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US 12,734,869 B2Granted
Assembly configured to cover openings in motor vehicle during washing
AssigneeMatthew Quinten Lawrence
InventorMatthew Quinten Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure relates to an assembly configured to cover openings in a motor vehicle during washing of the motor vehicle. Among other benefits, which will be appreciated from the below description, the assembly of this disclosure allows one to wash their motor vehicle without soap, or soapy water, entering an engine compartment of the motor vehicle via the openings. As such, the soap or soapy water does not leave residue on the engine that may require additional washing, for example. Further, the disclosed assembly is relatively easy to install and remove relative to the motor vehicle, while also providing a sturdy and reliable seal relative to the motor vehicle.
Claims20
An assembly, comprising:
- a cover configured to fit relative to a vent of a motor vehicle, wherein the vent includes a plurality of openings spaced-apart by projections, and wherein the openings and projections of the vent are circumscribed by a perimeter gap, wherein the perimeter gap is present between the vent and an adjacent rear glass panel of the vehicle and is further present between the vent and an adjacent body panel of the vehicle arranged on an opposite side of the vent as the rear glass panel, wherein each of the openings is able to communicate fluid to an engine of the motor vehicle, wherein the cover is configured to prevent fluid from entering each of the openings, wherein the cover includes a perimeter, wherein the perimeter includes an edge having a flared bottom portion, wherein the flared bottom portion projects gradually further outward from a remainder of the edge until the flared bottom portion reaches a free end of the edge, and wherein the free end of the edge is a bottom-most point of the edge relative to when the cover is fit relative to the opening, wherein the cover is formed as a single, integrated body without any joints or seams, and wherein the cover is formed entirely of a rubber material, and wherein the flared bottom portion projects into the perimeter gap.
An assembly, comprising:
- a cover configured to fit relative to an opening of a motor vehicle, wherein the opening is adjacent a rear edge of a rear glass panel and is further adjacent a body panel of the motor vehicle generally vertically below the rear edge of the rear glass panel, wherein the opening is able to communicate fluid to an engine of the motor vehicle, wherein the cover is configured to prevent fluid from entering the opening, wherein the cover includes a main body, wherein the main body includes a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the main body exhibits a variable height between a front edge and a rear edge of the main body, wherein the height of the main body is at a maximum at a non-central point along a width of the main body between the front edge and the rear edge, wherein the height of the main body gradually and continuously increases moving along the width of the main body from the rear edge to the non-central point, wherein the height of the main body gradually and continuously decreases moving along the width of the main body from the non-central point to the front edge, wherein the cover is formed of a rubber material, and wherein, when the cover is fit relative to the opening, the main body is compressed between the rear glass panel and the body panel such that the rear glass panel and the body panel apply opposing forces on the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the main body adjacent the non-central point, so as to establish an interference fit that holds the cover in place relative to the opening and so as to establish a seal preventing ingress of fluid into the opening.
A method, comprising:
- covering an opening of a motor vehicle with a cover before washing the motor vehicle by inserting the cover into the opening in a forward direction substantially parallel to a centerline of the motor vehicle, wherein the opening is adjacent a rear edge of a rear glass panel and is further adjacent a body panel of the motor vehicle generally vertically below the rear edge of the rear glass panel, wherein the opening is able to communicate fluid into an engine of the motor vehicle, and wherein the cover is configured to prevent fluid from entering the opening from an outside location, wherein the cover includes a main body, wherein the main body includes a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the main body exhibits a variable height between a front edge and a rear edge of the main body, wherein the height of the main body is at a maximum at a non-central point along a width of the main body between the front edge and the rear edge, wherein the height of the main body gradually and continuously increases moving along the width of the main body from the rear edge to the non-central point, wherein the height of the main body gradually and continuously decreases moving along the width of the main body from the non-central point to the front edge, and wherein the cover is formed of a rubber material, wherein the cover includes a first tab projecting generally upwardly from a location adjacent a first side of the main body, and the cover further includes a second tab projecting generally upwardly from a location adjacent a second side of the main body opposite the first side, and wherein, when the cover is inserted into the opening, the main body is compressed between the rear glass panel and the body panel such that the rear glass panel and the body panel apply opposing forces on the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, of the main body adjacent the non-central point, so as to establish an interference fit that holds the cover in place relative to the opening and so as to establish a seal preventing ingress of fluid into the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.