GB2481012A

GB2481012A - Storage Device for Windscreens

Info

Publication number: GB2481012A
Application number: GB1009497.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Derry; Max Richardson Derry; David James Parkinson
Original assignee: M J SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: M J SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2010-06-07
Publication date: 2011-12-14
Also published as: GB201009497D0

Abstract

There is described a windscreen storage device 10 comprising a windscreen protection envelope 14 arranged to receive a windscreen therein, and a frame 12. The windscreen protection envelope 14 may be coupled to the frame 12 so that it is suspended freely. The windscreen storage device 10 allows a windscreen 22 received in the windscreen protection envelope 14 to be safely stored. The free suspension of the windscreen protection envelope 14 from the frame 12 allows a stored windscreen to absorb impacts more efficiently and thus remain well protected for the duration it is received in the windscreen protection envelope 14. The windscreen protection envelope 14 may furthermore be decoupled from the frame and transported to another, different frame for further storage. The windscreen 22 need never be removed from the windscreen protection envelope 14 until required (e.g. for installation, inspection of any identified damage, repair, etc.). Preferably the windscreen protection envelope 14 is in the form of a flexible sleeve 15.

Description

STORAGE DEVICE FOR WINDSCREENS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a windscreen storage device for storing and protecting windscreens.

Background of the Invention

Vehicle windscreens (also known as windshields in the United States of America) are often in need of replacement after they have suffered damage. This is to ensure that the occupants of a vehicle are not endangered through further weakening of the windscreen and the potential collapse or shattering of the windscreen.

Windscreens are often fabricated on site at the manufacturer's factory and are then shipped to the distribution warehouse, or depot. When a vehicle's windscreen is in need of replacing, the replacement windscreen may then be transported from the distribution warehouse to a delivery vehicle (e.g. a van) after which it is conveyed to the desired location and installed in the vehicle in need of a replacement windscreen.

Each stage of transportation of the replacement windscreen poses certain risks not only to the integrity of the windscreen itself but also to the handlers. For * 1 instance, if not securely stored and protected, a windscreen may be mishandled and may crack, break or even shatter if dropped on the ground. The persons *:. 25 handling the transportation of the windscreen may also be injured in such an event. * **

Previous methods and devices for storing windscreens typically involve the use of cardboard and/or plastic packaging arranged to surround the windscreen and provide a measure of protection during transportation. The windscreens are then stacked horizontally or arranged vertically side-by-side on a stillage or platform. Typically, cardboard dividers are inserted between the windscreens.

Such systems, however, often require a significant amount of packaging that may not be reusable once the windscreen has been removed therefrom. Furthermore, the edges of windscreens in contact with the stillage or platform may often be damaged as a result.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved device for storing and protecting vehicle windscreens that allows one to efficiently, economically and safely transport windscreens from the manufacturers to the end-user. The present invention seeks to provide such a device.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a windscreen storage device comprising a windscreen protection envelope arranged to receive a windscreen therein, and a frame. The windscreen protection envelope is further arranged to be coupled to the frame so as to be suspended freely therefrom.

The windscreen storage device allows a windscreen received in the windscreen protection envelope to be safely stored. The free suspension of the windscreen protection envelope from the frame allows a stored windscreen to absorb impacts more efficiently and thus remain well protected for the duration it is received in the windscreen protection envelope. The windscreen protection envelope may furthermore be decoupled from the frame and transported to ***.

another, different frame for further storage. The windscreen need never be *..*.* * removed from the windscreen protection envelope until required (e.g. for ::::. installation, inspection of any identified damage, repair, etc.).

*. 25 Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may be slidably * coupled to the frame. In particular, the windscreen protection envelope may comprise elongate envelope suspension means and the frame may comprise **.

elongate frame suspension means. The envelope suspension means may be slidably engageable with the frame suspension means. The slidable nature of the engagement between the envelope suspension means and the frame suspension means allows a user to easily insert and remove the windscreen protection envelope from the frame without undue effort.

Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may comprise a handle. For example, the envelope suspension means may be slidably disengaged from the frame suspension means and used as a handle by a user for transporting the windscreen protection envelope. As a result, individual windscreen protection envelopes may be selectively decoupled from the frame and manually transported by one or more users. The windscreen need not be removed from its protective envelope until ready for installation, for example, and the handle-like nature of the envelope suspension means allows the users to safely and easily transport the windscreen protection envelope.

