Personal mobility vehicle cover

Abstract

A protective cover for a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) for use when the PMV is stored on ground or on a platform left attached to a vehicle. Only two mating flexible flat side panels form the cover. The arcuate mating upper margins are connected together by weather stitching, the lower margins being unconnected for cover installation over the PMV and preferably include a casing and a drawstring for tightening the lower margins beneath the PMV. The weather stitching is formed by multiple closely spaced lines of stitching through an inward seam allowance. The arcuate upper margins may be semi-circular, ellipse-like in shape, or similar to a side elevation profile of the PMV. The panels are preferably formed having a weather resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer. The cover has a cover length and a cover height preferably established by formulas related to PMV profile sizes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to protective covers and more particularly to a flexible weather-resistant protective cover for personal mobility vehicles, (hereinafter referred to as a “PMV”).

2. Description of Related Art

PMVs are well known and are readily available for virtually all physically impaired individuals who find ambulation difficult at best, and impossible in worst-case scenarios. These physically impaired typically rely upon battery powered four-wheeled PMVs and three-wheeled PMVs sometimes referred to as “scooter trikes” or “power scooters”.

The user of a PMV may become so reliant upon it that there becomes a need to carry the PMV when traveling and when stored outside. Lift platforms attached to the rear of a vehicle, typically to a trailer hitch, are utilized for this transportation function wherein the PMV is placed atop a platform held above the ground at the back of the vehicle and, when needed, the lift platform either lowers or tilts to allow for motorized deployment or loading of the PMV thereatop after use.

During travel, inclement weather will take its toll on the PMV, as will the UV component of sunlight. Therefore, an investment in such a PMV of several thousands of dollars deserves adequate protection from the elements. Covers in the form of rigid or semi-rigid plastic or metallic material have been utilized in the past. These rigid covers tend to be oversized to accommodate a wide range of sizes of PMVs for universality. Flexible covers, also known in prior art, are typically formed of several rectangular panels, including a central band or panel and side panels to facilitate lateral expansion of the sides of the cover as these PMVs are typically in the range of 20″ to 30″ in width.

The present invention provides a generally universal configuration of a flexible weather resistant cover which is formed of only two side panels with a weather resistant seam running across the arcuately configured top surface of the invention. By properly selecting the height and length of each of the substantially identical side panels, virtually all sizes of PMVs may be accommodated for protective encasement thereof.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a protective cover for a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) for use when the PMV is stored on the ground or on a lift platform attached to a vehicle. Only two mating flexible flat side panels form the cover. The arcuate mating upper margins are connected together by weather stitching, the lower margins being unconnected for cover installation over the PMV and preferably include a casing and a drawstring for tightening the lower margins beneath the PMV. The weather stitching is formed by multiple closely spaced lines of stitching through an inward seam allowance. The arcuate upper margins may be semi-circular, ellipse-like in shape, or similar to a side elevation profile of the PMV. The panels are preferably formed having a weather resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer. The cover has a cover length and a cover height preferably established by formulas related to PMV profile sizes.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a flexible weather resistant protective cover for a PMV when stored either atop a rear lift platform attached to a vehicle or stored on a flat surface.

It is another object of this invention to provide an economically manufactured cover for a PMV which will accommodate virtually all sizes of PMVs.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a multi-layer cover for a PMV preferably formed of two substantially identical side panels and stitched together with a weather resistant leak resistant top seam which adds both strength and water resistance to the cover and its protective features.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a PMV cover formed of double-layer sheet material having a weather-resistant outer layer and a scratch-free inner layer.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view of the invention showing alternate arcuate upper profiles in phantom.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the invention in its flattened configuration and in its open configuration shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of area C of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 with the cover in its open expanded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the invention in place over a PMV which is supported atop a lift platform attached to the rear of a vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the invention protectively deployed atop a PMV resting atop the ground.

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9a and 9b are top plan views of two different configurations of PMVs showing the method of determining the cover length (CL) of the protective cover for each of these PMVs.

FIG. 9c is a rear elevation view of a PMV showing the method of determining the cover height (CH) of the protective cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4, the preferred embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral 10 and is formed of only two mating substantially identical panels 12 and 14 which are seemed together along an upper seam 16 having the arcuate configuration of the mating upper margins of each of the panels 12 and 14. The straight lower margins of each of these panels 12 and 14 are formed having casings 18 and 20 which slidably support an elongated drawstring 26, the ends of which are shown at 26a and 26b, extending through substantially all of the casings 18 and 20.

