WO2012168615A1

WO2012168615A1 - Protective devices for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012168615A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/051177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Daniel COUNAS
Original assignee: Counas Pascal Daniel
Priority date: 2011-05-27
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: EP2714446A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective device for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: - a protective assembly comprising at least one protective component, said assembly having a length chosen to be arranged around said vehicle over the entire periphery of said vehicle, and - attachment means allowing said assembly to be arranged securely around said vehicle; said protective assembly being open at the top when arranged on said vehicle.

Description

"Protective devices for vehicles"

The invention relates to vehicle protection devices. The field of the invention is the field of protection of vehicles, especially motor vehicles, when these vehicles are parked. The field of the invention is more particularly the protection of the bodywork of vehicles and elements arranged on the body and / or protruding from the bodywork of vehicles or external elements of the vehicle.

Currently, the parking of vehicles, and in particular prestige and high-end poses many problems related to the preservation of the integrity of the body, in the face of external damage due to other vehicles, people, weather conditions, acts of vandalism and, at the risk of theft.

Indeed, and by way of example, the driver of a vehicle in the process of parking may choose his place according to adjacent neighboring vehicles but can not choose the driver of a vehicle that parks or leaves his parking lot near him. . The bodies of newer vehicles are lighter, have fewer and fewer door protectors and have painted bumper covers that are integrated into the bodywork. They are therefore more prone to blows and scratches from other vehicles, older, heavier doors, higher or lower metal bumpers, unassembled couplers, Caddies ®, bicycles, drivers or non-respectful pedestrians. Bodywork, especially bumpers, doors, corners and fenders, particularly exposed to the parking environment, are deteriorating, always very unpleasant for people who appreciate beautiful objects and wish to preserve their value. Moreover, the repair costs of these objects are not negligible and the repaired product is never identical to the origin. People with beautiful vehicles like to use them but are often limited by parking forecasts where risk exposures are possible. Sometimes they regret a posteriori, either to be left with their vehicle, or not to be left with.

Similarly, vehicle owners with an assigned parking space, outdoors or indoors, often have a closed box. The vehicles are then exposed to a more or less hostile environment and are easily spotted by a vandal or thief because of their usual place of garage. In addition, their location may be occupied by an unauthorized vehicle when they leave their parking space and have the inconvenience of not being able to enjoy their place on their return.

In an attempt to provide a solution to this situation, the players in the field have proposed certain solutions, such as the protection devices for doors and bumpers described in the patents US Pat. Nos. 00 306 2732 and KR 2 00 800 251.

However, the devices presented in these patents do not fully meet the expectations of users. They mainly concern several protection systems for doors and bumpers, in opaque materials (rubberized, plastics, foams, textiles) not sealed, magnetized or to fix on different areas of fastenings of the vehicle. They usually require an adjustment of straps and partially cover the exposed areas. These systems are partially effective while being constrained to install, are inoperative on exceptional vehicles having bodies of aluminum, composite materials (carbon fiber-Kevlar ®, etc.), polymers, cover the license plates (no regulatory) and are unsightly. They are dedicated to private car parks for vehicles not parked on public roads and are exposed to the risk of theft. In addition, these body protection devices are sensitive to bad weather such as wind or water. An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide vehicle protection devices that are simpler and more convenient to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide vehicle protection devices that are more efficient and reliable than devices of the state of the art. The invention makes it possible to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objects by a protection device of a vehicle constituting the first aspect of the invention.

The protective device according to the first aspect of the invention is characterized in that it comprises:

a protection assembly comprising at least one protection element, said assembly having a length chosen to be disposed around said vehicle over the entire periphery of said vehicle, and fastening means for arranging said assembly integrally around said vehicle;

said protection assembly being open upwards when it is disposed on said vehicle.

The invention therefore proposes a protection device comprising a protection assembly intended to cover the entire periphery of the vehicle and means for attaching this assembly to the vehicle.

The protection assembly being open at the top, it is particularly easy to arrange around the vehicle and easy to handle for the user when used compared to devices of the state of the art in the form of cover.

Moreover, being disposed over the entire periphery of the vehicle, the protection assembly provides protection along the entire periphery of the vehicle and is not limited to a local protection at a portion of the vehicle. The protection device according to the invention thus provides a greater protection of the vehicle than the devices of the state of the art.

In addition, the device according to the invention allows a more effective protection of the body compared to devices of the state of the art because it includes a total protection of the body at low and medium heights.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the protection assembly may be in the form of a peripheral band of variable height along the periphery of the vehicle. Thus, the pre-storm protection can be adapted according to the areas of sensitivity of the vehicle or areas prone to frequent shocks. For example, the protection assembly may be composed of protective parts of variable height.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the protection assembly may be in the form of a peripheral band of constant height along the periphery of the vehicle. For example, the protection assembly may be composed of protective parts of identical height, for example about 60 cm.

Advantageously, the protection assembly carries out a closed trajectory. Thus, the two ends of the protection assembly are attached to each other by construction or after placing the protection assembly on the vehicle. The path may optionally be opened to remove the protective assembly of the vehicle and store it more easily.

In this case, the protection assembly may include closing / opening means for opening and closing the path made by said assembly.

Advantageously, at least one protection piece of the protection assembly may be at least partially transparent. This transparency allows to keep visual contact with the body of the vehicle at least for certain areas of the body and thus:

- to be able to read the number plate of the vehicle equipped with the protection device,

to facilitate the positioning of the device on the bodywork of the vehicle, and

- to authorize the identification of the type of vehicle, to materialize its quality for the respect of others. Advantageously, the protection assembly can be transparent on the low and medium parts, opaque on its upper part.