Advantageously, the windscreen storage device may further comprise a rigid container coupled to the frame such that the windscreen protection envelope is able to be suspended within the container. The container lends stability and robustness to the windscreen storage device. The container furthermore provides a measure of protection and shielding for the windscreen protection envelope from the outside environment. A group of windscreen protection envelopes may be transported within the container as a single unit to a desired location without the need to decouple individual windscreen protection envelopes from the frame and carry each one separately.

Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may be arranged to be suspended freely from the frame such that a direction normal to a windscreen received therein is substantially horizontal. In other words, the windscreen hangs vertically from the frame. This provides a windscreen storage device which * makes economic use of the space available, particularly if multiple windscreen protection envelopes are suspended from the frame.

*. 25 Advantageously, the windscreen storage device may further comprise one * or more additional windscreen protection envelopes arranged to be coupled to the frame so as to be suspended freely therefrom. More advantageously, the *** * windscreen protection envelopes may be suspended from the frame in a substantially parallel, side-by-side arrangement (e.g. as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1). This allows a user to easily store a plurality of windscreen protection envelopes in a vertical side-by-side arrangement, for economy of space.

Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may comprise a flexible sleeve arranged to receive a windscreen therein. The flexibility of the sleeve allows the sleeve to largely conform to the curvature of the windscreen and to cushion the surfaces of the windscreen, thus affording protection to a greater surface area of the windscreen.

More advantageously, the flexible sleeve may comprise a reinforced portion arranged to support the weight of a windscreen received therein. The reinforced portion prevents the weight of the received windscreen from causing damage to the flexible sleeve and potentially ripping and falling out of the sleeve.

Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may comprise a resealable opening arranged such that, when the windscreen protection envelope is suspended from the frame, a windscreen may be inserted into the windscreen protection envelope through the resealable opening. When the windscreen protection envelope is suspended freely, a windscreen may be inserted in the sleeve through the resealable opening. The sleeve and resealable opening permit a user to easily insert and withdraw a windscreen from within the windscreen protection envelope without necessarily removing the windscreen protection envelope from the frame.

Advantageously, the windscreen protection envelope may be substantially transparent. The transparency of the windscreen protection envelope allows a user to rapidly identify, from an array of adjacently-disposed windscreen S...

protection envelopes, the desired windscreen as well as any damage that may *5**S* * have been suffered by the windscreens stored in the windscreen storage device. * S* *. . *5*S

*. 25 Brief Description of the Drawings

Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by **.

* way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a windscreen storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2a is a perspective view of a windscreen protection envelope of the windscreen storage device of Figure 1; Figure 2b shows the windscreen protection envelope of Figure 2a with a windscreen received therein; Figure 2c is a top-end view of the windscreen protection envelope of Figure 2b; Figure 3a is a magnified view of a part of the windscreen storage device of Figure 1, clearly showing the windscreen protection envelope slidably coupled to a frame; Figure 3b is a magnified, end-on view of part of the windscreen storage device of Figure 3a; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative windscreen protection envelope.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

The present invention seeks to provide an improved storage device for windscreens. Whilst various embodiments of the invention are described below, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and variations of these embodiments may well fall within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the appended claims.

Figure 1 shows a windscreen storage device 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The windscreen storage device comprises a frame 12, eight windscreen protection envelopes 14 suspended * from the frame 12, and a rigid container 16 coupled to the frame 12.

A windscreen protection envelope 14 as shown in Figure 1 is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 2a. Figure 2a shows a windscreen protection envelope * (or cover, wrapper, bag, pouch, sheath, or other similar device) 14 comprising a flexible sleeve 15 comprising sleeve edges 15a, 15a' at a left side; 15b, 15b' at the bottom; 15c, 15c' at a right side; and 15d, 15d' at the top. The sleeve 15 is generally rectangular in shape and is typically formed of high-density polyethylene, though other materials used in the fabrication of the sleeve 15 will be known to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2b, the sleeve 15 is substantially transparent such that a person may rapidly and easily assess the contents of the sleeve 15.

