AU2010214756A1

AU2010214756A1 - Vehicle internal safety shield assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2010214756A1
Application number: AU2010214756A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Stach; Colin Taylor; Gary Tucker
Original assignee: STUG AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: STUG AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-08-24
Filing date: 2010-08-23
Publication date: 2011-03-10

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICANT: Stug Australia Pty Ltd INVENTION TITLE: Vehicle Internal Safety Shield Assembly The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the applicant: - -2 Vehicle Internal Safety Shield Assembly Field of the Invention This invention relates to a vehicle internal safety shield assembly, and in particular 5 relates to a vehicle internal safety shield assembly for maintaining the safety of a driver of a taxi cab from passengers. Whilst the invention can be applied to vehicle internal safety shield assemblies for vehicles in general such as goods vehicles, for convenience sake it shall be described herein in terms of a taxi cab vehicle. 10 Background to the Invention In the present times, it may be necessary to provide security for a driver of a taxi cab, for example if he or she drives late at night into unpatrolled areas or into suburbs having high crime statistics. It may be necessary for the driver to have a portion of the taxi cab as a safe zone while still allowing passengers to be 15 transported. There have been a number of attempts to instigate such a system but generally the solutions have not been fully acceptable. It has been known to permanently connect a shield between the roof and floor of a vehicle. This provides a number of problems. 20 Firstly any structural alteration to a vehicle usually requires retesting by the relevant roadworthiness testers. This test can even include destructive tests and are therefore time consuming and very costly. Another fundamental problem is that taxi cabs have a short commercial life whereafter the taxi may be decommissioned and sold as general vehicles. This is not possible if structural alterations have occurred. 25 In an attempt to avoid structural alterations, it has been attempted to provide a shield that has connection means for attachment to headrest posts of a seat. For example, PCT patent publication No. W02004/113133 discloses a security screen which is adapted for attachment to a front seat of a vehicle by securing the security screen to the headrest supports or posts and to a base of the front seat. In Australian patent -3 No. 676005 a driver safety screen for taxicabs is disclosed. The screen is secured at one end to the headrest supports with two eyebolts and at a lower end with two springs to a base of a seat of the taxicab. However such a system is a weak attachment as the headrest posts are typically not 5 designed to act as supports other than for the headrest cushion. As such these posts are not heavy duty. Furthermore, in some makes of cars the headrest posts are not slidingly attached to the seat. Consequently, a position of the headrest cushion cannot be adjusted relative to the seat to allow a suitable fastening mechanism to be accommodated between the headrest cushion and the seat. Such 10 types of headrest posts are therefore not useable. Furthermore, often the headrest posts are fitted loosely to an internal framework of the seat. Therefore, in order to provide a more stable support for the security screen, often other more rigid connections to a structural part of the vehicle are required. However, such rigid connections can cause the security screen to be fixed 15 to the vehicle which generally restricts movement of the seat. Further, structures of the prior art can be cumbersome in size and shape causing discomfort of the passengers, for example by reducing leg room. As typically a driver is seated in the same position for several hours, safety screens which restricts seat movement or which reduces legroom is highly likely to cause discomfort to the 20 driver even to the extent of causing pain or impeding the driver's driving skills. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least partly ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an improved vehicle internal safety shield assembly which overcomes or at partly least 25 ameliorates one or more of the problems of the prior art. The invention generally provides a safety shield assembly which is internally mounted to a vehicle. In particular, the safety shield assembly includes a mounting arrangement which allows a screen, which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of the vehicle's front seats, to be detachably 30 secured to and internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle. The mounting arrangement is secured to the internal framework of the front seat without weakening -4 the framework, for example by requiring one or more holes to be drilled through the framework. Within the context of the specification "internal framework" is meant to include a reference to a vehicle seat support structure which is not exposed during the normal 5 use of the vehicle seat. Within the context of the specification "exposed framework" is meant to refer to a vehicle seat support structure which during use, although not covered, is not readily visible. For example, a base of a seat typically has exposed framework on an underside which is concealed or not invisible ordinarily due to the orientation or 10 positioning of the base. In one embodiment, the invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an 15 internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle, and a second support bracket which is detachably secured to the first support bracket and which is secured to the screen; wherein the mounting arrangement allows the screen to be detachably secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the screen is connected to the internal framework whereby a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat 20 occupant with the screen and wherein the screen and mounting arrangement when secured to the front seat permit the normal pivoting of the front seat whereby the screen is dimensioned to permit the normal pivoting of the front seat. The first support bracket may include a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion. The first portion may be secured to the internal 25 framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity of the front seat. The second portion projects from the internal cavity so that the second portion is accessible from a position outside of the front seat. The first portion may include a crossmember and two end members each of which extends transversely from an end of the crossmember. 30 The first portion includes an attachment mechanism with which each of the two end members in use is secured to a section of the internal framework of the front seat. The attachment mechanism allows each of the two end members to be secured to -5 the internal framework without weakening the internal framework, for example by requiring one or more holes to be drilled into the internal framework. In one embodiment the attachment mechanism is a pair of spaced apart holes each of which extends through each of the two end members. Suitable fasteners are 5 engaged with the pair of spaced apart holes and are in use registered with existing holes formed in the internal framework during the manufacture of the front seat. In another embodiment the attachment mechanism is a number of clamps each of which is located around the internal framework and a respective end member before being secured at opposed ends with one or more suitable fasteners. 10 The second portion may be formed to include a lower portion, which is secured to the crossmember, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion which extends between the lower and upper portions. The upper portion may be profiled to allow an upper end of the second support bracket to be hooked onto the upper portion. The upper portion and upper end may be formed with suitable holes which allow a self tapping 15 screw to be secured with each of the holes thereby to detachably secure the upper end to the upper portion. The intermediate portion may have a length which is such so that the upper portion abuts a top end of the front seat. The lower portion may be profiled so that the second portion projects from the internal cavity so that the intermediate portion lies 20 adjacent a rear side of the front seat. The first support bracket may include a padded member which covers a portion of the first support bracket. The second support bracket may include a screen support structure to which the screen is attached. The screen support structure may be profiled thereby to allow 25 the screen support structure to extend across the rear side of the front seat and in between front seats of the vehicle. The screen support structure may include two spaced apart elongate members with a number of strut members extending in between the two spaced apart elongate members. The support structure may include a first segment which extends substantially parallel with the rear side of the 30 front seat and a second segment which extends transversely from the first segment so that the second segment is positioned in between the front seats of the vehicle.