At least one protective piece of the protection assembly may comprise a partial or total allowance, intended to be arranged on the vehicle at at least one predetermined area, said sensitive, having a greater sensitivity or importance than the rest of the vehicle body. Such areas may include corners of bumpers, bumper pads, sashes, etc. The attachment means of the protection assembly on the vehicle may comprise at least one resilient means ensuring a tightening of the protection assembly against the vehicle. The elastic means can be stretched to arrange the protection assembly on the vehicle and to achieve a tightening of the protection assembly against the vehicle.

In another version of the device according to the invention, the attachment means may comprise at least one male or female slide, integral with the body, and provided to cooperate with a female or male slide of the protective piece to secure them.

The attachment means may also include suction cups, natural adhering materials or any other means known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the protection assembly may comprise a plurality of protective parts, at least one attachment means providing the connection between at least two protective parts. The attachment means can be elastic.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the protection assembly may comprise a plurality of protective parts, at least two protective parts being interconnected by connecting means for folding one of said parts against the other of said parts. Such a construction makes it easier to handle the protection assembly, especially during a storage operation of the protection assembly. In addition, in this embodiment, the protective assembly occupies little space once stored and can be transported easily, for example in the trunk of the vehicle.

Thus, according to an advantageous embodiment, each of the protective parts of the protection assembly can be connected to at least one adjacent protective part by connecting means allowing the accordion folding of the protection assembly.

The connecting means allowing the folding accordion may comprise a zone of lesser thickness between the protective parts and at which the folding takes place, or loops to receive a fastening strap in the elastic part around the periphery of the the bodywork. The device according to the invention may further comprise means for locking the protection assembly with the vehicle before or after having disposed said assembly on said vehicle. Such locking means make it possible to ensure constant protection of the vehicle as they make it possible to ensure that the protection package of course remains the vehicle and is not stolen or removed by natural events, such as strong winds. , rains, etc.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the locking means may comprise at least one element designed to cooperate with a opening the vehicle, pinched or blocked by said opening when it is closed. Such an opening may for example be a door, a trunk or a hood of the vehicle. Thus, the locking means may help to arrange the protection assembly on the vehicle in the case where the protection assembly comprises closure / opening means for opening and closing the trajectory achieved.

The element intended to be pinched or to be blocked may be a flexible element, thin or spherical compressible material, not to damage the opening of the vehicle.

The locking means may also include a conventional padlock, a carabiner combination, a cable lock 2 or 3 points, an anti-theft strap reinforced or not with stainless steel.

The device according to the invention may further comprise alarm means intended to be powered by the vehicle and detect a degradation, accidental or malicious removal of the protection assembly, for example against a break / break or a theft of the protection package.

The alarm means may be powered by an electric wire connected to a battery or a vehicle cigarette lighter.

In a particular embodiment, the alarm means and the locking means may be integrated at least partially into each other.

For example, the device according to the invention may comprise at least one sheathed cord providing the connection between the protection assembly and the interior of an opening of the vehicle. This sheathed cord can include:

- an electric wire connected to a battery or cigarette lighter of the vehicle. In the event of a cut of the cord to separate the protection part from the bodywork, an alarm installed inside the vehicle sounds, and - A soft sphere crimped at one end of the cord and ensuring the locking of the cord inside an opening of the vehicle.

According to the invention, at least one protective piece may be made of a plastic material, and more particularly of a flexible and impact-resistant plastic material, for example made of a polymer such as silicone, elastane, polyvinyl or polyurethane. or any other polymer or hydrophobic material or not.

At least one protective piece can be made by thermoforming. In case of thermoforming, the bodywork can be more largely covered on the upper parts.

At least one protective piece can be made by molding. In an advantageous version, at least one protective part forming the protection assembly is rotatably mounted.

More particularly, the front and rear portions of the protective assembly may each comprise at least one foldable protective part and thus allowing friction-free placement of the protection assembly on the bodywork. The foldable protective parts can be held on the lateral parts of the protection assembly by any suitable fastening means such as Veicros ®, with or without means of attachment to the vehicle.

The lateral parts of the protection assembly may also comprise one or more foldable protective parts, for example held on the vehicle by Veicros ® means positioned around the doors.

The upper corners of at least one piece of protection may optionally contain Velcro ® adjustments to perfect the concordance of the shapes of the vehicle body.

In general, the protection device may comprise means for adjusting the perimeter of said closed trajectory made by the protection assembly. In one embodiment, the same means can act as adjustment means, closure means and fastening means. For example, straps or elastic bands or elasthan type material, still Velcro ® means can both serve as means of adjustment, means of closure and attachment means with the body of the vehicle exercising a sufficient clamping to achieve a fastening of the protection assembly on the vehicle by the friction created between the protection assembly and the vehicle.

At least one shielding member may include vertical grooves for discharging the water. It may also include felt pads to protect against possible friction.

Advantageously, the protective piece may be insensitive to the weather and non-absorbent to water.

In a particular embodiment, in no way limiting, the protection assembly is composed of protective parts each having the following dimensions:

- 50 to 80cm high,

- about 60 cm in length, and

- from 2mm to more than 10 cm thick depending on the areas to be protected. The invention also relates to a vehicle incorporating a protection device as described above. Such a vehicle may be a four-wheeled vehicle, and more particularly a car.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a second device for protecting a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a protection assembly, called a protective barrier, comprising:

a so-called main part, intended to be arranged horizontally under a wheel of said vehicle, and a vertical piece, called the first protective pad, integrally connected to said main piece at a non-zero distance from said vehicle when a wheel of said vehicle is on said main piece. Such a protective device provides improved protection of the vehicle, since it keeps people and other vehicles away from the protected vehicle as a barrier. The protective pad prevents any contact between the protected vehicle and an external element.