The sleeve 15 further comprises a lower reinforced portion 1 8a disposed in a substantially semi-circular fashion along the bottom sleeve edges I 5b and 1 5b'. This is most clearly seen in Figure 1. The reinforced portion 1 Ba is preferably made of nylon fabric. Alternatively, the reinforced portion 1 Ba may be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or nylon fabric bonded with PVC. Persons skilled in the art will be aware of other materials that may be used in the fabrication of the reinforced portion 18a. Typically, when forming the windscreen protection envelope 14, two substantially identical rectangular sheets of high-density polyethylene are affixed to the edges of the reinforced portion 1 8a to create the sleeve 15 as shown in Figure 2a. Alternatively, the sleeve 15 may be formed by folding a rectangular sheet into an extended U-shape. The reinforced portion 18a may then be moulded or otherwise attached to the sleeve bottom edges 1 5b and I 5b' after the sleeve 15 has been folded into the shape shown in Figure 2a. Advantageously, the build-up of dust and other contaminants on the windscreen protection envelope 14 is reduced due to rounded nature of the reinforced portion 18a. For example, liquids accidentally splashed onto the sides of the windscreen protection envelope 14 will easily drip off of the windscreen protection envelope 14 upon reaching the reinforced portion 18a.

The top sleeve edges 1 5d and I 5d' are joined together by means of an upper reinforced portion 18b. The reinforced portion 18b is typically formed, again, of nylon fabric, although other materials are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure, such as plastic, metal, or other types of fabric or strong textile.

:.:::* 25 In Figure 2a, the reinforced portion 18b comprises two lengths of nylon fabric joined along an edge to form an elongate structure with an inverted "V" cross-section. A circular sheath 21 is disposed along a central portion of the apex of the structure. A pair of recesses 18b' are cut into the reinforced portion 18b, at either end of and adjacent to the sheath 21.

The left side sleeve edges 1 5a and 1 5a' are not joined together but, rather, form a side opening 17 running the entire height of the leftmost edge (as shown in Figure 2a) of the sleeve 15. The side opening 17 serves to allow a windscreen to be inserted therethrough, as will be explained in more detail below. The right side sleeve edges 1 5c and 1 5c' are joined by means of another reinforced portion. Thus, no opening exists along the rightmost edge (as shown in Figure 2a) of the sleeve 15. However, it is envisaged that, similar to side opening 17, a second side opening may be disposed along the left side sleeve edges 15c and 1 5c' such that a windscreen may also be inserted thereth rough.

The side opening 17 may employ resealing means, or closing means, such as sleeve straps 23 which are disposed along the sleeve edges 1 5a and 1 5a' to enable both opening and closing of the side opening 17. The sleeve straps 23 may be formed of Velcro® and are used to close off the side opening 17. Once sealed in such a manner, a windscreen received in the sleeve 15 may not be withdrawn from the sleeve 15 without first undoing the sleeve straps 23.

Alternative closing means may be used, such as zips, snap-fit connections, latches, buckles, or any other similar devices. Advantageously, the sleeve straps 23 serve to prevent a received windscreen from accidentally being ejected from the windscreen protection envelope 14 The sleeve 15 furthermore comprises envelope suspension means 19.

The envelope suspension means 19 include an elongate, tubular member 20 inserted through the sheath 21 coupled to the upper reinforced portion 18b. The tubular member 20 comprises proximal and distal portions 20a and 20b which protrude from either end of the sheath 21 above the recesses 18b'. The tubular member 20 may furthermore be formed of any sturdy, rigid material such as stainless steel, and must be strong enough to withstand, when the sleeve 15 is * lifted above ground level, the weight of the sleeve 15 with a windscreen inserted . 25 therein. Likewise, the sheath 21 must also be strong enough so as not to tear or rip when the sleeve 15 with a windscreen inserted therein is raised above ground * ** level. * . *

Figure 2b shows the windscreen protection envelope 14 of Figure 2a with a windscreen 22 received therein. A windscreen is understood to encompass any sheet of planar or curved glass or similar material used for shielding the occupants of a motor vehicle during operation. Other substantially planar objects of a similar size could also be received within the windscreen protection envelope 14. The windscreen 22 rests substantially in the centre of the sleeve 15 so as not to imbalance the sleeve 15. The bottommost edge 22a of the windscreen 22 lies in contact with the reinforced portion 1 8a of the sleeve 15. The sleeve 15 and the reinforced portion 18a become slightly curved to match the curvature of the windscreen 22.

It is envisaged that more than one windscreen 22 may be received in a given windscreen protection envelope 14, provided that the stresses and strains of doing so would not damage the sleeve 15. For instance, two relatively small windscreens 22 may be inserted into the sleeve 15 and separated by a cushioning divider (such as a sheet of foam or thin rubber). However, it is preferred that only a single windscreen 22 be received in a given windscreen protection envelope 14 so as not to risk damaging any component of the windscreen protection envelope 14 (e.g. tearing the sleeve 15, placing too much weight on the reinforced portion 18a).

Whilst the windscreen 22 is at rest inside the sleeve 15, the sleeve 15 and the reinforced portion 1 8a advantageously conform to the curvature of the windscreen 22. Because of the flexibility of the sleeve 15 and its substantial conformance to the curvature of the windscreen 22, cushioning protection is afforded to a greater surface area of the windscreen 22 when compared to typical cardboard and/or polystyrene packaging which may not always provide protection to a large surface area of a windscreen. Furthermore, due to the stiff and inflexible nature of glass and similar materials used in the fabrication of windscreens, a windscreen that is more rigidly held in place is more likely to be * damaged or even break if subjected to a sudden force or impact.

:*. 25 The conformity of the sleeve 15 to the curvature of the windscreen 22 is best shown in the top view of the windscreen protection envelope 14 in Figure 2c *:*:: (note that the tubular member 20 is not shown in this figure). The convex curve C of the windscreen is shown to push against one half of the sleeve 15, causing the middle section of the sleeve 15 to extend bulbously outwardly away from the position of the tubular member 20.

Returning now to Figure 1, there are shown eight of the above-described windscreen protection envelopes 14 suspended from the frame 12 coupled to the rigid container 16, or stillage. It should be noted that any number of windscreen protection envelopes 14 may be suspended from the frame 12, whilst in the particular embodiment of Figure 1 there are shown eight windscreen protection envelopes 14.

The frame 12 may be any suitable structural element, such as a rack or scaffold, capable of supporting the weight of a windscreen protection envelope 14 with a windscreen 22 received therein. Importantly, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 may be coupled to the frame 12 such that they are suspended freely therefrom in a substantially vertical direction (e.g. a direction defined by the surface of the windscreen 22 is substantially perpendicular to the ground). As shown in Figure 1, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 hang from the frame 12 such that their respective lower reinforced portions 1 8a along their bottommost edges do not touch the floor 16' of the container 16. In other words, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 hang freely from the frame 12 and are entirely supported from above by the frame 12 from which they hang.

Advantageously, and unlike previous windscreen packaging systems, the bottom edges of the windscreens 22 are protected from damage as the windscreen protection envelopes 14 are not in contact with the floor 16' of the container 16.

The frame 12 is coupled to the rigid container 16 such that it forms the topmost portion of the container 16 (e.g. the roof of the container 16) with the remainder of the container 16 including a framework of vertical beams 1 6a to 1 6d at its corners that surround the plurality of windscreen protection envelopes 14.

The container 16 comprises three side panels ha to lic that enclose the * windscreen protection envelopes 14 such that, when suspended from the frame :.. 25 12, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 are stored substantially within the container 16. Side panels ha and lic are positioned between beams 16a and 16b, and 16c and 16d, respectively, and are substantially parallel to the suspended windscreens 22. Side panel 1 lb is positioned between beams 16b and 16c, and is substantially perpendicular to side panels 1 Ia and I Ic.

The windscreen protection envelopes 14 are placed in an adjacent, side-by-side alignment with respect to one another, such that each windscreen 22 stored in its respective sleeve 15 is substantially parallel to the other windscreens 22. Each resealable side opening 17 of the windscreen protection envelopes 14 is positioned at one end of the container 16, opposite the side panel 11 b. An elongate locking member 13 extends horizontally between beams 16d and 16a to ensure that a windscreen 22 may not be withdrawn or removed from its windscreen protection envelope 14 without first unlocking the locking member 13.

Advantageously, the locking member 13 may be used as a secondary means of protection to sleeve straps 23 should a windscreen 22 received in its windscreen protection envelope 14 slide out of its sleeve 15 (e.g. perhaps in the event that the sleeve straps 23 sealing the side opening 17 are undone). In one embodiment, the locking member 13 is an adjustable strap.

Now turning to Figure 3a, there is shown a magnified view of the envelope suspension means 19 of a windscreen protection envelope 14 in slideable engagement with the frame suspension means 24 of the frame 12. Thus, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 are slidably coupled to the frame 12. The frame suspension means 24 comprise a plurality of adjacently disposed suspension rail members 25 shaped in the form of elongate loops. The frame suspension means 24 further comprise a plurality of elongate support members 26 having an inverted T-shaped cross-section. The support members 26 pass through the centre of the loops formed by the suspension rail members 25 and are affixed to and support the suspension rail members 25 on their horizontal T-bars. Each support member 26 is affixed in turn to a crossbeam 27 of the frame * 12. The resulting structure, when viewed end-on, is a plurality of adjacently disposed slots 28, openings, or apertures, defined by the positional relationship * of two adjacent support members 26, the corresponding two adjacent suspension ::. 25 rail members 25, and a crossbeam 27. **.

* As already described, the envelope suspension means 19 of the windscreen protection envelope 14 comprise a tubular member 20 inserted through a sheath 21. Each tubular member 20 and sheath 21 combination is slidably engageable with the frame suspension means 24. When inserting a tubular member 20 into a slot 28 of the frame 12, the distal portion 20b of the tubular member 20 is slidably inserted into the slot 28 until substantially the entire tubular member 20 rests upon the respective halves of two adjacent suspension -11 -rail members 25. Advantageously, the sheath 21 surrounding the central portion of the tubular member 20 frictionally retains the tubular member 20 in place with respect to the frame suspension means 24.

Figure 3b shows an end-on view of a windscreen protection envelope 14 suspended from the frame 12 by virtue of the engagement of the envelope suspension means 19 with the frame suspension means 24. The tubular member 20 is shown at rest between two adjacent rails 25a and 25b of two separate suspension rail members 25. The sheath 21 is furthermore in frictional contact with an upper portion 26a of two adjacent T-shaped support members 26.

Advantageously, the frictional retainment of the envelope suspension means 19 within the slot 28 allows the windscreen protection envelope 14 to be securely held in place whilst still being flexible enough be suspended freely from the frame 12 (i.e. without touching the floor 16' of the container 16).

In Figure 3b, the upper reinforced portion 1 8b of the windscreen protection envelope 14 is clearly shown in its angled, inverted "V" arrangement, each length of the reinforced portion 18b connecting a respective top sleeve edge 15d, 15d', to the sheath 21.

The above preferred embodiment of the windscreen storage device 10 will now be described in use.

Once a windscreen 22 has been fabricated on site at the manufacturer's * plant or factory, it may be placed in a windscreen protection envelope 14 and stored within a container 16 as described above. The windscreen storage device * 10 then effectively acts as a filing cabinet drawer of suspended windscreens 22.

*::. 25 A user then wishing to access a given windscreen 22 (for instance, for * replacement of a vehicle's damaged windscreen) first undoes the locking *:*::* member 13. The transparency of the sleeves 15 allows the user to rapidly identify any damage caused to a stored windscreen and/or identify the windscreen desired for use. Moreover, labour times are advantageously reduced due to the transparency of the sleeves 15 and the vertical suspension of the windscreen protection envelopes 14. A user will more rapidly identify the required windscreen 22 from a group of suspended windscreen protection -12-envelopes 14, as opposed to previous packaging methods where the entire contents of the stillage storing the windscreens often have to be emptied before the desired windscreen may be found.

By means of the slideable engagement between the envelope suspension means 19 and the frame suspension means 24, the user grips the proximal portion 20a of the tubular member 20 and extracts the envelope suspension means 19 from the slot 28. The user is then able to easily and safely withdraw from the container 16 the windscreen protection envelope 14 enclosing the desired windscreen 22. Advantageously, the loop-like nature of the suspension rail members 25 allows a user's hand to easily grasp (e.g. via the gap within the suspension rail members 25) the proximal and distal portions 20a and 20b of the tubular member 20 when sliding the tubular member 20 out of the slot 28.

Alternatively, a second user may grasp the dista' portion 20b of the tubular member 20 as the tubular member 20 is slid away from the frame suspension means 24. Advantageously, the recesses 18b' in the reinforced portion 18b of the sleeve 15 allow a user's hand to firmly grasp the proximal and distal portions 20a and 20b of the tubular member 20. Thus, the proximal and distal portions 20a and 20b act as handles for the windscreen protection envelopes 14. This is in stark contrast to previous windscreen packaging systems that use cardboard dividers with often no locations for easily gripping the windscreen.

Once the windscreen protection envelope 14 has been removed from the container 16, it may then be transported by hand to another location, such as a different container, or else may be temporarily suspended from another frame * after which the windscreen 22 itself may be removed from the sleeve 15 for :.. 25 installation in a vehicle. When transporting the windscreen protection envelope 14 with the windscreen 22 enclosed therein, the tubular member 20 may be used as a handle.

Alternatively, the windscreen 22 may be accessed without first removing the windscreen protection envelope 14 from the container 16. This is simply done by undoing the locking member 13 and sleeve straps 23. A user may then extract the windscreen 22 from the sleeve 15 whilst the windscreen protection envelope 14 remains suspended within the container 16. Advantageously, by -13-accessing the windscreen 22 whilst the windscreen protection envelope 14 remains within the container 16, the windscreen 22 retains the protection offered by the container 16.

Whilst the windscreen 22 is stored within the sleeve 15, it is substantially protected from the outside environment. The sleeve 15 advantageously prevents particles of dirt and dust, and other contaminants, from coming into contact with, and possibly scratching, the surface of the windscreen 22. The free suspension of the windscreen protection envelope 14 from the frame 12 ensures that the windscreen 22 is not rigidly fixed in space. The windscreen protection envelope 14 is able to gently oscillate in space and absorbs a substantial amount of outside disturbances which may act on the windscreen protection envelope 14.

As a result, mechanical forces acting on the suspended windscreen protection envelope 14 are substantially dampened and distributed amongst the entire surface area of the sleeve 15. The flexible sleeve 15 furthermore cushions the windscreen 22 from blows and impacts which may otherwise damage or even break the stored windscreen 22.

The windscreen storage device 10 according to the present invention provides many advantages over conventional techniques used for storing and transporting vehicle windscreens from one location to another. One of the key advantages of the present invention is the versatility of the windscreen protection envelope 14. The windscreen protection envelope 14 may be suspended from a wide variety of frames without the need to first remove the windscreen 22 from the sleeve 15.

* For instance, a group of windscreen protection envelopes 14 may first be *** 25 transported as a single unit, suspended from a frame 12 coupled to a container * 16. Individual windscreen protection envelopes 14 may then be removed from *:::* the container 16 by decoupling them from the frame 12 and coupling them to another, different frame. This frame may be in the form of a rack disposed in a windscreen installation vehicle, such as a van. In transit, the windscreen protection envelopes 14 are preferably tethered within the van (to minimise the oscillations of the windscreen protection envelopes 14), whilst still remaining suspended from the frame. The van driver may then safely transport the windscreens 22 to the desired location at which point the van driver may then finally remove a particular windscreen 22 or windscreens 22 from their respective sleeves 15. At no point in the transit do the windscreens 22 need to be separated from the protection offered by their respective sleeves 15. Thus, a single windscreen protection envelope 14 may be used to store and protect a given windscreen 22 during the entire transportation cycle, from the factory, to the distribution centre, to the service centre, to the delivery vehicle, and eventually to the customer.

Once the windscreen 22 has been removed from its windscreen protection envelope 14, the very same windscreen protection envelope 14 may be returned to the factory and reused in the above-described windscreen transportation cycle.

The windscreen storage device 10 of the present invention is thus much more economic and less wasteful than previous windscreen packaging systems. A windscreen protection envelope 14 as herein described may be used multiple times, for storing and protecting multiple windscreens, without the need to be replaced on a frequent basis. The windscreen protection envelope 14 is furthermore resistant to moisture, and will not degrade easily when subjected to damp or wet conditions.

An alternative windscreen protection envelope 34 is shown in Figure 4.

The windscreen protection envelope 34 would be used in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and comprises a sleeve 35 having an opening along its uppermost edge. One top edge 35d of the windscreen * protection envelope 34 is connected to an elongate reinforcement member 100 having a U-shaped cross-section. Another top edge 35d' of the windscreen *.S * protection envelope 34 is connected to a hollow elongate reinforcement member *:*::* 101. The hollow elongate reinforcement member 101 is arranged to receive a tubular member 102 like the tubular member 20. Thus, the hollow elongate reinforcement member 101 is similar to the sheath 21 of the first embodiment.

The elongate reinforcement member 100 is arranged to hook over the combined hollow elongate reinforcement member 101 and tubular member 102 to close the windscreen protection envelope 34. The opening is thus formed from the -15-detachment, or unhooking, of the elongate reinforcement member 100 from the combined hollow elongate reinforcement member 101 and tubular member 102.

In order to access a windscreen stored in the windscreen protection envelope 34, the windscreen protection envelope 34 would generally have to first be decoupled from its frame and removed from its container if suspended within one. Then a user may decouple the elongate reinforcement member 100 from the combined hollow elongate reinforcement member 101 and tubular member 102 so as to remove the windscreen from the top of the windscreen protection envelope 34. Thus, a user is able to unfold a portion of the sleeve 35 and expose a portion of a windscreen inserted in the sleeve 35 for removal therefrom. One or more side openings (such as side opening 37) may be additionally disposed along sleeve edges 35a and 35a', and 35c and 35c', and may be sealed using similar sleeve straps (not shown) as used in the previous embodiment. One advantage of this particular embodiment is that a windscreen is prevented from accidentally sliding out of its windscreen protection envelope 34 since the windscreen protection envelope 34 must generally first be decoupled from the frame before the windscreen may be extracted therefrom.

In other embodiments, it may be that the windscreens are inserted into their respective sleeves in a substantially horizontal direction. In such arrangements, the windscreen protection envelopes would be disposed substantially parallel to the floor of the container. In order to store such an array of horizontal windscreen protection envelopes, several frames would need to be * disposed vertically adjacent to one another, with one or more of the windscreen protection envelopes being suspended from each of the frames. Alternatively, it * would be possible to vertically stack multiple windscreens in individual compartments within a single windscreen protection envelope. This is but an example of a possible modification to the present invention which, as a person skilled in the art will appreciate, may be customised and varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A windscreen storage device comprising: a windscreen protection envelope arranged to receive a windscreen therein; and a frame; wherein the windscreen protection envelope is further arranged to be coupled to the frame so as to be suspended freely therefrom.
2. The windscreen storage device of claim 1, wherein: the windscreen protection envelope comprises elongate envelope suspension means; the frame comprises elongate frame suspension means; and the envelope suspension means are slid ably engageable with the frame suspension means.
3. The windscreen storage device of claim 2, wherein the envelope suspension means may be slidably disengaged from the frame suspension means and used as a handle by a user for transporting the windscreen protection envelope.
4. The windscreen storage device of any preceding claim, further comprising *:*** a rigid container coupled to the frame such that the windscreen protection : envelope is able to be suspended within the container.
5. The windscreen storage device of any preceding claim, wherein the windscreen protection envelope is arranged to be suspended freely from the frame such that a direction normal to a windscreen received therein is substantially horizontal.
6. The windscreen storage device of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more additional windscreen protection envelopes arranged to be coupled to the frame so as to be suspended freely therefrom.
7. The windscreen storage device of claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the windscreen protection envelopes are suspended from the frame in a substantially parallel, side-by-side arrangement.
8. The windscreen storage device of any preceding claim, wherein the windscreen protection envelope comprises a flexible sleeve arranged to receive a windscreen therein.
9. The windscreen storage device of claim 8, wherein the flexible sleeve comprises a reinforced portion arranged to support the weight of a windscreen received therein.
10. The windscreen storage device of any preceding claim, wherein the windscreen protection envelope comprises a resealable opening arranged such that, when the windscreen protection envelope is suspended from the frame, a windscreen may be inserted into the windscreen protection envelope through the resealable opening. * *
11. The windscreen storage device of any of any preceding claim, wherein the : * windscreen protection envelope is substantially transparent. *I**
12. A windscreen storage device as substantially described herein with reference to figures 1 to4. * **S