GB2127365A - Windscreen protectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle windscreen protector comprising a sheet (1) of water- proof or water-repelling material has an integral or attached pouch (4) in which the sheet can be stored. The sheet (1) may have attached suction cups (8, 9) for self-adhesion to the windscreen (Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Windscreen protectors This invention relates to vehicle windscreen frost protectors.

Such protectors in the form of a sheet of adequate size for covering an automobile winscreen, particularly the screen of a large automobile, are of inconvenient form when folded or rolled for storage.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle windscreen frost protector in the form of a sheet of water-proof or waterrepelling material for securing over the outer surface of a vehicle windscreen, characterised in that the sheet has an integral or attached pouch in which the sheet can be stowed.

Preferably the pouch is secured to one end of the sheet.

Preferably the sheet is attached to the inside of the pouch and the pouch has fastening means, e.g. a slide fastener, by means of which the mouth of the pouch can be closed when the sheet is within the pouch.

Windscreen protective sheets as hitherto marketed are plastics forms, e.g. pieces of extruded plastics such as polyethylene or polyvinylchloride. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sheet comprises a fibrous ply (preferably woven) coated with plastics to make it water-proof or water-repellent. The fibrous ply is preferably a fabric of synthetic fibres. A very suitable material for the sheet is a polyurethane-coated nylon fabric. Plastics-coated fabrics have the advantage as compared with extruded plastics sheets and foils that they can be much more easily folded into a compact format. The selection of a said more easily folded material, makes it feasible for the pouch to be of a small size.A large windscreen protective sheet measuring over 1 + metres in length can be easily stowed into a pouch small enough to be conveniently stored in the glove compartment or map pocket of an automobile.

The pouch is preferably of the same material as the sheet. The two components can be heat-welded or stitched together. It is very suitable for one end of the sheet to be stitched to the inside of the pouch through a slide fastener tape at one side of the pouch mouth.

Preferably the pouch is attached to one end of the sheet and the dimension of the pouch measured parallel with the width of the sheet is appreciably less than that width. Each dimension of the pouch is preferably less than 250 mm.

The protector preferably has means for securing the protector in position over a windscreen. Such attachment means preferably comprises so-called suction cups for self-adhesion to the screen. If the protector is sufficiently long it can be held in protecting position by wrapping it around the ends of the windscreen and the adjacent door jambs and closing the doors.

An embodiment of the invention, selected by way of example, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows the protector stretched flat and Fig. 2 is a detail view on a larger scale showing the pouch and the manner of attaching it to the sheet.

The protector shown in the drawings comprises a sheet 1 having an overall length of 2 metres and an overall width of 0.5 metre, the end portions of the sheet being tapered towards end edges 2, 3 which are 140 mm in length. The edge 3 is secured to the inside of a pouch 4 in the vicinity of the mouth of the pouch which is fitted with a slide fastening device 5. The sheet 1 can easily be folded into a volume small enough to be inserted into the pouch and this can then be closed.

Near the ends of the sheet 1 there are eyelets 6, 7 into which suction cups 8, 9 are snapfitted. These suction cups can remain in place on the sheet when it is folded and stowed in the pouch.

The sheet 1 is a sheet of polyurethanecoated nylon fabric.

The sheet 1 could be fitted with fastening cords instead of or in addition to suction cups.

1. A vehicle windscreen frost protector in the form of a sheet of water-proof or waterrepelling material for securing over the outers surface of a vehicle windscreen, characterised in that the sheet has an integral or attached pouch in which the sheet can be stored.

2. A windscreen frost protector according to claim 1, wherein the pouch is secured to one end of the sheet.

3. A windscreen frost protector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is attached to the inside of the pouch and the pouch has fastening means, e.g. a slide fastener, by means of which the mouth of the pouch can be closed when the sheet is within the pouch.

4. A windscreen frost protector according to any preceding claim, wherein the said sheet comprises a ply of fibrous material coated with water-proofing or water-repelling plastics.

5. A windscreen frost protector according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said sheet is a woven or other fabric of synthetic fibres.

