WO2005082661A1 - Hail blanket - Google Patents
Hail blanket Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005082661A1 WO2005082661A1 PCT/AU2005/000289 AU2005000289W WO2005082661A1 WO 2005082661 A1 WO2005082661 A1 WO 2005082661A1 AU 2005000289 W AU2005000289 W AU 2005000289W WO 2005082661 A1 WO2005082661 A1 WO 2005082661A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- hail blanket
- blanket
- hail
- vehicle
- chamber
- Prior art date
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
- B60J11/04—Removable external protective coverings specially adapted for vehicles or parts of vehicles, e.g. parking covers for covering at least the roof of the vehicle, e.g. for covering the whole vehicle
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a hail blanket for a vehicle.
- the invention has been developed primarily for use with automobiles and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application.
- covers disclosed are also custom fitted to a particular vehicle body style.
- the custom fitting nature of these blankets increases the amount of time required to deploy the blanket and the amount of space required to store the blanket.
- users of the prior art covers are required to properly orient them relative to their vehicles, a frustrating and potentially time consuming task. In the event that a hailstorm catches occurs suddenly, these time consuming complexities have required the user to stand in the storm for a dangerously long amount of time.
- the present invention seeks to provide a hail blanket that will overcome or ameliorate at least one of the deficiencies of, or provide an alternative to, the prior art.
- the present invention consists in a hail blanket for use on multiple types of vehicles, said hail blanket comprising: a chamber existing between an upper and a lower wall both being substantially rectangular, said chamber being rapidly inflatable and adapted to at least substantially cover the upwardly facing surfaces of said vehicles, at least one of said upper and lower walls being at least partially shaped in a series of semi- tubular ribs when said chamber is inflated, a main valve affixed to said chamber and adapted to be engaged selectively by either inflation means or deflation means to respectively inflate or deflate said chamber, and securing means for securing said hail blanket to said vehicle.
- the interior of said chamber being substantially void, wherein no structural members connect between said upper and lower walls other than along their peripheries.
- said upper and lower walls each comprising at least a polyvinyl chloride layer.
- said polyvinyl chloride layer having thickness less than 1mm. More preferably, said polyvinyl chloride layer having thickness less than 0.3mm.
- said upper wall further comprising a nylon layer substantially overlying said polyvinyl chloride layer.
- said nylon layer having thickness less than 1mm. More preferably, said nylon layer having thickness less than 0.3mm.
- said securing means comprising at least a first and a second strap, each having ends adapted to be releasably attached to one of a plurality of attachment points affixed external said chamber, wherein in use said first and second straps are wrapped underneath said vehicle.
- said securing means further comprising at least one door strap having a fixed end affixed to said chamber and having a free end adapted to be releasably secured in a closing portion of said vehicles.
- said closing portion consisting in a door window. More preferably, said closing portion consisting in a door.
- said inflation means and said deflation means comprise an electric air pump adapted to selectively inflate or deflate said chamber.
- said electric air pump being powered by a rechargeable battery.
- said electric air pump being powered by the electrical distribution system of said vehicle.
- said electric air pump being affixed to said chamber.
- said hail blanket further comprises a plurality of exhaust ports affixed to said chamber.
- said hail blanket further comprises at least one auxiliary valve affixed to said chamber and adapted to be engaged by said inflation means, wherein said auxiliary valve is accessible from within said vehicle while said hail blanket is secured thereon.
- At least one of said semi-tubular ribs extends laterally across said hail blanket.
- a method for rapidly deploying said hail blanket onto a vehicle comprises the steps of: (i) placing said hail blanket on an upper surface at one end of said vehicle; (ii) unfolding said hail blanket laterally across said upper surface; (iii) securing a first portion of said hail blanket to said vehicle using said securing means; (iv) unrolling said hail blanket to the other end of said vehicle; (v) securing a second portion of said hail blanket to said vehicle using said securing means; and (vi) inflating said hail blanket with said inflation means.
- a method for removing said hail blanket from a vehicle comprises the steps of: (i) deflating said hail blanket using said deflation means; (ii) releasing a first portion of said securing means to release a first portion of said hail blanket; (iii) rolling said first portion of said hail blanket towards the other end of said vehicle (iv) releasing remaining portions of said securing means; and (v) folding said hail blanket for storage.
