WO2004041530A1 - Hail protection tarpaulin - Google Patents

Hail protection tarpaulin Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004041530A1
WO2004041530A1 PCT/EP2003/010797 EP0310797W WO2004041530A1 WO 2004041530 A1 WO2004041530 A1 WO 2004041530A1 EP 0310797 W EP0310797 W EP 0310797W WO 2004041530 A1 WO2004041530 A1 WO 2004041530A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
taφaulin
pockets
hail protection
layers
hail
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2003/010797
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marco Fiocchi
Original Assignee
Marco Fiocchi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marco Fiocchi filed Critical Marco Fiocchi
Priority to AU2003301846A priority Critical patent/AU2003301846A1/en
Publication of WO2004041530A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004041530A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J11/00—Removable external protective coverings specially adapted for vehicles or parts of vehicles, e.g. parking covers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hail protection tarpaulin, particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircrafts, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for protecting agricultural crops.
  • a hail protection tarpaulin particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircrafts, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for protecting agricultural crops.
  • Background art As is known, hail is one of the events most feared by car users when they are on the road and do not have a shelter for their vehicle. Hail can in fact damage seriously the body of the vehicle, causing considerable damage.
  • Hail is also a hazard for fragile structures, such as for example greenhouses and glazed units, and for agricultural crops.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve the problem described above, by providing a tarpaulin that can provide effective protection against hail, particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircrafts, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for agricultural crops.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a hail protection tarpaulin that is practical to use.
  • a hail protection tarpaulin characterized in that it comprises a substantially sheet-like element provided with multiple pockets that are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet, said pockets being inflatable by introducing a fluid therein, through said inlet, in order to form a shock-absorbing shield that is capable of cushioning impacts caused by the fall of hail onto said substantially sheet-like element.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the tarpaulin according to the invention in a first embodiment
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of Figure 1, taken along the line II-II;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention, taken like Figure 2;
  • FIGS. 4 to 7 are plan views of other embodiments of the tarpaulin according to the invention, shown only partially for the sake of simplicity;
  • Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention, provided as a module that can be combined with other modules;
  • Figure 9 is a view of the assembly of modules of the type shown in Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is a view of the use of the tarpaulin according to the invention to cover a car.
  • Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention.
  • Figure 12 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of Figure 10, taken along the line XII-XII. Ways to carrying out the Invention
  • the tarpaulin according to the invention generally designated by the reference numerals la, lb, lc, Id, le, If, lg, lh in its different embodiments, comprises a substantially sheet-like element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, in which there are multiple pockets 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, which are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet 4.
  • the pockets 3a-3h can be inflated by introducing a fluid therein through the inlet 4 in order to form a shield that is capable of cushioning hail impacts effectively thereby avoiding damage to the object protected by means of the tarpaulin.
  • the substantially sheet-like element 2a-2g comprises at least two layers 5 and 6, which are superimposed and connected along preset lines and/or points, so as to achieve the intended shape for the pockets 3 a- 3h.
  • the layers 5 and 6 can be made of PVC, polyurethane, polyethylene or rubber-coated fabric.
  • connection between the two layers 5 and 6 can be provided by adhesive bonding or by thermal bonding, for example heat-sealing or ultrasound welding or other suitable bonding methods.
  • the two layers 5 and 6 can be identical.
  • the inflation of the pockets 3a produces their expansion symmetrically with respect to a central plane that is parallel to the two layers 5 and 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • one of the two layers constituted by the layer 5 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, can be substantially flat, while the other layer 5 can be preformed so that inflation of the pockets 3b produces an expansion of the pockets substantially on a single side of the sheet-like element 2b.
  • the side of the sheet-like element 2b to be directed toward the object to be protected is the side toward which the pockets expand so that the joining lines between the layers 5 and 6 that delimit the pockets and constitute the regions in which the shock-absorbing effect is very low are adequately spaced from the object to be protected.
  • a similar effect can also be achieved without preforming the layer 6, by using a layer 5 that is thicker or is considerably less deformable than the layer 6.
