AU2016265984A1 - Fire blind including a swiveling mounting bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A blind for a vehicle window wherein the blind can be deployed to cover the window and reflect radiant heat and wherein the blind is attached to the vehicle cabin via a mount and can be swung from one position to another prior to deployment.

Description

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Fire blind including a swiveling mounting bracket

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates a fire blind for fire vehicles mounted on a swivelling bracket allowing it to be rotated into a predetermined position from which it can be deployed over a window to form a heat shield.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] In a fire the greatest risk to life is that of radiant heat. The only guaranteed way to survive such heat is to put distance between oneself and the fire front to prevent the failure of the body’s cooling system which results in death; if distance is not possible one must take shelter behind a solid object such as a brick wall.

[0003] However in certain conditions a fire front can move at such speed that escape is impossible; this is often called a burnover. In these situations vehicles are often the only available shelter for those caught up in a fire zone - to remain outside is almost always fatal. Even sheltering in a vehicle does not guarantee survival, although the odds improve if one stays under heavy duty blankets and away from windows, which do not protect from radiant heat and usually shatter under heat stress.

[0004] In these situations the odds of survival are dramatically increased with the use of fire barriers (also known as drop down curtains or heat shields). These are reflective blinds, usually made from aluminiumised textiles with a reflective coating which are stored in rolls above the windows and can be released in the instance of a burnover when the only option is to take shelter in the vehicle and wait for the fire front to pass overhead. These blinds work by deflecting the radiant heat of the fire front so those inside survive long enough for the front to pass. Alternatively, the blinds are deployed by the driver to shield them from the heat and light of the fire whilst the vehicle is in motion.

[0005] These heat shields are now fitted to most emergency fire vehicles. Blinds worldwide are manufactured out of soft materials with no rigidity to hold them in shape which can pose something of a safety risk: when a screen shield is rolled up precious inches are sheared from the driver’s line of sight, and in situations where visibility is also reduced due to smoke it is of the utmost importance to drive safely - minor mistakes can have fatal consequences.

[0006] The presence of blinds and heat shields become problematic when stored in cabs and ο (Ν > Ο σ^ (Ν 00 σ^ ιη Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν can pose an inconvenience to the driver. It would be advantageous for a blind to be rotatably moveable allowing it to be stowed away when not in use and deployed when required.

[0007] The object of this invention therefore is to provide a heat shield or blind mounted on an axis allowing the blind or shield to be rotated, or otherwise provide the public with a useful

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In a first aspect the invention comprises a flexible blind for a vehicle cabin wherein the blind is attached to the cabin via a mount and wherein the mount forms an axis around which the blind can be swung; [0009] In preference, the blind can be rolled up or folded up above a window for storage.

[0010] In preference, the blind can be unrolled or unfolded to extend over the window to form a heat shield.

[0011] In preference, the mount is positioned between a side window of the cabin and the rear window of the cabin, and wherein the blind is located above the rear window in a stowed position and located above the side window in a deployed position.

[0012] In preference, the blind can be secured by attachment means.

[0013] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

LIST OF COMPONENTS 10 Vehicle cabin 12 Driver’s seat 14 Driver’s door window 16 Windscreen 18 Rear window 20 Blind 22 Ό Ο (Ν > Ο σ^ (Ν 00 σ^ Ό (Ν Ό Ο (Ν

Mount

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle cabin with a blind mounted behind the driver’s seat in a stowed position; [0016] Figure 2 A perspective view of a vehicle cabin with a blind mounted behind the driver’s seat in a deployed position; and [0017] Figure 3 A perspective view of a vehicle cabin with a blind mounted behind the driver’s seat in a deployed position and wherein the blind is unrolled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0019] The invention relates to a fire blind for the side windows and/or windscreen on a vehicle, in preference a fire fighting vehicle. Known blinds or blinds for such vehicles are usually stowed in a rolled up or folded position above the windscreen to keep it stowed an out of the way when the vehicle is being driven to not to obstruct the driver’s outward visibility. It is also known that the blind 10 can be held in place by fabric hook-and-loop type fasteners (not shown) commonly referred to as Velcro.

[0020] The disadvantage of such a blind is that the lower portion of the rolled up blind 10 hangs below the top of the windscreen glass. This can hamper the outward visibility of the driver and is a safety concern particularly when the driver must have full vision in a fire danger zone and Ό Ο (Ν > Ο σ^ (Ν (X) σ^ ΙΟ (Ν Η Ο (Ν steer the vehicle accordingly. Even if the blind is securely fastened to the roof of the vehicle cabin, the nature of the roll or concertina fold means that the fabric will naturally sag without any support.

[0021] The present invention is therefore directed to a blind which can be stowed away when not in use and swung into position when required.

