GB2482667A - Motorised shutter located on vehicle windscreen exterior to protect from frost and sunlight - Google Patents

Abstract

An external shutter 13 of a vehicle window / windscreen suitable for protecting against sunlight or build up of frost / snow, the shutter being made of a flexible fabric and being confined to move along guide tracks 14, the fabric cover being deployed by an electric-drive motor, preferably rotating a threaded rod. The fabric is synthetic and is able to stretch to accommodate the varying width of the window. The guide tracks are preferably of C-shaped cross-section. The shutter fabric is preferably attached to rollers 15 located within the tracks. The protective cover may be made of a weatherproof and a sun-proof material. The shutter may be located on the roof of the car, and deployed downwards. A flap 10 may open to release the screening material, and is closed when stowed. As the protective blind / cover is located on the exterior, it reduces the amount of frost building up on the windscreen.

Description

SUMMARY:

INVENTION FUNCTION: This invention is a unique shutter device that mounts on the outside of the both the front, back and all side vehicle windows, protecting the vehicle windows from all weather conditions; such as blocking out any harmful heat, frost, etc. INVENTION SPECIFICATION AND RECOMMENDED FABRICATION PROCESS: This invention is fabricated with either a one piece canvas or other synthetic material. The unit runs on a track made into the vehicles frames and window posts. Through a series of gears and connecting links, when a door s are locked via a remote device, the Car Shutters electrically activate to cover the windows, and upon unlocking the doors, automatically withdraw into their storage housings.

ENGINEERING COMMENTS: Car Shutters is an interesting concept that can prove to be an effective device for protecting a vehicles interior. It is a proven fact that the effects of the sun will eventually damage a car's interior.

In the winter time especially, damage to the windshield or other auto glass can be prevented by Car Shutters by keeping ice, frost, etc away from the glass surface, eliminating having to scrape the glass and/or possibly scratch the vehicle body near the window trim. Also, an extra benefit would be that outsiders and possible thieves are unable to see anything inside, therefore reducing chances of a possible break-in and theft of property or other personal items.

GENERAL COMMENTS: Car Shutters is an interesting and novel product that could be marketed at most automotive parts and accessories dealers and manufactures, and most department stores and outlets.

NTROD U CT ION

Car Shutters consists of flaps that electrically cover the windshield, rear window and the side windows of a motor vehicle when the car is locked and retracts when the car is unlocked, via a remote control. It is designed to eliminate scraping frost in the winter and to reduce heat build up in the summer.

A complete description of the Car Shutters, its application and purposes as well as any possible modifications or variants are found in Sections A, B and C. Section A serves as a background for the need of an invention such as Car Shutters, while Section B describes its technical workings.d Section C outlines any possible modifications that would enhance its use and possible markets.

A.BACKGROUND

A lot of countries suffer below freezing weather in the winter, whilst some can suffer below zero temperatures. In these conditions a motorist must endure the cold to scrape frost that has condensed on the windows. Most motorists do no wait until the coolant is sufficiently hot to melt the frost off the windows using the thermostatic system, thus find themselves scraping in the cold.

Scraping frost from the windows is a time-consuming and frustrating task that everyone would rather avoid. On the other hand, the summer months create a different type of discomfort; heat and potential damage to a car's interior.

The passenger compartment of a closed car in the summer can reach temperatures as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot sunny day.

This drastic rise in heat inside an automobile, as compared to the outside ambient air temperature, is caused by the conversion of solar infrared radiation to heat. As the sun's ray's impact on the windshield, the largest window in the car, and the roof and rear window, radiant energy is converted to heat energy and the air inside the closed car becomes hot.

The steering wheel, the top of the dashboard, seats and the rear window ledge are subject to even higher temperatures that air because they are exposed directly to the sun's rays through the windshield and back window. Not only does the interior air temperature reach high levels but solid objects also absorb infra red rays to a greater degree than the air. This is why vinyl seat covers and plastic steering wheel reach temperatures so hot they will burn one's hands and legs.

The sun's rays also produce fading of the colours in the plastic of the steering wheel and dashboard top. Another effect of subjecting the steering wheel and dashboard top to high temperatures is cracking. Cracking occurs as the heated steering wheel is suddenly cooled by air conditioning or even by the sudden rush of ambient air as the automobile car doors are opened.

The effects of such high temperatures make it impossible to use the steering wheel or sit on the seats until they have cooled down. In addition, sensitive electronic equipment on and under the dashboard may be damaged by high temperatures. The usual method of mitigating at least some of the heat is to place a cardboard panel in the windshield to reflect solar rays, but this is not a satisfactory solution.

A new product, called Car Shutters, is designed significantly to lessen these problems by shielding the card windows so frost does not form and so that heat does not build up too much.

Because of the problems that Car Shutters addresses and solves through its application, consumers will find such an invention attractive and appealing.

B. INVENTION DESCRIPTION & FUNCTIONAL REVIEW

The design of Car Shutters calls for a fabric being rolled out from the roof and doors of the vehicle by the guiding rails mounted on the side of the front windscreen and rear window. The side Car shutter fabric will be using the same support as the glass window mechanism. The panels would offer protection from snow, frost, sun and burglary.

Figure (1) shows the fabric, 13, that will be utilised for the car shutter device. It consists of two layers of material, one which will protect from the sun heat and the other will be weatherproof. When the material is released from the roof flap, 10, it will come down horizontally. Also in figure (1), it can be seen that the fabric, 13, sits inside the roof of the vehicle with support of the guiding rails, 14, as the fabric, 13, is attached to the wheel system device, 15. It can be observed that the system is driven by the electro-mechanical driving device, 11, when turned will rotate the shaft rod, 12, in essence causing the wheel system device, 15, to move along the guiding rails, 14, once a signal to the flap, 10, has been sent to open. This will allow the car shutters to protect the glass windows for both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Figure (2) shows the front view of the vehicle with the car shutter drawn on the windscreen. The car shutters are released via flap, 10, at the top of the windscreen, which runs through the guiding rails, 14. The car shutters fabric, 13, expands according to the width of the windscreen due to the elastic wire, 16.

Figure (3) shows the rare view of the vehicle with the car shutter drawn on the rear window. The car shutters are released via a flap, 10, at the top of the rear windscreen, which runs through the guiding rails, 14. The car shutters fabric, 13, expands according to the width of the windscreen due to the elastic wire, 16.

Figure (4) shows a side view of a vehicle with the car shutters drawn up. The fabric, 13, is being supported by the window frame.

Figure (5) is the inside view of a vehicle door. It shows the car shutters internal mechanism. The electro-mechanical device, 11, is rotating the shaft rod, 12, which enables the window shutter to move up and down respectively with the aid of the wheel system device, 15. The wheel system device, 15, is attached on the fabric, 13.

Figure (6) shows two different views of the guiding rails, 14. These support the wheel system device, 15, both in the roof and on both the outside of the front and rear window. They do not allow the wheel system device, 15, to leave the guiding rails, 14, as the wheel sits inside only of the wheel system device, 15.

Figure (7) shows two different wheel systems devices, 15, used by the car shutters. One contains a hole which has threads on it and is mounted on the same side as the shaft rod, 12. This allows the fabric, 13, to move along the guiding rails, 14 smoothly. As the shaft rod, 12, is only mounted to one side of the shutter, there is no need to have a threaded hole on the other side as seen.

Figure (8) shows a detailed view of the shaft rod, 12. As seen the shaft rod, 12, is threaded. the shaft rod device, 12, goes through the wheel system device, 15, pushing or pulling the car shutter along the guiding rails, 14.

When the car is locked, the shutter covers will roll and cover all the windows and the when the car is unlocked, the shutter will retract back into its place. An added advantage of this system is the shielding of any valuables that may be inside the car so that they are not a temptation to thieves.

It should be noted, however, that the basic form and function of Car Shutters may be varied or modified so that the application and use of Car Shutters can be broader than originally envisioned.

The next section explores possible modifications that could further enhance the design of Car Shutters.

C. PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS To fully appreciate the attraction and need of an innovation, one should consider any possible modifications that would arise from employment of the idea.

We, therefore, shall suggest other applications of Car Shutters that would merit future consideration and study. The scope of the review will entail the use of materials, other than specified by the inventors, of which the product might be manufactured; possible expansion of the suggested colour scheme or plan; a broadened consumer outlet, other than the market specified by the inventors, or any other possible shape or design that may enhance the utility and sales level of Car Shutters. All in all we shall attempt to identify any variations that further would define the scope of the idea.

However these modification suggestions may be limited within the latitude of Car Shutters. Some innovations lend themselves easily to future applications, i.e., different shapes, material variants, colour schemes, etc. Other inventions however are geared to a specific group of customers, to only one type of material during the manufacturing process, or to a particular design. These ideas, therefore would not be amenable to modifications, or suggested changes that perhaps would be construed as destroying the foundation of the product or idea.

Problems that might arise during the development of Car Shutters should be open to resolution through normal product testing and refinement processes. After this we can anticipate the product to be produced routinely. Whether it would be feasible to do so from the standpoint of economics is another question and one to be decided by potential manufacturers of the product after additional studies.

The engineering details have to be worked out but Car Shutters would appear to function as described, no modifications are possible at this time.

Overall the basic concept behind Car Shutters appears to be sound and the product idea workable.

The basic materials are readily obtainable, and the concept of automatic window flaps that will shield a car's windows from frost and infrared solar radiation, as well as shield from view any articles inside will appeal to millions of consumers across the world.

Given the previous description of how Car Shutters will function and, taking into consideration the questions facing further development of the proposed product, it is our tentative judgement that the idea is based on sound principles and that production versions of this item could be developed to perform generally as stated.