The preferred material utilized for each of the flexible panels 12 and 14 is multi-layered as best seen in FIG. 4. The outer layer 30 is formed of a weather and water resistant vinyl material, while the inner layer 32 is formed of felt-like material to prevent abrasion to the painted or fiberglass surfaces of the PMV when the cover is put in place or removed, and during tow vehicle movement causing wind to blow and buffet against the exterior surface of the cover 10. The preferred multilayer panel material is available from Reliatex, Inc. of Tampa, Fla. under the trade designation felt-backed vinyl.

In FIG. 1, the overall finished length of the cover 10 is shown generally at CL while the overall finished height of the cover 10 is generally shown at CH. The standard arcuate configuration of the upper margins of each of the mating sewn together flexible panels 12 and 14 is in the form of a uniform radius also shown at CH. However, to accommodate the side elevation profiles of unique PMVs as will be described herebelow, the arcuate configuration may be laterally expanded at 16′ or at 16″ or both into an oval-like profile to accommodate those unique PMV side elevation profiles.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower straight unconnected margins of each of the side panels 12 and 14 includes a casing 18 and 20, respectively, stitched together along stitching lines 22 and 24, respectively, housing an elongated drawstring 26 to tighten the lower margins of the cover 10 around the lower margins of the PMV or, as will be described herebelow, around the edges of a support platform P of a lift platform attached to the rear of a vehicle.

The unobvious expandability nature of the invention 10 which is formed of only two substantially identical panels 12 and 14 as previously described, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. From the flattened position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the flexible panels 12 and 14 are expanded laterally into the general configuration shown in phantom in FIG. 2 and in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1. By adjusting the overall length (CL) and height (CH) of each of the panels 12 and 14, as will be described herebelow, the complete protective enclosure of virtually any PMV is accommodated and without excess material despite the fact that there is no expandable rectangular center panel to this invention.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, another important aspect of the invention is there shown. Typically, conventional stitch seaming between panels does not render the seam water resistant. Therefore, leakage may occur which can stain or damage the article beneath such a protective covering. To accomplish a substantially watertight seam along 16, a total of four separate closely spaced stitching lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 are utilized for this purpose and will now be described with respect to the process of their implementation.

Initially, the flexible panels 12 and 14 are laid back to back atop a flat surface with the outer vinyl surfaces 30 facing one another, and then the first seam 22 is stitched into place in inside-out pillowcase fashion. This initial stitching along 22 forms a seam allowance formed of arcuate edge portions 12a and 14a which typically measure about 1″ in width. Thereafter, a second stitching seam at 24 is installed along the entire arcuate seam 16 for added strength. Then, the now sewn together panels are reversed from the inside out orientation, one of the panels (12 or 14) is folded over against itself along fold line 14b and two additional closely spaced stitching lines are sewn at 26 and 28 through the three layers, the seam allowances 12a, 14a and 14 so that, when the cover 10 is expanded in the in-use configuration as shown typically in FIG. 4, the visible seam 16 is secured from water intrusion by no less than four stitching lines 22, 24, 26 and 28 along the interface surface 16a to insure weather tightness of this junction. Note that it is preferred to use a double needle machine to install stitches 24 and 26 simultaneously.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, after the PMV (shown in phantom) has been positioned atop the platform P of the lift L which is attached at the back of the tow vehicle by conventional trailer hitch T, the cover 10 is then deployed over the PMV and the drawstrings within casings 18 and 20 are tightened and tied together at 40 to secure this arrangement in place around the lower margins of platform P. As seen in FIG. 6, the seat back SB will typically be tipped inwardly to reduce the necessary overall size of the cover 10 as previously described.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover 10 may also be utilized to cover the PMV when it rests atop the ground or on a garage surface when not in use. Again, the drawstrings 26a and 26b may be tied together within casings 18 and 20 to secure this arrangement from weather and wind and to substantially protect the PMV therewithin.

Dimensional Formulas

Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C, the important dimensional aspects of the cover 10 are there described. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, a four-wheeled PMV is shown in top plan view in FIG. 9A and a three-wheeled PMV is shown in top plan view in FIG. 9B. The minimum actual length AL₁ required of the cover 10 of each of the panels 12 and 14 is shown in phantom. In relation to the length L₁ and the width W₁ of the PMV, a formula utilizing these overall dimensions may be developed. With respect to FIG. 9A, the cover length CL may be defined as being equal to L plus W. When actually comparing the dimension L₁ plus W₁, the ratio of (L₁ plus W₁) to the actual length AL₁ is equal to 1.09. That is to say that, if the cover length CL is established at (L₁ plus W₁), there will be a 9% looseness factor (LF) of the cover length CL, the CL being 9% larger than the actual length AL₁ of the PMV top plan view profile of FIG. 9A.

