AU2013101092A4 - A Windscreen Assembly for a Bus - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A windscreen assembly (10) for a bus that has a body with a forward opening and a method of installing the windscreen assembly including a windshield (12) and a destination shield (14) is provided. The method involves locating the windshield (12) in the forward opening; locating the destination shield (14) in the forward opening; installing a first screen rubber (50) between the windshield (12) and the forward opening to locate and secure the lower and lateral edges (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) of the windshield relative to the body; locating the destination shield (14) relative to the body such that an upper edge (32) is supported by the bus body; installing a second screen rubber (52) between a lower edge (34) of the destination shield (14) and an upper edge (20) of the windshield (12); securing the lateral edges of the destination shield (14) to the body with the first screen rubber (52); and installing a seal (58) between the upper edge (32) of the destination shield (14) and the body. 0 ...... ...... ....... ................................ 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Description

51278061 - 22/09/2011 A Windscreen Assembly for a Bus Field of the invention The present invention relates to a windscreen assembly for a bus. 5 Background Automotive vehicles with an enclosed cabin have a front windscreen that is supported within a forward opening defined by the vehicles forward-most pillars, and 10 cross-vehicle structural beams. Typically a screen rubber extends around the peripheral edge of the windscreen. The screen rubber functions to retain the windscreen within the surround, prevents ingress of wind and water, and is deformable to reduce and/or distribute the loads transferred to the windscreen as the vehicle is twisted by external forces. 15 Some buses have a windscreen assembly that includes a main windshield, and a destination shield that is positioned above the windshield. The destination shield is a transparent window that allows a display with bus destination information, which is mounted internally of the destination shield, to be visible externally of the bus. 20 The use of screen rubbers around the entire forward opening and windshield and/or destination shield assembly places limitations on the design of windscreen assemblies, and thus on the design of the bus. 25 Accordingly, it is desired to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of the invention 30 According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a windshield for a bus, the windshield comprising a substantially transparent panel that has: external and internal surfaces, an upper edge that lies in a plane, 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -2 opposed lateral edges that each extend generally obliquely to the upper edge, a lower edge that is generally parallel to the upper edge, and two arcuate edges that each extend between a respective lateral edge and the lower edge, 5 wherein the panel is concave in the direction of the internal surface, and wherein the radius of curvature decreases with proximity to the lateral edges. The panel has a centreline that extends transversely to the upper edge, and preferably, the centreline is non-parallel with the lateral edges. 10 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a destination shield for a bus, the destination shield having opposed upper and lower edges, front and rear surfaces, a lower portion adjacent the lower edge, an upper portion adjacent the upper edge, and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower 15 portions, the intermediate portion being concave in the direction of the rear surface such that the upper portion is generally oblique to the lower portion. The bus body includes two spaced apart front pillars, an upper cross-vehicle beam, and a lower cross-vehicle beam that define the forward opening, and the upper 20 portion of the destination shield can be at least partially supported on an upper surface of the upper cross-vehicle beam. Preferably, the destination shield further has two lateral edges that each extend between the upper and lower edges, and at least the lower portion is concave in the 25 direction of the rear surface, and the radius of curvature of the lower portion decreases with proximity to the lateral edges. In preferred embodiments, the lower edge lies in a plane. Thus, the destination shield can be readily arranged in a windscreen assembly with the lower edge substantially 30 parallel to the upper edge of the windshield of the first aspect. In certain embodiments, the upper portion is non-transparent. Alternatively or additionally, the curved portion is non-transparent. In some embodiments, lateral portions 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -3 adjacent the two lateral edges are also non-transparent. Preferably, the non-transparent portions of the destination shield are opaque. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a 5 windscreen assembly for a bus having a body with a forward opening, the assembly comprising: a windshield according to the first aspect; a destination shield according to the first aspect; a first screen rubber that locates on the lower and lateral edges of the windshield, 10 and the lateral edges of the destination shield, and retains the windshield and destination glass within the forward opening; and a second screen rubber that locates on the upper edge of the windshield and on the lower edge of the destination shield; wherein the first screen rubber continues rearwardly of the destination shield and 15 is secured to the bus body rearwardly of the destination shield, and wherein the upper portion of the destination shield is supported on the bus body. The first screen rubber preferably locates on the lower cross-vehicle beam and the front pillars. 20 Preferably, the assembly further includes retaining members that each retain an end of the first screen rubber to the bus body rearwardly of the destination shield. The bus body can further include upper cantrails that extend rearwardly from the 25 upper cross-vehicle beam, and the retaining members are secured to the upper cantrails. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of installing a windscreen assembly in a bus that has a body with a forward opening, the method involving: 30 locating a windshield according to the first aspect in the forward opening; locating a destination shield according to the second aspect in the forward opening; 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -4 installing a first screen rubber between the windshield and the forward opening to locate and secure the lower and lateral edges of the windshield relative to the body; locating the destination shield relative to the body such that the upper edge is supported by the bus body; 5 installing a second screen rubber between the lower edge of the destination shield and the upper edge of the windshield; securing the lateral edges of the destination shield to the body with the first screen rubber; and installing a seal between the upper edge of the destination shield and the body. 10 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a windscreen assembly according to the third aspect, and directions to install the windscreen assembly in a bus that has a body with a forward opening, wherein the directions are in accordance with the method according to the fourth aspect. 15 According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a bus with a windscreen assembly according to the third aspect. 20 Brief description of the drawings In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: is a front perspective view of a bus incorporating a windscreen 25 assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2: is a front perspective view of the windshield and destination shield illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3: is a top view of the windshield and destination shield of Figure 2; Figure 4: is a front view of the windshield and destination shield of Figure 2; 30 Figure 5: is a right side view of the windshield and destination shield of Figure 2; Figure 6: is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method of installing a windscreen assembly, the method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 51278061 - 22/09/2011 Figures 7 to 16: are views of a bus of Figure 1 that respectively illustrate various steps of the method of Figure 6. 5 Detailed description of the drawings Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a bus B incorporating a windscreen assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bus B has a body with a forward opening that is defined by two spaced apart front pillars P 1 , P 2 , an upper cross-vehicle beam U, and a lower cross-vehicle beam L. 10 The windscreen assembly 10 includes a windshield 12, and a destination shield 14. The windshield 12 is at least partially transparent to allow a driver and other occupants to see out from within the bus B. The destination shield 14 covers a panel that displays destination information, and can also display high-mounted indicator and running 15 lights. The destination shield 14 is also at least partially transparent so that displayed information and the lights can be seen from outside the bus B. Figures 2 to 5 show the windshield 12 and destination shield 14 in further detail. The windshield 12 has external and internal surfaces 16, 18, an upper edge 20 that lies in 20 a plane, opposed lateral edges 22, 24 that each extend generally obliquely to the upper edge 20, and a lower edge 26 that is generally parallel to the upper edge 20. Two arcuate edges 28, 30 each extend between one of the respective lateral edges 22, 24 and the lower edge 26. The panel is concave in the direction of the internal surface 18, and the radius of curvature decreases with proximity to the lateral edges 26, 28. In other 25 words, the central region of the windshield is flatter than the regions near the lateral edges 26, 28. A centreline of the windshield extends transversely to the upper edge 20 and, as shown most clearly in Figure 3, the centreline is non-parallel with the lateral edges 22, 24. 30 The particular shape of the windshield 12 accommodates the cabin space requirements that are particular to buses, and also provides certain aerodynamic advantages. In particular, this shape reduces the occurrence of windshield wipers being 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -6 restrained at the lateral extremity of their movement by wind forces when the vehicle is travelling at speed. This has significant safety benefits in that uninterrupted performance of the wipers can be provided, when desired. 5 The destination shield 14 has opposed upper and lower edges 32, 34, front and rear surfaces 36, 38, a lower portion 40 adjacent the lower edge 34, an upper portion 42 adjacent the upper edge 32, and an intermediate portion 44 between the upper and lower portions 40, 42. The intermediate portion 44 is concave in the direction of the rear surface 38 such that the upper portion is generally oblique to the lower portion. This 10 concavity is most apparent in Figure 5. The destination shield also has two lateral edges 46, 48 that each extend between the upper and lower edges 34, 36. The lower portion 40 of the destination shield 14 is concave in the direction of the rear surface 38. Further, the radius of curvature of the 15 lower portion 40 decreases with proximity to the lateral edges 46, 48. The lower edge 34 of the destination shield 12 lies in a plane. The destination shield 14 and windshield 12 can be installed on a bus B such that the lower edge 34 of the destination shield 14 is parallel to, and spaced apart from, the upper edge 20 of the 20 windshield 12. As is evident from the Figures 2 to 5, the upper portion 42, the intermediate portion 44, and also portions adjacent the two lateral edges 46, 48 are also non-transparent and opaque. Structural components of the bus body, such as those of the front pillars P 1 , P 2 25 and the upper cross-vehicle beam U, are hidden by the opaque portions of the destination shield 14. As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 7, the leading edge of the roof is hidden behind the destination shield 14. This particular shape has a significant impact on the 30 aesthetic of the bus B, by softening the roof line from the front elevation when viewed at pedestrian level. In addition, water that is blown up the destination shield 14 continues rearwardly onto the roof panel of the bus B. In this way, water is directed away from the destination panel and other components behind the destination shield 14.

