Vehicle Shield

Abstract

A protective shield or barrier for use with a motorcycle, automobile or other vehicle temporarily, e.g., seasonally, stored in a garage or other storage area is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vehicle shield is comprised of a plurality of panels formed from a semi-rigid material hingedly connected to form a foldable, stowable and protective barrier. The vehicle shield may be joined with one or more additional shields via a tab and slots to extend the length of the barrier. Stabilizer feet are provided to increase the stability of the free-standing barrier. The vehicle shield is a cost-effective barrier protection against dents, scratches and the like.

1 . A protective barrier for a vehicle, the barrier comprising:
 a plurality of panels; wherein said panels are flexibly connected together to form said barrier; and wherein said barrier is free standing.   
   
   
       2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said panels are constructed from at least one of the following materials: foam board; double walled plastic; corrugated thermoplastic; corrugated cardboard; and cardboard panels. 
   
   
       3 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of panels are connected to an adjacent panel by a living hinge. 
   
   
       4 . The barrier of  claim 3 , wherein said living hinge is formed through the process of at least one of: forming perforations, tempering, embossing or forming a thinner region in said barrier. 
   
   
       5 . The barrier of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one stabilizer foot, wherein said at least one stabilizer foot provides stability to help maintain said barrier in an upright position when said barrier is placed in a substantially planar orientation.   
   
   
       6 . The barrier of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one stabilizer foot is integrally formed from at least one of the plurality of panels. 
   
   
       7 . The barrier of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one stabilizer foot is defined by a first side flexibly connected to a portion of the panel, wherein a top and second side formed from perforations through the panel, and a bottom side generally aligned with a bottom edge of said barrier. 
   
   
       8 . The barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said first side of said stabilizer foot is a living hinge having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the bottom edge of the barrier. 
   
   
       9 . The barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one stabilizer foot can be manipulated to a position in a plane other than the plane of the barrier. 
   
   
       10 . The barrier of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a tab; and   a plurality of slots dispersed over the length of the barrier, wherein said slots are designed to receive a tab; and   wherein said barrier may be connected to a second barrier by inserting the tab of said first barrier into a slot of said second barrier.   
   
   
       11 . The barrier of  claim 10  wherein the joined barrier encircles a motorcycle. 
   
   
       12 . A foldable protector for protecting at least one side of a vehicle against impact wherein said protector comprises:
 a) a plurality of panels formed from a single sheet and flexibly connected together; and   b) a plurality of supporting members formed into said panels; wherein said supporting members are manipulated in a direction away from said panels to enable said protector to be free-standing when the plurality of panels are aligned in substantially the same plane.   
   
   
       13 . The protector of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 c) a joining tab; and   d) at least one aperture for receiving a joining tab.   
   
   
       14 . The protector of  claim 13 , wherein said joining tab may be inserted into one of the at least one apertures of said protector, thereby forming a substantially circular enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . The protector of  claim 13 , wherein said joining tab may be inserted into an aperture of a second protector; thereby joining two protectors together. 
   
   
       16 . A protective barrier for a vehicle, said barrier comprising a length of impact-absorbing protective material; wherein said barrier completely surrounds the vehicle. 
   
   
       17 . The protective barrier of  claim 16 , wherein said barrier is constructed from a corrugated material having a single sidewall. 
   
   
       18 . The protective barrier of  claim 17 , wherein said material is plastic. 
   
   
       19 . The protective barrier of  claim 18 , wherein said material is cardboard. 
   
   
       20 . The barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said barrier is constructed of a corrugated material.