  • the joining lines of the layers 5 and 6 can be arranged so as to obtain pockets 3 a, 3 b, 3 g which have a rectangular or square plan shape, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 8, or pockets 3c, 3e that have a circular plan shape, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, or pockets 3d that have a hexagonal plan shape, as shown in Figure 5, or other shapes according to the requirements.
  • the shape of the inflated pockets can be affected by preforming one or both of the layers 5 and 6. It is possible to obtain for example pockets 3a-3d that are substantially dome-shaped, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, or pockets 3e that are frustum-shaped, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the pockets 3f can also be formed by joining regions of the layers 5 and 6 that are point-like or button-shaped, as shown in Figure 7. Further lines joining the layers 5 and 6 may optionally extend radially from these pointlike or button-shaped joining regions, depending on the shape to be obtained for the pockets in the inflated condition.
  • 2h instead of being constituted by two layers 5 and 6, is constituted by three superimposed layers, respectively two outer layers 5 and 6 and an intermediate layer 10, which are made of the materials cited above.
  • the outer layers 5 and 6 are connected along preset lines and/or points to the intermediate layer 10, in a manner similar to what has already been described with reference to the other embodiments, in order to obtain two superimposed groups of pockets 3h.
  • the two superimposed groups of pockets 3h are not connected together, so as to achieve correct operation of the ta ⁇ aulin even in case of punctures or accidental leaks of the pockets of a group of pockets.
  • one of the two groups of pockets can be constituted by a single substantially flat pocket.
  • the mouth 4 can be constituted simply by a tube that is connected to the pockets and is closed by means of a plug or a valve so as to prevent the escape of the fluid used to inflate the pockets.
  • the tarpaulin according to the invention can be produced with the shape and dimensions suitable to cover the object to be protected.
  • Figure 10 illustrates the execution of the ta ⁇ aulin as a covering ta ⁇ aulin for a car.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention can be used per se to cover the objects to be protected, or can also comprise a covering case that has at least one pouch in which a sheet-like element 2a- 2h with the inflatable pockets 3a-3h is arranged, as described above.
  • a protective ta ⁇ aulin similar to the ones currently used and to provide, in said ta ⁇ aulin, pouches in which it is possible to insert one or more sheet-like elements 2a-2h.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention can be provided as a module of a modular structure, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, which can be assembled with other identical modules in order to obtain a ta ⁇ aulin that has the intended dimensions.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin lg, or rather the ta ⁇ aulin module lg has along at least one side of its perimeter connection elements in order to associate a plurality of ta ⁇ aulin modules lg.
  • connecting elements can be constituted for example by hinges, press-studs, tear-open strips of the type known commercially by the trade-name Velcro, or other connecting elements of the detachable type.
  • the various modules can also be assembled optionally also by sewing or by means of other known types of assembly method.
  • perimetric tubes 7 that are connected to the pockets of the corresponding ta ⁇ aulin module lg and can be connected, for example by means of conventional quick-couplings, to the perimetric tubes of the contiguous ta ⁇ aulin modules.
  • One of these tubes can be used as an inlet 4 to inflate the pockets.
  • the unused tubes can be closed by means of plugs or by heat-sealing or other methods.
  • the pockets 3a-3h it is possible to use for example air or water or foam.
  • the inflation fluid is constituted by a gas or by foam, it is possible to provide bottles that contain the inflation gas under pressure in order to provide easier and quicker inflation.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention is meant to be used to protect cars, it is also possible to use as inflation fluid the exhaust gas of the car by providing a connecting hose in order to connect the inlet 4 to the exhaust pipe of the car.
  • a source of pressurized fluid for example a cylinder 11 , which is constantly connected to the pockets 3a-3h, optionally by means of one-way valves 12, in order to compensate for any losses of pressure of the fluid in the pockets as a consequence of small leaks of fluid, particularly in case of prolonged use of the ta ⁇ aulin.
  • the use of the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention is evident from what has been described and illustrated, and in particular it is evident that if necessary the ta ⁇ aulin can be rapidly inflated and arranged so as to cover the object or objects to be protected against hail.
  • the inflated pockets 2a-2h are capable of cushioning effectively the impacts of even large hailstones, avoiding damage to the object covered by the ta ⁇ aulin.
  • the pockets can be deflated and the ta ⁇ aulin can be stored in a limited space.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since by cushioning impacts caused by the fall of hail it avoids effectively damage to the object or objects covered with the ta ⁇ aulin.
  • the ta ⁇ aulin according to the invention can be associated with supporting structures that operate automatically or facilitate its application over the objects to be protected.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

A hail protection tarpaulin (1 a), particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircraft, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for to protecting agricultural crops, comprising a substantially sheet-like element (2a) in which there are multiple pockets (3a) that are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet (4); the pockets can be inflated by introducing a fluid therein through the inlet (4) in order to form a shock-­absorbing shield that is capable of cushioning impacts caused by the is fall of hail onto the substantially sheet-like element (2a).

Description

HAIL PROTECTION TARPAULIN
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a hail protection tarpaulin, particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircrafts, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for protecting agricultural crops. Background art As is known, hail is one of the events most feared by car users when they are on the road and do not have a shelter for their vehicle. Hail can in fact damage seriously the body of the vehicle, causing considerable damage.
The same concern is felt by owners of caravans or campers, both when they are using their vehicle and when they are not using it, since quite often they do not have a garage large enough to accommodate their vehicle and accordingly are forced, for long periods of the year, to park it in areas that are enclosed but hardly ever covered.
The problem is even worse for car dealers, who are forced to maintain a well-supplied stock of vehicles at all times but generally do not have a covered space large enough to accommodate such stock.
Hail is also a hazard for fragile structures, such as for example greenhouses and glazed units, and for agricultural crops.
However, the use of conventional tarpaulins offers no protection against hail, since these tarpaulins are unable to cushion effectively the impacts produced by the fall of hail. Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of the present invention is to solve the problem described above, by providing a tarpaulin that can provide effective protection against hail, particularly for cars, caravans, campers, small aircrafts, fragile structures such as greenhouses, glazed units, and for agricultural crops. Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a hail protection tarpaulin that is practical to use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hail protection tarpaulin that is economically convenient to adopt. Another object of the invention is to provide a hail protection tarpaulin that can be stored in small spaces when not in use.
This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a hail protection tarpaulin, characterized in that it comprises a substantially sheet-like element provided with multiple pockets that are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet, said pockets being inflatable by introducing a fluid therein, through said inlet, in order to form a shock-absorbing shield that is capable of cushioning impacts caused by the fall of hail onto said substantially sheet-like element. Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the hail protection tarpaulin according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the tarpaulin according to the invention in a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of Figure 1, taken along the line II-II; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention, taken like Figure 2;
Figures 4 to 7 are plan views of other embodiments of the tarpaulin according to the invention, shown only partially for the sake of simplicity;
Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention, provided as a module that can be combined with other modules;
Figure 9 is a view of the assembly of modules of the type shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a view of the use of the tarpaulin according to the invention to cover a car.
Figure 1 1 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the tarpaulin according to the invention;
Figure 12 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of Figure 10, taken along the line XII-XII. Ways to carrying out the Invention
With reference to the figures, the tarpaulin according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numerals la, lb, lc, Id, le, If, lg, lh in its different embodiments, comprises a substantially sheet-like element 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, in which there are multiple pockets 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, which are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet 4. The pockets 3a-3h can be inflated by introducing a fluid therein through the inlet 4 in order to form a shield that is capable of cushioning hail impacts effectively thereby avoiding damage to the object protected by means of the tarpaulin. Preferably, the substantially sheet-like element 2a-2g comprises at least two layers 5 and 6, which are superimposed and connected along preset lines and/or points, so as to achieve the intended shape for the pockets 3 a- 3h.
The layers 5 and 6 can be made of PVC, polyurethane, polyethylene or rubber-coated fabric.
The connection between the two layers 5 and 6 can be provided by adhesive bonding or by thermal bonding, for example heat-sealing or ultrasound welding or other suitable bonding methods.
The two layers 5 and 6 can be identical. In this case, the inflation of the pockets 3a produces their expansion symmetrically with respect to a central plane that is parallel to the two layers 5 and 6, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
As an alternative, one of the two layers, constituted by the layer 5 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, can be substantially flat, while the other layer 5 can be preformed so that inflation of the pockets 3b produces an expansion of the pockets substantially on a single side of the sheet-like element 2b. In this case, the side of the sheet-like element 2b to be directed toward the object to be protected is the side toward which the pockets expand so that the joining lines between the layers 5 and 6 that delimit the pockets and constitute the regions in which the shock-absorbing effect is very low are adequately spaced from the object to be protected.
A similar effect can also be achieved without preforming the layer 6, by using a layer 5 that is thicker or is considerably less deformable than the layer 6.
The joining lines of the layers 5 and 6 can be arranged so as to obtain pockets 3 a, 3 b, 3 g which have a rectangular or square plan shape, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 8, or pockets 3c, 3e that have a circular plan shape, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, or pockets 3d that have a hexagonal plan shape, as shown in Figure 5, or other shapes according to the requirements.
The shape of the inflated pockets, moreover, can be affected by preforming one or both of the layers 5 and 6. It is possible to obtain for example pockets 3a-3d that are substantially dome-shaped, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, or pockets 3e that are frustum-shaped, as shown in Figure 6.
The pockets 3f can also be formed by joining regions of the layers 5 and 6 that are point-like or button-shaped, as shown in Figure 7. Further lines joining the layers 5 and 6 may optionally extend radially from these pointlike or button-shaped joining regions, depending on the shape to be obtained for the pockets in the inflated condition.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the sheet-like element
2h, instead of being constituted by two layers 5 and 6, is constituted by three superimposed layers, respectively two outer layers 5 and 6 and an intermediate layer 10, which are made of the materials cited above. The outer layers 5 and 6 are connected along preset lines and/or points to the intermediate layer 10, in a manner similar to what has already been described with reference to the other embodiments, in order to obtain two superimposed groups of pockets 3h. Preferably, the two superimposed groups of pockets 3h are not connected together, so as to achieve correct operation of the taφaulin even in case of punctures or accidental leaks of the pockets of a group of pockets. In this case there are at least two inlets 4, one for each group of pockets 3h. Optionally, one of the two groups of pockets can be constituted by a single substantially flat pocket.
The mouth 4 can be constituted simply by a tube that is connected to the pockets and is closed by means of a plug or a valve so as to prevent the escape of the fluid used to inflate the pockets. The tarpaulin according to the invention can be produced with the shape and dimensions suitable to cover the object to be protected. Figure 10 illustrates the execution of the taφaulin as a covering taφaulin for a car.
It should be noted that the taφaulin according to the invention can be used per se to cover the objects to be protected, or can also comprise a covering case that has at least one pouch in which a sheet-like element 2a- 2h with the inflatable pockets 3a-3h is arranged, as described above. In particular, it is possible to produce a protective taφaulin similar to the ones currently used and to provide, in said taφaulin, pouches in which it is possible to insert one or more sheet-like elements 2a-2h. If the dimensions of the object to be covered are not known and/or if the dimensions of the object are so large as to make it not convenient to produce the taφaulin as a single unit, the taφaulin according to the invention can be provided as a module of a modular structure, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, which can be assembled with other identical modules in order to obtain a taφaulin that has the intended dimensions. In this embodiment, the taφaulin lg, or rather the taφaulin module lg, has along at least one side of its perimeter connection elements in order to associate a plurality of taφaulin modules lg. These connecting elements can be constituted for example by hinges, press-studs, tear-open strips of the type known commercially by the trade-name Velcro, or other connecting elements of the detachable type. As an alternative, the various modules can also be assembled optionally also by sewing or by means of other known types of assembly method.
In order to join together the pockets 3g of the various modules it is possible to provide, for each taφaulin module lg, perimetric tubes 7 that are connected to the pockets of the corresponding taφaulin module lg and can be connected, for example by means of conventional quick-couplings, to the perimetric tubes of the contiguous taφaulin modules. One of these tubes can be used as an inlet 4 to inflate the pockets. The unused tubes can be closed by means of plugs or by heat-sealing or other methods.
To inflate the pockets 3a-3h it is possible to use for example air or water or foam. If the inflation fluid is constituted by a gas or by foam, it is possible to provide bottles that contain the inflation gas under pressure in order to provide easier and quicker inflation. If the taφaulin according to the invention is meant to be used to protect cars, it is also possible to use as inflation fluid the exhaust gas of the car by providing a connecting hose in order to connect the inlet 4 to the exhaust pipe of the car.
Optionally, as shown in Figure 11, it is possible to provide a source of pressurized fluid, for example a cylinder 11 , which is constantly connected to the pockets 3a-3h, optionally by means of one-way valves 12, in order to compensate for any losses of pressure of the fluid in the pockets as a consequence of small leaks of fluid, particularly in case of prolonged use of the taφaulin. The use of the taφaulin according to the invention is evident from what has been described and illustrated, and in particular it is evident that if necessary the taφaulin can be rapidly inflated and arranged so as to cover the object or objects to be protected against hail. The inflated pockets 2a-2h are capable of cushioning effectively the impacts of even large hailstones, avoiding damage to the object covered by the taφaulin.