[0022] Turning now to the drawings there is illustrated in Figure 1 the cabin of a fire fighting vehicle 10 including a driver’s seat 12, a driver’s door window 14, a front windscreen 16 and a rear window 18. Mounted on the wall or roof of the cabin 10 is a flexible blind 20. Although it is to be understood that the blind can be made from various materials, in preference the blind 20 forms a heat shield which when unrolled minimises light and heat entering the cabin. The blind 20 can be rolled or folded up when not in use.

[0023] The blind 20 is attached on one side to a mount 22 which in preference is a swivelling bracket allowing the blind 20 to be swivelled or swung from one position to another, the mount therefore forming an axis. In preference the mount 22 is fixed to the wall or roof of the cabin 10 next to or behind the occupant, and in preference between a door window 14 and the rear window 18. As can be seen in Figure 1, the blind 20 is in a “stowed” position, rolled up and located over the rear window 18.

[0024] This stowed position keeps the blind 20 entirely out of the front field of vision of the driver. Even the smallest blinds attached to the windscreen 16 would create an obstruction from the driver, but the location of the blind 20 behind the driver when not in use means that it does not in any way block their outward view. The location of the blind 20 above the rear window 18 similarly does not obstruct the driver’s rear view or view through their rearview mirror.

[0025] The blind 20 is firmly secured to the cabin 10 via the mount 22, however further attachment may be required when in the stowed position to prevent movement of the blind 20.

For example, if the vehicle is being driven through rough terrain or at high speed the blind 20 may swivel or swing on its own, hitting the back of the driver’s head. Therefore the blind 20 may be attached to the cabin 10 through the use of Velcro or other securement means on the opposite side to the mount. One side of the Velcro would be fixed to the cabin 10 above the rear window 18, with the corresponding Velcro piece would be located on the blind 20 so when the two pieces are mated the blind 20 is secured to the cabin 10.

[0026] When required the user can change the position of the blind 20 so that it swivels or ο (Ν > Ο σ^ (Ν 00 σ^ Ό (Ν Ο (Ν swings from over the rear window 18 to be located over the driver’s door window 14 in a “deployed” position. In preference the blind 20 is swivelled approximately 90 degrees, however it is to be understood that the blind can swivel appropriately depending on the side and shape of the cabin 10.

[0027] The blind 20 may also include a further piece of Velcro or other attachment means to be mated with a corresponding Velcro piece attached to the cabin 10 above the driver’s door window 14 to secure the blind 20 firmly in position. The deployed position is illustrated in Figure 2.

[0028] Once in the deployed position, the user can unroll or unfold the blind 20 to cover at least the driver’s door window 14 as required to block light and heat from the cabin as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0029] The blind 20 may also include yet a further Velcro piece or attachment means, located at a low position on the blind 20 to be mated with a corresponding Velcro piece located on the driver’s door. Therefore, the blind 20 can be secured appropriately around it’s perimeter to form an effective heat shield.

[0030] Therefore in practice the blind 20 works much like a standard sun visor in a car, in that it can be stowed away when not in use, deployed over a window to deflect light and heat, and swivelled or swung from the windscreen to the driver’s door to be used where required.

However the present invention is in particular directed to a heat shielded blind 20 which is stowed in a convenient position and swivelled to another prior deployment. The blind 20 is also adapted to be unrolled to completely cover the relevant window whereas a sun visor is simply meant to shield the eyes. The present invention is therefore particularly directed to use with fire fighting vehicles including those with small cabin spaces.

[0031] However it is to be understood that the invention can be located at other points within the cabin and used with various vehicle windows. For example, the invention could be used in a car located between the passenger window and the rear windscreen and unrolled over the passenger window to block out light and heat. This would eliminate the need for window shields to be applied and then stored, with the blind simply rolled up and stowed when not in use.

[0032] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which is a flexible blind which can be stowed away so it does not obstruct the view of the driver, including a mounting bracket allowing the blind to be swung from one position to another and unrolled to cover the window as

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00 σ^ (N Ό O (N required. This is particularly advantageous for fire trucks where maximum visibility is crucial. It is however to be understood that the present invention is adapted to be used in any vehicle and is not limited to fire fighting vehicles [0033] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0034] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims (5)

1. A blind for a vehicle cabin wherein the blind is attached to the cabin via a mount and wherein the mount forms an axis around which the blind can be swung from a first stowed position to a second position prior to deployment.

2. A blind for a vehicle cabin according to claim 1 wherein the blind can be rolled up or folded up above a window for storage.

3. A blind for a vehicle cabin according to any of the above claims wherein the blind can be unrolled or unfolded to extend over at least one window to form a heat shield.

4. A blind for a vehicle cabin according to any of the above claims wherein the mount is positioned between a side window of the cabin and the rear window of the cabin, and wherein the blind is located above the rear window in a stowed position and located above the side window prior to deployment over the window.

5. A blind for a vehicle cabin according to any of the above claims wherein the blind can be secured by attachment means.