51278061 - 22/09/2011 -7 The windscreen assembly 10 further includes a first screen rubber 50 that locates on the lower, arcuate and lateral edges 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 of the windshield 12, and the lateral edges 46, 48 of the destination shield 14. The first screen rubber 50 also locates 5 on the lower cross-vehicle beam L and the front pillars P 1 , P 2 . Thus, the first screen rubber 50 retains the windshield 12 and destination glass 14 within the forward opening. Further, the first screen rubber 50 continues rearwardly of the destination shield 14 and is secured to the bus body B rearwardly of the destination shield 14. 10 A second screen rubber 52 locates on the upper edge 20 of the windshield 12 and on the lower edge 34 of the destination shield 14. The second screen rubber 52 forms a seal between the windshield 12 and destination shield 14 to inhibit ingress of water and air. 15 The first and second screen rubbers 50, 52 each consist of a rubber extrusion that attaches to the metal frame of the bus body around the forward opening and to glass. Each extrusion has a groove into which a keying rubber strip is inserted to fix the extrusion in place. 20 The upper portion 42 of the destination shield 14 is supported on the bus body B. More particularly, the upper portion 42 is supported on the upper cross-vehicle beam U, as is shown most clearly in Figures 8, 12, and 13. A strip 56 of compressible material, such as foam, is located between the upper beam U and the destination shield 14 to facilitate accurate positioning of the destination shield 14 during installation, and to 25 accommodate relative movement between the bus body B and the destination shield 14. A seal 58 is installed along the upper edge 32 of the destination shield 14 and the upper beam U, the seal 58 inhibiting ingress of water and air between the two components. The seal 58 is shown most clearly in Figure 13. 30 The assembly 10 further includes retaining members 60 that each retain an end of the first screen rubber 50 to the bus body B rearwardly of the destination shield 14. To this end, the bus body B includes upper cantrails that extend rearwardly from the upper cross-vehicle beam B and along the sides of the roof panel, and the retaining members 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -8 60 are secured to the upper cantrails. Screw fasteners 62 are inserted through the retaining members 60 and the first screen rubber 50, and then into the upper cantrails, as is evident from Figures 15 and 16. 5 Figure 6 is an exemplary flow chart showing steps of a method 100 of installing the windscreen assembly 10 in a bus, the method being in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Selected steps of the method 100 are illustrated in Figures 7 to 15, which show various views of the bus B of Figure 1. As previously described, the bus B has a body with a forward opening. The method 100 includes the 10 steps of: e locating a windshield according to the first aspect in the forward opening step 102; e locating a destination shield according to the second aspect in the forward opening - step 104; 15 e installing a first screen rubber between the windshield and the forward opening to locate and secure the lower and lateral edges of the windshield relative to the body - step 106; e locating the destination shield relative to the body such that the upper edge is supported by the bus body - step 108; 20 e installing a second screen rubber between the lower edge of the destination shield and the upper edge of the windshield - step 110; e securing the lateral edges of the destination shield to the body with the first screen rubber - step 112; and e installing a seal between the upper edge of the destination shield and the 25 body -step 114. It will be appreciated that the method 100 does not necessarily have to be executed with all steps occurring in the sequence illustrated in Figure 6. Furthermore, at least some of the steps can be partially completed when other steps are commenced. 30 Figure 7 illustrates the bus B and window assembly 10 after at least steps 102, 104, 106, 108 and 112 have been executed.

