Patent Application
20170001506
The present invent generally relates to covers for protecting cargo being transported by motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a protective cover having features for securing the cover to the cargo by differential pressure.
Covers are widely employed during transit to protect valuable cargo, such as boats and other personal watercraft, snowmobiles, automobiles, bicycles, etc., from the elements of weather and from wind blown debris. However, at higher speeds, air flow has a tendency to blow the cover off of the cargo. As a result, tie down devices such as straps and buckles have been employed to secure the cover over the cargo. However, even when tied down, such cover has a tendency to whip and buffet as a result of the air flow about the cover particularly when a high speed air stream flows under the cover. This whipping and buffeting can cause the cover to tear and even damage the cargo underneath it. Moreover, the whipping and buffeting of the cover generates considerable noise and can produce undesired drag with respect to forward movement.
Accordingly, a cover for protecting cargo in transit is desired which provides simple and effective securing of the cover to the cargo.
In one embodiment, a device for covering an objected which is transported in an air stream is provided including a cover which at least partially traverses the object. An exhaust aperture is formed in the cover. A pressure differential device is disposed on the cover adjacent the exhaust aperture. The pressure differential device is configured to create a pressure differential between air under the cover and air passing over or around the cover. The pressure differential device is movable between a plurality of positions relative to the cover.
In another embodiment, a method for transporting an object on a vehicle travelling in an airstream is provided including providing an object to be transported by a vehicle, and securing a cover to the object. The cover includes at least one exhaust aperture and at least one pressure differential device disposed adjacent the at least one exhaust aperture. A position of the at least one pressure differential device is adjusted to a position generally perpendicular to a plane of a ground. The covered object is transported on the vehicle at a speed that creates an airflow over the cover and the at least one pressure differential device. A negative air pressure is created at the at least one pressure differential device to cause air to exhaust from an interior of the cover.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of embodiments are apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The detailed description describes exemplary embodiments, together with some of the advantages and features thereof, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With reference now to
The cover 20 is made of a flexible, air impermeable material which is dimensioned and configured to conform closely to one or more exterior contours of the watercraft 12. A bottom 22 of the cover 20 defines an opening (not shown) configured to fit over a hull 16 of the watercraft 12. The bottom 22 of the cover 20 is fitted to and secured about the periphery of the hull 16 by a securing feature 24, such as an elasticized band about the bottom edge 22 for example. Although the cover 20 illustrated in the FIGS. cover a substantial portion of the boat hull 16, any types of cover, such as a cover 20 configured to protect a smaller portion of the hull 16 for example, are also within the scope of the invention.
The cover 20 has a front end 26 which is disposed forwardly in relation to the direction of travel T. The cover 20 further includes sides 28, a top 30, and a rear end 32 disposed opposite the front end 26. As the watercraft 12 of
The cover 20 additionally includes at least one pressure differential device, generally designated by the numeral 40. As best seen in
Referring now to
The base portion 46 of the vent 44 is affixed at a center of a first surface 56 of a foam-like support member 54. As shown in
The pressure differential device 40 additionally includes a layer of fastening material 60 used to mount the vent 44 and support member 54 about an exhaust aperture 42 formed in the cover 20. The layer of fastening material 60 includes a large opening 62 such that when the layer of fastening material 60 is positioned over the support member 54 and the vent 44, the vent 44 is at least partially exposed through the opening 62. In one embodiment, a diameter of the opening 62 is substantially equal to a length of the body portion 48 of the vent 44.
With the support member 54 arranged in an overlapping configuration with the exhaust aperture 42, the layer of fastening material 60 may be connected, such as by sewing a perimeter thereof, to the exterior of the cover 20. In one embodiment, the layer of fastening material 60 is generally rectangular in shape and has a length and width substantially equal to, or just slightly larger than, the dimensions of the support member 54. As best shown in
The support member 54, and therefore the vent 44 mounted thereto, is configured to rotate relative to the cover 20. As a result of the minimal clearance between the connection 64 coupling the layer of fastening material 60 to the cover 20 and an adjacent side 64 of the support member 54, unintended rotation of the support member 54 is prevented. However, when a person applies a rotational force to the vent 44, the side 64 of the support member 54 in contact with the connection 64 partially deflects and the layer of fastening material 60 partially stretches to allow the support member 54 to turn incrementally such that a directly adjacent side 64 is then in contact with the connection 64. Therefore each of the plurality of sides 64 of the support member 54 provides a distinct angular position of the vent 44 relative to the cover 20. As a result, a support member 54 having a greater number of sides 64 provides greater flexibility in selecting an angular position of the vent 44.
When the watercraft 12 is being transported, it is desirable to orient the at least one pressure differential device 40 generally perpendicular to the airstream. In most embodiments, when the pressure differential device 40 is arranged perpendicular to the pressure differential device is arranged vertically, perpendicular to a plane of the ground. Because the position of the watercraft 12 when installed on a trailer 14 may not be parallel to the ground, the rotatability of the pressure differential device 40 allows the position of the vent 44 to be adjusted to a generally vertical position. In embodiments where the cover 20 includes a plurality of pressure differential devices 40, the plurality of vents 44 may be in the same position, or different positions depending on the configuration of the watercraft 12 on the trailer 14.
During transport, a smooth stream of air passes over the pressure differential device 40 and the streamlined shape of the vent 44 creates a negative air pressure in the area of the open end 52. This negative air pressure induces air to exhaust from under the cover 20 through the exhaust aperture 42 and up through the open end 52 of the vent 44 (as illustrated by the unshaded arrow 70 in
With conventional covers, forces which cause buffeting thereof increase with vehicle speed. For a cover 20 including one or more pressure differential devices 40 disclosed herein, however, the negative air pressure within the cover 20 which inhibits buffeting also increases with vehicle speed and counteracts the increasing buffeting forces in the area of turbulent flow to keep the cover 20 tightly conforming to the peripheral surface of the watercraft 12. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, the vent 44 may have alternate configurations, including generally cylindrical and spherical configurations to permit relatively smooth air flow there over to similarly create negative pressure and induce air to exhaust from the exhaust aperture.
As will be appreciated, any material may be employed for the construction of the cover 20. In one embodiment, the cover 20 is made of an air impermeable material which is flexible over a wide temperature range to accommodate for the various operating environments in which the cover may be used. Exemplary materials include synthetic resins such as 600 denier polyester or 1200 denier polypropylene, with a polyurethane resin coating. Particularly, the cover 20 may comprise a non-woven polypropylene laminated to a polyethylene sheeting. Another material which may be used is nylon or polyester film on a non-woven synthetic scrim.
Similarly, various materials may be employed for the construction of the device 40. Desirably, the device 40 will be lightweight and exhibit resiliency over a broad temperature range. Conveniently, the vent 44 of the device may be molded from of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene or other similar material.
It will be appreciated that the operation of the present invention is most effective with covers 20 which conform reasonably closely to the contours of the cargo about which they are placed, but this is not essential. It is necessary that the bottom of the cover 20 fit closely about the periphery of the cargo to minimize air flow thereunder into the interior of the cover 20. Thus, covers 20 with bottom portions which can be drawn tightly about the cargo are desirable and this can be provided by elasticized edge portions, draw strings, hook and loop fasteners, and ratcheting with flat webbing for example.
Thus, it can be seen from the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings that the novel protective cover of the present invention is one which effectively fits relatively closely about articles being transported and effectively prevents whipping and buffeting of the cover at transport speeds by use of a unique pressure differential device positionable on the cover in virtually any location thereon and in any orientation with respect to the direction of transport which creates a pressure-differential-induced suction of the cover to the cargo when the cargo is transported in any direction and/or pitch with respect to the direction of movement. The cover may be readily and economically fabricated for a large variety of cargos such as boats and other personal watercraft, snowmobiles, automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, and/or other items in tow or otherwise externally exposed during transit.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/187,886 filed Jul. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62187886 | Jul 2015 | US |
