US4014583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile bump protector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-01
•
Granted: 1977-03-29
•
Expires: 1996-03-01
Abstract
Abstract An automobile bump protector having a plurality of force-absorbing body portions with the body portions being flexibly joined together and being foldable relative to each other to form a compact package. The body portions in their unfolded state provide a side area having a length that covers the "bump area" of an automobile side panel and a width which is sufficient to shield the outward extremities of an automobile side panel from impact. The bump protector includes a plurality of hanger straps such that the body portions may be suspended in an unfolded state adjacent to an automobile side panel to shield the side panel from physical contact. Magnetic members are associated with each of the body portions and the magnetic members of adjacent body portions are positioned to provide mutual attraction between adjacent body portions when the body portions are folded together to form a compact package.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur A. Forbes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J11/00; B60J11/06; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S293/00; Y10S293/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An automobile bump protector comprising: a plurality of force-absorbing body portions; said body portions being flexibly joined together with the portions being foldable relative to each other to form a compact package; said body portions in their unfolded state providing a side area which has a length and a width which is sufficient to shield the bump area of an automobile side panel; a plurality of hanger straps connected to said body portions such that said portions may be hung in an unfolded state adjacent an automobile side panel to shield the bump area of the side panel from physical contact; magnetic members associated with each of said body portions, and the magnetic members of adjacent body portions positioned to provide mutual attraction between adjacent body portions when the body portions are folded together to form a compact package, whereby the body portions in an unfolded state while hung from an automobile by the hanger straps are attracted to a metallic automobile side panel by the magnetic members with a sufficient force to prevent shifting or dislodgment of the bump protector from the automobile by wind forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An automobile bump protector comprising: a plurality of force-absorbing body portions; said body portions being flexibly joined together with the portions being foldable relative to each other to form a compact package; said body portions in their unfolded state providing a side area which has a length and a width which is sufficient to shield the bump area of an automobile side panel; a plurality of hanger straps connected to said body portions such that said portions may be hung in an unfolded state adjacent an automobile side panel to shield the bump area of the side panel from physical contact; magnetic members associated with each of said body portions, and the magnetic members of adjacent body portions positioned to provide mutual attraction between adjacent body portions when the body portions are folded together to form a compact package, whereby the body portions in an unfolded state while hung from an automobile by the hanger straps are attracted to a metallic automobile side panel by the magnetic members with a sufficient force to prevent shifting or dislodgment of the bump protector from the automobile by wind forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bump protector of claim 1 wherein said bump protector is formed of two body portions and two hanger straps; each of said body portions being of an equal size; said body portions being connected together at a flexible fold line, and one hanger strap being connected to each of said body portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bump protector of claim 1 wherein each of said body portions includes an interior filling material which is resilient, tough and firm in a compressed state, and which was high energy absorption during compression, and each of said body portions has an outer cover which is water resistant and is easily cleaned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The bump protector of claim 2 wherein each of said body portions includes an interior filling material which is resilient, tough and firm in a compressed state, and which has high energy absorption during compression, and each of said body portions has an outer cover which is water resistant and is easily cleaned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bump protector of claim 1 including hanger members for securing said hanger straps to an automobile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The bump protector of claim 2 including hanger members for securing said hanger straps to an automobile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bump protector of claim 1 including a cable positioned within one or more of said hanger straps, and said cable having an inner end which is fixedly anchored within a body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The bump protector of claim 2 including a cable positioned within one or more of said hanger straps, and said cable having an inner end which is fixedly anchored within a body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bump protector of claim 1 including a wire-mesh strip positioned within one or more of said hanger straps, and said wire-mesh strip having an inner end which is fixedly anchored within a body portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The bump protector of claim 2 including a wire-mesh strip positioned within one or more of said hanger straps, and said wire mesh strip having an inner end which is fixedly anchored within a body portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
The bump protector of claim 1 wherein said magnetic members are bar magnets; said magnets being mounted within the interior of each of the body portions at locations which are adjacent to the surfaces of the body portions that are in contact with an automobile side panel during use of the bump protector; the magnets in adjacent body portions being positioned in aligned relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation, and the magnets in adjacent body portions being positioned with opposite poles in contiguous relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
The bump protector of claim 2 wherein said magnetic members are bar magnets; said magnets being mounted within the interior of each of the body portions at locations which are adjacent to the surfaces of the body portions that are in contact with an automobile side panel during use of the bump protector; the magnets in adjacent body portions being positioned in aligned relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation, and the magnets in adjacent body portions being positioned with opposite poles in contiguous relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
The bump protector of claim 1 wherein said magnetic members are pieces of magnetic tape; said pieces of tape being mounted on the surfaces of the body portions that are in contact with an automobile side panel during use of the bump protector; the pieces of magnetic tape on adjacent body portions being positioned in aligned relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation, and the pieces of magnetic tape on adjacent body portions being positioned to provide mutual attraction between adjacent body portions when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
The bump protector of claim 2 wherein said magnetic members are pieces of magnetic tape; said pieces of tape being mounted on the surfaces of the body portions that are in contact with an automobile side panel during use of the bump protector; the pieces of magnetic tape on adjacent body portions being positioned in aligned relation when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation, and the pieces of magnetic tape on adjacent body portions being positioned to provide mutual attraction between adjacent body portions when the adjacent body portions are in folded relation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bump protector of claim 1 including fastener means to secure said body portions together in folded relation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bump protector of claim 2 including fastener means to secure said body portions together in folded relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3132780A
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US3147176A
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US3309129A
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US3472546A
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US3582134A
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US3738695A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |