US4498697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable, positionable, locking magnetic molding tubes for vehicle protection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-06-02
•
Granted: 1985-02-12
•
Expires: 2003-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A molded plastic or rubber tube with an adhesively applied flexible magnet that can be magnetically attached to the sides of any metal vehicle for the purpose of protection against being damaged by impacts from hard objects or adjacent vehicles in a parking situation. Further, the molding can be secured to the vehicle by a wire clip that surrounds the diameter of the molding and has a projection on the magnet side of the molding that fits between the door and the door jam of a vehicle which secures the clip and therefore the molding to the vehicle when the door is closed and locked.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. McGlone
- 👤 Leonard J. Genest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A system of locking, readily positionable, impact-absorbing protective molding tube for metal vehicle body panels or other ferous surfaces; which attaches to said panels or surfaces by magnetic attraction, comprising: an extruded tubing of a "D" channel configuration, formed of rubber or plastic which adheres to any ferous surface by means of an adhesively attached magnetic strip which is attached to the length of the molding in the underside recess of the "D" channel where said molding incorporates an internal flat semi-rigid member that maintains the molding in a straight and lateral attitude when attached to a ferous panel and also provides extra impact-absorbing and dispersion characteristics to the molding while providing adequate flexing to allow the length of the molding to follow the contour on the surface of which it is attached and a circumferential locking device consisting of a formed and coated wire retainer loop culminating in two reverse-band locking members where said locking device fits over the molding and the distally protruding locking members are then available for attachment to panel edges or the inside lip of automobile doors to prevent theft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A system of locking, readily positionable, impact-absorbing protective molding tube for metal vehicle body panels or other ferous surfaces; which attaches to said panels or surfaces by magnetic attraction, comprising: an extruded tubing of a "D" channel configuration, formed of rubber or plastic which adheres to any ferous surface by means of an adhesively attached magnetic strip which is attached to the length of the molding in the underside recess of the "D" channel where said molding incorporates an internal flat semi-rigid member that maintains the molding in a straight and lateral attitude when attached to a ferous panel and also provides extra impact-absorbing and dispersion characteristics to the molding while providing adequate flexing to allow the length of the molding to follow the contour on the surface of which it is attached and a circumferential locking device consisting of a formed and coated wire retainer loop culminating in two reverse-band locking members where said locking device fits over the molding and the distally protruding locking members are then available for attachment to panel edges or the inside lip of automobile doors to prevent theft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1, where the internal semi-rigid member is constructed to allow flexibility in the longitudinal plane perpendicular to the flat section of the D shape of the molded tube and not allow flexibility in the plane parellel to the flat section of the D shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 2 where the internal semi-rigid member is made of a rectngular cross section straight wooden member of the approximate length of the molded tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3 where the rectangular cross section straight semi-rigid member is made of metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 where the locking device is made from a plastic or metal material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-02-12 | 1988-08-13 | 1989-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-02-12 | 1992-08-13 | 1993-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-08-13 | 1997-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |