U.S. patent application number 11/267831 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-01 for wheeled vehicle enclosure.
Invention is credited to Dan M. Sheldon.
Application Number | 20060113015 11/267831 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36566290 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060113015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheldon; Dan M. |
June 1, 2006 |
Wheeled vehicle enclosure
Abstract
A wheeled vehicle enclosure system includes a body constructed
to enclose a wheeled vehicle. The body is made from a material that
is synthetic, durable, flexible, and weather-resistant.
Wheeled-vehicle-receiving structure is constructed to allow the
body to be fitted around the wheeled vehicle, and a closer is
coupled to the body adjacent the wheeled-vehicle-receiving
structure and constructed to close the bicycle-receiving structure.
The closer may be formed as a zipper-closer subsystem.
Enclosure-tightening structure produces a preselectively tighter
fit of the system around the wheeled vehicle. The wheeled-vehicle
enclosure system may be used for bicycles or other wheeled
vehicles.
Inventors: |
Sheldon; Dan M.; (Cornelius,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David P. Cooper;Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.
Suite 200
520 S.W. Yamhill Street
Portland
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
36566290 |
Appl. No.: |
11/267831 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60625310 |
Nov 4, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
150/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
150/167 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/02 20060101
B65D065/02; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A wheeled vehicle enclosure system, comprising: a body
constructed to enclose a wheeled vehicle, wherein the body is made
from a material that is synthetic, durable, flexible, and
weather-resistant; wheeled-vehicle-receiving structure constructed
to allow the body to be fitted around the wheeled vehicle; and a
closer coupled to the body adjacent the wheeled-vehicle-receiving
structure and constructed to close the bicycle-receiving
structure.
2. The wheeled vehicle enclosure system of claim 1, wherein the
closer is a zipper-closer subsystem.
3. The wheeled vehicle enclosure system of claim 1, further
including enclosure-tightening structure to produce a
preselectively tighter fit of the system around the wheeled
vehicle.
4. A bicycle enclosure system, comprising: a body constructed to
enclose a bicycle, wherein the body is made from a material that is
synthetic, durable, flexible, and weather-resistant;
bicycle-receiving structure constructed to allow the body to be
fitted around the bicycle; and a closer coupled to the body
adjacent the wheeled-vehicle-receiving structure and constructed to
close the bicycle-receiving structure.
5. The bicycle enclosure system of claim 4, wherein the closer is a
zipper-closer subsystem.
6. The bicycle enclosure system of claim 4, further including
enclosure-tightening structure to produce a preselectively tighter
fit of the system around the bicycle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/625,310, filed Nov. 5, 2004, and entitled
WHEELED VEHICLE ENCLOSURE, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The field of the invention relates to systems and methods
for covering wheeled vehicles such as bicycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention may be thought of as a wheeled vehicle
enclosure system that includes a body constructed to enclose a
wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle. The body is made from a
material that is synthetic, durable, flexible, and
weather-resistant. Wheeled-vehicle-receiving structure is
constructed to allow the body to be fitted around the wheeled
vehicle, and a closer is coupled to the body adjacent the
wheeled-vehicle-receiving structure and constructed to close the
bicycle-receiving structure. The closer may be formed as a
zipper-closer subsystem. Enclosure-tightening structure produces a
preselectively tighter fit of the system around the wheeled
vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a photograph showing a front view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention being used to enclose a bicycle.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a back view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a side view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a photograph showing a close-up side view of the
view shown in FIG. 3.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a front view like that shown
in FIG. 1, but wherein the invention is mounted on a hitch that is
attached to a different vehicle.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a photograph showing a side view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention mounted on an alternate hitch that
holds the bicycle in a substantially vertical orientation.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a photograph showing a close-up view of the view
shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In FIGS. 1-7 there are photographs showing several views of
the wheeled vehicle enclosure invention. The invention may be
thought of as a bicycle enclosure 10, and that version of the
invention is shown in the figures. The enclosure includes a body 12
which may be made from any suitable material, but is preferably
made from a synthetic, durable, flexible, weather-resistant
material such as that sold under the trademark NEOPRENE.TM..
Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a side region 14 with
bicycle-receiving structure 16 that allows the bicycle enclosure to
be opened at one end, thereby accommodating placement of the
enclosure around the bicycle. Structure 16 may take the form of one
or more openings formed in body 12. Put another way, the bicycle
can be placed within the bicycle enclosure through opening 16. A
closer 18 is also coupled to the body for closing the
bicycle-receiving structure. The closer may take the form of a
zipper-closer subsystem. Bicycle enclosure system 10 is preferably
designed to enclose substantially the entire bicycle. However, as
shown in the figures, it may be desirable to enclose the bicycle
less the front wheel for purposes of attachment to various
commercially available bicycle carriers that are attachable to
automobiles, trucks and recreational vehicles.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, there is also shown
enclosure-tightening structure 20 to produce a preselectively
tighter fit of the enclosure about the bicycle. Referring to FIG.
4, the enclosure-tightening structure may take the form two pairs
of openings (one pair shown at 22 and the other undepicted but
formed in the side of body 12 that is facing opposite the side
shown in the photograph) formed in opposing sides of the enclosure
for allowing tie structure 24, which may be formed as a string or
rope, to be fed through and knotted as a way of pulling the
opposing sides together. Tie structure 24 allows for a tighter fit
of the enclosure around the bicycle.
[0013] As noted above, the version of the enclosure shown in the
figures is designed for placement around a bicycle that has had its
front wheel removed. However, the enclosure could also be made to
fit around both the front and rear wheel if desired. The figures
also show that the enclosure is designed for placement around a
bicycle that has been mounted on typical bicycle carriers for
vehicles. Those bicycle carriers may be rear-mounted to the back of
cars or recreational vehicles. However, the enclosure of the
invention may also be used for other types of vehicle carriers not
shown in the figures (such as ceiling-mounted vehicle carriers or
so-called roof racks).
[0014] By providing the enclosure of the invention, the user of a
bicycle can safely and effectively cover it during ground
transportation of the bicycle to a desired location. The enclosure
protects the bicycle from unwanted and possibly harmful dirt,
gravel, and weather such as rain or snow. While the figures show
only a bicycle enclosure, the idea of the invention is to use it
for any wheeled vehicle that will be carried (or even towed) by
another vehicle.
[0015] The specific embodiments of a wheeled vehicle enclosure
system as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered
in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The
subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and
non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various
features, elements, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.
No single feature, function, element or property of the disclosed
embodiments is essential. The following claims define certain
combinations and subcombinations which are regarded as novel and
non-obvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features,
functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through
amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in
this or a related application. Such claims, whether they are
different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original
claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of
the disclosure.
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