More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a protective cover for a vehicle's windshield, two front windows and selected external parts that is easily adaptable for various vehicle sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A common problem encountered by vehicle users is the removal of elements such as, for example, snow and ice, which can accumulate on various external parts of the vehicle when it is not in use. These vehicle external parts could be, for example, the windshield, the mirrors, the windows, the windshield wipers, the windshield fluid dispensing outlet, and the surrounding areas. Removal of the elements can be time consuming and even cause damage to vehicle parts.

A survey of known vehicle protective covers reveals many deficiencies. For example, many vehicle covers in the prior art are designed primarily for protecting against exposure to sunlight. These covers primarily protect the vehicle's windshield, thereby preventing sunlight from entering the vehicle and from deteriorating the vehicle's interior component, such as, for example, upholstery and plastic elements. Furthermore, these covers help reduce the internal

temperature of the vehicle. The same protective covers are therefore not adequate for protecting the external vehicle parts listed above.

Furthermore, many of the existing protective covers are either not adjustable for various vehicle sizes or are cumbersome to adjust. While the non-adjustable covers are simply not effective for protecting critical areas of a vehicle, the protective covers provided with some adjustment features are usually difficult to adjust, or the adjustment procedures are time consuming. Often these protective covers are also ineffective for protecting critical areas of a vehicle.

Finally, many devices in the prior art have been developed to be burglar proof. These often have some type of solid material that remains inside the vehicle when the doors are closed. The solid material cannot be removed from the vehicle without opening the doors and the cover is thereby effectively secured when the doors are locked. During installation of this type of cover, the operator must place one end of the cover (comprising the solid material) inside the vehicle and shut the first door.

The operator must then properly position the cover on the vehicle and move to the other side of the vehicle. At this point the operator must hold the other end of the cover inside the vehicle while closing the door with his fingers only inches away from the closing door. These types of covers are therefore cumbersome to install and even represent some element of danger for the operator.

Accordingly, it is clear that many problems are inherent in prior art vehicle covers. There is therefore a need for an improved vehicle

protective cover that overcomes the above-noted drawbacks of the prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle protective cover that is easily adjustable and adaptable for various sizes of vehicles.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle cover that is safe and easy to install, remove and store.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle cover which can be secured on the vehicle in such a manner that it cannot easily be stolen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is to be noted that the expression"cord-like member"used in the following description and in the appended claims should be construed as meaning items such as a string or strings, a cord or cords, a rope or ropes, an elastic or elastics, a band or bands of material, or any similar elements.

Similarly, the word"hem"should be construed as any scheme allowing a cord-like member to be mounted in a slidable fashion to the body of the cover, such as, for example, a continuous hem or a plurality of lacing holes.

More specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a cover for a selected exterior portion of a vehicle provided with a windshield, a first door and a second opposite door contacting the body of the vehicle when closed; each door having a window; said cover comprising: a) a body to be mounted to the vehicle; said body being sized and shaped to cover the selected portion of the vehicle and includes first and second opposite ends; said body also including a hem; b) first and second clamping portions respectively extending from said first and second ends; each said first and second clamping portions being configured and sized to extend between one of the vehicle's door and the vehicle's body; and c) at least one adjusting cord-like member mounted in said hem; whereby, said adjusting cord-like member allows the modification of the size of said body thereby enabling the installation of said cover on vehicles of various dimensions.

In the present invention, a sheet of flexible material is used to cover selected external parts of a vehicle. These vehicle external parts may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the windshield, the mirrors, the windows, the windshield wipers, the windshield fluid dispensing outlets and the surrounding areas. Attached, or as part of an extension of the cover, are two clamping portions that are to be positioned, for example, between the vehicle's door and its frame when the door is closed. A part of the clamping portions remains inside the vehicle thereby adequately securing the cover to the vehicle.

In an embodiment, adjustable cord-like members, some of them partly enclosed in hems and at least one end being attached to the cover, are provided at various locations on the cover. Portions of the cord-like members not enclosed in the hems are each provided with adjusting mechanisms such as, for example, a spring actuated locking mechanism. A loop of a cord-like member passes through the spring actuated locking mechanism and is locked in place when the spring is released. The length of the cord-like member can be quickly and easily adjusted simply by compressing the spring, changing the length of the cord-like member that forms the loop and releasing the spring, thereby effectively enabling adjustment of the cord-like member's length as well as the cover itself.

In an embodiment, the locations of the cord-like member on the cover may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following: along the top portion of the cover; along the bottom edge of the first and second wings of the cover; and at the left and right bottom corners of the cover. The cord-like members are not necessarily enclosed in a continuous hem.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, anchor elements are provided to further removably secure the cover to the vehicle. A first anchor extends from the junction of the centre portion and the first wing while a second anchor extends from the junction of the centre portion and the second wing. The first and second anchors are advantageously adjustable in length and provided with a distal end that can be secured to an anchor point near the front of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cover includes two pieces of fabric forming a substantially inverted U-shape. Each substantially inverted U-shaped piece of fabric extends from the top edge of the first and second wings and is attached to each of the clamping portions, thereby permitting support of the cover during installation. This particular feature of the invention enables safe and easy installation and removal of the cover.

In an embodiment of the invention a piece or pieces of weatherproof material, specifically shaped for covering the external mirror or mirrors of the vehicle, extend from the cover at the appropriate location. Also, a band of elastic material forming a loop extends from the cover in approximately the same location as the mirror covers. These loops are wrapped around the vehicle's mirrors, thereby further securing the cover to the vehicle and ensuring a tight fit of the cover along the bottom of the vehicle's windshield.

In an embodiment of the present invention, pieces of material are sewn onto the cover to form a pouch for storing the cover between uses.

Of course, the cover must be folded to be stored in the pouch. The pouch may include pieces of hook and loop type material in order to keep it closed.

Fold lines may be printed, for example, on the reverse side of the cover in order to facilitate folding of the cover for storing.

In an embodiment, the cover is made of many pieces of weatherproof material, such as, for example, Tyvek sewn together to obtain the desired shape.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the appended drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the protective cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, installe on an automobile; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the protective cover of Figure 1, as it would appear in a flat layout configuration; Figure 3 is a top plan view showing a portion of the underside of one of the ends of the protective cover of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to Figures 1 to 4 of the appended drawings, the vehicle cover 10 may be installed on a vehicle 14 for protecting many of its external parts.

The cover 10 includes a body portion 12 that generally covers the vehicle's windshield, mirrors, side windows, windshield wipers, windshield fluid dispensing outlets and surrounding areas.

Figure 2 shows the upper side of the cover 10, as it would appear laying flat. The cover 10 generally consists of a body 12 defined by a centre portion 18 and first and second wings 20,22 extending from the centre portion 18. Mounted to opposite ends of the body 12, i. e., to the distal end of the first and second ends 20 and 22, respectively, are two clamping portions 66,67 that will be pressed between a respective door of the vehicle (see, for example, door 74 in Figure 4) and the surrounding frame 76 when the door is closed. A part of the clamping portions 66 and 67 remains inside the vehicle 14 thereby securing the cover 10 to the vehicle 14.

In an exemplary embodiment, an adjustable cord-like member (only loops 24 and 26 of the cord-like member are shown) is located along the top edge of the cover 10 and is partly enclosed in hems 33,34 and 35. The cord-like member is attached at each opposite end of the top edge of the cover 10 and may optionally be attached at one or more locations at the centre of body 12 as well.

Loops 24 and 26 of the cord-like member are each provided with a spring actuated locking mechanism (38 and 40 respectively). Loops 24

and 26 pass through the spring actuated locking mechanisms 38 and 40 and are locked in place when the spring is released. The length of the cord-like member may therefore be adjusted by manually compressing the spring of, for example, spring actuated mechanism 38, changing the length of the cord-like member that forms loop 24 and releasing the spring, thereby effectively enabling adjustment of the cord-like member's length as well as the cover 10 itself.

Two similar adjustable cord-like members 64 and 65 are respectively provided at the bottom portion of each of the first and second wings 20 and 22. Cord-like member 64 is attached to the distal end of the first wing 20 and passes through a first hem 36. The member 64 also forms a first adjustment loop 32 adjusted by a spring actuated mechanism 46 (see Figure 3), passes through a second hem 37, forms a second adjustment loop 28 adjusted by a spring actuated mechanism 42. An anchor element, such as, for example a hook 60, is mounted to the distal end of the cord-like member 64. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the cord-like member 64 may be sown in hem 37 thereby providing two separate adjustments. A first adjustment for the bottom of first wing 20 and a second adjustment from a bottom corner of the cover to the anchor point on the vehicle 14.