Advantageously, the protective barrier may further comprise at least one other vertical part, called the second protective pad, connected to the main part along an axis not parallel to the connecting axis of said main one with the first protective pad and to a non-zero distance of said vehicle when a wheel of said vehicle is on said main part. Advantageously, the angle between the connecting axis of the main piece and the first pad and the connecting axis of the protective piece with the second pad is adjustable.

Advantageously, the position of at least one protective pad may be adjustable relative to the main piece. Thus, it is possible to increase and / or decrease the protection distance between the protective pad and the vehicle.

Moreover, it allows to use the same barrier of protection with different vehicles.

Advantageously, at least one protective pad may be rotatably mounted about the axis connecting said protective pad to the main piece. Such freedom of movement makes it easier to assemble and disassemble the protective pad.

Advantageously, at least one protective pad can be connected to the main piece by a telescopic arm. The telescopic arm has the advantage of taking up little space when it is retracted. Advantageously, at least one protective pad can be dismountable.

Advantageously, at least one protective pad may be at least partially retractable, so that the height of said protective pad is adjustable.

For example, at least one protective pad can be telescopic allowing both to adjust the height of the pad and to obtain a pad that occupies very little space once retracted to be stored.

In a particular embodiment, at least one protection pad may comprise:

a lower part made of a plastic or rubberized material, and

- A post adjusted in said lower part, for example in an aperture adjusted for this purpose.

In a particular configuration of the device according to the invention, at least one protective barrier can be arranged so that:

one of the first and second protective pads is arranged in front of or behind the vehicle, and

the other of the first or second protective pads is disposed on an adjacent lateral side of the vehicle.

Thus, a same protective barrier protects the vehicle on two adjacent sides.

According to an advantageous feature, the protection device according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise a protective wall connecting the first and the second protective pad.

The wall may be a flexible wall, such as a ribbon or a rigid panel.

In an advantageous embodiment, the protective wall may be flexible and rollable on, around or in the thickness of a protective pad. The invention also relates to a protection system comprising at least two protection devices according to the second aspect of the invention.

Advantageously, the system according to the invention may further comprise means connecting at least two protection devices according to the second aspect of the invention. The system according to the invention may further comprise a protective wall, flexible or rigid, connecting a protective pad of a protective device with a protective pad of another protective device.

Advantageously, such a wall may be flexible and retractable on, around or in the thickness of a protective pad.

In an advantageous configuration, the system according to the invention may comprise a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention for each wheel of the vehicle, each protection device being arranged so that:

one of the protective pads is arranged in front of or behind the vehicle, and

the other of the protective pads is disposed on an adjacent lateral side of the vehicle;

so that two protective pads are arranged on each side of said vehicle.

In this configuration, the protection terminal comprises four protective barriers and four protective walls connecting them.

The protection terminal according to the second aspect of the invention can also serve as a locking means for the protection assembly according to the first aspect of the invention. The bollard is designed to be stored in a dedicated bag of suitable dimensions to be stowed in turn in the trunk of the vehicle concerned, with or without the other protective parts. The invention also relates to a parking space of a vehicle equipped with a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention.

In a particular embodiment, in no way limiting, the protection device comprises:

- a main piece with a width of approximately 60 cm and a length of 20 to 30 cm,

a first protective pad comprising a low part of width 15-20 cm, of length about 20 cm and height of about 20 cm, and a pole of height 70-90 cm,

a telescopic arm connecting the main part to a second protective pad of length approximately 80 to 110 cm from the end of the main piece, on the deployment side,

a second protective stud comprising a vertical pole 70 to 90 cm high, and

- A protective wall (connecting the first protective pad and the second protective pad) height of about 50-60 cm and length 1 meter to about 2.5 meters. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided another device for protecting a vehicle comprising two side walls and a front wall, said device being characterized in that at least one of said walls is foldable. The invention therefore proposes a protection device, also called a protective box or box, which can be folded, if necessary, at least in part so as to occupy less space when the box is not in use or when it is desired transport it to another site. There is currently no such protective device. For basement parking spaces, the vast majority are not boxable because access to ventilation ducts and other pipes must be ensured. This device allows access by occupying only the volume necessary for the protection of the vehicle. For outdoor parking spaces, many motorists who would like to have a closed box.

Advantageously, the protection device according to the third aspect of the invention may further comprise an upper wall.

The top wall can be foldable.

The upper wall can be dismountable.

The upper wall can be connected rigidly, directly or indirectly, to the side walls, the front wall and / or the bottom wall.

The upper wall can be folded accordionally or in the form of several elements sliding under each other.

The top wall can be foldable on a side wall or the bottom wall.

Advantageously, at least one wall may be foldable accordion.

At least one wall may consist of a plurality of elements arranged to slide under each other or into each other when the wall is bent. The protective device according to the third aspect of the invention may further comprise a bottom wall rigidly connected, directly or indirectly, to at least one side wall.

The bottom wall may also be foldable accordion or in the form of several elements slid under each other.

Advantageously, the front wall may comprise a door allowing access to the interior of said device according to the third aspect of the invention. The front wall can also be folded accordion or in the form of several elements sliding under each other. In a preferred embodiment of the protective device, the front wall serves as a door closing the box key. This door may include a rolling and locking system to open the box, to release the vehicle and / or to close the box. Thus in the closed position, the front wall ensures the locking in the deployed position of the upper wall and the side walls. The front wall allows the folding of the other adjacent walls only in the open position. In a preferred embodiment of the protection device according to the third aspect of the invention, at least one side wall can be foldably mounted on the bottom wall, in particular after said side wall is folded.

The folding can be achieved by rotating about a vertical axis, sliding against the bottom wall, or in the thickness of the bottom wall.

Advantageously, at least one foldable wall comprises at least one wheel facilitating the folding of said side wall, front, bottom or top.

The protection device according to the third aspect of the invention may further comprise means for securing said device on a horizontal surface on which said device is placed or suspended or on previously installed protective barriers, more particularly for securing the wall of the device. bottom, the front wall and / or at least one side wall.

The securing means may comprise known means by screws, antitheft nuts, slides or other equivalent means, on surfaces of the concrete, coated, earth, etc. type. These means are also useful when the vehicle leaves the parking lot, the box being advantageously securely anchored in its parking space to maintain the free space. The protection device according to the third aspect of the invention may furthermore comprise means for securing said device to a vertical surface near which said device is located, in particular for securing one or more sidewalls to a vertical surface serving as a bottom wall, when said device does not comprise a bottom wall.

Indeed, when a vertical surface is on the bottom side of a parking space, it seems advisable that the device according to the third aspect of the invention does not include a bottom wall, the side walls can be mounted on this vertical surface, more particularly foldably on the bottom surface when folded.

Advantageously, at least one foldable wall may comprise a rigid structure supporting said wall.

The rigid structure, possibly removable only from the inside, allows repeated assembly / disassembly allowing folding, at least in part, so as to occupy less space when the box is not used, while allowing to keep the place free or when you want to transport the box to another site.

At least one rigid structure for a wall may be a telescopic structure in the pounding direction of said wall for guiding said wall during its folding.

At least one rigid structure of a foldable wall can be rigidly connected to the rigid structure of another foldable wall, more particularly in a demountable manner. Advantageously, in a particular configuration, the device according to the third aspect of the invention may comprise:

- a foldable bottom wall,

two foldable and foldable side walls on said bottom wall,

a foldable front wall foldable on one of said side walls, - A foldable top wall and foldable on one of the side walls; said walls being arranged so that the device is folded as follows:

the front wall is folded and folded down on a side wall,

- the upper wall is folded and folded on the other side wall,

the side walls are then folded and folded on the bottom wall, one on one side of the bottom wall and the other on the other side of the wall or both on the same side, and

- the bottom wall is folded;

said folded device being in the form of a block disposed on wheels.

The invention also relates to a vehicle parking space equipped with a protection device according to the third aspect of the invention.

According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment:

- the side wall has a length of 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters; and a height of 1.3 meters to 2 meters;

- the front / rear wall has a length of 2 meters to 2.7 meters and a height of 1.3 meters to 2 meters; and

- the top wall has a length of 4.5 meters to 5.5 meters and a width of 2 meters to 2.7 meters. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a protection device for an airplane, characterized in that it comprises:

an assembly, known as a protective cover, comprising at least one so-called protective part, said protective cover being designed to be arranged around a part of said plane, so that said protective cover forms a closed trajectory around said part of said airplane;

means for adjusting the perimeter of said closed trajectory.

The invention provides an adjustable protection device for protecting part of an aircraft. The protective device includes a protection assembly consisting of at least one protective piece providing a closed trajectory whose perimeter is adjustable.

Thus, the same protection device can be used for different parts of the same aircraft or different aircraft. For example, the same protection device can be adjusted to protect a portion of the wing of several different aircraft.

In a particular embodiment, some parts of the protection assembly may optionally be composed solely of tether or adjustment straps, without protection of the part of the aircraft.

The protective cover of the device according to the invention may be in the form of a female element intended to surround a portion of an airplane acting as a male element. Such a part acting as a female element may be a propeller, a propeller cone, a wing, a wingtip, a flap or a flap end, a horizontal stabilizer, a rear fin or a tail fin .

In a first embodiment, the protective cover may be in the form of a female element surrounding a portion of a male element and having two opposite ends open, one end, called engagement, allowing to engage the part of the aircraft acting as a male element in the cover. In this case, the protective cover is arranged on the male element so that the male element does not go through the entire protective cover and the other open end on the opposite side to the engagement end. extends beyond the male element so that the end of the part of the airplane serving as a male element is protected.

In another embodiment, which can be combined with the previous embodiment, the protective cover is in the form of a female element surrounding a portion of a male element and having a end, said engagement, open on the side of the aircraft and one end, opposite the open end, closed by a distal protection element.

The distal protection element may for example be silicone or polystyrene.

Advantageously, the protective cover may comprise opening / closing means for configuring said cover in the form of a closed trajectory when the protective cover is placed on the airplane or an open trajectory, for example when one want to store the protective cover.

The closure means may comprise Velcro® type means, zippers, pressures or any other means of closure.

These closure means facilitate handling of the protective cover, especially to have solidly the protective cover on the part of the aircraft to protect, to remove and fold for storage and storage.

In an advantageous embodiment, the closure means can be used as adjustment means. In other words, the same means can serve as closure means and adjustment means.

In a particular embodiment, the closure means may comprise several closure levels thus making it possible to modify the perimeter of the cover when it is in closed configuration.

Such means may comprise Velcro®-type means, at least one elastic or non-elastic closure strap, or zipper-type means or pressure-closure type means, arranged so as to obtain several possible levels of closures.

In an advantageous embodiment, when the protective cover comprises several pieces of protection, the adjustment means may comprise at least one elastic band connecting two pieces of protection between them, said one or more protective strips for moving one of said parts relative to the other of said protective parts, for example by stretching, so as to increase at least one of the dimensions of said protective cover.

In another embodiment, which can be combined with the previous embodiment, the adjustment means may comprise at least one strap, called adjustment, connecting two pieces of protection between them, said strap or straps of adjustment allowing to move away and / or bring one of said parts from / to the other of said parts.

These adjustment straps thus make it possible to modify the width or the length of the protective cover, to adapt its dimensions to this or that part of the same plane or different aircraft to protect.

Advantageously, at least two protective pieces are arranged so that said two pieces of protection overlap when they are in the remote position. Thus, the protective parts overlap even in the case where they are in a configuration in which the dimensions of the protective cover are at the maximum, thus providing complete protection and without any opening or access to the protected part of the aircraft .

Advantageously, the device according to the invention may further comprise means for attaching the protective cover to a part of the aircraft.

These attachment means may comprise means, for example elastic means or straps, to ensure a tightness of the protective cover against the part of the aircraft to protect.

The attachment means may comprise means for attaching the protective cover to a part of the aircraft different from that protected by the protective cover, for example straps or strings of fasteners. In one embodiment, the same means can act as adjustment means, closure means and fastening means. For example, straps or elastic bands or elasthan type material, still Velcro ® means can both serve as means of adjustment, means of closure and attachment means with the aircraft by exercising a sufficient clamping to achieve a fastening of the protective cover on the aircraft by the friction created between the protective cover and the part of the aircraft on which it is arranged. Advantageously, at least one protective piece may be made of polymer, such as silicone, elastane, polyvinyl, polyurethane or any other polymer or hydrophobic or non-hydrophobic material or expanded polystyrene. The color chosen will preferably be red. The aircraft protection device according to the invention may further comprise a layer of impermeable material covering at least partially, or even totally, the protective cover.

Advantageously, the aircraft protection device according to the invention may further comprise a layer made of a shock absorbing foam covering at least partially, or even all, the protective cover.

In an advantageous embodiment, the protective cover or at least one protective part constituting the protective cover may comprise an allowance intended to be arranged on a portion of greater sensitivity or of greater importance.

The aircraft protection device according to the invention may furthermore comprise at least one element, called a shutter element, for example made of compressible material, intended to be disposed on or in an opening at the level of the outer surface of the airplane, such as for example an air intake opening. Such an element may be made of flexible material, for example silicone or foam.

Such an element may be spherical or rectangular or conical.

Such an element can be attached to a protective cover by a cord or other means of attachment.

The aircraft protection device according to the invention may advantageously comprise means for locking the protective cover with part of the aircraft, for example by cooperating with an opening of the aircraft as described for the first aspect of the invention. 'invention.

In a particular embodiment, the protective cover may be in the form of a box comprising a single opening for sliding around a portion of an aircraft and remove in a same direction.

In a particular embodiment, the protective cover may be in the form of a box of elliptical internal section.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the protective cover has a length of between 1.5 and 5 meters, with a width of about 0.5 meters to about 4 meters, a thickness of the order of at least 2 cm, and which can be equal to or exceed in places 20 cm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the protective cover may be of length between 1 and 1.5 meters, with a width of between about 20 and 30 cm and a thickness of about 2 cm minimum and which can reach or exceed by places 20 cm. Still according to an exemplary embodiment, the protective element for air intake opening may be spherical diameter greater than or equal to 20 cm. It is understood that a feature described in this application with respect to only one aspect of the invention may be combined with another aspect of the invention, if nothing prevents this combination.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a protection device according to the first aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of the device of FIG. 1;

- Figures 3 and 4 are schematic representations of the device of Figure 1 during its storage;

- Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1 disposed on a vehicle;

- Figures 6-9 are schematic representations of several embodiments of a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a configuration in which the protection device of FIG. 9 is used to protect a vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a configuration in which a protection system comprising several protection devices of FIG. 9 is used to protect a vehicle;

- Figures 12-14 are schematic representations of several embodiments of a protection device according to the third aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 15-17 are diagrammatic representations of several embodiments of a foldable wall that can be used in the protective device according to the third aspect of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of the various steps for folding a protection device according to the third aspect of the invention; - Figures 19 and 20 are schematic representations of two embodiments of the assembly between two walls that can be implemented in a protective device according to the third aspect of the invention;

- Figure 21 is a schematic representation of a front wall for a protection device according to the third aspect of the invention; and

- Figures 22 to 28 are schematic representations of several embodiments of an aircraft protection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

In the figures the elements common to several figures keep the same reference.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting example of a body protection device 100 according to the first aspect of the invention.

The device 100 includes several pieces of protection 102i to 102 ₂ 3 foldably connected together and providing a protection assembly 104 providing a closed trajectory 106 perimeter slightly smaller than the perimeter of the vehicle to be protected (not shown in Figure 1).

The device 100 comprises two protective pieces 102 ₈ and 102i ₉ , intended to be positioned on the front and rear license plates, and which are transparent to allow visual access to the number plates. All the protective pieces 102 1 to 102 ₂₃ can also be transparent.

Furthermore, the protective parts 102 ₈ and 102i ₉ each have an extra thickness relative to the other protective parts. These parts are intended to be positioned at the front and the rear of the vehicle are more stressed than other parts of protection, especially during parking operations of adjacent vehicles. Each of the protective parts 102 is made of a flexible material, such as for example silicone, shock absorbing.

The protection assembly may comprise elastic bands 120 only, alternately or at the same time as the set of elastic bands 202i, 202 ₂ , 202 ₃ , presented later in FIG. 2, for example four in number, at the level of vehicle wheels for tightening the protection assembly 104 on the vehicle and exert sufficient elastic pressure to achieve sufficient clamping so that the protective assembly 104 remains tight on the vehicle. The straps 120 can thus serve as attachment means.

The protection device 100 comprises means 108 for locking the protection assembly 104 to the vehicle.

The locking means 108 comprise a flexible sphere 110 provided at one of its ends with a cord 112 fixedly connected to the protection assembly 104. The flexible sphere 110 is designed to be pinched or blocked by a door of the vehicle and ensures by the cord 112 interlocking the protection assembly 104 with the vehicle.

The device 100 further comprises alarm means for detecting a removal of the assembly 104. The alarm means comprises a conductive wire 114 integrated in the protection assembly 104 all along the protection assembly. This electrical wire is connected to an alarm module 116 via the cord 112 and the sphere 110. The alarm module 116 is powered by a current plug 118, for example, via the cigar lighter or by an electrical connection present inside the vehicle. The alarm module 116 is provided to detect pulling or cutting the lead wire 114 and produce a shrill sound. The detection of tearing or breakage of the wire 114 can be achieved by measuring the impedance of the wire 114 and a detection of the modification of this impedance. FIG. 2 gives a partial schematic representation of the assembly 104, and more particularly only the protective parts.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each protection piece 102 is connected to the two adjacent protective pieces by one or a set of elastic strips 202i, 202 ₂ , 202 ₃ and more generally 202, of smaller thickness with respect to the rest of the protection room.

Each of these plastic strips 202 is sufficiently elastic to be expanded so as to sufficiently increase the trajectory 106 made by the protection assembly 104 and to have the protection assembly 104 on the vehicle and to exert sufficient elastic pressure to obtain sufficient clamping so that the protection assembly 104 remains tight on the vehicle.

The protection device 102 may further comprise a clamping strap (not shown) or other clamping means to improve the clamping of the protection assembly on the vehicle.

Each protection piece 102 is connected to the two adjacent protective parts by the elastic band 202i, 202 ₂ , 202 ₃ . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the elastic strips 202 connecting a protection piece 102 to the adjacent protective pieces 102 are arranged on one side of the protective piece 102 on one side and on the other side of the protective piece 102 on the opposite side. For example, the elastic band 202i, connecting the protective piece 102 ₂ to the protection piece 102i, is disposed on a face 204 of the protective piece 102 ₂ and the elastic band 202 ₂ , connecting the protective piece 102 ₂ to the protective part 102 ₃ is disposed on a face 206 of the protective part 102 ₂ opposite to the face 204. This arrangement of the elastic strips 202, acting both as connecting means between the protective pieces 102 and means for attaching the protection assembly 104 to the vehicle, makes it possible to fold the accordion protection pieces 102, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, during the storage of the protection assembly 104 in a storage box 402. In FIG. 4, the alarm means are not represented. In fact, the alarm means can be disconnected from the protection assembly 104 to be stored separately.

Furthermore, the closed path 106 made by the protection assembly 104 can be opened by opening and closing means to facilitate its storage.

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the protection device 100 on a vehicle 502.

Although all the protective parts of the protection device 100 are represented with the same height and the same width, according to the invention the protective parts can also be of variable height and width.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention.

The device 600 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a protection assembly 602 comprising a main part 604 intended to be disposed horizontally under a wheel of a vehicle, and a vertical part 606, also called a first protective pad, integrally connected to one end. of the main part 604 so that when a wheel of a vehicle is on the main part 604, then the first protective pad is at a non-zero distance from the vehicle.

The first pad 606 is composed of a base 608 having an opening 610 for receiving a vertical member 612. The base 608 may be made of rubber. The vertical element is advantageously in the form of a telescopic mast so that its height is variable and can be made of a hard plastic material or metal.

The protection assembly 602 further comprises one or more openings 614 for securing it solidly to the ground. The main piece further comprises protruding edges 616 and 618 constituting stops and facilitating the positioning of the wheel of a vehicle on the main part. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention.

The device 700 shown in FIG. 7 comprises all the elements of the device 600 of FIG.

The device 700 further comprises a second vertical pad 702 disposed at the end of a horizontal arm 704 rigidly connected to the end of the main piece 604 opposite to that on which the first protective pad 606 is placed. The second stud protection device comprises a female part 706 in which is arranged a vertical mast 708 telescopic so that the height of the vertical mast 708 is adjustable.

The horizontal arm 704 is also telescopic so that the length of this arm 704 is adjustable to adjust the distance between the second protective pad 702 and the main piece 604. The female piece 706 is rotatably mounted about a parallel horizontal axis 710 to the horizontal arm to facilitate the disposition of the vertical mast 708 in the female part and adjust the vertical mast angle in the vertical plane.

Furthermore, the horizontal arm 704, joining the second protective pad 702 to the main part 604 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis 712. Thus, the angle between the first protective pad 606 and the second protective pad 702 in the horizontal plane is adjustable.

Figure 8 is a schematic representation in a partially exploded view of the device 700 of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a protection device according to the second aspect of the invention.

The device 900 shown in FIG. 9 comprises all the elements of the device 700 of FIG. 7. The device 700 further comprises a flexible wall 902, possibly transparent, joining the first protective pad 606 and the second protective pad 702. This wall 902 is mounted in a winding or around one of the protective pads and comprises means for attach it releasably to the other of the protective pads.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the protection device 900 of FIG. 9 in the protective configuration of a vehicle 1000.

In the configuration shown in Figure 10, the first protective pad 606 is on one side of the vehicle 1000 and the second protective pad 702 is at the front of the vehicle.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a protection system 1100 comprising a protection device 900 of FIG. 9 for each of the wheels of the vehicle 1000.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, each protection device 900 is arranged so that:

the second protective pad is disposed at the front or rear of the vehicle 1000; and

the first protective pad of each device is arranged on an adjacent lateral side of the vehicle 1000.

Furthermore each protection device comprises a flexible wall and rollable to join a protective pad of this device with a protective pad adjacent to another protective device.

Thus, a complete barrier is created around the vehicle 1000.

Such a protection system provides improved vehicle protection, since it keeps people and other vehicles away from the protected vehicle. Each protection pad prevents any contact between the protected vehicle and an external element. Furthermore, the entire protection system 1100 is designed to be removable into modules for easy storage in a car trunk. Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a vehicle protection device according to the third aspect of the invention.

The device 1200 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a front wall 1202 and two side walls 1204 and 1206.

The front wall 1202 includes a door 1208 to access the space between the walls.

All walls are foldable and are placed on wheels to facilitate their movement.

Furthermore, the device 1200 comprises means for fixing the device 1200 on a vertical surface situated opposite the front wall 1202. In the example shown in FIG. 12, these means comprise two surfaces 1210 and 1212 having openings for receiving screws or other fastening means. Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a vehicle guard according to the third aspect of the invention.

The device 1300 shown in FIG. 13 comprises all the elements of the device 1200 of FIG. 12 and a rear wall 1302 placed on wheels and also foldable.

Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a vehicle protection device according to the third aspect of the invention.

The device 1400 shown in Figure 14 comprises all the elements of the device 1300 of Figure 13 and a top wall 1402 foldable. Figures 15-17 are schematic representations of several embodiments of a foldable wall that can be used in the protection device according to the third aspect of the invention.

In all the examples, the wall is composed of several panels 1502, 1504, 1506 and 1508 of height equal to the height of the wall.

In the example shown in Figure 15, the wall 1500 is a telescopic wall and during its folding panels 1502-1508 slip into each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the wall 1600 is a telescopic wall and when it is folded, the panels 1502-1508 slide over each other.

In the example shown in Figure 17, the wall 1700 is a wall having areas of smaller thickness between the panels 1502-1508 and when folded panels 1502-1508 fold accordion.

We will now describe with reference to Figure 18, a folding configuration of a protective device according to the third aspect of the invention. In this configuration the protection device is the device 1400 shown in FIG.

The movements to be made to fold the different walls are materialized by arrows. In this configuration the walls are arranged so that the protective device is folded as follows:

the front wall 1202 is folded and folded down on the lateral wall 1206 by rotation around a vertical axis,

the upper wall 1402 is folded and folded on the lateral wall 1204 by rotation around a horizontal axis,

the side walls 1204, for example folded in the direction of clockwise, and 1206, for example folded counterclockwise, are then folded and folded on the bottom wall 1302, one on one side of the bottom wall 1302 and the other on the other side of the bottom wall 1302, and the bottom wall 1302 is folded. The folded device is then in the form of a one-piece assembly, placed on the wheels of the side walls and the bottom wall, and therefore easily movable. Figures 19 and 20 show two embodiments of the assembly between two walls that can be implemented in a protective device according to the third aspect of the invention.

In the two embodiments shown in Figures 19 and 20 the walls are fixed together removably by a pivot 1902.

In the embodiment of Figure 19, the pivot 1902 is positioned so that one of the walls is folded over the other by traversing the largest angle between the walls in the horizontal plane.

In the embodiment of Figure 20, the pivot 1902 is positioned so that one of the walls is folded over the other by traversing the smallest angle between the walls in the horizontal plane.

Figure 21 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a front wall of the protection box.

The front wall 2100 shown in Figure 21 is in the form of a Caddy ® comprising an interior compartment 2102 accessible and provided for storing objects. The front wall 2100 comprises a driving bar 2104 for manipulating the front wall 2100, wheels 2106 for moving the front wall 2100. The front wall 2100 further comprises means 2108 for securing and locking, for example key, the front wall 2100 with the side and / or upper walls of the box. The inner compartment can be made by formwork by association of walls. In the embodiments shown, and more generally, each wall may comprise a frame or a rigid structure (not shown) supporting this wall. This structure can also be foldable, in particular according to the examples given in FIGS. 15-17, in the pilling direction of the wall for guiding the wall during its folding. We will now describe with reference to Figures 22 to 28 embodiments of an aircraft protection device. Fig. 22 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an aircraft protection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

The device 2200 shown in FIG. 22 in a profile view and a top view, comprises a protective cover 2202 shown unfolded or in an open configuration. The protective cover 2202 is made in one piece which can contain an elastic material, for example silicone and / or elastane. The device 2200 further comprises two zones 2204 provided with means of the Velcro® type cooperating with one another and serving as:

closing means for fastening the two ends of the protective cover 2202 together,

adjustment means by closing the protective cover 2202 according to several closure levels so as to obtain a closed trajectory of different perimeters, and

- Fastening means by closing the protective cover 2202 with sufficient tightening so that the protective cover 2202 is attached to the part of the aircraft on which it is arranged by the friction created between the cover 2202 and the part of the airplane on which it is placed.

Figure 23 shows the protection device 2200 disposed on a wing tip 2300.

Fig. 24 is a schematic representation of another example of a protection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

The device 2400 shown in FIG. 24 comprises a protective cover 2402 composed of two protective pieces 2404 and 2406. providing between them a housing 2408 provided to receive a portion of an aircraft, such as an aircraft wing or a propeller blade.

The protective device further comprises elastic straps 2410 disposed over the entire perimeter of the protective cover 2402 and acting as attachment means, closing means and adjustment means.

The device 2400 is in the form of a box realizing a closed trajectory. Fig. 25 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a protection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention.

The device 2500 shown in FIG. 25 includes all the elements of the device 2400 of FIG. 24 and comprises a protective cover 2502 for a propeller blade and a spherical plugging element 2504 for an air intake opening. The shutter member 2504 is connected to the protective cover 2502 by a cord 2506.

The protective cover 2502 is in the form of a female element and includes an internal housing 2508 to accommodate the part of the aircraft to protect.

The protective cover 2502 further comprises elastic bands 2510 around the protective cover 2502 and for applying the protective cover 2502 against the part to be protected and thus to ensure the maintenance of the protective cover on this party to protect.

The protection device 2500 further comprises an element 2512, foldable about an axis 2514 perpendicular to the protective cover 2502, attached to the protective cover 2502, of rectangular shape and comprising a housing 2516 spherical, conical or rectangular and provided to be positioned on or around a propeller cone using Velcro ® type fasteners.

Fig. 26 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a protection device according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The device 2600 is a protective cover for a portion of an aircraft, such as a wing tip, shown in a configuration where the protective cover is unfolded and is in the form of an open trajectory. Figure 27 is a sectional representation of the protective cover 2600.

The protective cover 2600 shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 comprises three protective pieces 2602, 2604, 2606.

The protective parts 2602, 2604 are interconnected by elastic bands 2608.

The protective parts 2604 and 2606 are interconnected by adjustment straps 2610.

The elastic bands 2608 and the adjustment straps 2610 make it possible to adjust the length of the protective cover in the direction 2612 shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 in order to be able to use the protective cover on different parts of the same aircraft or different planes with different dimensions.

The straps 2610 and the band 2608 also achieve a clamping to obtain a proper clamping to ensure that the protective cover 2600 will be maintained on the part of the aircraft around which the protective cover 2600 will be arranged .

The shields 2602, 2604, and 2606 also have overlapping or "L" or "Z" overlapping or overlapping zones 2614 and 2616 to allow them to be moved apart or moved closer together while ensuring that these protective pieces will overlap. in all configurations of the 2600 protective cover.

The protective cover 2600 also comprises Velcro ® means 2618 and 2620, cooperating with one another and making it possible to close the protective cover in the form of a closed path or to open this path.

The protective cover 2600 further comprises a zone 2622 of greater thickness, for example polystyrene, which can be placed at the end of wing. FIG. 28 is a representation of an aircraft 2800 provided with several protection devices according to the invention comprising protective covers 2802i-2802 ₃ of its wings, its flaps, its horizontal stabilizer and its rear drift. Each of the protective covers 2802 may be the protective cover 2600 of Figures 26 and 27. The aircraft 28 also includes two covers 2804i-2804 ₂ provided with a shutter element 2806 and two folding elements 2808 at its ends. propellers, of its cone of helix. Each of the covers 2804 may be the protective cover of Figure 25.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

1. Protective device for an airplane, characterized in that it comprises:

means for adjusting the perimeter of said closed trajectory.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective cover is provided with opening / closing means for configuring said cover in the form of a closed path when the protective cover is arranged on the aircraft or an open path, for example when you want to store the protective cover.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjustment means comprise at least partly the closing means.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the closure means comprise several levels of closure thus modifying the perimeter of the cover when it is in closed configuration.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening / closing means comprise Velcro ® type means, zipper, snap closures and / or at least one elastic closure strap or not, arranged so as to get several levels of closures possible.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cover is in the form of a female element designed to surround part of a plane making office male element, such as a propeller, a propeller cone, a wing, a wingtip, a flap or a flap end, a horizontal stabilizer, a rear fin or a tail fin tip.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cover is in the form of a female element surrounding a portion of a male element, said cover having two opposite ends open, one ends, called engagement, for engaging the part of the aircraft acting as a male element in the cover so that the male element does not cross the entire protective cover and the other end open the opposite side to the engagement end extends beyond the male member so that the end of the aircraft part acting as a male member is protected.

8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the open end of the protective cover opposite the engagement end is closed by a distal protection element, for example silicone or polystyrene.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cover comprises a plurality of protective parts and the adjustment means comprises at least one elastic strip connecting two pieces of protection between them, said one or more strips of protection. protection for moving one of said parts relative to the other of said protective parts, for example by stretching, so as to increase at least one of the dimensions of said protective cover.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the adjustment means comprises at least one strap, said adjustment, connecting two pieces of protection together, said adjustment strap or straps allowing to distance and / or bringing one of said parts to / from the other of said parts so as to modify a width or length of the protective cover, to adapt its dimensions to such or such part of the same aircraft or different aircraft.

11. Device according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that at least two protective parts are arranged so that said two protective parts overlap regardless of the position of the adjustment means.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for attaching the protective cover to a part of the aircraft, said attachment means comprising at least partly the means of adjustment and / or closure means, for example of the elastane type material or Velcro ® means, performing a tightening of the protective cover on said part of the aircraft by friction.

13. Protective device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a layer of impermeable material covering at least partially, or completely, the protective cover.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective cover or at least one piece of the protective cover comprises an extra thickness intended to be disposed on a portion of greater sensitivity or greater importance.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one element, said shutter, for example of compressible material, intended to be disposed on or in an opening at the level of an outer surface of the aircraft, such as for example an air intake opening.