Automotive swimwear
View Patent ↗The Automotive Swimwear is an apparatus that is designed to protect parked motor vehicles during flooding. The device takes the form of a large wetsuit, made from neoprene textile, silnylon textile, nylon textile, and similar textiles that are waterproof. The wetsuit has at least one waterproof zipper. This allows the wetsuit to be opened and laid flat upon a driveway, parking lot or similar surface. The motor vehicle is then driven onto the wetsuit, and the remaining sides are pulled up and over the car until it is completely enclosed. The waterproof zipper mechanism is then closed. Regions upon which the tires of the motor vehicle rests are made from a thinner durable vinyl material. An accessory pocket and plurality of weights having an exterior reflective material are also provided.
1 . An automotive swimwear device comprising:
a center panel configured to be positioned under a vehicle, the center panel including a plurality of wheel subpanels configured to deform into pockets for enclosing vehicle wheels when the automotive swimwear device is pulled up around the vehicle;
a left side panel coupled to a left edge of the center panel and configured to be folded up and over a left side of the vehicle;
a right side panel coupled to a right edge of the center panel and configured to be folded up and over a right side of the vehicle;
a front end panel coupled to a front edge of the center panel and configured to be folded up and over a front end of the vehicle;
a rear end panel coupled to a rear edge of the center panel and configured to be folded up and over a rear end of the vehicle;
a zipper configured to couple a distal end of the left side panel to a distal end of the right side panel across a top portion of the vehicle to secure the automotive swimwear device in place;
an outer layer made of a flexible, durable, and waterproof material, the outer layer being stretchable under applied force and comprising a high-visibility color;
an inner layer bonded to the outer layer, the inner layer comprising a microfiber material configured to protect the vehicle from scratches;
one or more reflectors coupled to the outer layer at one or more positions on the front end panel, rear end panel, left side panel, or right side panel to enhance visibility;
a zipper stick comprising a staff with a hook at a distal end thereof, the zipper stick being configured to assist in pulling a zipper pull across the top portion of the vehicle;
a zipper stick pocket coupled to the automotive swimwear device and configured to store the zipper stick when not in use;
wherein the automotive swimwear device is configured to protect the vehicle from damage caused by flooding, snow, ice, hail, sun, or wind-blown debris;
wherein the automotive swimwear device is adapted to be installed and removed by a single person; and
wherein the automotive swimwear device is configured to fit a specific model of vehicle or a family of similarly sized vehicles, with varying dimensions of the center panel, side panels, end panels, and wheel subpanels to accommodate the selected vehicle size.