create the mitt. There will be an aperture left unsewn 40 along edge 29, wide enough to insert an ice scraper handle further highlighted in fig 6 & figl4 The two longer sides 28 & 30 should not be sewn all the way to edge 31 stopping just short 39 to allow a small separation as shown in Fig 1 (18) Upon completion of the sewing, the mitt will preferably be turned inside out so that the sewn edges are hidden inside the mitt This will reveal a neater finish and as a result of turning the mitt inside out, the pieces of material 38 that were placed on top of the magnets will now be on the side of the mitt that will be making contact with the vehicle giving extra protection.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the completed mitt, it details the way in which the mitt can be folded to create a neat de mister. Firstly the top edge 29 should be folded along line 41 resulting in the top edge 29 meeting the fold line 42. The bottom section can then be folded over both the top and middle section along fold line 42 so that the bottom edge 31 meets fold line 41.

Figure 5 shows a section taken on the line 5-5 of fig 4 it shows that there will be three magnets 33, 35 & 37 along the length of the mitt, each sat on top of an added piece of material 38 for added protection against any damage to vehicle bodywork it shows there will be an opening for inserting a hand l7as well as an aperture 40 left along the sewn edge for inserting an ice scraper should one be desired.

Figure 6 shows a section taken on the line 6-6 of fig 4 it shows that the magnets 34 & 35 are positioned towards the outer edge so that the inner section can wrap around any door furniture such as handles or plastic guards. It shows that each magnet is sat on top of an added piece of material 38 for added protection against any damage to vehicle bodywork. It shows that the mitt is created by sewing together the piece of material 25 to pieces 26 & 27 around three edges 28 29 & 30 with an aperture 40 left along one edge 29 to insert an ice scraper.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the Mitt once it has been folded as shown in fig 4, it shows that if desired a tag that can disp'ay branding on the mitt 19 and a split left in the sewn edge for ease of inserting and removing the hand 18 Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of fig 7. It shows that when the mitt is folded as described in Fig 4, along fold line 41 and fold line 42, the configuration of the magnets 33, 35 & 37 means they are attracted to each other as described in fig 2. As a result the magnets hold the mitt together creating a neat finish. It will also fit neatly in to a door pocket or glove box. It also shows that the opening for inserting the hand 17 is on the outside for ease of insertion Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the user positioning the protecting mitt 16 from inside the vehicle by using one hand placed inside the mitt 43, attaching to the outermost edge of the car door 44. The four magnets towards the front section will hold the mitt on the outer face of the door while the two magnets that would be around the wrist section will secure the mitt on the inside of the door, resulting in fig 10 Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the Mitt attached to the door 44 unaided as the magnets will hold it securely in place, freeing up the users hands to exit the vehicle safe in the knowledge that only the Mitt will make contact with the vehicle or object parked adjacent as shown in Fig 11.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the mitt in use showing that if upon returning to the vehicle to find someone has parked too close, then the user may reach in to their door pocket 45, remove and place the mitt 16 around the edge of the door 44, either with or without inserting their hand if they wish as they may have both hands free, and enter their vehicle safely. The user can then remove the mitt 16 whilst sat in their vehicle, to return to the door pocket.

Figure 12 shows a section taken on line 12-12 of fig 10. The inner sections of car doors are commonly covered with plastics and vinyls 47 to create pockets and handles with an outer edge made of steel 44. This shows the mitt attached to the steel outer section of the door edge 44 beyond the plastic and vinyl interior.

The Steel exterior is usually painted, and is this section that is to be protected as well as give protection against this section causing damage to another vehicle. It shows that the magnets 33, 35 & 37 are attracted to both the inside and the outside edge, giving all round protection. It also shows how the extra piece of material added to cover the magnet gives extra protection to the bodywork 38.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the mitt covering door furniture. Due to the fact the mitt l6is flexible it will surround any door furniture such as handles and locks 48 should they protrude or be the part of the door that could make contact with an object or another vehicle.

Figure 14 shows a plan view with a common Ice scraper inserted. A common ice scraper widely available on the market has been inserted. The user can insert their hand through the unsewn edge 17. The hand will grasp the handle 49 of the scraper that has been inserted through the aperture 40 whilst in the mitt. As the aperture 40 is smaller than the blade of the scraper 50 it will result in the closure of the aperture now filled with the ice scraper. Once used the scraper can simp'y be removed until needed again.

Possible Modifications and Variations The magnets may be sewn in to the material rather than glued if a machine is available to do it, also the material used could be changed as long as it doesn't damage the paintwork of the vehicle.

The mitts may be able to be modified using more magnets within the material to hold mechanics screwdrivers safe on to a side of a vehicle whilst working on it.

Advanta2es of the Invention The advantages of the presented invention are that they will be relatively cheap to produce meaning the user can have a cheap solution to a potentially expensive problem. The user will have a use for the mitt when it is not in winter months as an existing product on the market such as an Ice scraper with Mitt attached only has one use. The user will be able to use the mitt folded as a de mister or duster again reducing the need to have multiple devices in their cars reducing clutter.

The mitt can also be placed around any existing door furniture such as draught excluders or handles which other existing solutions couldn't do.

The mitt can be fitted in seconds so no time is wasted fixing a complicated solution to the door. The mitt doesn't take up much space so the user will hardly know it is there.

The mitt can really help those impaired of movement get out of their vehicles without damaging the vehicle parked next to them, saving them the possibility of confrontation and possible insurance claims.