Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02504534 2005-04-12
TIRE TRAY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] The present invention relates to vehicle tire detailing accessories.
More
particularly, this invention relates to a tire tray for use in vehicle tire
detailing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many automobile owners prefer the lustrous wet new tire look. Over
time,
however, the lustre fades and simple scrubbing or cleaning does not restore
it. In recent years, a
wide assortment of tire detailing products has been developed and marketed to
those owners
wishing to restore the shine to their automobile tires. The demand for such
products has been
overwhelming. In 2003, the automobile appearance products industry represented
an over $500
million market in the US alone.
[0003] Several of the tire detailing products are sold in a liquid form, which
is sprayed on
the tire's sidewall directly. Overspray and dripping is a common problem
associated with any
spray-on application. This problem is a concern, particularly with tire
detailing products, which
are often oil-based. The excess detailing compound can stain, sometimes
permanently, the
surface on which the vehicle is parked. The excess detailing compound might
also create a slip
hazard. Any run-off of many detailing compounds that enters local water
systems may also pose
a potential environmental hazard.
[0004] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an apparatus to
obviate or
mitigate at least some of the above presented disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A tire tray is provided for catching excess detailing compound applied
to a
sidewall of a tire in an upright position, the tire having a tread face
contacting a working surface
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and defining a contact area, the tire tray comprises a body that is
positionable on the working
surface about the contact area. The body defines a cut-out of a size
sufficient to extend about the
contact area, the body also has a length that extends beyond the tread face
and a width that
extends beyond the sidewall, and the body further has a catch surface that is
positioned opposite
the working surface and catches the excess detailing compound.
[0006] The tire tray body may comprise a ridge that extends about the body's
perimeter.
[0007] The length of the body may be adjustable.
[0008] The catch surface of the body may comprise an absorbent layer for
absorbing the
excess detailing compound.
[0009] The cut-out may comprise a recess located along a side of the body,
which
extends about at least three sides of the contact area.
(0010] The perimeter of the cut-out may include a bevelled lip.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0012) Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
[0013) Figure 2 is schematic plan view of the tire tray of Figure 1
illustrating a tire
contact area according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014) Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the tire tray of Figure 1
illustrating a
tire positioned within a cut out according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an
apparatus
according to the present invention;
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[0416] Figure 5(a) is a cross-section view illustrating a cut out portion of
an apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure S(b) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cut out portion of
an apparatus
according to an embodiment of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present
mvenrion;
[0018] Fig~zre 6 is a plan view of a tire tray according to an alternate
embodiment of the
present invention;
[0019] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tire tray illustrating an
absorbent layer
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a tire tray illustrating a drain
channel and
reservoir according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a tire tray illustrating a drain
channel and
reservoir according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a tire tray according to an
alternate embodiment
of the present invention;
j0023] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tire tray of Figure
10;
[0024] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a tire tray according to a further
embodiment of
the present invention; and,
[0025] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cut out portion of the tire tray
of Figure 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring to figures 1, 2, and 3 a tire tray 10 according to an
embodiment of the
present invention is illustrated.
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[0027] The tire tray 10 is configured to catch excess detailing compound
applied to the
sidewall 20 of a tire 22, which is in an upright position. The tire 22 has a
tread face 24, which
contacts a working surface 26 and defines a contact area 28.
j0028] The contact area 28 is defined by a fore tread side 30, which is formed
by the
tread face 24 portion of the tire 22 that faces the front of the vehicle when
the tire 22 is installed;
an aft tread side 32, which is formed by the tread face 24 portion of the tire
22 that faces the rear
of the vehicle when the tire 22 is installed; an exterior sidewall side 34,
which is formed by the
sidewall 20 of the tire 22 that faces away from the vehicle when the tire 22
is installed; and, an
interior sidewall side 36, which is formed by the sidewall 20 of the tire 22
that faces the vehicle
when the tire 22 is installed.
[0029) The tire tray 10 comprises a body 41 that is positionable on the
working surface
26 about the contact area 28. The body 41 defines a cut out 43, the size of
which is sufficient to
extend about the contact area 28. The body 41 has a length that extends beyond
the tread face 24
and a width that extends beyond the sidewall 20. Also, the body 41 has a catch
surface 45,
opposite the working surface 26, which catches the excess applied detailing
compound.