After use, the pockets can be deflated and the taφaulin can be stored in a limited space.
In practice it has been found that the taφaulin according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since by cushioning impacts caused by the fall of hail it avoids effectively damage to the object or objects covered with the taφaulin.
Optionally, the taφaulin according to the invention can be associated with supporting structures that operate automatically or facilitate its application over the objects to be protected.
The taφaulin thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In the examples of embodiment cited above, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiments.
In practice, although the materials cited above are preferred, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2002A002064 from which this application claims priority are incoφorated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A hail protection taφaulin, characterized in that it comprises a substantially sheet-like element provided with multiple pockets that are connected together at least in groups and are connected to at least one inlet, said pockets being inflatable by introducing a fluid therein, through said inlet, in order to form a shock-absorbing shield that is capable of cushioning impacts caused by the fall of hail onto said substantially sheet-like element.
2. The hail protection taφaulin according to claim 1, characterized in that said substantially sheet-like element comprises at least two superimposed layers that are connected together along preset lines and/or points in order to form said pockets.
3. The hail protection taφaulin according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said at least two layers are made of PVC.
4. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers are made of polyurethane.
5. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers are made of polyethylene.
6. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers are made of rubber-coated fabric.
7. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers are connected together along preset lines and/or points, in order to form said pockets, by adhesive bonding.
8. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers are connected together along preset lines and/or points, in order to form said pockets, by heat-sealing.
9. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers comprise a first substantially flat layer and a second preformed layer for expansion of said pockets, when inflated, substantially on a single side of said sheet-like element.
10. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two layers comprise a first layer and a second layer, said first layer being less deformable on inflation than said second layer for an expansion of said pockets, when inflated, predominantly toward the side of said sheet-like element that is formed by said second layer.
1 1. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pockets are formed by point-like or button-shaped joining regions between said at least two layers.
12. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pockets are formed by point-like or button-shaped joining regions, with additional joining lines that extend radially from said point-like or button-shaped joining regions between said at least two layers.
13. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pockets have a substantially circular plan shape.
14. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pockets have a substantially hexagonal plan shape.
15. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pockets have a substantially rectangular plan shape.
16. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet-like element comprises at least three superimposed layers, which comprise at least one intermediate layer and two outer layers, said outer layers being connected to said intermediate layer along preset lines and/or points so as to form at least two superimposed groups of said pockets.
17. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said two superimposed groups of pockets are independent one another.
18. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a covering container that has at least one pouch for containing said substantially sheet-like element.
19. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet-like element constitutes a module of a modular structure and has, along at least one side of its perimeter, connecting elements for associating a plurality of modules and elements for joining the pockets of the various modules.
20. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connecting elements are of the detachable type.
21. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said joining elements comprise tubes that are connected to said pockets and are connected to each module proximate to one of its perimetric sides, couplings for connecting together tubes of multiple modules being provided on said tubes.
22. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a source of pressurized fluid that is constantly connected to said pockets in order to compensate for any drops in the pressure of the fluid used to inflate said pockets.
23. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fluid is air.
24. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fluid is water.
25. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fluid is foam.
26. The hail protection taφaulin according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fluid is constituted by exhaust gases.
PCT/EP2003/010797 2002-09-30 2003-09-29 Hail protection tarpaulin WO2004041530A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003301846A AU2003301846A1 (en) 2002-09-30 2003-09-29 Hail protection tarpaulin