- Fig 1 is a perspective view showing a hail blanket according to the present invention deployed on a vehicle.
- Fig 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the hail blanket deflated.
- Fig 3 is a perspective cutaway view of the hail blanket inflated.
- Fig 4 is an enlarged partial cutaway view of the hail blanket.
- Fig 5 is a partial plan view of the hail blanket.
- Fig 6 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the hail blanket.
- Fig 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the hail blanket.
- Fig 8 is a plan view of the hail blanket.
- Fig 9 is a bottom view of the hail blanket.
- hail blanket 1 capable of being rapidly deployed over a vehicle 4 at the onset of a hailstorm.
- hail blanket 1 comprises a substantially rectangular chamber 2 that may be rapidly inflated or deflated by using an electric air pump 3 (not shown) engaged with main valve 17.
- chamber 2 is secured to vehicle 4 by first strap 5 and second strap 6, each passing within respective front and rear wheel wells to prevent hail blanket 1 from slipping.
- chamber 2 if formed from substantially rectangular upper and lower walls 7 and 8, which are sealed to each other along their peripheries.
- Lower wall 8 is fabricated generally from a non-permeable material providing sufficient resilience to enable inflation, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PNC).
- PNC polyvinyl chloride
- the thickness of lower wall 8 is about 0.285 mm, being thin enough to allow compact folding for storage, but thick enough to provide the durability necessary to endure a hailstorm.
- Upper wall 7 consists of a nylon layer 10 adhered overtop PNC layer 9.
- Nylon layer 10 has a thickness of about 0.3mm and PNC layer 9 has the same thickness to lower wall 8.
- Nylon layer 10 adds further durability to hail blanket 1 by generally distributing the force of each hail impact and protecting the otherwise vulnerable PNC layer 9 from puncture. The materials and their thicknesses achieve both a compact storage volume and durability.
- Chamber 2 is a single compartment having void 11, which is uninterrupted by structural members such as PNC walls or columns extending between upper and lower walls 7 and 8.
- the single chamber design allows hail blanket 1 to be rapidly inflated and deflated via a single valve, rather than having to reengage multiple valves to fill multiple chambers.
- Unobstructed void 11 further minimises any airflow resistance during inflation and deflation by removing tortuous flow paths.
- Unobstructed void 11 also reduces the potential for air becoming trapped in pockets that could otherwise be formed within chamber 2.
- a plurality of exhaust ports 18 may be opened to allow any residual air to exhaust when folding blanket 1 for storage.
- the construction of chamber 2 and exhaust ports 18 allows hail blanket 1 to be quickly folded into a compact volume.
- Upper wall 7 is shaped in a series of laterally extending semi-tubular ribs 12.
- the semi- tubular ribs 12 become circular in shape as hail blanket 1 is inflated, as is illustrated by comparing hail blanket 1 deflated as shown in Fig 2 to when it is inflated as shown in Fig 3.
- Upper wall 7 is fabricated by bonding nylon layer 10 overtop PNC layer 9 and then heat treating from the PNC layer 9 side along rows 14. The heat-treated rows 14 are stiff relative to the rest of upper wall 7. Upon inflation, the flexible portions of upper wall 7 expand to form the semi-tubular shape of ribs 12.
- the series of semi- tubular shaped ribs 12 provides hail blanket 1 with significant hail impact dampening and allows the thin wall thickness of upper wall 7.
- ribs 12 return to a compact form when deflated for storage. While ribs 12 may be oriented in one or more directions, their preferred orientation is lateral, which allows hail blanket 1 to adaptively follow the shape of a wide variety of vehicles through their major contours, for example, at the corner created where the bonnet meets the windshield.
- Figs 5 - 7 further depict the securing means used to secure hail blanket 1 to vehicle 4.
- first and second straps 5 and 6 are clipped into one of several attachment points 13.
- Attachment points 13 consist in a male receptor 15 affixed to a pad 16.
- Pad 16 provides robustness by distributing the stresses caused when tensioning straps 5 and 6.
- a plurality of attachment points 13 are provided so that a single sized hail blanket 1 may be fitted to a wide variety of vehicle types and sizes.