51278061 - 22/09/2011 -9 Figure 8 further illustrates step 108, in which the upper portion 42 of the destination shield 14 is supported on the upper cross-vehicle beam U. To this end, the foam strip 56 that extends along the upper cross-vehicle beam U for a substantial portion of the width of the destination shield 14. 5 Figure 9 illustrates the portion of the first screen rubber 50 that continues rearwardly of the destination shield 14 and is to be secured to the bus body B rearwardly of the destination shield 14. 10 Figures 10 and 11 show internal and external views respectively of the bus B once the second screen rubber 52 has been installed (step 110). Thus, the second screen rubber 52 extends between the upper edge 20 of the windshield 12 and the lower edge of the destination shield 14 (which is not visible in Figure 10). 15 Figures 12 and 13 illustrate stages of step 114, in which a seal 58 is installed along the upper edge 32 of the destination shield 14 and the upper beam U. In Figure 12, a first portion 58a of seal 58 is installed between the upper portion 42 of the destination shield 14 - immediately adjacent the upper edge 32 - and the upper cross-vehicle beam U. In this embodiment, the seal 58 is formed from a rubberized settable product that is 20 applied in a liquid state between the destination shield 14 and the upper beam U. In Figure 13, a second portion 58b of the seal 58 is installed against both the upper edge 32 of the destination shield 14, and the first portion 58a of the seal 58a. To this end, a bead of the rubberized settable product is to be applied in a liquid state against 25 the first portion 58a of the seal, and then smoothed off, prior to curing, using an applicator tool to form the triangular cross sectional shape illustrated in Figure 13. The method 100 can further include an additional step of securing ends of the first screen rubber 50 to the bus body B rearwardly of the destination shield. This additional 30 step is illustrated in Figures 14 and 15. In particular, this additional step involves installing a sealant between the first screen rubber 50 rearwardly of the destination shield 14, and the bus body B. The sealant can be a rubberized settable product, which is applied to either the screen rubber 50 or the bus body B in a liquid state.

51278061 - 22/09/2011 -10 Retaining members 60 are to be installed to secure the ends of the first screen rubber 50 to the bus body B. Preferably, this is undertaken before the sealant between the screen rubber 50 and bus body B has cured. Additional sealant can be installed 5 between each retaining member 60 and the bus body. A screw fastener 62 is inserted through each retaining member 60 and the first screen rubber 50, and then into one of the upper cantrails of the bus body B, as is shown in Figure 15. Lastly, a sealant 64 is applied to the interface between a front cowling C of the bus 10 body B, and each of the front pillars P 1 , P 2 . The sealant can be a rubberized settable product, as previously described. The sealant 64 forms a seal between the front cowling C, and the respective front pillars P 1 , P 2 , preventing water ingress through this interface. The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many 15 modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and 20 "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (4)

1. A windscreen assembly for a bus having a body with a forward opening, the assembly comprising: 5 a windshield having a substantially transparent panel that has external and internal surfaces, an upper edge that lies in a plane, opposed lateral edges that each extend generally obliquely to the upper edge, a lower edge that is generally parallel to the upper edge, and two arcuate edges that each extend between a respective lateral edge and the lower edge, wherein the panel is concave in the direction of the internal surface, 10 and wherein the radius of curvature decreases with proximity to the lateral edges; a destination shield having opposed upper and lower edges, front and rear surfaces, a lower portion adjacent the lower edge, an upper portion adjacent the upper edge, and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, the intermediate portion being concave in the direction of the rear surface such that the upper portion is 15 generally oblique to the lower portion; a first screen rubber that locates on the lower and lateral edges of the windshield, and the lateral edges of the destination shield, and retains the windshield and destination glass within the forward opening; and a second screen rubber that locates on the upper edge of the windshield and on 20 the lower edge of the destination shield; wherein the first screen rubber continues rearwardly of the destination shield and is secured to the bus body rearwardly of the destination shield, and wherein the upper portion of the destination shield is supported on the bus body. 25

2. A method of installing a windscreen assembly according to claim 1 in a bus that has a body with a forward opening, the method involving: locating the windshield in the forward opening; locating the destination shield in the forward opening; installing a first screen rubber between the windshield and the forward opening to 30 locate and secure the lower and lateral edges of the windshield relative to the body; locating the destination shield relative to the body such that the upper edge is supported by the bus body; 51278061 - 22/09/2011 -12 installing a second screen rubber between the lower edge of the destination shield and the upper edge of the windshield; securing the lateral edges of the destination shield to the body with the first screen rubber; and 5 installing a seal between the upper edge of the destination shield and the body.

3. A bus with a windscreen assembly according to claims 1.

4. A windscreen assembly according to claim 1, together with directions to install the 10 windscreen assembly in a bus that has a body with a forward opening, wherein the directions are in accordance with the method of claim 2.