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI20022064 ITMI20022064A1 (en) 2002-09-30 2002-09-30 ANTI-HAND TOWEL, ESPECIALLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, CARAVANS, CAMPER, SMALL AIRCRAFT, FRAGILE STRUCTURES SUCH AS GREENHOUSES, WINDOWS, AS WELL AS FOR THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS.
ITMI2002A002064 2002-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004041530A1 true WO2004041530A1 (en) 2004-05-21

Family

ID=32310144

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2003/010797 WO2004041530A1 (en) 2002-09-30 2003-09-29 Hail protection tarpaulin

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003301846A1 (en)
IT (1) ITMI20022064A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004041530A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005007436A1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2005-01-27 Rolf Heiland Protective cover for objects, particularly for protection against hail and storms
FR2919531A1 (en) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-06 Williams Wirtz Anti-hail and anti-ice cover device for e.g. caravan, has panels connected by tab and fastened to floor by bands, and manometer for controlling pressure of mat, where mat is connected to panels by adhesive partitions
FR2993211A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2014-01-17 Abd El Krim Lazizi Cover for protecting cars against water damage due to e.g. flooding, has double-wall inflated using pneumatic valve, and skirt traversed by eyelets, which accommodate strap in zigzag on entire circumference to join strap with tensioner
WO2014012354A1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2014-01-23 Huang Sheng Inflatable type automatic vehicle cover
WO2014089176A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-12 Letithail, Llc Air-cushioned vehicle cover
US10549867B2 (en) 2016-12-15 2020-02-04 Airbus Operations Sas Device for protecting the airfoils of an aircraft against bad weather and positioning method
IT201800008170A1 (en) * 2018-08-23 2020-02-23 Confezioni Andrea Italia Srl PROTECTIVE COVER FOR HANDLING VEHICLES.

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3629426A1 (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-03 Manfred R Burger Storm-guard for motor vehicles
US5242206A (en) * 1992-08-31 1993-09-07 Heck Bernard J Automotive hail blanket
DE4316504A1 (en) * 1993-05-17 1994-11-24 Fritz Vogler Guard against storm conditions and hail for vehicles, in particular passenger cars
US5890525A (en) * 1997-01-06 1999-04-06 Shores; Rudolph A Inflatable car cover and method of covering
EP1002681A2 (en) * 1998-11-19 2000-05-24 Simone Bruson Apparatus for protecting vehicles, particularly against hail
US6070629A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-06-06 Whiteside; Larry L. Protective vehicle cover

