For Protecting The Vehicle Body Patents (Class 280/770)
  • Patent number: 6234498
    Abstract: A service cart comprises a box-shaped body formed of panels, and stores trays mounting tableware in the interior thereof. The side wall comprises a honeycomb panel 12 and a surface material 70, and on the rim portions thereof are mounted rim members 72. The rim member 72 is formed by joining together a first rim member element 73 and a second rim member element 74 being contacted to the outer side of the panel. When damaged, only the damaged second element 74 may be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Saku, Yutaka Oda
  • Patent number: 6210772
    Abstract: A protector for a front fender of a vehicle that includes a first layer of material for facing the front fender, a second layer of material attached to the first layer of material for facing away from the front fender, apparatus for maintaining the protector on the front fender, and an open topped transparent pocket disposed on the second layer of material for holding papers pertaining to the vehicle. The apparatus includes a pocket that is slender, elongated, and extends along the length of an upper terminal edge of the first layer of material for depending inwardly of the front fender of the vehicle. The pocket is divided into a long central portion, and a pair of short terminal portions that are shorter than and straddle the long central portion of the pocket. The long central portion is filled with sand for weight in maintaining the protector on the front fender, while the pair of short terminal portions are empty of the sand and lie flat for not catching on the hood hinges of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Frank Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6196587
    Abstract: The tow shield and underskirt device comprises a flexible deflecting member that is adapted to be attached to the towing vehicle and the vehicle in tow to protect both vehicles and the tow bar from road debris that is thrown by moving vehicles during travel. Tensioned elastic members on the forward and rearward edges of the deflecting member hold the respective edges adjacent to the rear of the towing vehicle and adjacent to the front of the towed vehicle. The longitudinal sides of the deflecting member are supported by additional elastic members which lengthen and shorten as the vehicles maneuver around corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Assembled Products Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Sage
  • Patent number: 6186564
    Abstract: A removable protector for protecting a side of a vehicle from dents and scratches caused by objects coming toward the side of the vehicle. The protector comprises a first strap with a first securement means, a second strap with a second securement means, an elongated member with a hollow passage, and a magnet attached to the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Timothy N. Ashcroft
  • Patent number: 6183580
    Abstract: A protective covering system for protecting the exterior of a vehicle including the paint surfaces and glass surface of the vehicle from damage from rocks, insects, road tar, and other debris while driving. The protective covering system includes a set of protective sheets with each protective sheet having front and back surfaces, and an outer perimeter. Each protective sheet is generally transparent to permit the passage of light therethrough between the front and back surfaces of the protective sheet. The back surface of each of the protective sheet is designed for attachment to an exterior surface of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventors: Larry B. Harrell, Eleanor P. Harrell
  • Patent number: 6161867
    Abstract: A skid bar is mountable on existing front tow hooks of a vehicle, for protecting an engine, transmission and/or engine accessories from severe road conditions. The skid bar includes an elongated lateral member and a pair of end plates fixed to opposing ends of the lateral member. The end plates correspond to and are engageable with the existing tow hooks of the vehicle. The underguard skid bar extends in front of and below an engine/transmission assembly for protecting the same when the vehicle is travelling on a road having severe obstacles such as road bumps or road gutters. Each end plate has a plurality of bolt holes corresponding to tow openings in the existing tow hooks, such that each end plate is securable to the existing tow hooks, by being bolted thereto, through the tow openings in the existing tow hooks. Furthermore, each of the end plates presents a tow opening in a forward portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6152487
    Abstract: A protective fender cover includes a main sheet form body having a top face, a bottom face, and a peripheral edge. Tape fasteners are provided for detachably securing additional sheet form bodies to at least one of the top face, the bottom face and the peripheral edge of the main body. This enables the protective fender cover to be configured as required by the addition of appropriate top layers, bottom layers or lateral extension sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Clint Raymond Crick
  • Patent number: 6129384
    Abstract: A bolt-on part, especially a front or rear bumper, of a motor vehicle, that can be exposed especially in its outer wall to impact energy and is mounted pointwise on a structural member of a motor vehicle, with the connection between the structural member and the bolt-on part consisting of pin-shaped fastening devices on one of the two parts to be connected and recesses in the other of the two parts, is intended to dissipate as much deformation energy as possible by coming loose from the structural member under the influence of an impact in the lengthwise direction of the bolt-on part. For this purpose, at least one of the recesses in each case is closed circumferentially and is located at the end furthest away in the direction of action from the point where the impact energy is applied. The other recesses are open circumferentially and are in the form of grooves inclined at less than .alpha.=90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventors: Carola Fischer, Juergen Kipar, Horst Kleiner, Andreas Otto, Josef Oravetz, Christian Lemm, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
  • Patent number: 6129408
    Abstract: A snowmobile cover with first and second receptacles for trapping water, snow, ice and dirt. The first receptacle is the cover as a whole wherein the cover forms a bowl like shape via an elastic cord housed in an endless sheath formed by and about the perimeter of the cover. As the cover is taken off the snowmobile, the cover is turned inside out, forming the bowl shape for containing the water, snow, ice and dirt. A second receptacle is a built in carrying bag for the receptacle. The cover (whether or not turned inside out) is rolled up into a bundle and the bundle is tucked inside of the bag for storage. If desired, water, snow, ice and dirt on the outside of the cover (or on the inside of the cover turned inside out) is also rolled up with the cover and retained within the built in bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Textile Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Michael J Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6120083
    Abstract: A shield device for a motorcycle windscreen which reduces reflected or refracted light from an unshielded windscreen to an operator, especially at night and aids in deflecting air and airborne road material without scratching or otherwise damaging the windscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: John Charles Gunther
  • Patent number: 6113142
    Abstract: A protective cover over the surface of machinery such as an automobile or airplane protects the vehicle from both rain and hail with dish shaped individual units fastened to a heavy cloth with the dish shaped individual units preventing direct impact and spreading the glancing impact so as to prevent damage from even large hailstones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony Tolbert
  • Patent number: 6095594
    Abstract: An exterior cladding attachment for a motor vehicle includes a main body portion and a plurality of carets integrally formed therewith which extend in an inboard direction. Each of the plurality of carets is adapted to engage an aperture provided in a body side panel of the motor vehicle and is formed to include a base portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion passes through the associated aperture and has a stop surface for retaining the caret therein. The base portion includes first and second spaced apart sides having a thickness adjacent to the main body portion which is approximately 25% or less than the nominal thickness of the main body portion. To further secure the main body portion to the motor vehicle, the cladding attachment includes an adhesive strip disposed adjacent horizontally extending adjacent a lower edge of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignees: Chrysler Corporation, Textron Automotive Company Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Riddle, Michael J. Marlow, Michael J. Bazydlo
  • Patent number: 6077576
    Abstract: A finishing trim for a rocker panel flange is manufactured from an elongated strip of material having a plurality of openings therein so as to enable it to be secured to the rocker panel flanges of a vehicle to provide both a decorative and protective covering thereto. The finishing trim may also include lights connected thereto, or incorporated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Michael J Osborn
  • Patent number: 6073964
    Abstract: A truck body protector system including a bracket secured to at least one side wall. The bracket includes a hinge formed of a plurality of hinge plates secured to the interior face of a side wall at spaced locations by screws and a plurality of rotatable hinge plates with a common hinge rod secured to the rotatable hinge plate for coupling the rotatable hinge plate to the fixed hinge plate and with an elongated support plate secured to the rotatable hinge plate by spaced screws at spaced locations along their common extents. The rotatable hinge plate and support plate are movable at a stowed orientation above the chamber and an operative position exterior of the truck bed and spaced from the side wall. The support face is formed in an L-shaped configuration with apertures at its end remote from the hinge rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Daniel J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6062601
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for covering and protecting the forward surface of the fuel tank mounted to a motor vehicle. The protective device is adapted for a motorcycle framework, which may include a fork assembly in the vicinity of the mounted fuel tank. The apparatus has coverings, which may be flexible material, sized and adapted to cover the exposed areas of the forward surface of the fuel tank. The apparatus comprises several embodiments configured to cover different selected portions of the fuel tank with connecting assemblies to accommodate the motorcycle frame and fork assemblies where the fuel tank is attached. A first connecting assembly spans a portion of the forward surface of the fuel tank and interconnects the first and second cover portions when mounted to the tank. A second connecting assembly extends rearwardly from the covering sections to operatively engage a portion of the motorcycle. Each of the cover portions is generally triangular in shape having two linear sides and an arcuate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Dale D. Willie, Tracy L. Steele, Paul B. Miller
