Tire tray

Abstract

A tire tray is provided for catching excess detailing compound applied to a sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face contacting a working surface and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprises a body that is positionable on the working surface about the contact area. The body defines a cut-out of a size sufficient to extend about the contact area, the body also has a length that extends beyond the tread face and a width that extends beyond the sidewall, and the body further has a catch surface that is positioned opposite the working surface and catches the excess detailing compound. The length of the body may be adjustable.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/563,568 filed Apr. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle tire detailing accessories. More particularly, this invention relates to a tire tray for use in vehicle tire detailing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many automobile owners prefer the lustrous wet new tire look. Over time, however, the lustre fades and simple scrubbing or cleaning does not restore it. In recent years, a wide assortment of tire detailing products has been developed and marketed to those owners wishing to restore the shine to their automobile tires. The demand for such products has been overwhelming. In 2003, the automobile appearance products industry represented an over $500 million market in the US alone.

Several of the tire detailing products are sold in a liquid form, which is sprayed on the tire's sidewall directly. Overspray and dripping is a common problem associated with any spray-on application. This problem is a concern, particularly with tire detailing products, which are often oil-based. The excess detailing compound can stain, sometimes permanently, the surface on which the vehicle is parked. The excess detailing compound might also create a slip hazard. Any run-off of many detailing compounds that enters local water systems may also pose a potential environmental hazard.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above presented disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tire tray is provided for catching excess detailing compound applied to a sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face contacting a working surface and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprises a body that is positionable on the working surface about the contact area. The body defines a cut-out of a size sufficient to extend about the contact area, the body also has a length that extends beyond the tread face and a width that extends beyond the sidewall, and the body further has a catch surface that is positioned opposite the working surface and catches the excess detailing compound.

The tire tray body may comprise a ridge that extends about the body's perimeter.

The length of the body may be adjustable.

The catch surface of the body may comprise an absorbent layer for absorbing the excess detailing compound.

The cut-out may comprise a recess located along a side of the body, which extends about at least three sides of the contact area.

The perimeter of the cut-out may include a bevelled lip.

LIST OF FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is schematic plan view of the tire tray of FIG. 1 illustrating a tire contact area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the tire tray of FIG. 1 illustrating a tire positioned within a cut out according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5(a) is a cross-section view illustrating a cut out portion of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cut out portion of an apparatus according to an embodiment of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a tire tray according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tire tray illustrating an absorbent layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tire tray illustrating a drain channel and reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tire tray illustrating a drain channel and reservoir according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tire tray according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tire tray of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tire tray according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the cut out portion of the tire tray of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 a tire tray 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

The tire tray 10 is configured to catch excess detailing compound applied to the sidewall 20 of a tire 22, which is in an upright position. The tire 22 has a tread face 24, which contacts a working surface 26 and defines a contact area 28.

The contact area 28 is defined by a fore tread side 30, which is formed by the tread face 24 portion of the tire 22 that faces the front of the vehicle when the tire 22 is installed; an aft tread side 32, which is formed by the tread face 24 portion of the tire 22 that faces the rear of the vehicle when the tire 22 is installed; an exterior sidewall side 34, which is formed by the sidewall 20 of the tire 22 that faces away from the vehicle when the tire 22 is installed; and, an interior sidewall side 36, which is formed by the sidewall 20 of the tire 22 that faces the vehicle when the tire 22 is installed.

The tire tray 10 comprises a body 41 that is positionable on the working surface 26 about the contact area 28. The body 41 defines a cut out 43, the size of which is sufficient to extend about the contact area 28. The body 41 has a length that extends beyond the tread face 24 and a width that extends beyond the sidewall 20. Also, the body 41 has a catch surface 45, opposite the working surface 26, which catches the excess applied detailing compound.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the cut out 43 is located within the perimeter of the body 41, preferably a center position. Accordingly, the tire 22 may be rolled over the body 41 and positioned within the cut out 43 at which point the detailing compound may be applied to the sidewall 20. In this embodiment, the tire 22 may be either removed from the vehicle or installed, in which case the vehicle is directed to a position where the tire 22 is located within the cut out 43.

Referring to FIG. 4 an alternate embodiment of the tray 10 is illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, the cut out 43 comprises a recess along a side of the body 41. The recessed cut out 43 extends about at least three sides of the contact area 28, preferably the exterior sidewall side 34, the fore tread side 30 and the aft tread side 32. If, however, one wishes to apply the detailing compound to the interior sidewall of the tire 22, then the recessed cut out 43 extends about at least the interior sidewall side 36, the fore tread side 30 and the aft tread side 32.