6. A windscreen frost protector according to any preceding claim wherein said sheet has attached suction cups for self-adhesion to a vehicle windscreen.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Windscreen protectors This invention relates to vehicle windscreen frost protectors. Such protectors in the form of a sheet of adequate size for covering an automobile winscreen, particularly the screen of a large automobile, are of inconvenient form when folded or rolled for storage. According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle windscreen frost protector in the form of a sheet of water-proof or waterrepelling material for securing over the outer surface of a vehicle windscreen, characterised in that the sheet has an integral or attached pouch in which the sheet can be stowed. Preferably the pouch is secured to one end of the sheet. Preferably the sheet is attached to the inside of the pouch and the pouch has fastening means, e.g. a slide fastener, by means of which the mouth of the pouch can be closed when the sheet is within the pouch. Windscreen protective sheets as hitherto marketed are plastics forms, e.g. pieces of extruded plastics such as polyethylene or polyvinylchloride. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the sheet comprises a fibrous ply (preferably woven) coated with plastics to make it water-proof or water-repellent. The fibrous ply is preferably a fabric of synthetic fibres. A very suitable material for the sheet is a polyurethane-coated nylon fabric. Plastics-coated fabrics have the advantage as compared with extruded plastics sheets and foils that they can be much more easily folded into a compact format. The selection of a said more easily folded material, makes it feasible for the pouch to be of a small size.A large windscreen protective sheet measuring over 1 + metres in length can be easily stowed into a pouch small enough to be conveniently stored in the glove compartment or map pocket of an automobile. The pouch is preferably of the same material as the sheet. The two components can be heat-welded or stitched together. It is very suitable for one end of the sheet to be stitched to the inside of the pouch through a slide fastener tape at one side of the pouch mouth. Preferably the pouch is attached to one end of the sheet and the dimension of the pouch measured parallel with the width of the sheet is appreciably less than that width. Each dimension of the pouch is preferably less than 250 mm. The protector preferably has means for securing the protector in position over a windscreen. Such attachment means preferably comprises so-called suction cups for self-adhesion to the screen. If the protector is sufficiently long it can be held in protecting position by wrapping it around the ends of the windscreen and the adjacent door jambs and closing the doors. An embodiment of the invention, selected by way of example, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 shows the protector stretched flat and Fig. 2 is a detail view on a larger scale showing the pouch and the manner of attaching it to the sheet. The protector shown in the drawings comprises a sheet 1 having an overall length of 2 metres and an overall width of 0.5 metre, the end portions of the sheet being tapered towards end edges 2, 3 which are 140 mm in length. The edge 3 is secured to the inside of a pouch 4 in the vicinity of the mouth of the pouch which is fitted with a slide fastening device 5. The sheet 1 can easily be folded into a volume small enough to be inserted into the pouch and this can then be closed. Near the ends of the sheet 1 there are eyelets 6, 7 into which suction cups 8, 9 are snapfitted. These suction cups can remain in place on the sheet when it is folded and stowed in the pouch. The sheet 1 is a sheet of polyurethanecoated nylon fabric. The sheet 1 could be fitted with fastening cords instead of or in addition to suction cups. CLAIMS

1. A vehicle windscreen frost protector in the form of a sheet of water-proof or waterrepelling material for securing over the outers surface of a vehicle windscreen, characterised in that the sheet has an integral or attached pouch in which the sheet can be stored.

2. A windscreen frost protector according to claim 1, wherein the pouch is secured to one end of the sheet.

3. A windscreen frost protector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet is attached to the inside of the pouch and the pouch has fastening means, e.g. a slide fastener, by means of which the mouth of the pouch can be closed when the sheet is within the pouch.

4. A windscreen frost protector according to any preceding claim, wherein the said sheet comprises a ply of fibrous material coated with water-proofing or water-repelling plastics.

5. A windscreen frost protector according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said sheet is a woven or other fabric of synthetic fibres.

6. A windscreen frost protector according to any preceding claim wherein said sheet has attached suction cups for self-adhesion to a vehicle windscreen.