FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to insect barriers, and more particularly to a removable insect barrier for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor enthusiasts frequently sleep or spend extended periods of time in their vehicles to enjoy being in nature, for example, in a nature reserve or park. Unfortunately, many of these places are insect-infested during summer. If the weather is warm, it is often not comfortable to keep the car windows closed. Further, many outdoor enthusiasts want to hear the sounds of nature. However, when the car windows are open numerous insects will enter the vehicle, hi addition to the annoyance and discomfort associated with insects and insect bites, insect bites have been linked to serious health problems such as, for example, West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

Furthermore, when cars are parked in outdoor parking lots on hot summer days the interior of the car can heat up to extreme temperatures. In such situations people leave the car windows open a bit in order to enable exchange of air to prevent the interior from overheating, in particular when pets are left in the car.

It is desirable to provide a removable insect barrier that substantially prevents ingress of insects through an open car window.

It is also desirable to provide a removable insect barrier that enables quick and easy installation and removal.

It is also desirable to provide a removable insect barrier that is easily adjustable to different car window sizes. It is also desirable to provide a removable insect barrier that is simple and cost effective to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a removable insect barrier that substantially prevents ingress of insects through an open car window.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable insect barrier that enables quick and easy installation and removal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable insect barrier that is easily adjustable to different car window sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable insect barrier that is simple and cost effective to manufacture.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable insect barrier for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window. The removable insect barrier comprises an insect screen adapted for covering an outside of a window portion of a car door. A flexible bottom strip is mounted to a bottom end of the insect screen. A strip of flexible material is mounted to a front end, top end, and rear end of the insect screen and extends a predetermined distance therefrom. The insect screen and the strip of flexible material is adapted for accommodating the window portion of the car door therebetween. A first tightener is joined to the flexible bottom strip for securing the bottom of the insect barrier. A second tightener is movable attached to the strip of flexible material, the second tightener is adapted for tightening the insect screen to the window portion of the car door.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable insect barrier for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window. The removable insect barrier comprises an insect screen adapted for covering an outside of a window portion of a car door. A flexible bottom strip is mounted to a bottom end of the insect screen. A strip of flexible material is mounted to a front end, top end, and rear end of the insect screen and extends a predetermined distance therefrom. The insect screen and the strip of flexible material is adapted for accommodating the window portion of the car door therebetween. A first tightener is joined to the flexible bottom strip for securing the bottom of the insect barrier. A second tightener is movable attached to the strip of flexible material, the second tightener is adapted for tightening the insect screen to the window portion of the car door. The first tightener comprises a magnetic strip disposed in an enclosure made of the bottom strip.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable insect barrier for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window. The removable insect barrier comprises an insect screen adapted for covering an outside of a window portion of a car door. A flexible bottom strip is mounted to a bottom end of the insect screen. A strip of flexible material is mounted to a front end, top end, and rear end of the insect screen and extends a predetermined distance therefrom. The insect screen and the strip of flexible material is adapted for accommodating the window portion of the car door therebetween. A first tightener is joined to the flexible bottom strip for securing the bottom of the insect barrier. A second tightener is movable attached to the strip of flexible material, the second tightener is adapted for tightening the insect screen to the window portion of the car door. The first tightener comprises two straps mounted to a front end and a rear end of the bottom strip and a fastener.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a removable insect barrier for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window. The removable insect barrier comprises an insect screen adapted for covering an outside of a window portion of a car door. A flexible bottom strip is mounted to a bottom end of the insect screen. A strip of flexible material is mounted to a front end, top end, and rear end of the insect screen and extends a predetermined distance therefrom. The insect screen and the strip of flexible material is adapted for accommodating the window portion of the car door therebetween. A first tightener is joined to the flexible bottom strip for securing the bottom of the insect barrier. A second tightener is movable attached to the strip of flexible material, the second tightener is adapted for tightening the insect screen to the window portion of the car door. An opening is disposed in a front portion of the insect screen with the opening being adapted for accommodating a side mirror therethrough. A collar surrounding the opening is mounted to the front portion of the insect screen. The collar is made of a flexible material and comprises a collar tightener movable attached thereto with the collar forming a tube having the tightener disposed therein. The collar tightener is adapted for tightening the collar to the mounting portion of the side mirror.