The cut out 43 includes a first tread edge 47 that is located immediately adjacent one of the fore tread side 30 and aft tread side 32 of the contact area 28 when the cut out 43 is positioned about the contact area 28. The cut out 43 also includes a second tread edge 49, which is positioned opposite the first tread edge 47. The second tread edge 49 is located immediately adjacent the other of the fore tread side 30 and the aft tread side 32 of the contact area 28 when the cut out 43 is positioned about the contact area 28. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second tread edges (47, 49) contact the tread face 24 of the tire 22, thereby reducing the likelihood that excess detailing compound will come into contact with the working surface 26.

Referring to FIG. 5(a) the tread edges 47 and 49 may include a bevelled lip 53, which fits snugly against the tire tread face 24. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the bevelled lip 53 is 45°. Alternately, referring to FIG. 5(b) the tread edges 47 and 49 may include a rimmed lip 55, which abuts the tire tread face 24 and forms a barrier that prevents the excess detailing compound from spilling on to the working surface 26.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cut out 43 further includes a sidewall edge 51, which is positioned adjacent one of the exterior and interior sidewall sides 34 and 36. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall edge 51 does not contact the sidewall (34 or 36), but rather contacts the sidewall edge 38 of the tread face 24 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The tire tray 10 may further comprise a perimeter lip or ridge 57 that extends about the perimeter of the body 41. The lip 57 extends beyond the catch face 45 and provides a barrier to prevent the excess detailing compound from spilling on the working surface 26. In an alternate embodiment, the lip 57 also extends about the perimeter of the cut out 43.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment, the tray 10 includes overlapping tray halves 59 and 61, which when in an assembled configuration are moveable relative to each other. Each tray half 59 and 61 may be configured with guide means 63, which permit guided relative movement of the halves 59 and 61. The guide means 63 may be a groove and a corresponding projection or tongue. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any guide means that permits guided relative movement of the halves 59 and 61 may be employed.

Referring to FIG. 6, the tray body 41 includes at least one handle 75. In a preferred embodiment, each of the tray halves (59,61) include respective handles 75 positioned opposite each other, thereby permitting their use to adjust the length of the body 41. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the handles 75 may be positioned anywhere on the body 41 where they can be used to adjust the length of the body 41. The handles 75 may be integrally formed. In an alternate embodiment, the handles 75 are connected to the body 41.

Each tray half (59, 61) includes complimentary cut out portions 65 and 67, which includes one of the first and second tread edges 47 and 49, and complementary portions of the sidewall edge 51. The cut out portions 65 and 67 of the tray halves 59 and 61, when in the assembled configuration, form the cut out 43. Accordingly, as the halves 59 and 61 move relative to each other, the size of the cut out 43 varies or is adjustable to accommodate tires having contact areas 28 of varying sizes. Also, the tray length also varies or is adjustable in order to accommodate tires of varying diameters.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a preferred embodiment, the catch surface 45 includes an absorbent layer 69 for absorbing the excess detailing compound. The absorbent layer 69 may be comprised of a heavy weight absorbent rubber material that is capable of absorbing water, oils, coolants and solvents. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 is comprised of a plurality of bonded layers. The plurality of bonded layers may be thermally bonded. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any means for bonding a plurality of layers that does not affect absorbent properties of the absorbent layer 69 adversely may be employed. In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 is comprised of a porous material, such as an absorbent foam, that is capable of absorbing excess detailing compound. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any porous layer capable of absorbing excess detailing compound may be employed.

The absorbent layer 69 may form an integral element of the catch surface 45. In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 may be removeably positionable on the catch surface 45. For example, the absorbent layer 69 may be a separate layer that is disposable after a single use, or the layer 69 may be removed and cleaned after a number of uses.

Referring to FIG. 8, the catch surface 45 may further include a drain channel 71 for collecting and directing the excess detailing compound and a reservoir 73, which is in fluid communication with the channel 71. The reservoir 73 receives and holds the channelled excess detailing compound for later disposal or re-use.

Referring to FIG. 9, the drain channel 71 may comprise a series of parallel drain channels that collect and guide the excess detailing compound to the reservoir 73. In order to aid collecting and directing, the catch surface 45 may be sloped, thereby allowing the excess detailing compound to move to the reservoir 73 under force of gravity.

