Vehicle Shield

Abstract

A protective shield or barrier for use with a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle temporarily, e.g., seasonally, stored in a garage or other storage area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vehicle shield is comprised of a plurality of panels formed from a semi-rigid material hingedly connected to form a foldable, stowable and protective barrier. The vehicle shield may be joined with one or more additional shields via a tab and slots to extend the length of the barrier. Stabilizer feet are provided to increase the stability of the free-standing barrier. The vehicle shield is a cost-effective barrier protection against dents, scratches and the like.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment currently contemplated for carrying out the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle shield constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 connected to a second vehicle shield forming a protective barrier around a motorcycle;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 connected to two a second and third vehicle shield forming a partial protective barrier adjacent to an automobile; side view showing a vehicle shield folded into a stack;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 connected to a second vehicle shield;

FIG. 5A is a partially cut-away side view showing the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 in the process of being connected to a second vehicle shield;

FIG. 5B is a partially cut-away side view showing the two vehicle shields of FIG. 5A in an interlocking connection according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle shield of FIG. 1 in a folded position;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a vehicle shield constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the vehicle shield of FIG. 7.

Claims

1. A protective barrier for a vehicle, the barrier comprising: a plurality of panels; wherein said panels are flexibly connected together to form said barrier; and wherein said barrier is free standing.

2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein said panels are constructed from at least one of the following materials: foam board; double walled plastic; corrugated thermoplastic; corrugated cardboard; and cardboard panels.

3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of panels are connected to an adjacent panel by a living hinge.

4. The barrier of claim 3, wherein said living hinge is formed through the process of at least one of: forming perforations, tempering, embossing or forming a thinner region in said barrier.

5. The barrier of claim 1 further comprising: at least one stabilizer foot, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot provides stability to help maintain said barrier in an upright position when said barrier is placed in a substantially planar orientation.

6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot is integrally formed from at least one of the plurality of panels.

7. The barrier of claim 6, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot is defined by a first side flexibly connected to a portion of the panel, wherein a top and second side formed from perforations through the panel, and a bottom side generally aligned with a bottom edge of said barrier.

8. The barrier of claim 7, wherein said first side of said stabilizer foot is a living hinge having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the bottom edge of the barrier.

9. The barrier of claim 7, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot can be manipulated to a position in a plane other than the plane of the barrier.

10. The barrier of claim 5, further comprising: a tab; anda plurality of slots dispersed over the length of the barrier, wherein said slots are designed to receive a tab; andwherein said barrier may be connected to a second barrier by inserting the tab of said first barrier into a slot of said second barrier.

11. The barrier of claim 10 wherein the joined barrier encircles a motorcycle.

12. A foldable protector for protecting at least one side of a vehicle against impact wherein said protector comprises: a) a plurality of panels formed from a single sheet and flexibly connected together; andb) a plurality of supporting members formed into said panels; wherein said supporting members are manipulated in a direction away from said panels to enable said protector to be free-standing when the plurality of panels are aligned in substantially the same plane.

13. The protector of claim 12, further comprising: c) a joining tab; andd) at least one aperture for receiving a joining tab.

14. The protector of claim 13, wherein said joining tab may be inserted into one of the at least one apertures of said protector, thereby forming a substantially circular enclosure.

15. The protector of claim 13, wherein said joining tab may be inserted into an aperture of a second protector; thereby joining two protectors together.

16. A protective barrier for a vehicle, said barrier comprising a length of impact-absorbing protective material; wherein said barrier completely surrounds the vehicle.

17. The protective barrier of claim 16, wherein said barrier is constructed from a corrugated material having a single sidewall.

18. The protective barrier of claim 17, wherein said material is plastic.

19. The protective barrier of claim 18, wherein said material is cardboard.

20. The barrier of claim 7, wherein said barrier is constructed of a corrugated material.