- a vehicle owner may wish to determine the attachment points 13 that suit their vehicle and leave one end of first and second straps 5 and 6 attached to the appropriate attachment point 13, so as to only require making two attachments in the event of a hailstorm.
- Figs 8 and 9 depict first and second door straps 20 and 21 that also assist in quickly securing hail blanket 1 to vehicle 4.
- Each of door straps 20 and 21 have a fixed end affixed to chamber 2 and a free end that may be secured by shutting it between the door jamb and door of vehicle 4.
- Door straps 20 and 21 could just as easily be secured by shutting them within another closure such as a door window of vehicle 4.
- hail blanket 1 is removed from storage, typically the boot of vehicle 4, and laid laterally onto a first end of the vehicle. Either end of vehicle 4 may be indiscriminately selected as hail blanket 1 is substantially reversible, having no front or back per se. Hail blanket 1 is then unfolded laterally and secured by strap 5 around the first end of vehicle 4. Blanket 1 is then unrolled to a second end of vehicle 4 and secured thereon by strap 6 and door straps 20 and 21.
- electric air pump 3 is fitted to main valve 17 to rapidly inflate chamber 2. Preferably, electric air pump 3 fully inflates hail blanket 1 in approximately 20 seconds.
- hail blanket 1 may be secured to vehicle 4 by alternative means such as magnets or weights and may be affixed to points on, rather than wrapping underneath, vehicle 4.
- chamber 2 may be fitted with a lining material suitable for contact with the finished surfaces of a vehicle.
- Hail blanket 1 may also be manufactured in two or more sizes to genetically cover the upwardly facing surfaces of the majority of vehicle types.
- Electric air pump 3 is preferably powered from the vehicle's electrical distribution system via the cigarette lighter outlet.
- a rechargeable battery pack may further provide a source of electrical power.
- electric air pump 3 may be affixed or preferably integral to hail blanket 1 near main valve 17.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2005216999A AU2005216999B2 (en) | 2004-03-01 | 2005-03-01 | Hail blanket |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2004901048 | 2004-03-01 | ||
AU2004901048A AU2004901048A0 (en) | 2004-03-01 | Hail Blanket |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2005082661A1 true WO2005082661A1 (en) | 2005-09-09 |
Family
ID=34891657
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2005/000289 WO2005082661A1 (en) | 2004-03-01 | 2005-03-01 | Hail blanket |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
WO (1) | WO2005082661A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1897738A2 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-12 | Co.Ar.Ca. S.R.L. | Protective cover for means of transport, particularly campers |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2226949A1 (en) * | 1973-04-24 | 1974-11-22 | Chevet Micheline | Ground sheet for tent - inflatable parts form mattresses and pillows uninflatable parts for passages |
US5242206A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1993-09-07 | Heck Bernard J | Automotive hail blanket |
US5287904A (en) * | 1993-06-18 | 1994-02-22 | Smith David W | Hail inhibiting blanket |
EP1213172A1 (en) * | 2000-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | Stefano Compagni | A cover for vehicles |
US6539644B1 (en) * | 2001-09-15 | 2003-04-01 | Corning Incorporated | Drying of ceramic honeycomb substrates |
-
2005
- 2005-03-01 WO PCT/AU2005/000289 patent/WO2005082661A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2226949A1 (en) * | 1973-04-24 | 1974-11-22 | Chevet Micheline | Ground sheet for tent - inflatable parts form mattresses and pillows uninflatable parts for passages |
US5242206A (en) * | 1992-08-31 | 1993-09-07 | Heck Bernard J | Automotive hail blanket |
US5287904A (en) * | 1993-06-18 | 1994-02-22 | Smith David W | Hail inhibiting blanket |
EP1213172A1 (en) * | 2000-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | Stefano Compagni | A cover for vehicles |
US6539644B1 (en) * | 2001-09-15 | 2003-04-01 | Corning Incorporated | Drying of ceramic honeycomb substrates |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1897738A2 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2008-03-12 | Co.Ar.Ca. S.R.L. | Protective cover for means of transport, particularly campers |
EP1897738A3 (en) * | 2006-09-08 | 2010-04-14 | Co.Ar.Ca. S.R.L. | Protective cover for means of transport, particularly campers |
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