Similarly, cord-like member 65 is attached to the distal end of the second wing 22 and passes through a first hem 38. The member 65 also forms a first adjustment loop 61 adjusted by a spring actuated mechanism (not shown), passes through a second hem 39, forms a second adjustment loop 30 adjusted by a spring actuated mechanism 44. An

anchor element, such as, for example a hook 62 is mounted to the distal end of the cord-like member 65.

As can be better seen from Figure 3 of the appended drawings, the clamping portion 66 is formed of a generally rectangular piece of generally resilient material (e. g., a semi-rigid plastic) having a longitudinal edge sewn to the end of the first wing 20 (see hem 69). A piece of fabric 56 is sewn to both the top edge of the piece of plastic material and to the top edge of the first wing 20 so that these three elements define a generally inverted U-shape, therefore allowing the clamping portion 66 to be maintained to a door of the vehicle during the installation of the cover 10 onto the vehicle 14.

Of course, a similar piece of fabric 58 is also provided on the second wing 22.

Turning now briefly to Figure 4 of the appended drawings, showing the door 74 partially open, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the generally rectangular piece of semi-rigid plastic material forming the clamping portion 66 is sufficiently thin to be positioned between the door 74 and the frame 76 without affecting the operation of the door 74.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the removal of the clamping portion 66 from the vehicle 14, when the door 74 is closed is quite difficult.

The cover 10 also includes pieces 48 and 52 of weatherproof material, specifically shaped for covering the external mirrors of the vehicle 14. The pieces 48 and 52 are sewn onto the cover 10 at the appropriate location. Also, bands of elastic material 50 and 54 each

forming a loop extend from the cover 10 near the mirror covers 48 and 52. These bands 50 and 54 are wrapped around the vehicle's mirrors, thereby securing the cover 10 on the vehicle 14 and ensuring a tight fit of the cover 10 along the bottom of the vehicle's windshield.

Returning to Figure 3, two rectangular pieces of material 68 and 70 are sewn onto the cover 10 to form a pouch for storing the cover 10 once folded. The pouch may include pieces of hook and loop type material 72 in order to keep it closed. Also, fold lines (not shown) may be printed on either side of the cover 10 in order to facilitate folding of the cover 10 for storing in the pouch.

The installation of the cover 10 to the vehicle 14 is generally straightforward. An operator would begin the installation of the cover 10 by wrapping the bands of elastic material 50 and 54 around the external mirrors of the vehicle 14. The operator proceeds to, for example, installing the first wing 20 on side door 74 of vehicle 14. The operator would then let go of wing 20 and close door 74 since the clamping portion 66 and the piece of fabric 56 support the wing 20 on the open door 74.

This particular feature of the invention enables safe and easy installation and removal of the cover 10. The operator then lays the centre portion 18 on the windshield and moves to the opposite side of the vehicle 14.

The operator proceeds to install the second wing 22 on the opposite side door of the vehicle 14 in the same manner as the right wing 20 was installed previously.

The operator continues by adjusting loops 24 and 26 to ensure a snug and symmetrical fit across the top of the windshield. The operator

then covers the mirrors with mirror covers 48 and 52 and subsequently makes the necessary adjustments of loop 32 and of the corresponding loop 61 on the opposite side of the vehicle 14. Finally, the operator secures the anchors 60 and 62 to the appropriate anchor points at the front end of the vehicle 14 (for example, the wheel cover 78, Figure 1) and adjusts the length of cord-like members 64 and 65, via the adjustment loops 28,30, to ensure a snug fit of the cover 10.

Removal of the cover 10 may be performed by reversing the order of the installation steps described hereinabove without necessarily changing the adjustments of the cord-like members hence permitting reduction of future installation time.

Even though the description above assumes that a vehicle's door (e. g., door 74) includes a frame around its window, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention also includes the embodiments where the vehicle's doors does not have a frame around their window.

References in this description to a vehicle's door therefore includes doors with a frame around their window and doors without a frame around their window, i. e., where the window abuts the vehicle's frame 76 directly.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof; it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.