초록 ▼

An apparatus used to protect a motor vehicle has a low profile housing placed below a rear bumper of the vehicle, and a cover placed within the housing in an accordion-like fashion. In one embodiment, an electric motor drives a roller belt assembly which frictionally engages with the cover to provid

An apparatus used to protect a motor vehicle has a low profile housing placed below a rear bumper of the vehicle, and a cover placed within the housing in an accordion-like fashion. In one embodiment, an electric motor drives a roller belt assembly which frictionally engages with the cover to provide a force to aid a user in either the extension from or the retraction into the housing of the cover. In an alternate embodiment, the roller assembly includes webbing material geometrically positioned to prevent the cover from becoming entangled in the rollers. At least one roller assembly can be flexibly positioned to permit even force to be applied to the cover during extension from and retraction into the housing even if the cover becomes bunched to one side of the roller assembly. The electric motor is controlled from an extension handle attached to a forward portion of the cover. The vehicle cover can include a protective cushion that can be at least one inflatable air chamber to protect at least a portion of the vehicle when the cover is extended over the vehicle. An air pump attached to the housing inflates the air chamber when the handle is attached to a front portion of the vehicle. An exhaust valve in the handle deflates the air chamber for storage in the housing.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle cover and storage and deployment apparatus comprising:a vehicle cover having a first end and a second end;a generally low profile hollow housing adapted to receive said vehicle cover in an essentially accordion, non-spooled orientation;means for moving said vehi

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle cover and storage and deployment apparatus comprising:a vehicle cover having a first end and a second end;a generally low profile hollow housing adapted to receive said vehicle cover in an essentially accordion, non-spooled orientation;means for moving said vehicle cover, said means for moving being in frictional engagement with said vehicle cover for assisting an operator in moving said vehicle cover between a stored position within said housing and an extended position at least partially covering a vehicle;said housing being connected to an underside of the vehicle;said means for moving including at least one drive roller frictionally cooperating with said vehicle cover;means for preventing said vehicle cover from wrapping around and jamming said at least one drive roller, said means for preventing jamming including at least one guide roller;a handle removably connected to said cover at said first end, said handle including means for controlling said means for moving;at least one inflatable air chamber connected to said vehicle cover;an air pump mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said at least. One air chamber; anda manually openable and closeable exhaust valve mounted to said handle and in fluid communication with said at least one air chamber;said air pump including means for activation, said pump being deactivated at a preselected internal pressure of said at least one air chamber.