# US 5,700,022 A · Multifunctional collapsible shield

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- Number: US 5,700,022 A
- Document ID: US5700022A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/581,848
- Filed: 1996-01-02
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-01-02
- Inventors: Lawrence M. Finnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700022A

## CPC

- B62J 15/00: Mud-guards for wheels
- B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS

## Abstract

A multifunctional collapsible shield (10) comprising an elongated sheet (12) and a pair of elongated panels (14). A facility (16) is for attaching each longitudinal edge of the elongated sheet (12) to the longitudinal center of each elongated panel (14). A component (18) is for joining opposite longitudinal edges of the elongated panels (14) together. The elongated sheet (12) in combination with the elongated panels (14) will form a structural tube (20) with outer portions of the elongated panels (14) extending away from the formed structural tube (20), to function as guard members.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multifunctional collapsible shield comprising:
a) an elongated sheet having opposed longitudinal edges;
b) a pair of elongated panels, each elongated panel having inner and outer longitudinal portions with a longitudinal center therebetween;
c) means for attaching each longitudinal edge of said elongated sheet to the longitudinal center of each said elongated panel;
d) a zipper attached to opposite longitudinal edges of the inner portions of said pair of elongated panels, the inner portions being joined together and the elongated sheet being deformed along it's longitudinal length when the zipper is closed so that the elongated sheet in combination with the inner portions form a structural tube with the outer portions of the elongated panels extending away from the formed structural robe to function as guard members, and the inner portions being separated when the zipper is opened to permit the elongated sheet and the longitudinal panels to assume a rolled configuration; and
e) means for securing a forward end of the formed structural tube to a seat post of a seat on a bicycle, said formed structural tube being sufficiently rigid when the zipper is closed to permit a rearward end portion of the formed structural tube to extend unsupported over a rear wheel of the bicycle to act as a fender.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated sheet is fabricated out of a flexible durable material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 2, wherein said flexible durable material is lightweight plastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said elongated panels is fabricated out of a flexible durable material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 4, wherein said flexible durable material is lightweight plastic.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 1, wherein said attaching means is a heat seal between each longitudinal edge of said elongated sheet and the longitudinal center of each said elongated panel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A multifunctional collapsible sheet as recited in claim 1, wherein said zipper includes:
a) two rows of teeth on the opposite longitudinal edges of said elongated panels; and
b) a sliding piece with pull tab that will close an opening between the opposite longitudinal edges of said elongated panels by interlocking said teeth together.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes:
a) a collar grip clamp to fit about the seat post;
b) a locking bolt on said collar grip clamp to hold said collar grip clamp tightly to the seat post; and
c) a tongue on said collar grip clamp to engage with the one end of said formed structural tube, for supporting said formed structural tube over the rear wheel of the bicycle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A multifunctional collapsible shield as recited in claim 8, further including a pouch to retain said elongated sheet and said elongated panels when in the rolled configuration.