WO2016159786A1

WO2016159786A1 - Removable vehicle body protection device

Info

Publication number: WO2016159786A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2016/050053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allen James HANLINE
Original assignee: Hanline Allen James
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

A removable vehicle protection device, comprising: an elongate protective barrier formed from a material configured to deform to absorb an impact; and a magnetic sheet coupled to the elongate protective barrier, having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle, the exposed planar face covering an entire side of the removable vehicle protection device so that the entire side of the vehicle protection device can be placed against the outer surface of a vehicle body panel. The device may also comprise an aperture in the elongate protective barrier configured for connection to a securing device configured to secure the removable vehicle protection device to the vehicle.

Description

REMOVABLE VEHICLE BODY PROTECTION DEVICE

Field of Invention The invention relates to a protection apparatus for vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to protection devices for protecting the sides of a personal vehicle such as a car.

Background of the Invention The body of a small vehicle such as a car, SUV, van, pickup truck and the like can often be damaged when the vehicle is parked alongside other vehicles. When a first vehicle parks next to a second vehicle and the driver or a passenger of the first vehicle opens a door, the edge of the door can easily be opened into the side of the second vehicle, scuffing or scratching the paint or even denting a door panel or side panel of the second vehicle. The surface of a typical door or side panel of a vehicle is easily deformable in comparison to the thin rigid edge of a door, such that even a small impact can scratch or dent the panel.

Many car owners therefore like to take steps to protect their vehicle from damage caused to their vehicle's body by the doors of other vehicles.

There is the option to install protective strips, formed from plastic, rubber or another sufficiently resilient material, adhered along the sides of a car. As the strips are mounted to the side of a car using an adhesive, the product could leave residue or diminish the finish on the car if the product is removed from the car. Additionally, a car owner may prefer the look of their vehicle without the protective strips, and prefer to drive the vehicle without the protective strips along the sides of the vehicle.

It is therefore useful for the protection to be easily applied and easily removable.

A removable protection option is described in United States Patent No. 7,229,108. This patent discloses a device comprising two protective elements joined by a rope and mounted to the side of a vehicle using magnets on the protective elements. The device has a security tether that can be engaged by a closed door of the vehicle to prevent theft of the device. The protective elements are formed from a hemi- cylindrical high density foam core with a metal plate backing adhered or taped to the foam core. The protective elements comprise a number of high intensity rare earth magnets adhered or taped to the metal plate. Suction cups are described as a possible alternative to the magnets. The rope extends through the core of each protective element, along its length, and is knotted at each end over a washer to prevent separation of the rope and protective element. The security tether is in the form of a cord with a loop on one end that can be attached to the rope between the protective elements, and a plastic ball on the other end that can be retained between a closed/locked car door and the car door frame.

The solution described in US 7,229,108 includes a large number of parts, many of which are relatively expensive. Also, a lot of assembly required to manufacture the product disclosed in this patent, resulting in a retail cost which may be higher than many consumers may be willing to pay.

Another option is described in United States Patent No. 5,188,407. US 5,188,407 discloses a magnetic- strip car door protector in the form of an elongated main body portion having an inner layer made of magnetic material for attaching the strip to a car door. The protector also has a terminal flap that is shut in a car door while the protector is in use, to prevent theft. The magnetic strip is described as including a matrix of ceramic magnets embedded therein. The protector is taught to be 4 feet long by 2.5 feet wide. This is another example of a protection device that is highly complicated and that may be expensive.

A further option is described in US Patent No. 8,201,860. US 8,201,680 describes a protection device in the form of a high impact plastic body in the shape of T, which includes a magnetic strip or series of suction cups on the base of the T which can be used to mount the device to the side of a vehicle so that the fin formed by the web of the T extends away from the vehicle to provide a barrier to impacts.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved protection device for a vehicle body panel.

Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

Permanent vehicle body protection options provide a permanent defence to a temporary threat, such as a threat that may exist only during the time the car is parked in a parking lot. Prior art removable protection options may be considered complicated, expensive and/or difficult to apply.

Furthermore, the provision of a matrix of ceramic magnets in the protector of US 5,188,407 to create magnetic strip is disadvantageous because the resulting strip is not homogenously magnetic and therefore may not stick so well to a vehicle in areas where there are no ceramic magnets. Furthermore, the rigid ceramic magnets can reduce the flexibility of the strip, which may make it difficult to mount the device on a car door panel as the strip may not be able to match the contours of some vehicle body panels. Furthermore, ceramic magnets are hard and, if pressure is applied, they could potentially scratch a car. Additionally, the protector of US 5,188,407 may be considered by a user to be too large and unwieldy to be easily and quickly applied to a vehicle.

Additionally, the T-shaped high impact plastic cross section of the device disclosed in US 8,201,860 makes the device highly rigid, which may reduce the device's ability to deform to match a contoured vehicle body surface. This may make the device more difficult to securely mount to a vehicle, and may limit the possible types of surfaces on which the device can be mounted.

It would be advantageous if there were a vehicle body protection device that is removable and of simple construction, to provide a more convenient and more affordable solution.

Preferred aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Particular embodiments are described below in non-limiting terms.

According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier formed from a material configured to deform to absorb an impact; and a magnetic sheet formed from a magnetic material coupled to the elongate protective barrier, the magnetic sheet having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle, the exposed planar face covering an entire side of the removable vehicle protection device so that the entire side of the vehicle protection device can be placed against the outer surface of a vehicle body panel. Preferably, the magnetic sheet is formed from a magnetic rubber or vinyl material.

In some embodiments the device is up to 3 metres long. In some embodiments the device is between 0.3 metres and 1.5 metres long. In some embodiments the device is 1 metre long. In some embodiments the protective barrier comprises a polymer material. Preferably, the protective barrier is formed from a foam or a rubber material. Preferably, the protective barrier is formed from EVA foam rubber. Preferably, the magnetic layer and the protective barrier have substantially the same length. Preferably, the magnetic sheet and the protective barrier have substantially the same width. Preferably, the protective barrier is substantially thicker than the magnetic sheet.

In some embodiments, the magnetic sheet is 50mm wide and 1mm thick, and the protective barrier is 50mm wide and 25mm thick.

In some embodiments, the rectangular cross section is a square cross section.

According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier formed from a material configured to absorb an impact; and

a magnetic sheet formed from a magnetic material coupled to the elongate protective barrier, the magnetic sheet having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle,

wherein the magnetic sheet is formed from a homogenously magnetic material.

Preferably, magnetic sheet is formed from a magnetic rubber or vinyl material. More preferably, the magnetic sheet is formed from magnetically impregnated vinyl.

According to a third embodiment of the invention there is provided a vehicle protection kit, comprising: two or more removable vehicle protection devices according to the first or second embodiment of the invention.

Preferably, the vehicle protection kit comprises two, four or six vehicle protection devices according to the first or second embodiment of the invention. According to fourth embodiment of the invention there is provided a removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier being formed from a material configured to absorb an impact;

a magnetic sheet formed from a magnetic material coupled to the elongate protective barrier, the magnetic sheet having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle; and

an aperture in the elongate protective barrier configured for connection to a securing device configured to secure the removable vehicle protection device to the vehicle.

Preferably, the aperture is a hole formed through both the elongate protective barrier and the magnetic sheet. Preferably, the removable vehicle protection device comprises a bush in the aperture. Preferably, the bush is formed from nylon.

Preferably, the bush comprises a flange configured to abut the surface of the elongate protective barrier.

According to fifth embodiment of the invention there is provided a removable vehicle protection system comprising:

a first removable vehicle protection device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; and

a securing device connected to the first removable vehicle protection device through the aperture, the securing device being configured to be secured to the vehicle.

Preferably, the securing device comprises a tether passing through the aperture, the tether configured for connection to the vehicle.

Preferably, the tether comprises a stop configured to be secured to the vehicle to couple the securing device to the vehicle. Preferably, the stop is configured to be retained between a portion of the vehicle and the edge of a door panel of the vehicle.

Preferably the tether comprises a cable. More preferably, the tether comprises a looped cable tie with connected ends.

Preferably, the stop is retained on the tether by the connection between the ends of the looped cable tie. Preferably, the stop is a rubber stopper having a hole therethrough, the looped cable tie passing through the hole, and the connection between the ends of the looped cable tie resisting withdrawal of the looped cable tie from the hole.

Preferably, the removable vehicle protection system further comprises a second removable vehicle protection device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, the securing device being connected to the second removable vehicle protection device through the aperture of the second removable vehicle protection device.

According to sixth embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of protecting a vehicle, comprising:

mounting one or more removable vehicle protection devices according to the first, second or fourth embodiment of the invention, to the vehicle.

Preferably, the method comprises mounting the one or more removable vehicle protection devices to a side of the vehicle at a height on the vehicle at which a door of a vehicle parked adjacent to the vehicle may be expected to impact. More preferably, the method comprises mounting the one or more removable vehicle protection devices to each side of the vehicle. More preferably the method comprises mounting two of the removable vehicle protection devices to each side of the vehicle. Preferably, the method comprises mounting at least two of the removable vehicle protection devices end-to-end with the ends of the devices substantially abutting.

In some embodiments, the method comprises mounting the one or more removable vehicle protection devices to the roof of a vehicle. Preferably, the method comprises mounting two of the removable vehicle protection devices to the roof of the vehicle. More preferably the removable vehicle protection devices are mounted to the roof transversely to the length of the vehicle.

According to another embodiment of the vehicle there is provided the use of one or more removable vehicle protection devices according to the first, second or fourth embodiment of the invention to protect a vehicle.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustration of a removable vehicle protection device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustration of a vehicle having removable vehicle protection

devices according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, mounted thereon in a first configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustration of a vehicle having removable vehicle protection

devices according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, mounted thereon in a second configuration;

Figures 4a-b are perspective view illustrations of a removable vehicle protection system according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustration of the removable vehicle protection system of Figure 4a shown alongside the edge of a vehicle door; and Figure 6 is a perspective view illustration of the removable vehicle protection system of Figure 4a mounted on a vehicle.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The invention provides a removable vehicle protection device for protecting the body of a vehicle from damage caused by other items, for example, doors of other cars. Another use of the vehicle protection device is to provide a removable protective barrier between the roof of a car and objects that may be tied to the roof of the car - the protection device can therefore remove the need for a roof rack for certain items such as a surfboard or small kayak. The protective devices according to embodiments of the invention provide a low cost, yet effective temporary vehicle body protection solution. In particular, embodiments of the invention provide for a very easily applied and removed protection device - for example, easy enough to be mounted on a vehicle by a child. In preferred embodiments the device is suitable for being mounted on any vehicle body part to which a magnet can be attracted, for example a steel body part such as a door panel, side panel, roof, front and rear wheel arch panels, and bumpers if formed of steel or other substance to which a magnet is attracted. The device may be used on many different types of vehicles, such as cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, sedans, wagons, hatchbacks, convertibles, two-door vehicles, four door vehicles, and the like.

Figure 1 shows a vehicle protection device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The device 1 comprises a magnetic sheet layer in the form of a magnetic strip 2. The magnetic strip 2 is formed from a magnetic material, such as a magnetically impregnated and rolled or extruded sheet material such as magnetic vinyl, magnetic rubber, and the like. Other magnetic materials may be used in other embodiments of the invention, for example other plastics that are impregnated with, or otherwise formed together with magnetic materials or components. The magnetic strip or sheet 2 has a length significantly greater than its thickness, for example in one embodiment the magnetic strip 2 has a thickness of 1mm, a width of 50mm, and a length of 1000mm. The width and length of the magnetic strip 2 substantially correspond to the total width and length of the device 1 respectively. The magnetic strip 2 provides a large contact surface for mounting the device 1 onto a vehicle to be protected. The large contact surface of the magnetic strip 2 covering an entire side of the protection device 1 advantageously helps the device 1 remain self-supported on a vehicle by increasing the possible magnetic attraction between the magnetic strip 2 and the vehicle body part for a given size of protection device.

The use of magnetic vinyl magnetic rubber is advantageous for the magnetic strip 2. The material is homogenously magnetic. A material may be homogenously magnetic in that substantially the entire material is magnetic, e.g. it generates a magnetic field substantially uniformly across the surface area or volume of the material. This may result from forming a non-magnetic material together with a magnetic material, to produce a compound material exhibiting the properties of a magnetic material. For example, a vinyl or rubber material formed with magnetic iron filings distributed uniformly throughout the material allows for uniform and homogenous magnetism throughout the material. In contrast, many prior art magnetic protective devices have discrete magnets, such as ceramic magnetics. The use of a homogenous magnetic material better allows for a flexible material that can easily match the contour of a vehicle door which typically includes curves, bumps, flaring and other geometry which is difficult for a more rigid material to match without scratching it, and maintaining an attraction to the vehicle door at substantially all points across the surface of the magnetic strip. Furthermore, discrete magnets are hard, and with enough pressure could scratch a car body if exposed, or be more likely to damage the protection device if the device is deformed.

The protection device 1 also comprises a protective barrier 3. The protective barrier 3 is formed from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam rubber. The EVA foam rubber of the protective barrier 3 absorbs impacts and/or pressure, such as caused by the door of another car being opened into the device 1. Foam or rubber materials, for example synthetic foams, are particularly advantageous for this purpose as they are deformable elastically to a reasonable extent, allowing an impact to be absorbed over a greater distance, reducing the force of the impact. Other less deformable materials such as plastic materials or higher density rubber materials may be used in other embodiments of the invention. These higher density materials can provide their own advantages such as an increased lifespan, as they are generally more durable than lower density materials, which may be useful in environments where impacts are substantially more likely to occur. A user may wish to choose the material depending on the expected frequency of impacts, or their own perceived advantages of the different materials on offer. Other materials, such as EPDM, neopreme foam, polyethylene foam and the like, suitable for absorbing impacts or pressure may be used in other embodiments of the invention. The EVA foam rubber is advantageously a closed-cell foam, which allows the protective device 1 to be used in the rain. Other suitable closed cell foams could be used in other embodiments to provide the same advantage. The protective barrier 3 has a rectangular cross section with a thickness of 25mm, a width of 50mm, and a length of 1000mm. The width and length of the protective barrier 3 conveniently matches the width and length of the magnetic strip 2, which provides multiple advantages. For example, the magnetic sheet covers an entire face of the protective barrier, which increases the surface area with which the magnetic sheet contacts the vehicle, increasing attraction. Secondly, the user can trim the length of the barrier and the result will still be a protective device with a full side covered by magnetic sheet (trimming can be useful for fitting a length to a particular part of a specific vehicle, for example to substantially match the width of a car door, or creating a particular combination of devices to cover a particular length). Furthermore, the manufacturing process is simplified in that an arbitrary length can be produced, and then simply cut into the required lengths, reducing manufacturing costs.

In Figure 1 the thickness of the magnetic strip 2 relative to the protective barrier 3 is exaggerated for visibility. However, in some embodiments the relative thickness of the magnetic strip compared to the protective barrier may be greater or less than, the relative thickness illustrated in Figure 1.

The magnetic strip 2 and the protective barrier 3 are preferably coupled with an adhesive. Any suitable adhesive could be used. In the preferred embodiment, the vinyl from which the magnetic strip 2 is formed is self-adhesive. Adhering the magnetic sheet and protective barrier is preferred, although, other means to couple or connect the magnetic strip and protective barrier may be used in other embodiments. For example, the sheet and protective barrier may be sealed by wrapping or otherwise encasing the two components together. In some embodiments, where the materials allow for such a process, the protective layer may be formed directly onto the magnetic sheet.