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3629426A1 (en) * 1986-08-29 1988-03-03 Manfred R Burger Storm-guard for motor vehicles
US5242206A (en) * 1992-08-31 1993-09-07 Heck Bernard J Automotive hail blanket
DE4316504A1 (en) * 1993-05-17 1994-11-24 Fritz Vogler Guard against storm conditions and hail for vehicles, in particular passenger cars
US5890525A (en) * 1997-01-06 1999-04-06 Shores; Rudolph A Inflatable car cover and method of covering
US6070629A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-06-06 Whiteside; Larry L. Protective vehicle cover
EP1002681A2 (en) * 1998-11-19 2000-05-24 Simone Bruson Apparatus for protecting vehicles, particularly against hail

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005007436A1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2005-01-27 Rolf Heiland Protective cover for objects, particularly for protection against hail and storms
FR2919531A1 (en) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-06 Williams Wirtz Anti-hail and anti-ice cover device for e.g. caravan, has panels connected by tab and fastened to floor by bands, and manometer for controlling pressure of mat, where mat is connected to panels by adhesive partitions
FR2993211A1 (en) * 2012-07-12 2014-01-17 Abd El Krim Lazizi Cover for protecting cars against water damage due to e.g. flooding, has double-wall inflated using pneumatic valve, and skirt traversed by eyelets, which accommodate strap in zigzag on entire circumference to join strap with tensioner
WO2014012354A1 (en) * 2012-07-19 2014-01-23 Huang Sheng Inflatable type automatic vehicle cover
WO2014089176A1 (en) * 2012-12-04 2014-06-12 Letithail, Llc Air-cushioned vehicle cover
US10549867B2 (en) 2016-12-15 2020-02-04 Airbus Operations Sas Device for protecting the airfoils of an aircraft against bad weather and positioning method
IT201800008170A1 (en) * 2018-08-23 2020-02-23 Confezioni Andrea Italia Srl PROTECTIVE COVER FOR HANDLING VEHICLES.
WO2020039385A1 (en) * 2018-08-23 2020-02-27 Confezioni Andrea Italia S.R.L. Protective cover for moving vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003301846A1 (en) 2004-06-07
ITMI20022064A1 (en) 2004-04-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5242206A (en) Automotive hail blanket
US5588532A (en) Self-sealing inflatable bag and method for packaging an article therein
US5447235A (en) Bag with squeeze valve and method for packaging an article therein
US5890525A (en) Inflatable car cover and method of covering
US6439644B1 (en) Hail cover for vehicles
ES2432678T3 (en) Inflatable shipping packing and procedure to do the same
US8146984B2 (en) Protective vehicle cover
US6378895B1 (en) Inflatable protective cushion for side impact protection
CN101795554B (en) Flexible dual skin wall and device for tensioning a dual skin flexible wall
US20140150937A1 (en) Air-cushioned vehicle cover
US20060043761A1 (en) Protective cover
CN203332658U (en) Convenient-to-inflate inflatable package damping bag
WO2004041530A1 (en) Hail protection tarpaulin
EP3434123B1 (en) Protective device
ES2141686B1 (en) PROTECTIVE AIRBAG SUIT FOR BIKERS.
WO2011079019A2 (en) Air matresses
US20060103165A1 (en) Protective vehicle cover and method of use
JP2016504511A (en) Obstacle protection device
WO2003078251A3 (en) Inflatable dunnage bag with protected inflator valve
EP0928146B1 (en) Motorcycle seat cushion
CN203332659U (en) Air leakproofing inflation package damping bag
JP3126862U (en) Connecting cushion
CN115162793B (en) High-strength inflatable swimming pool
CN207045289U (en) Multifunctional inflating camel
ITMI952059A1 (en) PROTECTIVE COVER FOR VEHICLES PARTICULARLY AGAINST Hail

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP