GB2381553A

GB2381553A - Rotatable vehicle window

Info

Publication number: GB2381553A
Application number: GB0126411A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan B Riach; Dawson Sellar
Original assignee: Applied Sweepers Ltd
Current assignee: Applied Sweepers Ltd
Priority date: 2001-11-02
Filing date: 2001-11-02
Publication date: 2003-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-02
Also published as: GB0126411D0; GB2381553B

Abstract

A window for a vehicle comprises a frame 3, 4, 5 and a window pane 2, the pane being rotatably mounted, pivoting about an axis 6 which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window frame. Preferably the window is greater in height than width and includes a pivot arm 7, a fastener, preferably a claw catch, and a handle. The edge of the window plane may be curved and may be received in a sealing channel.

Description

A WINDOW FOR A VEHICLE This invention relates to a window for a vehicle. In particular, this invention relates to a window which is suitable for use in small-volume vehicles, such as street-sweeping vehicles.

Windows for vehicles are well known in the art. For example, windows in car doors generally comprise a slidable window pane which can be retracted into the car door by a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism may be manually or electrically controlled. However, these well-known windows are unsuitable for use in small-volume streetcleaning vehicles, because they require an expensive winding mechanism in the door. Since cost is an important factor in the design of small-volume vehicles, it is undesirable for small-volume vehicles to have winding windows of this type.

Another type of window used in cars (and, more commonly, tractors) has a manually slidable window pane which slides horizontally. Usually, the window pane slides across a fixed window pane. The sliding window pane is mounted in guides which allow the sliding movement. Such sliding windows work adequately when the height to width ratio of the window is not too high. However, it has been found that when the height dimension of the window is much greater than the width dimension, the sliding operation often leads to jamming of the window pane in the guides. Unless the window is opened with great care, there is a tendency for tall window panes to tilt during sliding, thus leading to jamming. Windows in small-volume vehicles, such as street-sweeping machines, generally have a height dimension which is much greater than the width dimension. Accordingly, it is undesirable to use horizontally sliding windows in such vehicles.

A further type of window which has been used in vehicles is rotatably mounted. The axis of rotation is in the plane of the window frame so that at least part of the window swings outwards from the vehicle. A problem with this type of window is that the window pane projects outwardly from the vehicle when in the open position. This is undesirable in street-cleaning vehicles, since such vehicles need to be close to the curb edge when cleaning. Any outward projections from the vehicle may collide with objects such as lampposts on the curb edge. The situation is worsened because a large opening is usually

required for the driver to lean out of the window and check the position of the vehicle relative to the curb. A large opening requires a large window and, hence, a large projection from the vehicle. Thus, windows which swing outwardly from a vehicle are highly undesirable, especially in street-sweeping vehicles.

It is therefore desirable to provide a window which is suitable for use in a vehicle, such as a small-volume street-sweeping vehicle, and which mitigates against the problems described hereinabove for the prior art windows.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a window for a vehicle comprising a frame ; and a window pane which is movable between an open position and a closed position within the frame; wherein said window pane is rotatably mounted about a pivot and the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

A window according to the present invention has a window pane which moves in the plane of the frame. Consequently, it is an advantage of the present invention that opening of the window does not result in an outward projection from a vehicle. Furthermore, the window does not incorporate a costly winding mechanism. The use of a simple pivot enables the window to be manufactured at low cost, which is particularly advantageous for smallvolume street-sweeping vehicles.

Preferably, the frame is formed by an opening in a door of the vehicle, although it may be part of the main body of the vehicle. Preferably, the frame is made from a stiff, rigid material such as metal, plastics or other suitable material. The frame may be provided with a seal, which seals the interface between the window pane and the frame.

The main body of the window pane may be made from glass, clear plastics or other suitable material.

As discussed above, the window of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in small-volume street-sweeping vehicles, where the height dimension of the window pane is

typically much greater than the width dimension. Hence, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height dimension of the window pane is greater than the width dimension.

The window pane of the present invention may be of any suitable shape which allows rotation of the window pane in the plane of the frame. Preferably, the window pane includes a pivot arm which facilitates the pivoting motion of the window pane. The pivot arm is generally an elongate projection which may be integral with or connected to the main body of the window pane. Preferably, the window pane is a two-piece construction

having a main body and a pivot arm secured thereto. The pivot arm may be secured to the main body of the window pane by any suitable means such as bolts or adhesive.

Preferably, the pivot arm is substantially L-shaped, which allows convenient positioning of the pivot and greater control over the arc of rotation.

The pivot arm may be made from any suitable material such as glass, plastics or metal.

Preferably, the pivot arm is made from a metal such as steel.

Preferably, the window pane rotates about one end of the pivot arm. The pivot arm may have an opening at one end for rotatably mounting the window pane on the pivot, which is typically a simple pin fixably mounted in the frame. Alternatively, the pivot arm may have pin projections at one end for rotatably mounting the window pane in recesses or openings in the frame. In either embodiment, the pin (s) are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame so that the window pane can rotate in the plane of the frame.

Preferably, rotation of the window pane is limited by abutment of an edge of the window pane with a part of the frame. Thus, in a fully opened position, an edge of the window pane preferably abuts part of the frame. Alternatively, rotation of the window pane may be limited by a stop which abuts with a part of the window pane. The stop may abut with, for example, a projection on the main body of the window pane or part of the pivot arm.

The window of the present invention may comprise one or more fastening means for releasably holding the window pane in either a closed position or an open position.

Suitable fastening means will be well-known to the skilled person and include, for example, claw catches, magnetic catches and friction catches. Alternatively, the fastening means may be a seal between the window pane and the frame which holds the window pane in an open, partially open or closed position by friction.

In a preferred embodiment, the window includes one or more claw catches. A claw catch generally comprises a hook or claw which is pivotally mounted on an edge region of the window pane. The hook or claw releasably engages a corresponding feature on the window frame to hold the window pane in either an open or a closed position. Pivotal motion of the hook or claw releases the catch and allows free movement of the window pane.

Preferably, the window pane includes a handle which allows the user to grab the window pane, thereby facilitating opening or closing of the window. Preferably, the handle is of the type which is either screw-fixed or bonded to the window pane. Alternatively, the handle may simply be a recess in the window pane which allows the user to open or close the window by placing his fingers in the recess and exerting a rotational force on the window pane.

In a preferred embodiment, the pivot is positioned at a lower part of the frame and the window pane may be held in an opened position by gravity. However, the window pane may, alternatively, be biased to either an open position or a closed position by a biasing mechanism. A suitable biasing mechanism may be, for example, a leaf, hair or coil spring which abuts with the pivot arm. In this alternative embodiment, a fastening means may be used to hold the window pane in either a closed or an open position against the bias of the biasing mechanism.

The skilled person will understand that the use of a biasing mechanism and/or fastening means allows the pivot to be positioned at an upper part of the frame with the window frame hanging below the pivot. The biasing mechanism and/or fastening means will prevent the window pane from swinging to its equilibrium position under gravity.

Preferably, the main body of the window pane is shaped substantially like a right-angled triangle having two truncated corners. This shape is particularly suitable for use in frames

having two substantially parallel side edges. In a closed position, one edge of the truncated triangle abuts a first side edge of the frame ; in an open position, the hypotenuse of the truncated triangle abuts the opposite side edge of the frame, which is substantially parallel to the first edge.

Preferably, the window pane has one curved edge. The curved edge preferably defines one of the truncated comers of the substantially triangular window pane described hereinabove. The curvature allows one edge of the window pane to follow a curved path along the frame during opening or closing of the window. Preferably, the corresponding edge of the frame is also curved to allow smooth movement of the curved edge of the window pane during opening or closing of the window. However, alternatively, the frame need not be curved ; it may include a deep channel for receiving the curved edge of frame.

Preferably, the curved edge of the window pane is received in a sealing channel. The sealing channel may be attached to an edge of the frame. Alternatively, the sealing channel may be a channel formed in the frame. The sealing channel may be comprised of a suitable sealing material such as rubber, foam or felt which can form a light seal against the window pane. Sealing arrangements of this type will be well known to the skilled person.

Preferably, the window of the present invention further comprises at least,'one fixed window pane. During opening or closing of the window, part of the rotatable window pane will, preferably, swing over part of the fixed window pane. Hence, the rotatable window pane will usually be mounted in a plane which is displaced from the plane of the fixed window pane. The displacement will be approximately equal to a thickness of the rotatable window pane.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a window as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a door of a street-sweeping machine having an opening window therein; with a closed position of the opening being shown in solid lines and an open position being shown in broken lines.

Referring to Figure 1, a door 1 of the machine is pivotally supported in a framework F about pivot points P. The door 1 forms a frame for two fixed panes of glass or other window material identified at 9a and 9b, and for an opening rotatably mounted window pane 2. The frame includes a top 3, and two generally vertically extending sides 4 and 5.

The opening window pane 2 is mounted on a pivot 6, located adjacent a bottom of the frame, via a pivot arm 7 which extends from a lower region of the window pane 2. The pivot arm 7 is substantially L-shaped. The load of the window pane 2 is spread across a bracket portion 8 of the pivot arm 7, the bracket portion 8 being secured to the lower region of the pane 2 by means of two or more bolts (not shown).

The pane 2 is generally in the shape of a right-angled triangle having two truncated comers 12 and 13. In its closed position shown in solid lines, one edge 10 of the window pane 2 abuts with an upper region of the side 5 of the frame, a long edge 11 forming the hypotenuse of the triangular shape overlaps an edge of the fixed pane 9a, the truncated comer 12, which is slightly curved, forms a seal with part of the top 3 of the frame, and the truncated comer 13 and a lower edge 14 abut solid frame portions of the door 1. To open the window, the window pane 2 is rotated anticlockwise about the pivot 6 until a hypotenuse 11 of the window pane 2 abuts with the side 4 of the frame. The window is held in its open position by gravity.

During opening of the window, the curved top edge 12 of the window pane 2 will slide in a sealing engagement with a curved inner edge of the top 3 of the frame, the curved edge region and curved edge 12 allowing rotating movement of the window pane 2. The curved top edge 3 of the window pane 2 is received in a sealing member (not shown) attached to the curved edge region of the top 3 of the frame. Thus, the top edge 12 of the window pane 2 remains in sealing contact with the top edge 3 of the frame during opening and closing, with the seal acting as a guide for the top edge 12 of the window pane 2.

It will, of course, be understood that the present invention has been described purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A window for a vehicle comprising

a frame ; and a window pane which is movable between an open position and a closed position within the frame ; wherein said window pane is rotatably mounted about a pivot and the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

2. A window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the window pane has a height dimension which is greater than a width dimension.

3. A window as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the window pane includes a pivot arm.

4. A window as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pivot arm is substantially L-shaped.

5. A window as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the window pane is pivoted at one end of the pivot arm.

6. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivot is a pin mounted in the frame.

7. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding which includes a fastening means for holding the window in either an open or a closed position.

8. A window as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fastening means is a claw catch.

9. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the window pane includes a handle.

<Desc/Clms Page number 9>

10. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein rotation of the window pane is limited by abutment of an edge of the window pane with a part of the frame.

11. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a main body of the window pane is shaped substantially like a right-angled triangle having two truncated comers.

12. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one edge of the window pane is curved to allow rotation of the window pane within the frame.

13. A window as claimed in claim 12 wherein the curved edge of the window pane is received in a sealing channel.

14. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one fixed window pane.

15. A window as claimed in claim 14 wherein during opening of the window, part of the rotatable window pane swings over part of the fixed window pane.

16. A window substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

17. A door for a vehicle having a window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims supported therein, the door providing the frame.

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A window for a vehicle comprising

a frame ; and a window pane which is movable between an open position and a closed position within the frame ; wherein said window pane is rotatably mounted about a pivot on a pivot arm, the pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the frame, and the pivot arm extends away from the frame, substantially in plane with the window pane.
2. A window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the window pane has a height dimension which is greater than a width dimension.
3. A window as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pivot arm is substantially L-shaped.
4. A window as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the window pane is pivoted at one end of the pivot arm.
5. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivot is a pin mounted in the frame.
6. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding which includes a fastening means for holding the window in either an open or a closed position.
7. A window as claimed in claim 6 wherein the fastening means is a claw catch.
8. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the window pane includes a handle.
9. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein rotation of the window pane is limited by abutment of an edge of the window pane with a part of the frame.

<Desc/Clms Page number 11>
10. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a main body of the window pane is shaped substantially like a right-angled triangle having two truncated comers.
11. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one edge of the window pane is curved to allow rotation of the window pane within the frame.
12. A window as claimed in claim 11 wherein the curved edge of the window pane is received in a sealing channel.
13. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one fixed window pane.
14. A window as claimed in claim 14 wherein during opening of the window, part of the rotatable window pane swings over part of the fixed window pane.
15. A window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot arm is made of glass.
16. A window as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pivot arm is made of steel.
17. A window substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.
18. A door for a vehicle having a window as claimed in any one of the preceding claims supported therein, the door providing the frame.