[0030) In a first embodiment of the present invention, the cut out 43 is
located within the
perimeter of the body 41, preferably a center position. Accordingly, the tire
22 may be rolled
over the body 41 and positioned within the cut out 43 at which point the
detailing compound
may be applied to the sidewall 20. In this embodiment, the tire 22 may be
either removed from
the vehicle or installed, in which case the vehicle is directed to a position
where the tire 22 is
Located within the cut out 43.
[0031] Referring to Figure 4 an alternate embodiment of the tray 10 is
illustrated. In a
preferred embodiment, the cut out 43 comprises a recess along a side of the
body 41. The
recessed cut out 43 extends about at least three sides of the contact area 28,
preferably the
exterior sidewall side 34, the fore tread side 30 and the aft tread side 32.
If, however, one wishes
to apply the detailing compound to the interior sidewall of the tire 22, then
the recessed cut out
43 extends about at least the interior sidewall side 36, the fore tread side
30 and the aft tread side
32.
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[0032] The cut out 43 includes a first tread edge 47 that is located
immediately adjacent
one of the fore tread side 30 and aft tread side 32 of the contact area 28
when the cut out 43 is
positioned about the contact area 28. The cut out 43 also includes a second
tread edge 49, which
is positioned opposite the first tread edge 47. The second tread edge 49 is
located immediately
adjacent the other of the fore tread side 30 and the aft tread side 32 of the
contact area 28 when
the cut out 43 is positioned about the contact area 28. In a preferred
embodiment, the first and
second tread edges (47, 49) contact the tread face 24 of the tire 22, thereby
reducing the
likelihood that excess detailing compound will come into contact with the
working surface 26.
[0033] Refernng to Figure S(a) the tread edges 47 and 49 may include a
bevelled lip 53,
which fits snugly against the tire tread face 24. In a preferred embodiment,
the angle of the
bevelled lip S3 is 4S°. Alternately, referring to Figure S(b) the tread
edges 47 and 49 may
include a rimmed lip SS, which abuts the tire tread face 24 and forms a
barrier that prevents the
excess detailing compound from spilling on to the working surface 26.
[0034] Referring to Figure 4, the cut out 43 further includes a sidewall edge
S 1, which is
positioned adjacent one of the exterior and interior sidewall sides 34 and 36.
In a preferred
embodiment, the sidewall edge S1 does not contact the sidewall (34 or 36), but
rather contacts
the sidewall edge 38 of the tread face 24 (Figures 3 and 4).
[0035] The tire tray 10 may further comprise a perimeter lip or ridge S7 that
extends
about the perimeter of the body 41. The lip S7 extends beyond the catch face
4S and provides a
barrier to prevent the excess detailing compound from spilling on the working
surface 26. In an
alternate embodiment, the lip S7 also extends about the perimeter of the cut
out 43.
[0036] Referring to Figure 6, in a preferred embodiment, the tray 10 includes
overlapping
tray halves 59 and 61, which when in an assembled configuration are moveable
relative to each
other. Each tray half 59 and 61 may be configured with guide means 63, which
permit guided
relative movement of the halves 59 and 61. The guide means 63 may be a groove
and a
corresponding projection or tongue. It will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that any guide
means that permits guided relative movement of the halves S9 and 61 may be
employed.
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(0037] Referring to Figure 6, the tray body 41 includes at least one handle
75. In a
preferred embodiment, each of the tray halves (59,61 ) include respective
handles 75 positioned
opposite each other, thereby permitting their use to adjust the length of the
body 41. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the handles 75 may be positioned
anywhere on the body
41 where they can be used to adjust the length of the body 41. The handles 75
may be integrally
formed. In an alternate embodiment, the handles 75 are connected to the body
41.
[0038] Each tray half (59, 61) includes complimentary cut out portions 65 and
67, which
includes one of the first and second tread edges 47 and 49, and complementary
portions of the
sidewall edge 51. The cut out portions 65 and 67 of the tray halves 59 and 61,
when in the
assembled configuration, form the cut out 43. Accordingly, as the halves 59
a_nd 61 move
' relative to each other, the size of the cut out 43 varies or is adjustable
to accommodate tires
having contact areas 28 of varying sizes. Also, the tray length also varies or
is adjustable in
order to accommodate tires of varying diameters.
(0039] Referring to Figure 7, in a preferred embodiment, the catch surface 45
includes,an
absorbent layer 69 for absorbing the excess detailing compound. The absorbent
layer 69 may be
comprised of a heavy weight absorbent rubber material that is capable of
absorbing water, oils,
coolants and solvents. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 is
comprised of a
plurality of bonded layers. The plurality of bonded layers may be thermally
bonded. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that any means for bonding a plurality of
layers that does not
affect absorbent properties of the absorbent layer 69 adversely may be
employed. In an alternate
embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 is comprised of a porous material, such as
an absorbent
foam, that is capable of absorbing excess detailing compound. It will be
apparent to those skilled
in the art that any porous layer capable of absorbing excess detailing
compound may be
employed.
[0040] The absorbent layer 69 may fonm an integral element of the catch
surface 45. In
an alternate embodiment, the absorbent layer 69 may be removeably positionable
on the catch
surface 45. For example, the absorbent layer 69 may be a separate layer that
is disposable after a
single use, or the layer 69 may be removed and cleaned after a number of uses.
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[004Ij Refernng to Figure 8, the catch surface 45 may further include a drain
channel 71
for collecting and directing the excess detailing compound and a reservoir 73,
which is in fluid
communication with the channel 71. The reservoir 73 receives and holds the
channelled excess
detailing compound for later disposal or re-use.
(0042] Referring to Figure 9, the drain channel 71 may comprise a series of
parallel drain
channels that collect and guide the excess detailing compound to the reservoir
73. In order to aid
collecting and directing, the catch surface 45 may be sloped, thereby allowing
the excess
detailing compound to move to the reservoir 73 under force of gravity.
[0043] Refernng to Figure 10, an alternate embodiment of the present invention
is
illustrated. Edges 47, 49 and 51 of cut out 43 are bevelled. Also, the corners
of the cut out 43
are rounded, giving the cut out 43 a U-shape. The corners are rounded to a
degree sufficient to
permit a snug fit about the tire 22, in particular, about the portion of the
tire 22 where the tread
face 24 and the sidewall 20 meet. The bevelled edges 47, 49 and 51 and the
rounded bevelled
corners are configured to accommodate variations in tire shapes.
[0044] Referring to Figure 11, an exploded view of the tire tray 10 of Figure
10 is
illustrated. The tray half 59 includes a bevelled tread edge 47 and a
partially bevelled sidewall
edge 51. The tray half 61 includes a bevelled tread edge 49 and a bevelled
sidewall edge 51.
When placed in an overlapping configuration, the halves 59 and 61 form the cut
out 43 which
has bevelled edges 47, 49 and 51, and rounded corners.
[0045] Referring to Figure 11, the reservoir 73 tapers to a reservoir point 77
to foam a
well for the excess detailing compound. The portion of the point 77 that is
opposite the reservoir
73 and faces the working surface 26 also acts as a support point for the tray
10. The depths of
the reservoir 73 for each of the halves 59 and 61 are selected such that the
respective points 77
that are formed provide an identical height for the tray halves 59 and 61. For
example, if tray
half 59 is positioned over tray half 61 when the tray 10 is in an assembled
configuration, then the
depth of the reservoir 73, and as such point 77, for tray half 59 would be
deeper by an amount
equal to the height offset of halves 59 and 61, thereby ensuring that the
catch surface 45 is at the
same height across the whole of the tire tray 10. In an alternate embodiment,
the depth of the
reservoir 73 for both halves 59 and 61 are selected such that the tire tray 10
catch surface 45
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slopes downwardly in the direction of the reservoir 73, thereby allowing the
force of gravity to
aid the flow of excess detailing compound from the catch surface 4S to the
reservoir 73.
[0046] Referring to Figure 12 and 13 a further alternate embodiment of the
tire tray 10 is
illustrated. The bevelled edges 47 and 49 include additional respective
bevelled grooves 79,
which are configured to catch and hold any excess detailing compound that is
not captured by the
rest of the catch surface 4S; e.g., excess detailing compound is deposited on
the tread face 24 of
the tire 22.
[0047] The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense.
Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.
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- tire tray 47 - 1 S' tread edge
49 - 2d tread edge
S 1 - side wall edge
- sidewall
53 - bevelled lip
22 - tire
55 - rimmed lip
24 - tire tread face
57 - perimeter lip
26 - working surface
59 - tray half
28 - contact area
61 - nay half
- fore tread side
63 - guide means
32 - aft tread side
65 - cut out for 59
34 - exterior sidewall side
67 - cut out for 61
36 - interior sidewall side
69 - absorbent layer
38 - sidewall tread edge
71 - drain channel
41 - tire tray body
73 - reservoir
43 - cut out
75 - handle
45 - catch surface 77 - reservoir point
79- bevelled groove
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