-6 A lower end of the second support bracket may be clipped onto a base of the front seat. The lower end may include a lip which is profiled to allow the lower end to hook onto part of an exposed framework of the base of the front seat. In one embodiment the exposed framework may include an edge which allows the lip to be 5 hooked onto the exposed framework. In a different embodiment the second support bracket includes a mounting bracket which is secured to the exposed framework of the base thereby allowing the lower end to be clipped onto the exposed framework through the lip. The mounting bracket is secured to the exposed framework without resulting in the weakening of the exposed framework. 10 The screen may be formed from a polycarbonate sheet material. The screen can include a rear sheet structure and a side wing extending forwardly from the rear sheet structure. The rear sheet structure may be secured to the first segment and the side wing may be secured to the second segment. The screen can include positioned openings or windows to allow communication and 15 transactions to occur. A cover may be used to conceal the internal cavity in which the first portion of the first support bracket is secured to the internal framework of the front seat. In one embodiment, the cover is provided by the front seat. In a different embodiment, the screen is formed to include a cover part which overlies the internal cavity thereby to 20 conceal the inner cavity. The cover part may be a blackout area in the rear sheet structure. In further embodiment, the invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front 25 seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle and which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion, and a second support bracket which is secured to the screen; wherein the first portion is secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an 30 internal cavity of the front seat with the second portion projecting from the internal cavity; wherein the second support bracket is capable of being detachably secured to the first portion of the first support bracket thereby allowing the screen to be detachably secured to the internal framework of the front seat through the first -7 support bracket whereby a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat occupant with the screen and whereby the screen is dimensioned to allow the normal pivoting of the front seat. In another embodiment, the invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield 5 assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle and which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion, and a second 10 support bracket which is secured to the screen; wherein the first portion is secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity of the front seat and the second portion projects from the internal cavity; wherein in use the second support bracket is detachably secured at a lower end to a base of the front seat and at an upper end to the second part of the first 15 portion; whereby the mounting arrangement allows the screen to be detachably secured to the front seat so that a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat occupant with the screen and whereby the screen is dimensioned to allow the normal pivoting of the front seat. In another embodiment, the invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield 20 assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle and which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion, and a second 25 support bracket which is secured to the screen; the front seat having a seat portion and a backrest portion; wherein the first portion is secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity of the front seat and the second portion projects from the internal cavity; wherein in use a lower end of the second support bracket is clipped onto a base of the front seat and 30 at an upper end is detachably secured to the second part of the first portion; whereby the screen is detachably secured to the internal framework of the front seat through the second support bracket so that a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat occupant with the screen.

-8 The present invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly comprising a screen and a mounting means for removably mounting the screen in a vehicle such as a taxi cab, the screen formed to extend substantially from roof to floor at least behind one of the vehicle's front seats, and the mounting means attaching to 5 one part of the frame portion of the front seat; the screen mounting means for attaching to at least one part of the screen; the further screen support part for attaching to first attachment means and engaging to at least one portion of the front seat; wherein in use the vehicle internal safety shield assembly extends from roof to floor and screens the front seat occupant from the rear seat occupant and the 10 attachment means connecting to the seat frame provides the integrity to support the safety screen. The present invention further provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly comprising of a screen and a mounting means for removably mounting the screen in a vehicle to part of the frame of a seat. 15 The screen can be formed of a polycarbonate sheet material. The screen can include a rear sheet structure and a side wing extending forwardly from the rear sheet structure. The screen can include positioned openings to allow communication and transactions to occur. 20 The mounting means can include at least one attachment means for attaching to a plurality of points of the frame of the front seat. At least two of the points can be laterally spaced. The at least one attachment means can include a central body and side wings having engagement means for engaging side elements of a rear frame to the front 25 seat. The rear frame can be accessible by removal of a decorative cover plate. The mounting means can include vertically spaced attachment means. The screen mounting means can include a further screen support part comprising of a spine extending along a substantially central plane, a top end and bottom end wherein the top end and bottom end, extending outwardly, provide for curved portion 30 leading into a U-shape end.

-9 The screen mounting means can include a shaped portion for substantially extending around at least one side portion of the seat and having end engagement means for clamping or wedging. In another form of the invention there is provided an vehicle internal safety shield 5 assembly comprising a screen and a mounting means for removably mounting the screen in a vehicle such as a taxi cab, the screen formed to extend substantially from roof to floor at least behind one of the vehicle's front seats, and wherein the screen is attachable to the frame of the seat and is movable with the seat along its floor mounted carriage. 10 In use the vehicle internal safety shield assembly can extend from roof to floor substantially alongside the rear surface of the seat and by attachment to the frame of the seat can tilt at the angle that the seat is tilted in order to provide a desired seating position to the occupant of the front seat. The attachment of the seat to the and screen provides the front seat occupant with 15 security from the rear seat occupant and the attachment means connection to the seat frame provides the integrity to support the safety screen. Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention can be more readily understood an embodiment will be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings wherein: 20 Figure 1 is a perspective photographic view of a vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to the invention and in use on a front seat of a vehicle; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a front of a first support bracket forming part of a mounting arrangement of the vehicle internal safety shield assembly; 25 Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a second support bracket of the mounting arrangement; Figure 4 is a schematic representation from a rear of the first support bracket of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective photographic view of an internal framework of the 30 front seat of Figure 1; - 10 Figure 6 is a photographic view of a rear end of the first support bracket of Figure 2 showing the fitment of a padded member to a second portion of the first support bracket; Figure 7 is a perspective photographic view of the first support bracket of 5 Figure 6; Figure 8 is a photographic view of the front seat showing the internal framework partly exposed and showing the first support bracket secured to the internal framework; Figure 9 is a photographic view from a rear end of the front seat shown in 10 Figure 8; Figure 10 is a photographic view showing the front seat of Figure 9 fully assembled; Figure 11 is a photographic view from above of the front seat of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a base of the front seat showing the 15 engagement of a lower end of the second support bracket with the base; Figure 13 is a perspective photographic view of the front seat of Figure 10 to which is fitted the second support bracket; Figure 14 is a perspective photographic view of the front seat of Figure 1; Figure 15 is a photographic front view of the front seat of Figure 1; 20 Figure 16 is a photographic side view of the front seat of Figure 1; Figure 17 is a photographic view from an opposed side of the front seat shown in Figure 16; Figure 18 is a photographic view of an access window of the screen in an open configuration; 25 Figure 19 is a photographic view of the access window in a closed configuration; and Figure 20 is a photographic view similar to Figure 16 showing partly detached a layer of the screen. Description of Illustrated Embodiment of the Invention 30 Figure 1 of the accompanying representations illustrates a vehicle internal safety shield assembly 10 in accordance with the invention. The vehicle internal safety shield assembly includes a mounting arrangement 12 and a screen 14 which is detachably secured to a front seat 16 of a vehicle with the mounting arrangement.

- 11 Figure 2 illustrates a first support bracket 20 of the mounting arrangement 12. The first support bracket includes a first portion 22 and a second portion 24 which extends from the first portion. The first portion has a crossmember 26 and a pair of end members 28 each of which extends transversely from an end 30 of the 5 crossmember. Each of the end members includes an attachment mechanism 32 with which the end member is secured to an internal framework 34 of the front seat 16 (see Figure 5). Once the first support bracket is secured to the internal framework, the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity 36 and the second portion projects from the internal cavity. 10 The attachment mechanism is in the form of a pair of spaced apart holes 38 and suitable fasteners 40 (see Figure 8). Each of the end members 28 is secured to a section 42 of the internal framework 34. The sections 42 (one on either side of the internal framework 34) include a pair of spaced apart holes 44. The pairs of spaced apart holes 44 and 38 of the sections 42 and end members 28 are mated when the 15 first support bracket 20 is being secured to the internal framework 34. This allows the suitable fasteners 40 to be registered with the spaced apart holes 44 and 58 which have been paired thereby allowing the first support bracket to be secured to the internal framework. The second portion 24 includes a lower portion 46, an upper portion 48, and an 20 intermediate portion 50 which extends between the lower and upper portions. The lower portion is secured to the crossmember 26 and is profiled so that, once the first portion 20 is secured to the internal framework 34, the intermediate portion lies adjacent a rear side 52 of the front seat 16 (see Figure 8). The intermediate portion has a length 54 which allows the upper portion 48 to be positioned adjacent a top 25 end 56 of the front seat (see Figures 10 and 11). Referring in particular to Figure 6 and 7, the intermediary portion and part of the upper portion carries a padded member 58 which covers part of the second portion 24. Figure 3 illustrates a second support bracket 60 of the mounting arrangement 12. Attached to the second support bracket is a screen support structure 62 which in use 30 carries the screen 14. An upper end 64 of the second support bracket is profiled thereby to allow the upper end to be hooked onto the upper portion 48 of the first support bracket 20. A lower end 66 of the second support bracket includes a lip 68 which is clipped onto an edge 70 of a base 72 of the front seat 16. The edge is carried by an exposed framework of the base. Thus, the second support bracket is - 12 first clipped onto a base of the front seat at the lower end 66 whereafter the opposed upper end 64 is hook onto the upper portion 48 of the first support bracket. This allows the second support bracket to be suspended from the first support bracket purely by engagement of the upper end with the upper portion and the lower end with 5 the base. Referring in particular to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the upper portion 48 of the second portion 24 includes a pair of holes 78. Similarly, the upper end 64 of the second support bracket 60 includes a pair of holes 80. The pairs of holes 78 and 80 are aligned once the upper end 64 is clipped onto the upper portion 48. Two safety 10 screws, not shown, are threadedly engaged with the mated pairs of holes 78 and 80 thereby detachably securing the first support bracket 20 with the second support bracket 60. The screen support structure 62 includes two spaced apart elongate members 82 with a number of strut members 84 which extends between the spaced apart 15 elongate members 82. Referring in particular to Figure 13, the screen support structure is secured to the second support bracket 60 on an inner surface 86 which faces the rear side 52 of the front seat 16. The second support bracket further includes a number of apertures 88 with which the screen 14, not shown in this figure, is secured using suitable fasteners to the second support bracket. 20 As is particularly evident in Figures 10 and 13, the front seat 16 includes a cover 90 which is used to conceal the internal cavity 36. The cover clips onto the internal framework 34 of the front seat. The lower portion 46 of the second portion 24 is profiled to allow the cover to clip onto the internal framework. However, Figure 14 shows that a portion 92 of the screen 14 contains a layer 94 of 25 protective material such as a suitable carpet, rubberized, or rubber compound material. This layer can also act as the cover 90 to conceal the inner cavity 36 which may be exposed during the fitment of the first support bracket 20 to the internal framework 34. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the front seat 16 fully assembled. The padded member 30 58 covers a portion 96 of the first support bracket 20. Thus, once the cover 90 is fitted to the front seat, the intermediate and upper portions 40 and 48 extending past the cover 90 is substantially covered by the padded member 58. This reduces the likelihood of a passenger, sitting on a rear seat of the vehicle, being injured by the - 13 first support bracket 20 when the second support bracket 60, and thereby the screen 14, is removed. Such removal will cause the first support bracket being exposed and potentially causing injury to a passenger, for example when the passenger falls against the first support bracket 20 entering or leaving the vehicle. 5 Figure 11 shows that an angled end 98 of the first support bracket 20 is not covered by the padded member 58 thereby allowing the upper end 64 of the second support bracket 60 to be clipped onto the first support bracket. Figure 14 shows the vehicle internal safety shield assembly 10 fully assembled and ready for use. However, typically the front seat 16 may be first assembled, as is 10 shown in Figure 10, and refitted into the vehicle before the second support bracket 60 carrying the screen 14 is engaged with the front seat. The screen 16 is detachably secured to the front seat 16 through the first and second support brackets 20 and 60 of the mounting arrangement 12. The lower end 66 of the second support bracket is clipped onto the edge 70 of the base 72 15 whereafter the upper end 64 is hooked onto the portion 98 of the upper portion 48. The safety screws are thereafter engaged with the mated pairs of holes 78 and 80 so that to the second support bracket is detachably secured to the first support bracket. The first support bracket 20 is secured using the pair of spaced apart holes 44 20 carried by the sections 42 of the internal framework 34. This allows the first support bracket to be secured to the front seat 16 without requiring any holes to be drilled into the internal framework. Such holes could result in weakening of the internal framework. Alternatively, suitable brackets, not shown, can be used to secure the end members 28 to the internal framework when no holes are available. Typically 25 such brackets what clip around the sections 42 and the end members so that operation of fasteners of the brackets secures the end members to the sections. In the illustrated embodiment, the invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly 10 shielding the driver from physical harm from passengers seated in the back seat of a taxi cab. The present invention provides a vehicle internal safety 30 shield assembly comprising of a screen 14 that is formed of polycarbonate sheet. However, it is envisaged that any other suitable material may be utilised in order to provide for a rigid structure with sufficient strength to withstand physical force in order to prevent harm to the driver from passengers. The screen 14 may also be - 14 provided with such features as being transparent or opaque in order to allow the driver to observe the passenger when desired. However, it is envisaged that the sheet 14 may be provided with further properties such as tinting or the layer 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 14 extends substantially from the roof to 5 the floor behind one of the vehicles front seats. It is envisaged that the structure of the screen 14 can be of different embodiments according to the user's requirements. In one embodiment the screen can extend substantially from the roof to floor behind both front seats extending horizontally across the width of the taxi cab separating the taxi cab into two halves. In another embodiment, the screen formed can extend 10 substantially from roof to floor behind and adjacent to the driver's seat forming a cage like compartment 100 housing the driver. The driver is then securely protected against passengers in the back seat and in the opposing front seat. The screen 14 is in the form of a sheet structure 102 in order to provide physical protection and has a side wing 104 which extends forwardly from a rear sheet 15 structure 106. The screen has an opening or window 108, see Figure 14, 18 and 19, to allow the driver to open and close as desired in order to obtain payment and allow communication between themselves and their passengers. The window 108 has an access hole which can be opened or covered with a hatch 112 which is slidingly mounted to a pair of spaced apart slot members 114. The hatch can be moved 20 between an upper position 116, see Figure 18, at which the access hole 110 is open, and a lower position 118 which is shown in Figure 19 at which the access hole is closed. Whilst the vehicle internal safety shield assembly is in use it can extend from the roof to the floor of the taxi cab substantially alongside the rear side 52 of the front seat 25 16. The mounting arrangement 12 allows, by loosening the safety screws used to secure the upper portion 48 with the upper end 64, the screen to be removed such as when selling the vehicle or utilising the taxi cab for personal use rather than providing a commercial service. Thus, the mounting arrangement allows the screen to be attached to the front seat 16 to provide a strong rigid support structure for the 30 screen whilst providing easy disassembly of the screen and the front seat. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment of the screen 14 to the internal framework 34 of the front seat 16 allows the screen to tilt with a backrest portion 12, see Figure 1, to any selected angle of operation. Thus, the mounting arrangement is -15 such that it allows the screen to pivot with the backrest portion relative to the base 72. Furthermore, the screen 14 is dimensioned and profiled to permit the backrest portion to pivot relative to the base and the base to move along its floor mounted carriage 122. This allows the front seat to be tilted and positioned relative to the 5 steering wheel while the screen 14 is secured to the front seat in order to provide a desired seating position to an occupant of the front seat. The layer 94 can be decorative in nature, for example to suit the decor of the taxi or display advertisements providing an additional source of revenue. The decorative layer 94 can further be suitably provided to house entertainment devices for 10 passengers in the form of mini-screen televisions, computers, or touchscreen devices. The second support bracket 60 and the screen support structure 62 in combination supports the screen 14. Referring in particular to Figure 13, the screen 14 is secured through the apertures 88 with suitable fasteners to the second support 15 bracket 60. Thus, the screen is supported in part by an outer surface 124 of the second support bracket. The screen support bracket 62 extends past the outer surface 124 and allows the screen to be secured using suitable fasteners to the elongate members 82. Referring in particular to Figure 3, the screen support structure 62 has a first segment 126 which extend substantially parallel with the rear 20 side 52 of the front seat 16. The screen support structure also has a second segment 128 which extends perpendicular from the first segment. Therefore, the second segment extends in between two adjacent front seats of the vehicle. Thus, the screen support structure is able to provide support to the screen 14 behind the front seat as well as on one side thereof. This is contrast to the prior art in which the 25 security devices are attached to an ancillary component of the taxi cab. Figure 20 shows that the layer 94 is detachably secured to the screen 14. For example, use may be made of strips 130 of Velcro" thereby allowing the layer to be removed, for example when the layer needs to be replaced or cleaned. The invention provides a vehicle internal safety shield assembly which is detachably 30 secured to one of the front seats of a vehicle. In particular, the internal safety shield assembly includes a screen which is detachably secured to one of the front seats with a mounting arrangement which is detachably secured to an internal framework of one of the front seats. The mounting arrangement includes first and second -16 support brackets of which the first support bracket is mounted to an exposed framework of one of the front seats. The second support bracket includes a screen support structure which in combination with the second support conducted supports the screen. The second support bracket is further clipped at a lower end to an 5 internal framework of a base of one of the front seats. The second support bracket is thereafter hooked at an upper end onto an upper portion of the first support bracket. Thus, the screen is secured to the front seat by clipping the second support bracket onto the front seat. The first and second support brackets are secured to each other using suitable safety screws thereby allowing the second support bracket 10 to be relatively easily detached from the first support bracket in order to remove the screen. As the screen is capable of being removed, an exposed portion of the first support bracket is covered with a padded member thereby reducing the likelihood of a user of the vehicle, for example a passenger or driver, being injured by the first support bracket. Furthermore, the screen includes a layer which is detachably 15 secured to the screen. This allows the layer to be replaced or cleaned when required without a great deal of difficulty. While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a vehicle internal safety shield assembly, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously 20 described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications which can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention are included in the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle, and a second support bracket which is detachably secured to the first support bracket and which is secured to the screen; wherein the mounting arrangement allows the screen to be detachably secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the screen is connected to the internal framework whereby a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat occupant with the screen; and wherein the screen and mounting arrangement when secured to the front seat permit the normal pivoting of the front seat.

2. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first support bracket includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion; and wherein the first portion is secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity of the front seat; and wherein the second portion projects from the internal cavity so that the second portion is accessible from a position outside of the front seat.

3. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first portion includes a crossmember and two end members each of which extends transversely from an end of the crossmember; wherein the first portion includes an attachment mechanism with which each of the two end members in use is secured to a section of the internal framework of the front seat; and wherein the attachment mechanism allows each of the two end members to be secured to the internal framework without weakening the internal framework.

4. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein the attachment mechanism is a pair of spaced apart holes each of which extends through each of the two end members; and wherein suitable fasteners are engaged with the pair of spaced apart holes and are in use registered with -19 existing holes formed in the internal framework during the manufacture and assembly of the front seat.

5. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein the attachment mechanism is a number of clamps each of which is located around the internal framework and a respective end member before being secured at opposed ends with one or more fasteners.

6. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the second portion is formed to include a lower portion, which is secured to the crossmember, an upper portion, and an intermediate portion which extends between the lower and upper portions; and wherein the upper portion is profiled to allow an upper end of the second support bracket to be hooked onto the upper portion.

7. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 6 wherein each of the upper portion of the first support bracket and the upper end of the second support bracket is formed with a pair of holes; wherein the pairs of holes of the upper portion and the upper end are mated when the upper end is hooked onto the upper portion thereby allowing a self tapping screw to be secured with each hole of the mated pairs of holes thereby to detachably secure the upper end to the upper portion.

8. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the intermediate portion has a length which is such so that the upper portion abuts a top end of the front seat.

9. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the lower portion is profiled so that the second portion projects from the internal cavity so that the intermediate portion lies adjacent a rear side of the front seat.

10. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to any one of claims of 2 to 9 wherein the first support bracket includes a padded member which covers a portion of the first support bracket which lies adjacent a rear side of the front seat and which provides padding to the portion. - 20

11. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the second support bracket includes a screen support structure to which the screen is attached.

12. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 11 wherein the screen support structure is profiled thereby to allow the screen support structure to extend across a rear side of the front seat and in between front seats of the vehicle.

13. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 11 or 12 wherein be screen support structure includes two spaced apart elongate members with a number of strut members extending in between the two spaced apart elongate members.

14. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 11 wherein the support structure includes a first segment which extends substantially parallel with a rear side of the front seat and a second segment which extends transversely from the first segment so that the second segment is positioned in between front seats of the vehicle.

15. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein a lower end of the second support bracket is clipped onto a base of the front seat.

16. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 15 wherein the lower end includes a lip which is profiled to allow the lower end to hook onto a part of an exposed framework of the base of the front seat.

17. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 16 wherein the exposed framework includes an edge which allows the lip to be hooked onto the exposed framework; wherein the mounting bracket is secured to the exposed framework without resulting in the weakening of the exposed framework.

18. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the screen is formed from a polycarbonate sheet material. -21

19. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 14 wherein the screen includes a rear sheet structure and a side wing extending forwardly from the rear sheet structure; and wherein the rear sheet structure is secured to the first segment and the side wing may be secured to the second segment.

20. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the screen includes one or more openings or windows to allow communication and transactions to occur between a driver and a passenger of the vehicle through the one or more openings or windows.

21. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein a cover is used to conceal the internal cavity.

22. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein the screen is formed to include a cover part which overlies the internal cavity thereby to conceal the inner cavity.

23. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly which includes a mounting arrangement and a screen which is formed to extend substantially from a roof to a floor at least behind one of a vehicle's front seats; the mounting arrangement including a first support bracket which is secured to an internal framework of a front seat of the vehicle and which includes a first portion and a second portion which extends from the first portion, and a second support bracket which is secured to the screen; the front seat having a seat portion and a backrest portion; wherein the first portion is secured to the internal framework of the front seat so that the first portion is positioned inside an internal cavity of the front seat and the second portion projects from the internal cavity; wherein in use a lower end of the second support bracket is clipped onto a base of the front seat and at an upper end is detachably secured to the second part of the first portion; whereby the screen is detachably secured to the internal framework of the front seat through the second support bracket so that a front seat occupant is shielded from a rear seat occupant with the screen.

24. A vehicle internal safety shield assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.