Referring to FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Edges 47, 49 and 51 of cut out 43 are bevelled. Also, the corners of the cut out 43 are rounded, giving the cut out 43 a U-shape. The comers are rounded to a degree sufficient to permit a snug fit about the tire 22, in particular, about the portion of the tire 22 where the tread face 24 and the sidewall 20 meet. The bevelled edges 47, 49 and 51 and the rounded bevelled corners are configured to accommodate variations in tire shapes.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exploded view of the tire tray 10 of FIG. 10 is illustrated. The tray half 59 includes a bevelled tread edge 47 and a partially bevelled sidewall edge 51. The tray half 61 includes a bevelled tread edge 49 and a bevelled sidewall edge 51. When placed in an overlapping configuration, the halves 59 and 61 form the cut out 43 which has bevelled edges 47, 49 and 51, and rounded corners.

Referring to FIG. 11, the reservoir 73 tapers to a reservoir point 77 to form a well for the excess detailing compound. The portion of the point 77 that is opposite the reservoir 73 and faces the working surface 26 also acts as a support point for the tray 10. The depths of the reservoir 73 for each of the halves 59 and 61 are selected such that the respective points 77 that are formed provide an identical height for the tray halves 59 and 61. For example, if tray half 59 is positioned over tray half 61 when the tray 10 is in an assembled configuration, then the depth of the reservoir 73, and as such point 77, for tray half 59 would be deeper by an amount equal to the height offset of halves 59 and 61, thereby ensuring that the catch surface 45 is at the same height across the whole of the tire tray 10. In an alternate embodiment, the depth of the reservoir 73 for both halves 59 and 61 are selected such that the tire tray 10 catch surface 45 slopes downwardly in the direction of the reservoir 73, thereby allowing the force of gravity to aid the flow of excess detailing compound from the catch surface 45 to the reservoir 73.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 a further alternate embodiment of the tire tray 10 is illustrated. The bevelled edges 47 and 49 include additional respective bevelled grooves 79, which are configured to catch and hold any excess detailing compound that is not captured by the rest of the catch surface 45; e.g., excess detailing compound is deposited on the tread face 24 of the tire 22.

The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.

Claims

1. A tire tray for catching excess detailing compound applied to a sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face contacting a working surface and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprising:

a body positionable on the working surface about the contact area, the body defining a cut-out of a size sufficient to extend about the contact area;

the body having a length extending beyond the tread face and a width extending beyond the sidewall; and,

the body further having a catch surface opposite the working surface for catching excess detailing compound.

2. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a ridge extending about its perimeter.

3. A tire tray according to claim 2, wherein the cut-out comprises a ridge extending about its perimeter.

4. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises overlapping tray halves, registrable with each other, which when in an assembled configuration are moveable relative to each other.

5. A tire tray according to claim 4, wherein the tray halves are configured with complementary guide means for permitting guided relative movement of the halves.

6. A tire tray according to claim 5, wherein the guide means comprise a groove positioned on one half and a corresponding projection on the other half.

7. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a handle.

8. A tire tray according to claim 4, wherein the each tray half comprises a respective handle positioned on its respective half, which when in an assembled configuration, permit relative movement of the tray halves.

9. A tire tray according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the handle is integrally formed.

10. A tire tray according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the handle is connected to the body.

11. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the length of the body is adjustable.

12. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the catch surface includes an absorbent layer for absorbing the excess detailing compound.

13. A tire tray according to claim 12, wherein the absorbent layer is comprised of a plurality of bonded layers.

14. A tire tray according to claim 12, wherein the absorbent layer is comprised of a porous material.

15. A tire tray according to claim 12, wherein the absorbent layer is integrally formed.

16. A tire tray according to claim 12, wherein the absorbent layer is removeably positionable on the catch surface.

17. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the catch surface comprises a drain channel for collecting and directing the excess detailing compound and a reservoir communicating with the channel for receiving and holding the channelled compound.

18. A tire tray according to claim 17, wherein the drain channel comprises a series of drain channels.

19. A tire tray according to claim 17, wherein the catch surface is sloped in the direction of the reservoir.

20. A tire tray according to claim 17, wherein the reservoir tapers to a reservoir point to form a well for excess detailing compound.

21. A tire tray according to claim 1, wherein the cut out comprises:

a first tread edge positionable adjacent a fore tire tread side;

a second tread edge positionable adjacent an aft tire tread side; and,

a sidewall edge positionable adjacent a sidewall side.

22. A tire tray according to claim 21, wherein the first and second tread edges are bevelled and configured to fit snugly against the tire tread face.

23. A tire tray according to claim 21, wherein the first and second tread edges comprise a rimmed lip configured to abut the tire tread face.

24. A tire tray according to claim 22, wherein the bevelled edges comprise respective bevelled grooves, which are configured to catch excess detailing compound.

25. A tire tray according to claims 4 and 21, wherein each tray half comprises a complementary cut-out portion having one of the first and second tread edges, and a complementary portion of the sidewall edge, which when in an assembled configuration form the cut-out.