The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a removable insect barrier that substantially prevents ingress of insects through an open car window.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a removable insect barrier that enables quick and easy installation and removal.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a removable insect barrier that is easily adjustable to different car window sizes.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a removable insect barrier that is simple and cost effective to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view a car interior facing side of a removable insect barrier according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view an outside facing side of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in perspective views a collar of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view a car interior facing side of a comer section of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a perspective the installation of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view an outside facing side of a rear door version of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view a car interior facing side of the rear door version of the removable insect barrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view a car interior facing side of a removable insect barrier according to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figures 10 and 11 are simplified block diagrams illustrating in detailed side views a front end bottom section and a rear end bottom section of the removable insect barrier according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view an outside facing side of the removable insect barrier according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a side view a car interior facing side of the removable insect barrier according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a perspective view a collar of the removable insect barrier according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention; and,

Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram illustrating in a detailed perspective side view a front end bottom section of the removable insect barrier according to the other preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 a removable insect barrier 100 for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The removable insect barrier 100 comprises insect screen 102 made of a flexible material and is adapted for covering an outside of a window portion 10A of a car door 10. Preferably, the insect screen 102 is a commercially available no-see-um screen or 20 x 20 mesh in order to prevent ingress of no-see-ums, gnats, sand flies, and other tiny insects. As is evident to one skilled in the art, other types of insect screens may also be employed depending on design preferences. A commercially available magnetic strip 110 is disposed along a bottom end 102 _B of the insect screen 102 and mounted thereto. Preferably, the magnetic strip 110 is disposed in an enclosure 108 made of a flexible material mounted to the bottom end 102 _B of the insect screen 102. For example, the enclosure 108 is made of flexible material which is folded around the magnetic strip 110 and sewn or adhered to the bottom end 102 _B of the insect screen 102. The front end and the rear end of the enclosure 108 are closed by sewing or adhering the folded ends of the strip of flexible material together. The flexible material is, for example, a commercially available fabric material or flexible plastic sheet material. A strip of flexible material 104 comprising a front portion 104 _F , a top portion 104 _T , and a rear portion 104 _R is mounted to a front end 102 _F , top end 102 _T , and a rear end 102 _R of the insect screen 102, respectively. The strip of flexible material 104 extends a predetermined distance D from the front end 102 _F , the top end 102 _T , and the rear end 102 _R of the insect screen 102, such that a front portion 10A _F , a top portion 10A _T , and a rear portion 10A _R of the window portion 10A of the car door 10 is securely accommodated between the strip of flexible material 104 and the insect screen 102, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 for a front car door and in Figures 7 and 8 for a rear car door. The strip of flexible material 104 is made of, for example, a commercially available fabric material, flexible plastic sheet material, or the insect screen material, and is sewn or adhered to the front end 102 _F , the top end 102 _T , and the rear end 102 _R of the insect screen 102.

Preferably, the distal end portion of the strip of flexible material 104 forms a tube 104 A having a drawstring 106 disposed therein. For example, the distal end portion of the strip of flexible material 104 is folded over to form the tube 104A and sewn or adhered together. Both ends of the drawstring 106 are combined in a spring loaded clamp element 106 A for the drawstring 106 to form a loop. Using the clamp element 106 A the size of the drawstring 106 loop is adjusted for tightening the strip of flexible material 104 and the insect screen 102 to the window portion 10A of the car door 10. Alternatively, an elastic band or elastic cord maybe employed instead of the drawstring 106.

Further preferably, at least one comer section 104B of the strip of flexible material 104 extends further than the predetermined distance D for facilitating placement of the removable insect barrier 100 on the window portion 10A of the car door 10 such that same is accommodated between the insect screen 102 and strip of flexible material 104.

The front door version of the removable insect barrier 100 comprises opening 102A disposed in a front portion of the insect screen 102 with the opening 102 A being adapted for accommodating a side mirror 12 therethrough, as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 4. Preferably, collar 112 surrounding the opening 102A is mounted to the front portion of the insect screen 102. The collar 112 is made of a flexible material such as, for example, the screen material, fabric material, or flexible plastic sheet material and is sewn or adhered to the insect screen 102. Preferably, the distal end portion of the collar 112 forms a tube 112 A having a drawstring 114 disposed therein. For example, the distal end portion of the collar 112 is folded over to form the tube 112A and sewn or adhered together. Both ends of the drawstring 114 are combined in a spring loaded clamp element 114A for the drawstring 114 to form a loop. Using the clamp element 114A the size of the drawstring 114 loop is adjusted for tightening the collar 112 to the mounting portion 12A of the side mirror 12 in a tight fit, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Alternatively, an elastic band or elastic cord may be employed instead of the drawstring 114.

The front door version of the removable insect barrier 100 is quick and easily installed as follows:

1. place drawstring 106 on the interior side of the car door 10;

2. insert side mirror 12 through the opening 102 A of the insect screen 102;

3. place collar 112 around the mounting portion 12 A of the side mirror 12, as illustrated in Figure 3;

4. pull drawstring 1 14 to tighten the collar 112 to the mounting portion 12A of the side mirror 12, as illustrated in Figure 4;

5. place comer section 104B of the strip of flexible material 104 over a respective comer section of the window portion 10A of the car door 10 such that the same is accommodated between the comer section 104B and the insect screen 102, as illustrated in Figure 5;

6. pull the insect screen 102 and the enclosure 108 down, as indicated by the block arrow in Figure 6;

7. place the enclosure 108 onto the car door 10 such that the magnetic strip 110 is in magnetic interaction with the car door 10; and

8. pull drawstring 106, as indicated by the block arrows in Figure 6 to tighten the strip of flexible material 104 and the insect screen 102 to the window portion 10A of the car door 10.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the rear door version of the removable insect barrier 100 is also quick and easily installed as follows:

1. place drawstring 106 on the interior side of the car door 10; 2. place comer sections 104B of the strip of flexible material 104 over a respective comer section of the window portion 10A of the car door 10 such that the same is accommodated between the comer section 104B and the insect screen 102;

3. pull the insect screen 102 and the enclosure 108 down;

4. place the enclosure 108 onto the car door 10 such that the magnetic strip 110 is in magnetic interaction with the car door 10; and

5. pull drawstring 106 to tighten the strip of flexible material 104 and the insect screen 102 to the window portion 10A of the car door 10.

The use of the magnetic strip provides a tight fit between the bottom 102 _B of the insect screen 102 and the car door, while the use of drawstring 106 provides a tight fit between the insect screen 102 and the window portion 10A of the car door 10. Furthermore, it allows provision of a single size removable insect barrier 100 - one for each car door - that fits most SUVs, sedans, and compact cars. As is evident to one skilled in the art, the size of the removable insect barrier 100 is easily adapted to fit larger vehicles such as, for example, pick-up trucks.

Referring to Figures 9 to 15 a removable insect barrier 200 for preventing ingress of insects through an open car window according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The removable insect barrier 200 comprises insect screen 202 made of a flexible material and is adapted for covering an outside of a window portion 10A of a car door 10. Preferably, the insect screen 202 is a commercially available no-see-um screen or 20 x 20 mesh in order to prevent ingress of no-see-ums, gnats, sand flies, and other tiny insects. As is evident to one skilled in the art, other types of insect screens may also be employed depending on design preferences. A bottom strip 206 made of a flexible material such as, for example, a commercially available webbing material, fabric material, or plastic sheet material, is mounted to the bottom end 202 _B of the insect screen 202. For example, bottom strip 206 is sewn or adhered to the bottom end 202 _B of the insect screen 202.

Front strap 208 _F and rear strap 208 _R are mounted to the front end 206 _F and the rear end 206 _R of the bottom strip 206, respectively, as illustrated in Figures 9-11. The straps 208 _F and 208 _R are made of a flexible material such as, for example, a commercially available webbing material, fabric material, or plastic sheet material, and are sewn or adhered to the respective ends 206,; and 206 _R of the bottom strip 206. The front strap 208 _F and rear strap 208 _R are fastened together via buckle 210, mounted to one of the straps 208 _F ,208 _R , for tightly securing the bottom of the insect barrier 200 to the car door 10, as illustrated in Figures 12-15.

Alternatively, the bottom strip 206 is omitted and the straps 208 _F ,208 _R are replaced by a single strap having the bottom end 202 _B of the insect screen 202 mounted thereto.

Further alternatively, instead of the buckle 210 another suitable faster such as, for example, a hook and loop fastener, is employed.

Further alternatively, instead of the straps 208 _F , 208 _R a drawstring is mounted to the front end 206 _F and the rear end 206 _R of the bottom strip 206, a length of which is adjusted using a clamp element for tightly securing the bottom of the insect barrier 200 to the car door 10.

