BACKGROUND
It is known from the prior art (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,670) to provide a vinyl pad with raised sides which can be placed beneath a parked vehicle in a garage, maintenance, or storage area to catch melting snow, water, sand, salts, solvents, oils, mud and dirt falling off the vehicle and contain the material on the pad. However, the prior art does not fully address the needs of the user of such a pad.
The current invention provides for an apparatus which addresses the additional needs beyond that provided by the prior art to a user desirous of controlling detritus falling off of a vehicle (or the like) in a storage area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure in an in-use configuration.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a variation on the parking pad depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of the parking pad depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 is a partial sectional end view of the parking pad of FIG. 1 further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad.
FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the parking pad of FIG. 1 further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad.
FIG. 9 is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is an isometric figure depicting a parking pad in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the parking pad of FIG. 1 in use with a collapsible ramp.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a variation of the parking pad depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a variation of the parking pad depicted in FIG. 12, showing additional features which can be included with the parking pad of the current disclosure.
FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a sleeve used with a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure, depicting how more than two elongate curb members can be accommodated within the sleeve.
FIG. 15 is an end sectional view of the parking pad of FIG. 1 depicting the pad in a storage configuration.
FIG. 16 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 17 is a partial end view of the parking pad of FIG. 16, depicting how a curb member can be affixed directly to the main body portion of the parking pad.
FIG. 18 is an oblique detail of an additional feature that can be used with the parking pad of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The apparatus disclosed and described herewithin for controlling the detritus which can fall from a vehicle addresses several shortcomings of the prior art. For example, while the prior art only describes a pad configured to contain the detritus which can fall off a vehicle, the present disclosure further provides for a means for easily removing the accumulated detritus from the parking pad.
Further, the prior art does not recognize the likely seasonal or temporary of use for such an apparatus, and the potential desire of the user to conveniently store the apparatus during periods of non-use, and quickly deploy the apparatus when use is desired.
The present disclosure thus provides for a parking pad which addresses the shortcomings of the prior art. In general, the parking pad disclosed herewithin provides for the control of detritus of materials which can fall from a vehicle or the like positioned on the parking pad, and the convenient removal of such materials from the parking pad to a location away from the parking pad. Further, the parking pad disclosed herewithin is configured to be conveniently stored during periods of non-use, and quickly deployed when use is desired.
As will be described in more detail below, in one embodiment a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure is a collapsible parking pad, such that a user of the parking pad can conveniently store the parking pad during periods of non-use, and quickly deploy the parking pad when use is desired. Further embodiments provide for means for facilitating removal of detritus from the parking pad.
By “parking pad” we mean a portable pad on which a vehicle or the like can be moved onto and off of the pad in the normal course of use. The parking pad can be sized to accommodate various vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks and motorcycles), trailers, and other equipment (e.g., snow blowers, power tillers, lawn mowers, etc.).
Turning now to FIG. 1, an isometric figure depicts a parking pad 10 in accordance with the present disclosure in an in-use configuration. More specifically, a parking pad 10 is depicted as being deployed on a concrete parking slab 8, with a vehicle 6 placed on the parking pad. The parking pad 10 includes a main body portion 12 which is defined by a first side 14, a second side 16, a first end 18, and a second end 20. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 the main body portion 12 of the parking pad 10 is arranged in a generally rectangular shape. However, other shapes (e.g., triangular, round, etc.) for the main body portion 12 can also be employed, consistent with the overall spirit of the invention. Use of the terms “end” and “side” is not intended to imply any lengthwise relationship—an end may be longer than, shorter than or the same length as a side. Further, the terms “end” and “side” should not be considered as limiting. For example, a pentagonal shaped parking pad will have four contiguous sides which form a barrier perimeter, and one open end to allow removal of detritus from the parking pad. In general, a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure will have at least two sides forming a barrier perimeter, and one open end for the removal of detritus from the parking pad.
The main body portion 12 of the parking pad 10 is fabricated from a flexible material to allow the parking pad to be placed in a storage configuration by folding, rolling or some combination thereof. The flexible material used for the main body portion 12 is selected to be essentially, water impermeable, and preferably is also chemically resistant (i.e., resistant to degradation when exposed to oils, grease, gasoline and other fuels and lubricants, salt, chemical ice melters, and other substances which may precipitate from a vehicle onto the parking pad). The flexible material is also preferably resistant to bunching and tearing when a vehicle is moved onto and off of the parking pad. In one example the main body portion 12 is fabricated from nylon sheet. Other exemplary materials for the main body portion 12 can include, without limitation, neoprene rubber, other rubbers, fiber reinforced plastic, low density polyethylene, and ethylene-propylene rubber.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the parking pad 10 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the parking pad 10 includes a first sleeve 22 which is located proximate the first side 14 of the main body portion 12, a second sleeve 24 which is located proximate the second side 16 of the main body portion 12, and a third sleeve 26 which is located proximate the first end 18 of the main body portion 12. (Note that when the main body portion is in the shape of a triangle, the first and second sides 14 and 16 intersect, and there is essentially no first end 18, and hence only two sleeves 22 and 24 are present.) The sleeves 22, 24, 26 can be formed integrally with the main body portion 12. For example, the sleeves 22, 24, 26 can be formed by folding over edge portions of the main body portion 12 and then securing the outer edge of the folded over portion back onto the main body portion. The edge of the folded over portion can be secured to the main body portion 12 by gluing, ultrasonic welding, heat, fasteners, etc. The sleeves 22, 24, 26 can also be formed separately from the main body portion 12 and thereafter either permanently or removably attached to the main body portion 12. The sleeves 22, 24, 26 can be removably attached to the main body portion 12 for example by the use of snaps, tongue-and-groove plastic fasteners, and by other means. As depicted, the sleeves 22 and 26 intersect at corner 31, and sleeves 24 and 26 intersect at corner 33. Corners 31 and 33 are formed such that sleeves 22, 24 and 26 form a continuous barrier around the body portion 12, leaving only end 20 free for the egress of detritus from the parking pad 10. When the main body portion 12 and the sleeves 22, 24 and 26 are formed from a continuous sheet of material, then corners 31 and 33 are formed by gathering excess sheet material at the proximate ends of the sleeves and securing the excess sheet material to itself by gluing, heat welding, fasteners or other means.
The sleeves 22, 24, 26 can be fabricated from the same material as the main body portion 12. However, since a vehicle to be placed on the parking pad 10 will typically enter and leave the parking pad via the second end 20 (which does not include a sleeve), the sleeves 22, 24, 26 will typically not be subjected to the same wear and tear as the main body portion 12. Accordingly, the sleeves 22, 24, 26 can be fabricated from a material which is thinner than the main body portion 12, thus allowing the sleeves to be more easily rolled or folded along with the main body portion when the parking pad 10 is placed in a storage configuration. An exemplary alternative material for the sleeves 22, 24, 26 is flashspun high-density polyethylene fiber sheet material (one example of which is sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company under the trademark brand name of Tyvek®.
Still referring to FIG. 2, the parking pad 10 includes elongate curb members 50, 52 and 54 which are sized to be received within respective first, second and third sleeves 22, 24 and 26. The elongate curb members 50, 52 and 54 provide structure to the respective sleeves 22, 24 and 26 such that the sleeves form a perimeter barrier to prevent migration of detritus off of the main body portion 12 at sides 14 and 16, and first end 18, of the main body portion 12. It will, however, be noted that since no curb member is present at the second end 20 of the main body portion 12, detritus falling onto the main body portion can easily be removed from the parking pad 10 at this essentially unobstructed second end.
The elongate curb members 50, 52 and 54 are preferably fabricated from an essentially resilient light weight material. An exemplary material of fabrication for the elongate curb members 50, 52 and 54 is polyethylene foam. The use of an essentially resilient material for the curb members 50, 52 and 54 is desirable since it will allow the curb members to resume their shape if stepped on by a person or driven over by a vehicle. Further, the use of a light weight material for the curb members 50, 52 and 54 is desirable since it reduces weight of the overall parking pad 10, which is a consideration when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration. One source for the curb members 50, 52 and 54 is so-called pool noodles, which are used as personal flotation assist devices in swimming pools and the like.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the parking pad 10 can also include an apron 28 which extends the main body portion 12 away from the second end 20 of the parking pad. The use of an apron 28 can allow the parking pad 10 to be placed, for example, with the second end 20 at a garage door opening, such that detritus falling on the main body portion 12 can be easily removed onto a driveway outside of the garage. While the apron 28 is depicted in FIG. 2 as being a separate component, it can also be continuous with the main body portion 12.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the parking pad 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the variation that the elongate curb member 50 of FIG. 2 is depicted in FIG. 3 as being in multiple component parts. Specifically, in FIG. 3 first sleeve 22 is depicting as receiving curb member components 50a, 50b and 50c. It will be appreciated that elongate curb members 52 and 54 can also be provided as component parts rather than as single units.
As depicted in FIG. 3, sleeve 24 is provided with an elongate opening or slit 32 to allow the curb member 52 to be inserted into the sleeve. Likewise, sleeve 26 is provided with elongate opening or slit 34 to allow the curb member 54 to be inserted into the sleeve. In similar manner, sleeve 22 is provided with elongate openings or slits 30a and 30b to allow the curb member 50a, 50b and 50c to be inserted into the sleeve. Specifically, elongate curb member 50a can first be inserted into elongate opening 30a. Elongate curb member 50b can then be inserted into elongate opening 30a, and finally elongate curb member 50c can be inserted into elongate opening 30b. The elongate openings 30a, 30b, 32 and 34 are preferably formed in the bottom of respective sleeves 22, 24 and 26 so that water will not collect in the sleeves. The elongate openings 30a, 30b, 32 and 34 can also be temporarily sealable by the use of snaps, tongue-and-groove seals, hook-and-loop fasteners and the like. By providing the elongate openings 30a, 30b, 32 and 34 as either open slits, or as temporarily sealable slits, the curb members 50a, 50b, 52 and 54 can be easily installed in the sleeves 22, 24 and 24 for quick and easy deployment, and easily removed from the sleeves for quick storage, of the parking pad 10.
FIG. 4 is an end sectional view of the parking pad 10 of FIG. 2. While the elongate curb members 50 and 52 are depicted in FIG. 4 as being round or circular in cross section, all of the curb member 50, 52 and 54 can be other shapes in cross section as well, such as triangular, square, rectangular, elliptical, etc.
In addition to providing parking pads having fixed length and width dimensions (as indicated in FIG. 2), the present disclosure also provides for parking pads having variable length and width dimensions. Turning now to FIG. 5, an adjustable length parking pad 100 is depicted in plan view. The parking pad 100 includes a main body portion 112 which comprises a first or upper body portion 112a and a second or lower body portion 112b. The first and second body portions 112a and 112b overlap in region 113, and slide along one another in directions “A” and “B” in this region 113 such that the length “L” of the parking pad 100 can be adjusted. Advantageously the exposed edge 115 of the body portion 112a is proximate the second end 120 of the parking pad 100. In this way any water or other detritus moving in direction “A” towards the open end 120 of the parking pad 100 will cascade from the first body portion 112a to the second body portion 112b. The parking pad 100 further includes a first sleeve 122 and a second sleeve 124, which are configured to receive curb members in the manner described above with respect to sleeves 22 and 24 of FIG. 3. First sleeve 122 is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, comprising a first sleeve part 122a which slidingly receives a second sleeve part 122b. Likewise, second sleeve 124 is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, comprising a first sleeve part 124a which slidingly receives a second sleeve part 124b. The parking pad 100 further includes a third sleeve 126, which is similar to sleeve 26 of FIG. 2.
Turning now to FIG. 6, an adjustable width parking pad 200 is depicted in plan view. The parking pad 200 includes a main body portion 212 which comprises a first body portion 212a and a second body portion 212b. The first and second body portions 212a and 212b overlap in region 213, and slide along one another in directions “C” and “D” in this region such that the width “W” of the parking pad 200 can be adjusted. The parking pad 200 includes a first sleeve 222 and a second sleeve 224, which function in essentially the same manner as sleeves 22 and 24 of FIG. 2. The parking pad 200 further includes a third sleeve 226 which is located at the first end 216 of the main body portion 212. Third sleeve 226 is provided as a two-part telescoping sleeve, and includes first sleeve part 226a which slidingly receives second sleeve part 226b.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a partial end sectional view of a parking pad 110 (similar to parking pad 10 of FIGS. 1-3) is depicted, showing additional optional features which can be included with a parking pad consistent with the present disclosure. As depicted, the main body portion 12 can be provided with a heating element 72 disposed between upper (12a) and lower (12b) parts of the main body portion 12. The heating element 72 can be integral with the main body portion 12, and not provided in the sandwiched configuration depicted in FIG. 7. Further, the heating element 72 can be provided on the upper surface 70 of the main body portion 12. The heating element 72 is provided with energy via electrical plug 76 (or by other means), and the temperature of the heating element can be controlled by heating element controller 74. By providing the parking pad 110 with a heating element 72, snow and ice accumulating on the upper surface 70 of the main body portion 12 can be melted, thus facilitating removal of the melt from the second open end 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the parking pad 110. Further, providing heat to the upper surface 70 of the main body portion 12 of the parking pad 110 can facilitate removal of oil and grease from the parking pad.
As also depicted in FIG. 7, the main body portion 12 of the parking pad 110 can be provided with a flexible metallic strip 78 attached thereto which facilitates in holding the main body portion in an essentially flat position on a support surface (such as on slab 8 of FIG. 1). A flexible metallic strip 78 can be provided proximate each (or either) of the first and second sides 14, 16 of the main body portion 12, or as an integral part of the main body portion. The flexible metallic strip 78 can be fabricated using a malleable metal (such as lead, zinc, copper, and alloys thereof) such that when the parking pad 110 is placed in an in-use configuration (as per FIG. 1), the parking pad will not tend to roll up due to any shape retention memory in the main body portion 12 resulting from storage of the parking pad in a rolled or folded position (per FIG. 15).
Turning to FIG. 8, a partial plan view of a parking pad 210 (similar to parking pad 10 of FIG. 2) depicts further optional features which can be included with a parking pad consistent with the present disclosure. As depicted, the parking pad 210 includes a fluid conduit 80 located proximate the first end 18 of the main body portion 12. The fluid conduit 80 is in fluid communication with fluid outlets (e.g., nozzles) 82, which are directed in direction “Z” towards the second (open) end 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the main body portion 12. The fluid conduit 80 can be provided with a fluid (such as water) via fluid supply line 84, which can be, for example, a hose member connected to a garden hose attachment 86. In this way a user can connect a garden hose (or the like) to the fluid conduit 80, and can thus easily flush detritus off of the main body portion 12 of the parking pad 210.
FIG. 9 depicts an isometric view of yet a further embodiment of a parking pad 300 in accordance with the present disclosure. The parking pad 300 includes a main body portion 312 (similar to the main body portion 12 of the parking pad 10 of FIGS. 1-3). In the parking pad 300 of FIG. 9 the main body portion 312 is configured in a “U” shaped configuration (versus the essentially rectangular configuration of the main body portion 12 of FIG. 2). Further, in the parking pad 300 of FIG. 9, the first sleeve 322, the second sleeve 324, and the third sleeve 326 are joined into one continuous sleeve 380. In this way, when the elongate curb member (or members) are sufficiently flexible to negotiate the bends between sleeves 322 and 326 (and sleeves 324 and 326), a reduced number of elongate curb members (typically, no more than two, and not shown in FIG. 9) are required in order to form the barrier for directing detritus accumulating on main body portion 312 to the egress area (second end 320) of the parking pad. In the embodiment depicted, a single curb member can be used to fill the entire sleeve 380. Further, two elongate curb members can be used in the embodiment depict—i.e., a first elongate curb member inserted via a first open end 330 in sleeve 380, and a second elongate curb member inserted via a second open end 332 in the sleeve, with the two elongate curb members meeting in the general area indicated by 329.
FIG. 10 depicts an isometric view of yet another parking pad 400 in accordance with the present disclosure. In the parking pad 400, the first, second and third sleeves (422, 424, 426) are joined together in one continuous sleeve 480, and the ends 430 and 432 of the sleeve are sealed ends (versus being open ends, as for example open ends 330 and 332 of sleeve 380 of FIG. 9). The continuous sleeve 480 is an air-tight sleeve forming a barrier around the main body portion 412 (save for open second end 420 of main body portion, thus allowing an area for egress of detritus from the main body portion 412). Rather than providing elongate curb members in the sleeves of the parking pad 400, in the parking pad 400 the continuous sleeve 480 is an inflatable sleeve. To this end, continuous sleeve 480 is provided with an inflation fitting 440, allowing air (or other gas, or fluid) to be provided to the sleeve 480. It will be appreciated that this concept of using an inflatable sleeve with a parking pad also allows for multiple separate sleeves 422, 424, 426, in addition to the single sleeve (480) of FIG. 10.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a side elevation view depicts a further variation on the parking pad of the present disclosure. In FIG. 11 the parking pad 10 of FIG. 1 is disposed on a collapsible ramp 500 which is disposed between the parking pad 10 and the support surface 8. The collapsible ramp 500 provides a favorable pitch between the first end 18 of the main body portion 12 and the apron 28 of the parking pad 10 to thus facilitate removal of detritus from the parking pad. The collapsible ramp 500 can include multiple ramp portions 502 which are connected to one another by ramp portion hinges 504. By selectively providing the ramp portion hinges 504 relative to the ramp portions 502, the ramp 500 can be collapsibly stored with the parking pad 10 when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration.
FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 depict another embodiment of a parking pad 800 in accordance with the present disclosure. Turning to FIG. 12, the parking pad 800 includes a main body portion 812 defined by respective first and second sides 814, 816, and first and second ends 818, 820. The parking pad 800 further includes a first sleeve 822 which is located proximate the first side 814 of the main body portion 812, a second sleeve 824 which is located proximate the second side 816 of the main body portion 812, and a third sleeve 826 which is located proximate the first end 818 of the main body portion 812. The first sleeve 822 includes a first open end 830, and can also include a second open end 836. Likewise, the second sleeve 824 includes a first open end 832, and can also include a second open end 838. The third sleeve 826 includes a first open end 834, and can also include a second open end 840. The parking pad 10 includes elongate curb members 850, 852 and 854 which are sized to be received within respective first, second and third sleeves 822, 824 and 826 via respective open ends 830, 832 and 834 (as well as via second open ends 836, 838 and 840, when so provided). Corner members 331 and 333 can be provided to discourage egress of detritus at the respective intersecting corners of the sleeves 822, 824 and 826. The corner members 331, 333 can be, for example, foam pieces which are removably attached to the sleeves 822, 824 and 826 by hook-and-loop fastener material. When the sleeves 822, 824 are only provided with respective first open ends 830, 832, then corner members 331, 333 can be replaced with the sealed corners 31, 33 depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 13 is an isometric figure of the parking pad 800 of FIG. 12, further depicting variations which can be used with the parking pad. As indicated in FIG. 13, elongate curb member 852 of FIG. 12 can be provided in two pieces, 852a and 852b. In this way elongate curb member first part 852a can be inserted into the second sleeve 824 via first opening 832, while elongate curb member second part 852b can be inserted into the second sleeve 824 via second opening 838. Curb member parts 852a and 852b can be easily removed from sleeve 824 using tabs 860, which are attached to the curb member parts. Preferably, elongate curb member parts 852a and 852b are sized so that in combination (within sleeve 824) they extend the length “L” of the sleeve (defined along the edge 816, FIG. 12). Further, elongate curb member parts 852a and 852b are preferably sized so that when removed from sleeve 824, they will generally fit the width “W” of the main body portion 812 defined between the first and second edges 814, 816. In this way when the parking pad 800 is placed in a storage configuration, the elongate curb member parts 852a and 852b can be easily combined with the rolled or folded remaining parts of the parking pad. Elongate curb member 850 can likewise be provided in two or more parts for ease of storage. This same principle can be applied to the parking pad 10 of FIGS. 1-3. More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 15 (which is a side sectional view of a modified version of the parking pad 10 of FIG. 3 in a rolled storage configuration), elongate curb member parts 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b, and elongate curb member 54, can be rolled (as shown) or folded with the main body portion 12 into a convenient storage configuration. The parking pad 10, when placed in a storage configuration such as depicted in FIG. 15, can be secured in this position by use of a restraining member, such as a bungee cord, wrapped around the unit.
When the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad 800 (see FIG. 13, for example) is generally in the range of about 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members 850, 852 (FIG. 12) as two-part components (as depicted for curb member 50 in FIG. 3). When the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad 10 or 800 is generally in the range of about 0.5:1 to 1.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members 50, 52 (FIG. 2) or 850, 852 (FIG. 12) as single components. However, when the ratio of the length “L” to the width “W” of the parking pad 800 exceeds about 2.5:1, then it is practicable to provide the elongate curb members 850, 852 (FIG. 12) in more than two parts. Providing curb members in parts which do not exceed the width “W” of the main body portion 12 or 812 of the parking pad 10 or 800 by more than about 50% of the width “W” allows for a more compact storage configuration (per FIG. 15)—i.e., it is desirable that the curb members (or curb member parts) do not excessively overhang the main body portion 12 (812) of the parking pad 10 (800) when the parking pad is placed in the storage configuration. It will be appreciated that providing elongate curb members in more than two parts presents an issue of how to retrieve all of the curb member parts from the sleeve when the parking pad is to be placed in the storage configuration. Two solutions to this problem are depicted in FIG. 14.
FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of a sleeve 622 (similar to sleeve 822 of FIG. 12) used with a parking pad in accordance with the present disclosure, depicting how more than two elongate curb members can be accommodated within the sleeve. In this example, four elongate curb member parts 650a, 650b, 650c and 650d are received within the sleeve 622. Curb member part 650b can be inserted through first open end 630 of sleeve 622, followed by insertion of curb member part 650a. When removing the curb member parts 650a and 650b, curb member part 650a can be removed using tab 660, and curb member part 650b can be removed using tether 662 (which is attached to curb member part 650b, and extends outward of first open end 630). Further, sleeve 622 can optionally be provided with a vertical slit 664, allowing curb member part 650c to be inserted into (and removed from) sleeve 622 via the slit without the use of a tether. As is evident, curb member part 650d can be removed from sleeve 622 using tab 660.
Returning now to FIG. 13, the main body portion 812 of the parking pad 800 can be provided with a puncture resistant strip 63 of flexible material disposed on the upper surface 870 of the main body portion 812. As depicted in FIG. 13, two puncture resistant strips 63 are provided in general parallel arrangement on the parking pad 800 to thus match an intended path of vehicle tires for a vehicle to be placed on the parking pad. In one variation, as opposed to two puncture resistant strips 63, a broad strip or sheet of puncture resistant material 63 can be disposed on the upper surface 870 of the main body portion 812. The puncture resistant strip 63 can additionally, or optionally, be selected to be wear resistant, abrasion resistant, and/or traction providing. The flexible puncture resistant material 63 is thus selected to protect the main body portion 812 of the parking pad 800 from anticipated wear which may result from the use of studded tires, rocks imbedded in tread grooves of tires, and friction and wear between a tire and the main body portion 812. The puncture resistant strip 63 can be attached to the main body portion 812 in a permanent manner, or it can be attached to the main body portion in a removable manner so that when the puncture resistant strip 63 becomes worn, it can be replaced. An example of a material which can be used for the puncture resistant strip 63 is woven fiberglass, a grit-bearing adhesive strip, a sacrificial polymer or elastomer, etc. It will be appreciated that the puncture resistant strip 63 can be used with other embodiments of the parking pad of the present disclosure provided for herein.
Turning now to FIG. 18, a partial oblique view of the lower left corner of the parking pad 800 of FIG. 12 is depicted, showing an additional feature which can be included with the sleeves 822, 824 and 826 of the parking pad. Specifically, FIG. 18 depicts how a closing means 802 can be provided at the first open end 832 of sleeve 824. A similar closing means can be provided at the open ends 830, 834, 836, 838 and 840 of FIG. 12. The closing means 802 can allow the opening 832 to be selectively opened and closed to allow the elongate curb member 852 (FIG. 12) to be inserted into, and secured within, the sleeve 824. By providing a closing means 802 at the open ends of the sleeves 822, 824 and/or 826, migration of the respective curb members 850, 852 and/or 854 out of the respective sleeves when the parking pad 800 is placed in the in-use configuration is prevented. Examples of the closing means 802 can include a snap, a tongue-and-groove zip-type closure, a hook-and-loop closing means, etc.
A further embodiment of a parking pad 710 in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted in plan view in FIG. 16. The parking pad 710 includes a main body portion 712 (similar to main body portion 12 of FIGS. 1-3), and curb members 750, 752 and 756. Curb members 750 and 752 are attached directly to respective sides 714 and 716 of the main body portion 712, and curb member 754 is attached directly to first end 718 of the main body portion 712. (Second end 720 of the main body portion 712 is preferably left open to allow egress of detritus from the main body portion 712.) It will be noted that the parking pad 710 does not include sleeves (such as sleeves 22, 24 and 26 of the parking pad 10 of FIG. 2), and that the curb members 750, 752, 754 are attached directly to the main body portion 712. As indicated in FIG. 16, a curb member can be provided in curb member parts (e.g., curb member 752 can be provided as curb member parts 752a and 752b). Providing the curb members as curb member parts facilitates storage of the parking pad 710 (as generally discussed above with respect to FIG. 15). Preferably the curb members 750, 752, 754 of the parking pad 710 are attached directly to the main body portion 712 in a water-tight manner to prevent migration of fluids from the main body portion 712 in directions other than via second end 720. Turning to FIG. 17, one example of a water tight attachment means 740 between the curb member 752 and the main body portion 712 of the parking pad 710 of FIG. 16 is depicted in a partial end view. The water tight attachment means 740 includes a plastic (elastic) tongue-and-groove connector, with a tongue 741 being formed directly on the curb member 752, and a groove 743 (configured to receive tongue 741) being disposed on the main body portion 712. It will be appreciated that the respective placements of the tongue 741 and groove 743 with respect to the curb member 752 and the main body portion 712 can be interchanged. Other means for providing a water tight seal between curb member 752 and main body portion 712 can also be employed, such as snap fasteners accompanied by sealing gaskets, etc.
While the above invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features, it is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims as appropriately interpreted.
Patent Application
20100119304