  • Patent number: 6039349
    Abstract: In a device with inflatable members for protecting vehicles against impacts, once inflated, the inflatable members are disposed alongside each other so as to have a general shape substantially identical to the general shape of the area of the vehicle to be protected. The inflatable members each have a general shape enabling them to be interleaved laterally with the two directly adjacent inflatable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Transport SA
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Laporte, Eric Tassily, Frederic Muttin
  • Patent number: 6022038
    Abstract: A protector has been invented for positioning in a space between two vehicles, one positioned behind the other the protector including a protective member configured to fit into and substantially fill the space between the two vehicles, and movement apparatus connected to the protective member for accommodating relative movement between the two vehicles. In one aspect the protector is formed of flexible material such as screening, mesh, metal foil, cloth, canvas, fencing, fiberglass, nylon and plastic. In another aspect the protector has a sub-member formed of or secured to the protective member and positioned to protect the protective member from effects of a vehicle exhaust adjacent the protective member when the protector is emplaced between two vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Boyce A. Maxwell, Shirley A. Maxwell, D. Diane Nicholas, Sherrill D. Young
  • Patent number: 6017078
    Abstract: A protective vehicle cover that is stored within a storage compartment attached to a vehicle brazier. The vehicle cover extends the length of the vehicle. The cover is secured to the vehicle over the rear of the vehicle and within the brazier storage compartment. The manual deployment of the vehicle cover is reversed when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Terence Patrick Stagner
  • Patent number: 6017079
    Abstract: A kit for outfitting the exterior surface of a vehicle is shown as being made up of a plurality of pressure-sensitive adhesive backed camouflage panels. Each of the panels may be adhered to a specific segment of the vehicle surface. The panels preferably include marginal strips that permit the panels to register with their associated segments of the vehicle. These marginal strips may also provide panel overlap portions to ensure complete surface coverage by the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph Warner
  • Patent number: 5997670
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for automatically applying self-adhesive protective sheeting to surface parts of vehicle bodies, a specific rectangular piece of protective sheeting in the form of stock roll is grasped on its non-adhesive side, using a robot-controlled tentering frame with suction legs, is drawn off and is cut off. Before the sheeting blank is laid on to the body, in the freely stretched-out state tear-off lines are perforated, preferably from the non-adhesive sheeting side, in the region of accessory parts by means of a perforating device guided along definite contour lines. Thereafter the protective sheeting, which is thus prepared and stretched out so as to be free of creases in the tentering frame, is lowered in the correct position onto the associated part by the handling robot and laid onto the surface part so as to be free of bubbles. The sheetings are subsequently pressed down in a brushing manner under an elastic brushing bar extending over the entire vehicle width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Walter, Uwe Habisreitinger, Thomas Link, Bernhard Nordmann, Fritz Starzmann
  • Patent number: 5984401
    Abstract: A panel attachment member and system for shielding a vehicle in an off-road setting. The panel includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. A lip is disposed around the interior portion. A magnetic cut-out is attached to the lip for magnetically securing the panel to the vehicle. Moreover, at least one suction cup is disposed on the interior portion for further securing the panel to the vehicle via vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup. A valve is attached to the suction cup for releasably securing the panel to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: James David Hannah
  • Patent number: 5975599
    Abstract: A vehicle side bumper or protection device is provided to protect the sides of vehicles such as automobiles against the violent impact of carelessly opened doors of adjacent vehicles parked too close. The bumper or protection device includes an elongated cushioned pad which covers a substantial portion of the automobile side and resists the impact. The pad is releasably secured to a front side portion of the automobile and inside the trunk by a pair of straps and a locking bar. A first strap extends forwardly from the pad and is secured by a hook to the front end. A second strap extends rearwardly from the pad and is secured around the locking bar by a buckle. The locking bar maintains a bias fit against oppositely disposed inside side walls of the trunk. When the trunk is closed and locked, this arrangement makes the bumper or protection device theft resistant. A pair of these protection devices can be used to protect each side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Allan J. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 5975572
    Abstract: A safety guard is provided for preventing a wheel from coming off the body of a vehicle. The safety guard includes a first attachment releasably secured to the body on one side of the wheel and a second attachment releasably secured to the body on a transversely opposing side of the wheel. A restraining member is removably secured in a transversely slidable engagement with and between the first and second attachments and immediately adjacent an outer face of the wheel so as to prevent movement of the wheel away from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Stuart A. Busse
    Inventor: Robert J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 5961137
    Abstract: A loose wheel restraint safety system provides bolt-on support brackets in a system for attachment to the chassis or to the body of a vehicle, to which brackets wheel restraint bars are detachably mounted. The brackets of the system are located adjacent the wheels of the vehicle, such that the restraint bars, when mounted, are located in close proximity to the tires and extend horizontally across the wheel. The system elements, when bolted in place form, in combination with the adjoining vehicle bed or chassis portions, substantial wheel enclosures that permit each wheel and rim to turn freely upon its axle or spindle, while restraining the wheel against lateral deviation from its axle. The system is applied to each outer wheel of a multi-wheel rig, to restrain a break-away wheel against run-away, such that the driver, upon observing the situation, can pull the rig off the road and to a halt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: John Roland Knight
  • Patent number: 5956918
    Abstract: An automobile door protection device including an elongated cushion, the ends of which are connected to flexible stop through a pair of elastic straps. The straps which have VELCRO hook and loop fasteners attached to them near the flexible stops that work with corresponding VELCRO hook and loop fasteners permanently attached to the inside edge of the automobiles door to allow the cushion to fit tightly against the outside surface of the automobiles door. These VELCRO hook and loop fasteners also work to hold the cushion in a set position. The VELCRO hook and loop fasteners and flexible stops are placed on the inside edge of the automobiles door in the space between the automobile door and automobile side body panel. The automobiles door is then closed, trapping the flexible stops so that the device can not be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Kevin Wayne Wise
    Inventor: Kevin Wayne Wise
  • Patent number: 5947520
    Abstract: A sacrificial fairing is an elongated, arcuate trough-shaped panel member having a leg which detachably mounts to a rear edge of an elongated side fairing of a truck between the side fairing and a wheel well. The sacrificial fairing extends only partially around the wheel well. The sacrificial fairing can be easily detached from the side fairing. As a result, the sacrificial fairing can be easily replaced in case of damage from rocks, debris, chains, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Freightliner Corporation
    Inventor: James Vincent McHorse
  • Patent number: 5945194
    Abstract: A fender cover includes a generally planar sheet of resilient, flexible, pliant, water-impervious material with a plurality of pockets formed along one edge. The pockets are filled with a high density deformable flowable material such as sand, and are separated by flat valleys, to permit folding of the sheet between the pockets. A first ridge is formed in the sheet proximal the pockets in extending between the side edges, and projecting upwardly from the sheet. A second ridge is formed parallel and rearwardly of the first ridge and also extends from side edge to side edge. Both ridges are preferably formed of loops of the material, gathered together and affixed in a loop. Each ridge forms a hinge-type joint permitting pivotal movement of the pockets to a position generally perpendicular to the sheet at a location rearward of the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Craig S. Pester
  • Patent number: 5944347
    Abstract: An automobile hood cover is comprised of a flexible planar substrate of vinyl coated fabric or other plastic material, which substrate has substantially all of its exterior (outwardly facing) surface covered with protective and decorative lace means, namely, either lace cloth or lace indicia. The cloth or indicia form a lace pattern comprised of regularly recurring sets of discrete graphical motifs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: David C. Pechman
  • Patent number: 5931522
    Abstract: A magnetic motor vehicle body protection apparatus includes a sheet of flexible magnetic material of a thickness capable of being cut with scissors. Markings are provided on the sheet providing an outline of a portion of a body of an motor vehicle. The sheet is cut to size and magnetically adhered to a panel section of a vehicular body with the sheet substantially contiguous with that portion of the vehicular body being covered, such that any scrape or blow to that portion of the body is absorbed by the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy Allen Roskey
  • Patent number: 5919541
    Abstract: A fender cover is comprised of a soft resilient layer having one or two resilient non-porous layers attached to the top or bottom of the soft layer. A plurality of spaced apart and linearly aligned magnets is attached to the fender cover for holding the fender cover to a metal surface and for holding tools and other objects that a technician may need. The distances between various magnets is non-symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Ernest H. Emory
  • Patent number: 5879045
    Abstract: A vehicle body extension system is provided for mounting on the fenders and rocker panels of a vehicle. The extensions include fender flare extension units designed to fit each fender. The perimeter of each fender flare unit includes an inner edge which conforms to the shape of the wheel opening and an outer edge which is generally squared-off, with horizontal vertical portions that generally match the shape of the vehicle fender itself. When installed on the vehicle, the fender flare extension units blend with the vehicle's shape and contours to closely resemble custom body work rather than add-on fender flares. Each extension unit has a contoured cross section which includes a protruding region near the wheel opening, a shoulder region, a reverse-turned region and a nonprotuberant border flange region, immediately adjacent the outer edge. Matching molding strips are provided for installation over the rocker panels. A method of installation using adhesives is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Bushwacker, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald A. Logan
  • Patent number: 5868425
    Abstract: An automobile work cover which has a body made of a sheet-like, tough material and which has at least one substantially straight edge. The body has a tough, fluid-resistant outer surface and a soft, non-scratching inner surface, and is sized to cover a sufficient amount of an automobile fender or the like to protect the fender from being scratched during under-hood repair. A flexible weighted portion is attached to the substantially straight edge for retaining the cover in position on the automobile fender. The weighted portion includes a loop formed in the edge of the body by folding the edge back and attaching the edge to the inner surface. Flexible padding material and a number of weights are wrapped in the padding material within the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Kevin P. McNulty
  • Patent number: 5849390
    Abstract: A fender cover having removable, repositionable pockets. The fender comprises a main panel of flexible material of characteristics suitable for protecting painted finishes and similar delicate surfaces. The main panel has snap fasteners disposed in plural rows on both sides of the main panel. A pocket bearing member having a plurality of separate but adjacent pockets has corresponding snap fasteners enabling the pocket bearing member to be fastened on the main panel selectively at a variety of locations. More than one pocket bearing member may be provided and fastened to the main panel. The fender cover has eyelets for tying to an environmental surface. Optionally, the fender cover also has suction cups for adhering to a smooth surface by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Patrick Dillon
  • Patent number: 5842733
    Abstract: A outside winter unit that is the Automobile Tires and Underbody Plurality Snow Shields, That comes together as one complete shield that's designed to leave a dry space once they are removed, yet at the same time it prevents the snow from entering the underbody of your car, or around the tires at the same time it has it own securities about, which secures to the inside of the different parts of your car, also with the serial numbers displayed on the out side also with the owner having papers of ownership. The shields retract to reduce their size for storage. With the flag pole for safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Marvin Leon Miller
  • Patent number: 5829775
    Abstract: A protector has been invented for positioning in a space between two vehicles, one positioned behind the other the protector including a protective member configured to fit into the space between the two vehicles, and movement apparatus connected to the protective member for accommodating relative movement between the two vehicles. In one aspect the protector is formed of flexible material such as screening, mesh, metal foil, cloth, canvas, fencing, fiberglass, nylon and plastic. In another aspect the protector has a sub-member formed of or secured to the protective member and positioned to protect the protective member from effects of a vehicle exhaust adjacent the protective member when the protector is emplaced between two vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Boyce A. Maxwell, Shirley A. Maxwell, D. Diane Nicolas, Sherril D. Young
  • Patent number: 5823601
    Abstract: A bed rail cover for mounting to and protecting a vehicle bed rail. The bed rail cover is comprised of an integrally formed elongated rail cover having a top wall and two opposing side walls that are shaped to substantially conform to the exterior of the bed rail, and a fastening means for securing the rail cover to the bed rail about a stake hole pocket in the bed rail. In a preferred embodiment, a fastening clip having opposing wings is inserted through the rail cover and into a stake hole pocket, the wings being yieldably biased against the stake hole pocket to secure the rail cover in place. The fastening clip allows the rail cover to expand and contract in a longitudinal direction to prevent cracking and bulging of the rail cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: DFM Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Stanesic, Scott P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5820201
    Abstract: A high impact barrier for the exterior components of an automobile body to enable lightweight automobiles to better withstand collisions and provide a protective enclosure of the passenger compartment, accomplished by bonding precut sheets of heavy gauge SUNPRENE.TM. polyprene onto the outer surfaces of the body panels. Clear sheets of polyprene are also bonded to the interior and exterior windshield and rear glass surfaces, and to the outer surfaces of bumpers and headlight lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Walter J. Jabalee
  • Patent number: 5806873
    Abstract: A trailer tongue cover which encloses the jack mechanism is provided by a soft, lightweight protective cover which is preferably made of a flexible, yet durable, water repellent material, such as a heavy gauge vinyl. The cover includes a jack compartment which extends vertically upward from a V-shaped top portion of the cover which rests directly upon the trailer frame members. The cover is secured to the trailer frame by simple ties which pass through eyelets located on the sides of the cover and which pass underneath the frame members. The ties are preferably single drawstrings knotted at opposing side eyelets to secure the cover from being lifted off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Saly A. Glassman
  • Patent number: 5799992
    Abstract: A device for protecting the outer side surface of a vehicle comprising a protective sheet attached to a rod with the rod being attached to hangers disposed on the windows of the vehicle, wherein the rod is foldable so as to make for compactness and be easily stored when the sheet is then rolled around the folded rod. When the protective sheet is next to the car door, for example, when parked, any externally applied force, such as exerted by a neighboring parked car, will be absorbed by the device. The hanger comprises a hooked end connected to an elongated base which can be readily retracted into a horizontal or parallel position with the hook end being fitted over a window of the vehicle to the rod in a stored position, and into a vertical or perpendicular position in the operated position, so that compactness is enhanced and simplicity is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Kimberly Kojima
  • Patent number: 5799975
    Abstract: A magnetic fender cover including a sheet form body with a plurality of magnets attached to the body. Each of the magnets have an attachment face used to magnetically attach the body to an object and an opposed face substantially opposed to the attachment face. The opposed face of each one of the plurality of magnets being in the same orientation. Flux concentrating shielding is overlaying the opposed face of each of the plurality of magnets, thereby reducing magnetic flux adjacent to the opposed face and increasing magnetic flux adjacent to the attachment face of each one of the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Clint Raymond Crick
  • Patent number: 5799976
    Abstract: A guard assembly for a snowmobile having two forwardly extending skis includes a first support mountable to a first ski and a second support mountable to a second ski. A slide assembly is mounted to and between the first and second supports. The slide assembly includes a first slide member joined to the first support and a second slide member joined to the second support. The first slide member moves relative to the second slide member during operation of the snowmobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Walter D. Tischer
  • Patent number: 5794976
    Abstract: A protective assembly for all terrain vehicles comprising a front end protector dimensioned to protect substantially all of the front end. It also comprises side rails having front and back ends which are parallel to and spaced away from the sides of the all terrain vehicle which tubular side rails are shaped to receive and have mounted thereon auxiliary front and rear fenders. There is also present a debris deflecting running board. Optional features are rear wheel mud guards and a high intensity light mounted on the steering assembly and a flood light on the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Roy A. Stevicks
  • Patent number: 5788307
    Abstract: Protective apparatus for the sidewall of the bed of a pickup truck equipped with tool boxes is disclosed. An elongate rail is mounted to the top of the sidewall by non-invasive means and one or more skirt members may be selectively, detachably mounted to the rail when desired to overlie the sidewall below the tool boxes. In an alternative embodiment a tool box for the bed of a pickup truck has a detachable skirt member mounted to the sidewall of the tool box and depending downward to overlie the truck's sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Louis A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5762374
    Abstract: A towing shield is provided for mounting to a tow bar. The shield apparatus has a first and a second frame section. Each frame section is substantially planar and has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edge of the first section is hingedly connected to the inner edge of the second section. The shield apparatus also has a first and a second shield panel. The first panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the first frame section, while the second panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the second frame section. The panels form a shielding surface extending vertically from the tow bar when the frame sections are mounted in an open position. The first and second panels have a flexible peripheral portion extending beyond the outer edge of their frame sections. Either peripheral portion is adapted to flex when engaged by the rear portion of the towing vehicle when the vehicle's rear portion is caused to turn into either of the peripheral portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Cosmos Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton E. Grove, Robert D. Grove, Kelly G. Chandler
  • Patent number: 5725246
    Abstract: An automobile fender protecting device comprised of a left fender cover covering a left fender of an automobile. A right fender cover covers a right fender of an automobile. A grill cover has an expandable first end portion and an expandable second end portion. The grill cover covers a front section of an automobile. The expandable first end portion is secured to the right fender cover. The expandable second end portion is secured to the left fender cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Jeff Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5704678
    Abstract: A protective cap for covering the sidewalls of a pickup truck bed is provided. The caps have a contour matching the contour of the sidewalls so as to provide a close fit, without the use of spacers or shims. The cap includes an elongated body with opposite forward and rearward ends and opposite inside and outside edges. Inside and outside lips are formed by bending portions of the respective inside and outside edges of the body downwardly. A notch is provided adjacent the rearward end of the body, to permit a rearward lip to be formed by bending a portion of the rearward end downwardly. The formation of the outside and rear lips closes the gap. The outside lip and rear lip are joined by a weld which fills the closed notch so as provide a continuous curved surface at the rearward corner of the body. The weld is polished to be visually indistinguishable from the outside and rear lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Putco Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis L. Elwell, Robert L. Sills
  • Patent number: 5673960
    Abstract: A protective liftgate cover for covering and protecting the ground-engaging lower face of a liftgate platform includes a generally rectangular plate of a size and shape to fit over and generally complete cover the lower face of the liftgate platform. A lower flange and at least one side flange are mounted on the plate adjacent a respective lower and side edge for contacting the lower and side edges of the liftgate platform, thereby protecting those elements of the platform. At least one ground-engaging foot is mounted on the outer surface of the plate for contacting and engaging the ground surface and the plate is secured to the liftgate platform by one or more fastening devices. The liftgate cover thus provides protection for the lower face of the liftgate platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Omaha Standard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5664825
    Abstract: A cover for protecting vehicles or structures from the damaging impact of hailstones or other falling objects. The cover includes a plurality of energy-absorbing rods disposed parallel and closely adjacent to one another along their long dimensions. The rods are substantially circular in cross section and made of a resilient material. The rods are held in their relative positions by an enclosing means, which may be two flexible sheaths made of a textile. The first and second sheaths are fastened together between and along the long dimensions of the rods, and at the perimeters of the sheaths, so as to enclose and hold the rods, forming the assembled cover. This construction allows the cover to be rolled up for easy storage. The cover has fastening means, such as flanges for tie downs, for attaching the cover to a vehicle to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventors: Robert F. Henke, Bryan R. Henke
  • Patent number: 5641179
    Abstract: A body side protector for vehicles equipped with a truck tool box that prevents damage to the side of a truck when the truck tool box is accessed. The protector includes a resilient mat, a flexible magnet, at least one flexible strap, and a mounting bar. The resilient mat has a resilient mat front face, a resilient mat rear face, and a resilient mat top and contains at least one longitudinally disposed mat strap slot opening at the resilient mat top. The resilient mat readily conforms to and protects the specific contour of the side rail. The flexible magnet is attached to the resilient mat rear face so that the resilient mat is readily removably affixed to the specific contour of the side rail. The at least one flexible strap is disposed within a respective one of the at least one longitudinally disposed mat strap slots. Each of the at least one flexible strap has a flexible strap distal end that extends past the resilient mat top and contains a flexible strap distal end aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: Alan G. Imlach
  • Patent number: RE35669
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ram guard, which is attached to a stabilizer arm having an exposed hydraulic ram, having an outside surface which has a linear length greater than the length of the rod when fully extended. More specifically, the ram guard of the present invention comprising an outside surface attached to a stabilizer arm which has a linear length greater than the length of the piston rod of the ram, an upper surface to cover the exposed piston rod, and an end surface which attaches to the piece of the stabilizer arm to which the piston rod is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventors: Robert L. Paskey, Janice M. Paskey, Curtis W. Paskey, William D. Paskey