However, it is typically desired that the looseness factor LF be somewhat larger for easier deployment and removal and, therefore, in this instance, a looseness factor of an additional 10% added to the overall length to establish the preferred cover length CL is utilized. This renders the net looseness factor LF to be about 20% so that the cover length CL will be approximately 120% of the actual length AL₁.

In FIG. 9B, the three-wheeled PMV has the cover length calculated to be again the length plus width (L plus W). This calculated cover length (L plus W) is larger than the actual length AL₂ by a factor of approximately 16% as determined by actual measurement so that, if the cover length CL is established at (L₂ plus W₂), the cover length CL will be 16% longer than the actual length AL₂. Again, by applying a preferred looseness factor of an additional 10%, the overall cover length CL with the looseness factor of approximately 26% produces a cover length with a looseness factor of 126% of AL₂, making the cover 10 itself very easy to deploy protectively over the PMV of FIG. 9B and then depending upon the drawstrings previously described to secure the lower straight margins of the cover 10 over the lower margins of the PMB or the platform P atop which it is supported.

In FIG. 9C, the height H plus the width W₃ of a typical three-wheeled PMV of FIG. 9B is there described. The actual height AH is shown in phantom and extends from the top center of the PMV to the hem 18 which typically will be tightened beneath the lower wheels or edges of the PMV. By applying the formula of (H plus ½ W₃) to establish the cover height CH as shown in FIG. 1, an actual looseness factor of only approximately 2% as compared to the actual height AH is established. Should an additional 10% looseness factor LF be desired, the overall looseness factor of 12% may be incorporated into the cover height CH for installation ease and certainty of full protective coverage of the PMV shown in FIG. 9C.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) comprising:

only two mating flexible flat side panels each having common arcuate upper margins and generally straight lower margins, said mating upper margins connected together by weather stitching, said lower margins being unconnected for cover installation over the PMV;

said lower margins including a casing and a drawstring therein for tightening said lower margins beneath the PMV;

said weather stitching formed by multiple closely spaced lines of stitching wherein an upwardly facing seam between said panels is substantially leak resistant.

2. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arcuate upper margins are semi-circular in shape.

3. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said arcuate upper margins are ellipse-like in shape.

4. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said upper margins are similar to a side elevation profile of the PMV.

5. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panels are formed having a weather-resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer.

6. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said cover has a cover length generally equal to a length plus a width of the PMV;

said cover has a height generally equal to a height plus one-half the width of the PMV.

7. A protective cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said cover has a length generally equal to half the length of a plan view profile of the PMV plus a looseness factor (LF);

said cover has a height generally equal to a length of an end elevation profile, top to bottom of one side of the PMV plus a looseness factor.

8. A protective cover as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said looseness factor is about 10%.

9. A protective cover for a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) comprising:

only two mating flexible flat side panels each having common arcuate upper margins and generally straight lower margins, said mating upper margins connected together by weather stitching, said lower margins being unconnected for cover installation over the PMV;

said weather stitching being formed by multiple closely spaced lines of stitching, one said line of stitching sewn through mating inward seam allowances of said panels and another said line of stitching sewn through the mating seam allowances and a second layer of one said panel doubled back against itself wherein an upwardly facing seam between said panels is substantially leak resistant;

said panels formed having a weather-resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer;

said cover having a length generally equal to half the length of a plan view profile of the PMV plus a looseness factor (LF);

said cover also having a height generally equal to a length of an end elevation profile, top to bottom, of one side of the PMV plus a looseness factor;

said looseness factor being about 10%.

10. A protective cover as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said arcuate upper margins are semi-circular in shape.

11. A protective cover as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said arcuate upper margins are ellipse-like in shape.

12. A protective cover as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said upper margins are similar to a side elevation profile of the PMV.

13. A protective cover as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said panels are formed having a weather-resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer.

14. A protective cover for a personal mobility vehicle (PMV) consisting of:

only two mating flexible flat side panels each having common arcuate upper margins and generally straight lower margins, said mating upper margins connected together by weather stitching, said lower margins being unconnected for cover installation over the PMV;

said lower margins including a casing and a drawstring therein for tightening said lower margins beneath the PMV;

said weather stitching being formed by multiple closely spaced lines of stitching, one said line of stitching sewn through mating inward seam allowances of said panels and another said line of stitching sewn through the mating seam allowances and a second layer of one said panel doubled back against itself wherein an upwardly facing seam between said panels is substantially leak resistant;

said panels formed having a weather-resistant outer layer and a felt-like substantially non-abrasive inner layer;

said cover having a length generally equal to half the length of a plan view profile of the PMV plus a looseness factor (LF);

said cover also having a height generally equal to a length of an end elevation profile, top to bottom, of one side of the PMV plus a looseness factor.