GB2229152A - Protective cover for vehicles - Google Patents
Protective cover for vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2229152A GB2229152A GB8905958A GB8905958A GB2229152A GB 2229152 A GB2229152 A GB 2229152A GB 8905958 A GB8905958 A GB 8905958A GB 8905958 A GB8905958 A GB 8905958A GB 2229152 A GB2229152 A GB 2229152A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- vehicle
- roof
- boot
- edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011493 spray foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003562 lightweight material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J11/00—Removable external protective coverings specially adapted for vehicles or parts of vehicles, e.g. parking covers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
Abstract
A protective cover 2 for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle 1 comprises a rigid body formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle. The body is provided with mounting means for securing the cover upon the vehicle. When mounted upon the vehicle the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person. The cover reduces the risk of a vehicle with a collapsible roof being broken into via the roof, which is usually formed from a soft material. <IMAGE>
Description
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Improvements in or relating to a protective cover.
THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a protective cover and more particularly to a protective cover for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle.
Many saloon type motor vehicles are now available with a collapsible or "soft top" roof. The collapsible roof of such a vehicle usually comprises a supporting frame upon wnich a relatively soft, foldable material such as a plastics or a weatherproof fabric material is carried. The frame is movable such that the car may be converted between an "open top" car and "closed top" car. In fine weather the car may be driven in the open top mode with the roof in the collapsed condition.
However, at night or when the car is left unattended or during wet weather it is necessary to extend the roof such that the car has a closed top.
Since collapsible roofs of the above type are generally formed of a soft material, such vehicles are particularly susceptible to being broken into, since a thief simply has to cut a hole in the fabric of the roof material in order to gain access to the interior of the vehicle. In addition, there has recently been a marked increase in cases-of vandalism to vehicles where collapsible roofs formed from a soft material have been cut. Quite apart from the loss resulting from any items which may be stolen from within the vehicle, it is very expensive to have to replace or repair the damaged roof.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems.
According to the present invention there is provided a protective cover for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle, the body being provided with mounting means for securing the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person.
Preferably the mounting means comprise means located adjacent a front edge of the cover to engage the roof of the vehicle and means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover to engage part of the body of the vehicle.
The invention also provides a protective cover for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body having a substantially planar upper surface to extend over the top of the roof, a sloping rear wall defining an aperture which is designed to be aligned with the rear windscreen of the vehicle and side portions to cover side regions of the roof, the cover being provided with means adjacent a front edge of the upper surface to engage the roof of the vehicle and means adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall to engage part of the body of the vehicle, said means serving to mount the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person.
Conveniently the mounting means located adjacent a front edge of the cover comprise at least one claw-like bracket, the or each bracket being engageable with the front edge of the roof of the vehicle.
Advantageously the mounting means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover comprise a member adapted to extend from the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle when the cover is mounted upon the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the portion of the member which extends into the boot of the vehicle cannot be removed therefrom without opening the boot of the vehicle.
Preferably the member is in the form of a cranked locking bar, one end of the bar extending through an aperture adjacent the rearmost edge of the cover, the other end of the bar extending into the boot of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that when the boot of the vehicle is closed the locking bar is retained in position such that the cover cannot be removed from the vehicle.
Alternatively the member may be in the form of a resilient strap-like member which extends from a position adjacent the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle where the member is securable to an anchorage point.
This invention further provides a protective cover in combination with a vehicle having a collapsible roof, the protective cover being adapted for mounting over the roof of the vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle, the body being provided with mounting means for securing the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person.
The mounting means may additionally comprise clips located on the sides of'the vehicle to engage side portions of the cover.
Preferably a forwardmost edge of the cover is formed with an inwardly directed lip.
Conveniently a forwardmost edge of the cover is provided with a resilient sealing strip adapted to engage an adjacent part of the vehicle when the cover is mounted thereon in order to prevent wind from entering beneath the cover via the forwardmost edge thereof.
Advantageously the underside of the cover is provided with a relatively soft lining.
The lining may be formed of a foamed material.
The cover may be integrally formed from a fibre glass material.
In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a cover in accordance with the present invention when mounted upon a vehicle;
FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view of the cover of
Figure 1 when mounted upon a vehicle;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, partly cut-away view illustrating a mounting bracket and internal structure of the cover;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through the mounting bracket of Figure 3;
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view illustrating a locking arrangement at the rear of the cover; and
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a bracket for receiving the side of the cover.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, a vehicle 1 has a collapsible roof movable between an extended position, and a folded down condition whereupon the vehicle becomes an open top vehicle. The vehicle 1 is provided with a protective cover 2 designed to be mounted upon the vehicle so as to extend over the roof and prevent access to the roof by an unauthorised person.
The cover 2 is an integrally formed, substantially rigid fibre glass component. The cover 2 is formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle 1, when the roof is in the extended position. Thus, the cover 2 has a substantially planar upper surface 3, a sloping rear wall 4 which defines an aperture 5 which is aligned with the rear windscreen of the vehicle when mounted upon the vehicle and a pair of side walls 6 which extend from the rear wall 4 along the side of the vehicle before the main part of the side wall terminates at a position aligned with the rearmost edge of the side windows of the vehicle, the uppermost part of each side wall 7 extending above the side windows to the front of the cover. Thus, the periphery of the cover extends across the upper edge of the front windscreen of the vehicle, rearwardly along the sides of the vehicle adjacent the upper edge of the side windows then downwardly adjacent the rearmost edge of the side windows before again extending rearwardly at the lower edge of the side walls 6 and then across the vehicle at the lower edge of the rear wall 4 which is disposed adjacent the junction between the boot of the vehicle and the rear windscreen.
The cover 2 is mounted upon the vehicle by means of a pair of claw-like brackets 7 disposed adjacent the front edge of the upper surface 3 of the cover and a locking arrangement 8 disposed adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall 4. Each of the brackets 7 has a portion encased between the layers of fibre glass material from which the cover 2 is formed and a portion projecting downwardly adjacent the front edge of the upper surface 3 of the cover, this portion defining a generally U-shaped channel within which the front edge- of the collapsible roof 9 of the vehicle may be received (see Figure 4). The brackets may alternatively be riveted to the fibre glass material of the cover 3. The brackets may be mounted on the underside of the cover as shown in Figure 4 rather than being encased within the material of the cover.
A pair of brackets 7 are provided at positions approximately equally spaced from the side edges of the cover. The locking arrangement 8 provided at the rear of the cover is shown most clearly in Figure 5 and comprises an aperture 10 formed at a central position adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall 4, the aperture 10 being dimensioned to receive one end of a cranked locking bar 11. It is envisaged that the locking bar 11 will consists of a rubber or plastics coated steel bar which is cranked or of stepped configuration such that in side view the bar has a generally horizontal lower portion connected to an inclined upwardly extending portion which in turn is connected to a generally
L-shaped upper portion.The bar 11 is designed such that the upper, L-shaped portion may be inserted through the aperture 10 at the bottom of the rear wall 4, with the lower portion of the bar extending into the boot of the vehicle through the gap which exists at the edge of the boot adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall 4 of the cover.
Clips 12 are provided for attachment to the side of the vehicle, such that a portion of the clip will engage the lower edge of a side wall 6 of the cover 2 in order to hold the cover firmly against the roof of the vehicle. Figure 6 illustrates one such clip.
The underside of the cover is provided with a spray foam coating 13 which engages the roof when the cover 2 is mounted upon the vehicle and prevents any risk of damage to the roof by the rigid material of the cover 2. In addition the spray foam coating 13 serves to occlude any gap which may exist between the roof and the underside of the cover 2, thereby preventing wind from gaining access beneath the cover. This helps to reduce any noise which would otherwise be generated by the wind entering between the roof and the cover. The front edge of the upper surface 3 of the cover is formed with an inwardly directed lip 14, the lip 14 carrying an elongate sealing strip 15 as shown in Figure 4. The sealing strip also serves to prevent wind from entering between the roof and the cover.
In order to mount the cover upon a vehicle, the cover is located over the roof and manoeuvred such that the front edge of the roof is received within the claw-like brackets 7. The lower edges of the side walls 6 are automatically received in the clips 12 which are mounted upon the side of the vehicle. The upper, L-shaped portion of the locking bar 11 may be passed through the aperture 10 adjacent the bottom of the rear wall 4 and, with the boot of the vehicle open, the lower portion of the locking bar may be passed through the joint between the boot and the surrounding part of the vehicle body such that the lower, horizontal portion of the bar is trapped within the boot once the boot lid had been closed.
It will be appreciated that once the cover has been mounted in position in the above described manner the cover cannot be removed without first opening the boot of the vehicle in order to remove the locking bar 11. Thus the cover cannot be removed by an unauthorised person. It will also be appreciated that when the cover is mounted upon the vehicle in the above described manner the sealing strip 11, which may be a rubber strip, will be compressed against the frame part of the vehicle body which surrounds the front windscreen. Thus, a seal is formed along the front edge of the cover which prevents wind from entering beneath the cover when the vehicle is being driven, which might otherwise lead to a risk of the cover being lifted away from the roof of the vehicle.
Since the cover is of the same general shape as the roof of the vehicle it does not impair the appearance of the vehicle to any substantial degree.
When mounted upon the vehicle the cover prevents access to the roof and thus overcomes the problem of the roof being cut by a thief to gain access to. the interior of the vehicle. The cover also prevents the roof from being cut or slashed by vandals.
It will be appreciated that the mounting of the cover upon the vehicle and removal of the cover therefrom is a simple procedure which does not require the use of any tools. Forming the cover of a lightweight material also aids the mounting and removal of the cover upon a vehicle.
It will be appreciated that covers can be provided to fit any design of car. It may, however, prove necessary-to modify the mounting means in order to fit the particular design of car for which the cover is intended. Thus, for example, as an alternative to providing the locking bar 11 at the rear of the cover a resilient strap like member may be provided which extends from a position adjacent to the lower edge of the rear wall 4 of the cover into the boot of the vehicle where it is removably attached to an anchoring point or to a member which cannot pass through the joint between the edge of the boot and the surrounding bodywork of the vehicle.
It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the above-described design of cover without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (22)
1. A protective cover for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle, the body being provided with mounting means for securing the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person.
2. A cover according to Claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprise means located adjacent a front edge of the cover to engage the roof of the vehicle and means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover to engage part of the body of the vehicle.
3. A protective cover for mounting over a collapsible roof of a motor vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body having a substantially planar upper surface to extend over the top of the roof, a sloping rear wall defining an aperture which is designed to be aligned with the rear windscreen of the vehicle and side portions to cover side regions of the roof, the cover being provided with means adjacent a front edge of the upper surface to engage the roof of the vehicle and means adjacent the lower edge of the rear wall to engage part of the body of the vehicle, said means serving to mount the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle and can only be removed by an authorised person.
4. A cover according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the mounting means located adjacent a front edge of the cover comprise at least one claw-like bracket, the or each bracket being engageable with the front edge of the roof of the vehicle.
5. A cover according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the mounting means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover comprise a member adapted to extend from the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle when the cover is mounted -upon the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the portion of the member which extends into the boot of the vehicle cannot be removed therefrom without opening the boot of the vehicle.
6. A cover according to Claim 5 wherein the member is in the form of a cranked locking bar, one end of the bar extending through an aperture adjacent the rearmost edge of the cover, the other end of the bar extending into the boot of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that when the boot of the vehicle is closed the locking bar is retained in position such that the cover cannot be removed from the vehicle.
7. A cover according to Claim 5 wherein the member is in the form of a resilient strap-like member which extends from a position adjacent the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle where the member is securable to an anchorage point.
8. A protective cover in combination with a vehicle having a collapsible roof, the protective cover being adapted for mounting over the roof of the vehicle, the cover comprising a substantially rigid body formed to the general shape of the roof of the vehicle, the body being provided with mounting means for securing the cover upon the vehicle such that the cover prevents access to the roof of the vehicle -and can only be removed by an authorised person.
9. A cover according to Claim 8 wherein the mounting means comprise means located adjacent a front edge of the cover to engage the roof of the vehicle and means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover to engage part of the body of the vehicle.
10. A cover according to Claim 9 wherein the mounting means located adjacent a front edge of the cover comprise at least one claw-like bracket, the or each bracket being engageable with the front edge of the roof of the vehicle.
11. A cover according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the mounting means located adjacent a rear edge of the cover comprise a member adapted to extend from the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle when the cover is mounted upon the vehicle, the arrangement being such that the portion of the member which extends into the boot of the vehicle cannot be removed therefrom without opening the boot of the vehicle.
12. A cover according to Claim 11 wherein the member is in the form of a cranked locking bar, one end of the bar extending through an aperture adjacent the rearmost edge of the cover, the other end of the bar extending into the boot of the vehicle, the arrangement being such that when the boot of the vehicle is closed the locking bar is retained in position such that the cover cannot be removed from the vehicle.
13. A cover according to Claim 11 wherein the member is in the form of a resilient strap-like member which extends from a position adjacent the rear edge of the cover into the boot of the vehicle where the member is securable to an anchorage point.
14. A coyer according to any one of Claims 8 to 13 wherein the mounting means additionally comprise clips located on the sides of the vehicle to engage side portions of the cover.
15. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a forwardmost edge of the cover is formed with an inwardly directed lip.
16. A cover according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein a forwardmost edge of the cover is provided with a resilient sealing strip adapted to engage an adjacent part of the vehicle when the cover is mounted thereon in order to prevent wind from entering beneath the cover via the forwardmost edge thereof.
17. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the underside of the cover is provided with a relatively soft lining.
18. A cover according to Claim 17 wherein the lining is formed of a foamed material.
19. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is integrally formed from a fibre glass material.
20. A protective cover substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
21. A protective cover in combination with a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying drawings.
22. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905958A GB2229152A (en) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-03-15 | Protective cover for vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905958A GB2229152A (en) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-03-15 | Protective cover for vehicles |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8905958D0 GB8905958D0 (en) | 1989-04-26 |
| GB2229152A true GB2229152A (en) | 1990-09-19 |
Family
ID=10653378
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8905958A Withdrawn GB2229152A (en) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-03-15 | Protective cover for vehicles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2229152A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7819461B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2010-10-26 | Wilhelm Karmann Gmbh | Convertible top with trim covered panels |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3910330A (en) * | 1974-02-04 | 1975-10-07 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Portable vinyl auto top cover |
-
1989
- 1989-03-15 GB GB8905958A patent/GB2229152A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3910330A (en) * | 1974-02-04 | 1975-10-07 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Portable vinyl auto top cover |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7819461B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2010-10-26 | Wilhelm Karmann Gmbh | Convertible top with trim covered panels |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8905958D0 (en) | 1989-04-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |