Automotive

Windshield-blocking device may give the boot to wheel boots

Windshield-blocking device may give the boot to wheel boots
The Barnacle clings like its namesake
The Barnacle clings like its namesake
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The Barnacle adheres to the windshield using two pump-activated commercial grade suction cups that can reportedly withstand hundreds of pounds of pulling force
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The Barnacle adheres to the windshield using two pump-activated commercial grade suction cups that can reportedly withstand hundreds of pounds of pulling force
The Barnacle clings like its namesake
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The Barnacle clings like its namesake
The Barnacle folds in half when not in use
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The Barnacle folds in half when not in use
Parking officials need only lean across offending cars from the curb in order to install the Barnacle
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Parking officials need only lean across offending cars from the curb in order to install the Barnacle
Several Barnacles can be carried in the back of a vehicle
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Several Barnacles can be carried in the back of a vehicle
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We've all seen them … illegally-parked cars that have had wheel boots placed on them, which won't be removed until the fine is paid. Those boots are heavy and cumbersome to carry, however, plus the people who put them on typically have to kneel dangerously close to passing traffic. That's why New York-based Ideas That Stick developed the windshield-blocking Barnacle.

Folding in half when not in use, the Barnacle adheres to the windshield using two pump-activated commercial grade suction cups that can reportedly withstand hundreds of pounds of pulling force. Parking officials can carry several of the devices in the back of their vehicle, and need only lean across offending cars from the curb in order to install them.

Should the drivers of those cars try removing the Barnacle on their own or driving away with it still on, a built-in alarm will sound (that said, one has to wonder how many people might just drive it away with it on anyway).

Parking officials need only lean across offending cars from the curb in order to install the Barnacle
Parking officials need only lean across offending cars from the curb in order to install the Barnacle

Instead, once they've paid their fine over the phone, drivers will be given a numerical release code for the Barnacle on their car. After punching that code into the integrated keypad, the suction cups will release and the device will come off. They then have 24 hours in which to return it to a drop-off location – if they don't, presumably they'll be fined once again.

Additionally, in instances where parking fines remain unpaid, cars can be towed with the Barnacle still in place. With wheel boots, the device has to be removed before the car can be towed.

Source: Ideas That Stick via Laughing Squid

View gallery - 5 images
19 comments
19 comments
Gizmowiz
It's very simple to remove them--You simply heat the glass behind the suction cups and the pressure increase will allow you to slide them off.
AaronRobinson
Or just slide a small wire between the seal and wind sheild, which will break the seal and relaese the sunction
guzmanchinky
Vincent, wouldn't heating the glass risk breaking it? But I would think someone will find a way to use a slimjim or something to work under the suction cup and pop it off.
MattII
@VincentWolf, heating the glass will be an issue, difficult and probably more expensive than paying the fine.
Milton
Apparently no one remembers Ace Ventura Pet Detective. (just roll down the driver side window and drive to your garage that way)
Boot seems way more effective IMO.
Noel K Frothingham
gusmanchinkey, if someone were to use a very sharp implement that could puncture the suction cups and allow air to enter the cup, releasing the grip on the window glass.
Nik
If the fine is greater than the cost of a windscreen replacement.....?
Harvey
How about drilling a small hole through the outside plastic and the center of the suction cup with a small cordless drill? Also, no one pays attention to alarms. There are tons of videos of people removing bike locks with angle grinders throwing sparks everywhere, and no one says anything.
Mirmillion
Dastardly but a great improvement over the yellow wheel boot. Driver's may now have a choice as to when to pay, since these devices will spawn a whole new sub-industry in removal hacks/devices/windshield treatments and smart phone apps.
Mzungu_Mkubwa
@Milton: Ha! I came here to post exactly that! This product is useless against the redneck genius of ID-ten-Ts!
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