GB2281091A

GB2281091A - Guard for vehicle window

Info

Publication number: GB2281091A
Application number: GB9416485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence John Hodgetts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-08-21
Filing date: 1994-08-16
Publication date: 1995-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-16
Also published as: GB9416485D0; GB9317428D0; GB2281091B; WO1995005950A1

Abstract

A window guard is in the form of a panel 5 which is shaped to match the opening for the window 4 and has a rim 6 which fits over the surround 7 for the window. Consequently, when the door 1 is closed within the frame 2 the rim 6 of the guard panel 5 will be trapped between the window surround 7 and the door frame 2. The panel 5 can be formed from a shatterproof polypropylene material or metal so that, even if the window is broken, access to the interior of the car through the window is substantially or wholly prevented by the guard panel 5. Figs 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative guard which covers the outside of the window. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements relating to Vehicle Protection This invention is concerned with means for deterring unauthorised access to vehicles. One current means of access in order to steal valuables from the interior of a vehicle is to smash one of the side windows (the laminated front windscreen of a car is usually impossible to smash swiftly and does not provide easy access).

It is the object of this invention to provide means whereby attempts to break into a vehicle through smashing a side window can be deterred or prevented.

Accordingly, this invention provides a guard for a window in the door of a vehicle and comprising a panel of shatterproof material formed to the shape of the window to be guarded and provided with a rim shaped to fit over the surround of the window to be guarded.

When one form of such a panel is fitted onto the inside of the window and the car door is shut, the rim around the panel will be trapped between the door and the door frame so that it cannot be dislodged. Anyone attempting to enter the vehicle by smashing a window would also have to break the panel which, as it is made of shatterproof material, by using materials readily available for the purpose, would be virtually impossible to break.

In an alternative form the panel could be designed to fit outside the window. The rim on the panel would be shaped to fit around the exterior of the door rim and would locate in position as the panel is lowered over the door (which would normally taper outwardly in the downward direction). When the door is closed the panel will be trapped by the door frame.

The material of the panel could be transparent or tinted and could, of course, have warning notices printed on it. If desired, the panel could be opaque so as to screen off from view items within the vehicle. The panel could be formed from metal but it is envisaged that it is more likely to be constructed from high density polypropylene or a toughened plastics material. The panel is, ideally, formed by a moulding or pressing process.

For added security, the lower edge of the panel could have a flange to locate, within the slot provided in a door in which the window can be lowered, between the window and the window surround. It is also desirable that the panel should be formed to define a cover to be positioned over a lock release button on the door. This provides added security against unauthorised access by attempts to operate the lock release button.

A further advantageous feature is the incorporation of a strengthening bar section at the lower edge of the panel (which edge, of course, will not be trapped between the door and the door frame).

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door of a vehicle to which a window guard of this invention has been fitted; Figure 2 is a vertical section through the door shown in Figure 1: Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the door shown in Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are vertical and horizontal sections through a door of a vehicle to which an alternative form of window guard of this invention has been fitted.

In Figures of 1 to 3 the drawings there is shown a car door 1 mounted onto a door frame 2 by hinges. A standard internal catch 3 is provided on the door to operate the door locking mechanism. A window 4 can be raised or lowered by a conventional winding mechanism within the body of the door 1.

The window guard of this invention is in the form of a panel 5 which is shaped to match the opening for the window 4 and has a rim 6 which fits over the surround 7 for the window. Consequently, when the door 1 is closed within the frame 2 the rim 6 of the guard panel 5 will be trapped between the window surround 7 and the door frame 2. The panel 5 is formed from a shatterproof polypropylene material so that; even if the window is broken, access to the interior of the car through the window is substantially or wholly prevented by the guard panel 5. The panel 5 is also so shaped that it provides a cover 8 which sits over the locking catch 3 so that the catch cannot be tampered with.

The free lower edge 10 of the panel 5 can be thickened to provide a strengthening bar.

If the material from which the panel 5 is formed is transparent then the panel can be left in place at all times. There are, however, two disadvantages to this.

Firstly, it prevents ventilation through the open window 4, whilst the car is in use. Secondly, in the case of an accident, it could prove very difficult for rescue services to break into the vehicle through the guarded windows.

There would be an advantage, therefore, in making the panel, at least on the driver's side, of an opaque material so that the driver would naturally remove it before driving off as his vision would otherwise be obscured.

The alternative form of window guard SA shown in Figures 4 and 5 is shaped to fit on the outside of the door 1 to protect the window 4. A rim 6A fits over a flange 11 of the window surround 7 as the panel 5A lowered from the top of the door 1 (which has angled side walls). When fully in place the panel 5A is a snug fit over the door 1 and the rim 6A will be trapped by the door frame 2 when the door has been closed.

The panel 5 or 5A may hold in place naturally if it is a snug fit over the window surround 7. Additional means of attachment may, however, be an advantage. For example, a clip 9 can be attached to the panel and will slide down between the window 4 and the slot in the door 1 within which the window is mounted. Another possibility is to provide magnetic strips on the rim 6 or 6A of the panel 5 or 5A which will hold onto a steel window surround 7.

The panel 5 or 5A will, of course, be formed to suit a particular vehicle door shape. It could also be formed to match the shape of the window in the rear door of a hatchback vehicle. The panel could be extended to cover further parts of the door particularly if this is needed to ensure that there is a secure anchoring of the panel when the door is closed. Furthermore the provision of a shatterproof panel over other parts of the door can help to provide a degree of bullet proofing for the vehicle.

Claims

1. A guard for a window in the door of a vehicle and comprising a panel of shatterproof material formed to the shape of the window to be guarded and provided with a rim shaped to fit over the surround of the window to be guarded.

2. A guard according to Claim 1, wherein the panel is designed to fit onto the inside of the window such that the rim around the panel will be trapped between the door and the door frame when the door is shut.

3. A guard according to Claim 1, wherein the panel is designed to fit over the outside of the window and has a rim which is shaped to fit around the exterior of the door rim as the panel is lowered over the door, such that the panel rim will be trapped between the door rim and the door frame when the door is shut.

4. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower edge of the panel has a flange to locate, within the slot provided in the door in which the window can be lowered, between the window and the window surround.

5. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the panel is formed to define a cover to be positioned over a lock release button on the door.

6. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower edge of the panel incorporates a strengthening bar section.

7. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the panel is formed from high density polypropylene or a toughened plastics material.

8. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the material of the panel is transparent.

9. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the panel is formed from metal.

10. A guard according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the panel is formed by a moulding or pressing process.

11. Any novel combination of features of a guard for a vehicle window substantially as described and illustrated herein.

12. A guard for a vehicle window substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.