A particular advantage of the invention is that it is inexpensive in comparison to the alternatives. In particular, the simple construction and relatively inexpensive materials allow for a cost per metre of protection that is significantly lower than prior art protective devices.

The size of the protective device 1, in particular the width and length, is also advantageous in transferring the force of an impact to a larger area (i.e. from the thin edge of a car door to the larger footprint provided by the magnetic sheet covering a larger surface area on the vehicle body panel, reducing the pressure and therefore stress on the body panel of the vehicle in comparison to if the edge of a door strikes the body panel. Both the magnetic strip 2 and protective barrier 3 are somewhat flexible to allow the device 1 to flex to match a contour of a vehicle body part on which the device is to be mounted.

In use, the protective device can be mounted to a vehicle as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 4 with protective devices 1 mounted thereon.

In particular, four protective devices are mounted to the vehicle 4 - two on each side. Only two protective devices la and lb are visible in Figure 2 as the view shows only one side of the car. One protective device la is mounted on the front door of the car, and one protective device lb is mounted on the back door of the car. The protective devices may be mounted end-to-end with their ends substantially abutting each other in order to provide a continuous protective strip along the length of the car. The join or gap between devices may be located at or proximate the join between car doors so that the doors can be opened without causing either of the devices to fall off. As shown in Figure 2, the devices la and lb may be mounted generally parallel to the ground. This ensures they provide protection at a constant height along the length of the car. However the user is free to place the devices at any height or in any orientation they choose. Some users may choose to orient the devices non-horizontally, for example, in order to provide better protection against the doors of some types of vehicle, or simply for appearance. The front and rear mounted protective devices may be positioned at different heights in some embodiments.

Some users of the protective device 1 may wish to mount two protective devices to the rear of the side of their vehicle. This is because many cars have rear doors that have a contoured or V-shaped edge. This makes it difficult to guess where the rear door of an adjacent car would strike, especially if the user parks alongside an empty parking space, but expects another driver to park their vehicle in the adjacent space. Mounting a second protective device 1 in parallel to a first protective device 1 mitigates the risk that a rear door of the adjacent car will miss the protection.

In some embodiments, half-length protective devices may be provided, so that particularly long vehicles are able to be sufficiently protected, for example with two and a half lengths of protective devices on either side of the vehicle.

Figure 3 shows a vehicle 4 in which a user has mounted two protective devices la and lb to the roof of the car. The user can place a surfboard, box, small kayak or other suitable item on top of the devices la and lb, then tie the item down. The item can therefore be secured above the car, without the need for a roof rack, while protecting the roof and its paint from being scratched or otherwise damaged by the item. In some embodiments, the protective device may be the same colour as the car on which it is to be mounted. In some embodiments, the protective device may be a light enough colour so that the owner of the protective device can write their name and/or vehicle registration number onto the device. This reduces the chance that someone will steal the protective device, given their subsequent use of the device may be incriminating.

In some embodiments, the device may be curved, or able to be curved, to enable the device to be matched to the fender or wheel well of a vehicle.

In some embodiments, the protective devices may be mounted to the front and/or rear bumper of a vehicle (if possible, e.g. if the bumper is formed from steel). This may be particularly useful in a parallel parking situation, when other cars may mistakenly drive forward or reverse into a vehicle.

In some alternative embodiments, the magnetic layer may not cover an entire side of the device. For example, the magnetic layer may be in the form of multiple patches along a side of the protective barrier. Alternatively, the magnetic layer may be a narrow strip along the middle of a side of the protective barrier. Furthermore, the magnetic layer may be multiple strips spaced apart on a side of the protective barrier.

Figures 4a and 4b show a removable vehicle protection system 10 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

The removable vehicle protection system 10 comprises a first removable vehicle protection device 20 and a second removable vehicle protection device 30. Each of the first and second removable vehicle protection devices 20 and 30 are similar to the removable vehicle protection device 1 described above. For example, the removable vehicle protection device 20 comprises a magnetic strip 22 to enable the device 20 to be mounted to a vehicle body, and an EVA foam rubber elongate protective strip 23 providing an energy absorbing barrier to impacts from doors of other vehicles, the magnetic strip 22 being provided along a planar face of the elongate protective strip 23. The removable vehicle protection device 30 also comprises a magnetic strip 32 and protective strip 33 connected in a similar fashion. It will be understood that the preferred features and variations disclosed above in relation to the removable vehicle protection device 1 may be applied to the design and construction of the removable vehicle protection devices 20 and 30 without departing from scope of the present invention.

The first removable vehicle protection device 20 comprises an aperture 24 which passes through both the magnetic strip 22 and protective barrier 23 of the device 20. Similarly, the second removable vehicle protection device 30 comprises an aperture 34 (shown in Figure 4b only). The apertures 24 and 34 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the length of the device, having central axes aligned in the direction between the magnetic strip 22 and protective barrier 23. In alternative embodiments, the removable vehicle protection device may have one or more apertures with any other orientation, such as perpendicular to the length of the device and passing through only the protective strip, parallel to the length of the device, or at an oblique angle. Each aperture 24 and 34 allows the devices 20 and 30 to be connected to a securing device 40 configured to be secured to the vehicle to prevent theft. The securing device 40 also functions to tie the devices 20 and 30 to one another. The use of a securing device 40 to tie the devices 20 and 30 together may provide for convenient handling of the protection system 10 by enabling the devices 20 and 30 to be carried at the same time by holding the securing device 40 in the manner of a handle, and reduces the chance of one of the devices 20 and 30 being misplaced.

In alternative embodiments, only one removable vehicle protection device may be incorporated in the removable vehicle protection system. This may provide a user with more flexibility in positioning different removable vehicle protection devices on a vehicle so that they are positioned further apart than they otherwise could be if tied together, for example if a forward vehicle protection device was desired to be positioned lower than a rear vehicle protection device. In further alternative

embodiments, two removable vehicle protection devices may be connected together via a tie connected to apertures similar to apertures 24 and 34, even if the tie does not function to prevent theft, for example if the tie is not able to be coupled to a vehicle. As mentioned above, in other embodiments the aperture is formed at an orientation of 90 degrees with respect to the aperture 24, e.g. through the elongate protective barrier but not through the magnetic strip. This may avoid the need for a portion of the securing device to be positioned between the magnetic strip and the vehicle body panel to which the system is to be mounted. The securing device 40 comprises a tether 41 for the removable vehicle protection system 10 in the form of a cable. The tether in this embodiment is a looped cable tie such as a nylon cable tie having dimensions 3.6mm x 1.2mm, although any other suitable means for securing the protection devices 20 and 30 to a vehicle may be used in other embodiments of the invention.

As shown in Figure 4B, the removable vehicle protection device 20 has a bush 25 fitted in the aperture 24. The bush 25 has a cylindrical portion configured to fit to the inside surface of the aperture 24, and a flange portion configured to abut the surface of the protective barrier 23 around the aperture 24. The bush 25 in this embodiment is made of nylon, which is advantageously harder and more rigid than the EVA foam rubber used to form the protective barrier 23, but not hard enough to damage a vehicle body panel or paint. The bush 25 may reduce the damage or wear and tear on the protective barrier 23 by the tether 41. The removable vehicle protection device 30 comprises a bush 35 identical to the bush 25. The magnetic vinyl may be strong enough to protect the other end of the apertures 24 and 34, however in some embodiments a bush similar to bush 25 may be provided to the apertures 24 and 34 on the magnetic vinyl side for further protection. In embodiments in which the hole passes through only the protective barrier, then a bush may be provided to both ends of the hole.

The securing device 40 also comprises a stop 42 configured to be secured to the vehicle, in order to couple the securing device to the vehicle. In this embodiment the stop 42 is a rubber stopper, such as a bung. The stop 42 is connected to tether 41, for example the stop comprises a hole formed therein through which the connected ends of the looped cable tie are inserted in order to retain the stop on the connected ends of the looped cable tie. The connection between the ends of the cable tie resists withdrawal of the looped cable tie from the hole of the stop 42 by virtue of the head of the cable tie being larger than the hole in the stop. In other embodiments the cable tie may have been threaded through the hole prior to closing of the cable tie to more permanently couple the stop to the cable tie. In alternative embodiments the stop may be a toggle or a ball threaded on a loop of cable or robe, or a ball or a bulbous member moulded onto a loop or onto the end of a cable. Alternatively, the stop may be formed by the tether itself, such as a knot in a rope. The stop may not necessarily be round, and may be a T-shape, for example. In some embodiments the stop may comprise a hook shaped member configured to be hooked around the edge of a door, over the top edge of a window, or around a suitable component inside the car.

The stop 42 is configured to be retained in use between a portion of the vehicle and the edge of a door panel of the vehicle. Figure 5 shows an illustration of the tether 41 and stop 42 alongside the edge of a vehicle door 51. The door 51 can be closed to retain the stop 42 between the edge of the door 51 and an adjacent portion of the vehicle. For example, the stop 42 may be retained behind the rear outer edge of a vehicle's front door, and the forward outer edge of the vehicle's rear door. In some vehicles if a frame member is present between edges of the front and rear doors, then the stop may be retained between the edge of a door and the frame member. The illustrated stop 42 is approximately 15 mm wide, which for many types of vehicle is sufficiently large that the stop cannot pass through the gap between the edges of the vehicle doors when the doors are closed, yet sufficiently small that it will allow the door to close and will not be damaged when the door is closed because the stop 42 will fit within a recess behind the close vehicle door. In other embodiments the stop may be smaller or larger, for example to suit vehicles having gaps between doors or recesses behind doors of different sizes. A stop having a width of between 8mm and 20mm may be suitable to be retained in the gap along the edge of a vehicle door. In some embodiments the stop may be much larger, such as 100mm wide, when the tether is long enough for the stop to be retained in the interior of the vehicle rather than in the gap alongside the edge of a vehicle door, for example.

Since two removable vehicle protection devices 20 and 30 are secured on the tether 41 in the illustrated example, the stop 42 may be retained in the gap between front and rear doors, and then the first removable vehicle protection device 20 may be mounted on the front door, and the second removable vehicle protection device 30 may be mounted on the rear door. Figure 6 shows an illustration of the removable vehicle protection system 10 mounted on a vehicle with the securing device 40 secured between front door 51 and a rear door 52 of the vehicle. The first removable vehicle protection device 20 is mounted on the front door 51 and the second removable vehicle protection device is mounted on the rear door 52. The use of relatively soft materials in the removable vehicle protection system (in comparison to the steel of a vehicle body), such as the foam rubber, magnetic vinyl, nylon cable tie and rubber stopper may be advantageous in minimising damage to a vehicle if an attempt is made to forcefully remove the removable vehicle protection device from the vehicle. For example, if someone pulls sufficiently hard on the removable vehicle protection device 20 while the securing device 40 is secured in the vehicle, then the stop 42 will become dislodged from the tether 41, allowing the vehicle body protection system 10 to be removed from a vehicle without damaging the vehicle body or its paintwork. The securing device 40 may therefore provide a sufficient deterrent to unauthorised removal of the protection system 10, without causing the vehicle to be susceptible to damage in the event someone is determined to remove the system 10. In other embodiments of the invention the securing device may be formed from more robust materials that may be more difficult to remove from the vehicle.

In alternative embodiments, the securing device may be any other suitable means for securing a removable vehicle protection device to the vehicle to prevent or deter theft. For example, the securing device may be a tether in another form, such as a rope or a steel cable (which may be within a sleeve to protect the vehicle body). Further still, the securing device may comprise a rigid component that connects two removable vehicle protection devices together and has a hook shaped part that hooks over the edge of a vehicle door such that when the door is closed, the hook shaped part and consequently the vehicle protection device cannot be removed from the vehicle. In some embodiments the securing device may be tied to a portion of the interior of the car, such as a head rest, handhold, steering wheel etc. In some embodiments, the securing device may couple to the car via a part of the car other than the door. For example, the securing device may be a tether which has a loop at an end that can be locked closed around a suitable portion on the exterior of the vehicle, such as a door handle, wheel spoke, roof rack/rail, an arm portion of a wing mirror, etc.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included with the present invention.

Claims

A removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier formed from a material configured to deform to absorb an impact; and

a magnetic sheet formed from a magnetic material coupled to the elongate protective barrier, the magnetic sheet having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle, the exposed planar face covering an entire side of the removable vehicle protection device so that the entire side of the vehicle protection device can be placed against the outer surface of a vehicle body panel.

The removable vehicle protection device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sheet is formed from a magnetic rubber or vinyl material.

The removable vehicle protection device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protective barrier is formed from a foam or a rubber material.

The removable vehicle protection device of any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the magnetic layer and the protective barrier have substantially the same width and length.

The removable vehicle protection device of any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the protective barrier is substantially thicker than the magnetic sheet.

The removable vehicle protection device of any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the device is between 0.3 metres and 1.5 metres long.

A removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier formed from a material configured to absorb an impact; and a magnetic sheet formed from a magnetic material coupled to the elongate protective barrier, the magnetic sheet having an exposed substantially planar face for mounting the device onto a vehicle body panel with sufficient magnetic attraction to the vehicle that the device is self-supported on the vehicle, wherein the magnetic sheet is formed from a homogenously magnetic material.

The removable vehicle protection device of claim 7, wherein the magnetic sheet is formed from a magnetic rubber or vinyl material.

The removable vehicle protection device of claim 8, wherein the magnetic sheet is formed from magnetically impregnated vinyl.

10. A vehicle protection kit, comprising:

two or more removable vehicle protection devices, each of the removable vehicle protection devices as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 or 7-9.

11. A removable vehicle protection device, comprising:

an elongate protective barrier having a length substantially greater than its width and its thickness, the protective barrier formed from a material configured to absorb an impact;

12. The removable vehicle protection device of claim 11, wherein the aperture is a hole formed through both the elongate protective barrier and the magnetic sheet.

13. The removable vehicle protection device of claim 11 or 12, wherein the removable vehicle protection device comprises a bush in the aperture.

14. The removable vehicle protection device of claim 13, wherein the bush comprises a flange configured to abut the surface of the elongate protective barrier.

15. A removable vehicle protection system comprising:

a first removable vehicle protection device according any one of claims 11-14; and a securing device connected to the first removable vehicle protection device through the aperture, the securing device being configured to be secured to the vehicle.

16. The removable vehicle protection system of claim 15, wherein securing device comprises a tether passing through the aperture, the tether configured for connection to the vehicle. 17. The removable vehicle protection system of claim 16, wherein the tether comprises a stop configured to be secured to the vehicle to couple the securing device to the vehicle.

18. The removable vehicle protection system of claim 17, wherein the stop is configured to be retained between a portion of the vehicle and the edge of a door panel of the vehicle.

19. The removable vehicle protection system of claim 18, wherein the tether comprises a looped cable tie with connected ends.

20. The removable vehicle protection system of 19, wherein the stop is retained on the tether by the connection between the ends of the looped cable tie.

21. The removable vehicle protection system of claim 20, wherein the stop is a rubber stopper having a hole therethrough, the looped cable tie passing through the hole, and the connected ends of the looped cable tie resisting withdrawal of the looped cable tie from the hole.

22. The removable vehicle protection system of any one of claims 15 - 21, further comprising a second removable vehicle protection device according to any one of claims 11 - 14, the securing device being connected to the second removable vehicle protection device through the aperture of the second removable vehicle protection device.