A strip of flexible material 204 comprising a front portion 204 _F , a top portion 204 _T , and a rear portion 204 _R is mounted to a front end 202 _F , top end 202 _T , and a rear end 202 _R of the insect screen 202, respectively. The strip of flexible material 204 extends a predetermined distance D from the front end 202 _F , the top end 202 _T , and the rear end 202 _R of the insect screen 202, such that a front portion 10A _F , a top portion 10A _T , and a rear portion 10A _R of the window portion 10A of the car door 10 is securely accommodated between the strip of flexible material 204 and the insect screen 202, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. The strip of flexible material 104 is made of, for example, a commercially available fabric material, flexible plastic sheet material, or the insect screen material, and is sewn or adhered to the front end 202 _F , the top end 202 _T , and the rear end 202 _R of the insect screen 202.

Preferably, the distal end portion of the strip of flexible material 204 forms a tube 204A having, for example, an elastic band or elastic cord 212 disposed therein. For example, the distal end portion of the strip of flexible material 204 is folded over to form the tube 204A and sewn or adhered together. The ends 212 _B of the elastic band or elastic cord 212 are mounted to the front strap 208 _F and the rear strap 208 _R , as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, for tightening the strip of flexible material 204 and the insect screen 202 to the window portion 10A of the car door 10. Alternatively, a drawstring disposed in the tube 204A and extending therefrom is employed. The drawstring forms a loop the size of which is adjusted using a clamp element for tightening the strip of flexible material 204 and the insect screen 202 to the window portion 10A of the car door 10.

Further preferably, at least one comer section 204B of the strip of flexible material 204 extends further than the predetermined distance D for facilitating placement of the removable insect barrier 200 on the window portion 10A of the car door 10 such that same is accommodated between the insect screen 202 and strip of flexible material 204.

The front door version of the removable insect barrier 200 comprises opening 202A disposed in a front portion of the insect screen 202 with the opening 202A being adapted for accommodating a side mirror 12 therethrough, as illustrated in Figure 9. Preferably, collar 214 surrounding the opening 202A is mounted to the front portion of the insect screen 202. The collar 214 is made of a flexible material such as, for example, the screen material, fabric material, or flexible plastic sheet material and is sewn or adhered to the insect screen 202.

Preferably, the distal end portion of the collar 214 forms a tube having a drawstring disposed therein. For example, the distal end portion of the collar 214 is folded over to form the tube 112A and sewn or adhered together. Both ends of the drawstring are combined in a spring loaded clamp element for the drawstring to form a loop. Using the clamp element the size of the drawstring loop is adjusted for tightening the collar 214 to the mounting portion 12A of the side mirror 12 in a tight fit, as illustrated in Figure 14. Alternatively, an elastic band or elastic cord may be employed instead of the drawstring.

The removable insect barrier 200 is quick and easily installed in a similar fashion as the insect barrier 100 hereinabove with the installation of the front door version thereof comprising the following steps:

1. place straps 208 _F and 208 _R on the interior side of the car door 10;

2. insert side mirror 12 through the opening 202 A of the insect screen 202;

3. place collar 214 around the mounting portion 12A of the side mirror 12; 4. pull drawstring to tighten the collar 214 to the mounting portion 12A of the side mirror 12;

5. place comer section 204B of the strip of flexible material 204 over a respective comer section of the window portion 10A of the car door 10 such that the same is accommodated between the comer section 204B and the insect screen 202;

6. pull the insect screen 202 and the bottom strip 206 downward;

7. place the bottom strip 206 onto the car door 10; and

8. fasten the front strap 208 _F and rear strap 208 _R together via buckle 210 and secure tightly the bottom of the insect barrier 200 to the car door 10.

The rear door version of the removable insect barrier 200 is installed in a similar fashion as the front door version with steps two to four being omitted.

The use of the straps 208 _F and 208 _R and buckle 210 provides a tight fit between the bottom 202 _B of the insect screen 202 and the car door, while the use of the elastic band or elastic cord 212 provides a tight fit between the insect screen 202 and the window portion 10A of the car door 10. Furthermore, it allows provision of a single size removable insect barrier 200 - one for each car door - that fits most SUVs, sedans, and compact cars. As is evident to one skilled in the art, the size of the removable insect barrier 200 is easily adapted to fit larger vehicles such as, for example, pick-up trucks.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.