GB2507940A - Impact shield for vehicle window - Google Patents

Abstract

A shield 1 for agricultural machinery window glass 3, to be attached over the glass 3, including in use at least one pane 1 spaced apart from the glass 3 by at least one spacer 2. Preferably the at least one pane 1 comprises a polycarbonate sheet and includes a surface that is resistant to scratching. The spacer 2 may include a deformable buffer capable of absorbing impacts on the pane 1. The shield 1 may include suction cups or magnets. Optionally the pane 1 may be held within a moulding and there may be two panes 1 spaced apart in the shield. The moulding may allow tessellation of shields 1. The or each shield may have at least two attachment means. The spacers 2 may contain a layer of resiliently deformable compound such as sponge-like elastomer or a foam cellular structure.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

MATTHEW SMITH AND WILLIAM RUSHTON

FOR

A SHIELD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shield, more particularly for breakable glass.

Background

Modern agricultural machinery or vehicles, such as tractors or combine harvesters, often have glass windows about a cab, in order that a user will be well accommodated in a majority of environments and climates.

Furthermore typically this glass will consist of double or triple glazed units, in order to ensure that the user does not suffer the climate at its worst, and is consequently able to work land in a larger variety of climate.

Unfortunately however it is quite frequent that in use of a tractor, on uncertain and rough terrain, objects such as stones are thrown up by the tractor's wheels are glass is broken.

To replace the glass can be costly as in glazed units a vacuum is required to remove all moisture and/or argon, nitrogen or some sort of inert gas is between glass in the unit, so repairs are unlikely to be effective, and a user will need to purchase right dimensions and thickness of glass.

Furthermore the glass is usually held in place on the tractor by a specific moulding and common bitumen type sealing tape.

The user or a glazier will need to carefully take off the moulding and pull out the broken glass, preferably with suction cups and in some instances replace the sealing tape too.

This procedure is time-inefficient and likely to be costly, especially in rural areas where a glazier is distant.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in the past in an effort to deal with these problems or similar, including the following: United States patent application US 5 954 384 (JONES). discloses a windshield protection guard and combination support surface assembly, comprising: a guard and support member, having first and second sides; a support frame member, having first and second lengthwise side members and first and second widthwise portion members; said first lengthwise side member having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end, having at the first end thereof a first hinge extension member, and having at the second end thereof a second hinge extension member, each of the first and second hinge extension members having an inboard portion and a outboard portion, the second lengthwise side member having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the first and second widthwise portion members, each, having first and second ends, the first end of the first widthwise portion member being attached to the first end of the first lengthwise side member such that it adjoins, without touching, the inboard portion of the first hinge extension member, and the second end of the first widthwise portion member being attached to the first end portion of the second lengthwise side member, the first end of the second widthwise portion member being attached to the second end of the first lengthwise side member such that it adjoins, without touching, the inboard portion of the second hinge extension member, and the second end of the second widthwise portion member being attached to the second end portion of the second lengthwise side member, such that when the first and second widthwise portion members are attached to the first and second lengthwise side members, the support frame member substantially defines the perimeter of the guard and support member, with each of said first and second hinge extension members of the first lengthwise side member extending free and outboard of the respective attachment of the first and second widthwise portion members; first hinge means, attached to the first hinge extension member of said first lengthwise side member of said support frame member, for securably supporting, and allowing rotational movement of, the first hinge extension member, and second hinge means, attached to the second hinge extension member of said first lengthwise side member of said support frame member, for securably supporting, and allowing rotational movement of, the second hinge extension member; first coupling means, attached proximal and adjacent to the first end portion of the second lengthwise side member of said support frame member, for securement to a attachment site; second coupling means, attached proximal and adjacent to the second end portion of the second lengthwise side member of said support frame member, for securement to a attachment site; third coupling means, attached to the middle portion of the second lengthwise side member of said support frame member, spaced from and opposite to the first coupling means, for securement to a attachment site; and fourth coupling means, attached to the middle portion of the second lengthwise side member, spaced from said third coupling means, and spaced from and opposite to said second coupling means, for securement to a attachment site.

Granted European patent EP 1 958 809 (LIEBL et al) discloses a door assembly for a construction vehicle, the door assembly comprising: a frame member having an inside surface and an outside surface and being releasably coupled to the vehicle; a window pane positioned proximate one of the inside surface and outside surface; a first resilient member positioned between the frame member and the window pane, to substantially vibrationally isolate the frame member and the window pane; a fastener extending through the frame member, window pane and first resilient member to couple the window pane to the frame member; a second resilient member positioned between the window pane and the fastener to substantially vibrationally isolate the window pane and the fastener; a hinge coupled to one of the frame member and the vehicle; a hinge pin pivotally coupled to the hinge for pivotally coupling the frame member to the vehicle; and a lever coupled to the hinge pin for moving the hinge pin relative to the hinge upon movement of the lever, to selectively decouple the door assembly from the vehicle.

Granted United States patent US 7 780 195 (GERMAN) discloses a protective cover for a cab guard of a truck, the protective cover comprising: a protective rearward facing side; and an open forward facing side structured and arranged to fit over the cab guard.

Granted United States patent US 7 416 013 (MURRAY) discloses a window barrier configured to be coupled to a vehicle door supported within a door frame, the vehicle door including a window panel supported within a window channel and door trim supported in spaced relation to the window channel, the window barrier comprising: an upper frame member; a lower frame member supported in spaced relation below the upper frame member; at least one barrier element extending between the upper frame member and the lower frame member; a first securing member configured to releasably secure the upper frame member to the door, the first securing member including a retaining portion configured to operably couple with the door trim and positioned in spaced relation to the window channel; and a second securing member configured to releasably secure the lower frame member to the door.

United States patent application US 3 670 798 (HESS) discloses a screen device for a vehicle door having a vertically movable window mounted therein, said door having inside and outside surfaces, said door having front and rear door portions which are normally concealed when the door is in a closed position, comprising, a screen material adapted to be positioned at the outside surface of said window, said screen material having a peripheral border area, an elongated flexible means operatively secured to said peripheral border area for securing said screen material to said door, and first and second attachment means secured to said front and rear door portions positioned below said window and being concealed when said door is closed, said elongated flexible means having opposite ends for detachable connection to said first and second attachment means respectively.

United States patent application US 3 204 981 (WALLACE) discloses a window guard for removable positioning in a window frame having a window panel slidable in a channel in said frame, said guard comprising a body portion having a first edge portion, a second edge portion and a resilient obstruction means between and secured to said end portions, said obstruction means adapted to bias one end portion from the other; angled means integral with said first edge portion of said body portion and adapted to engage said channel and rest on said frame; at least one projection integral with the said second edge portion of said body portion and adapted to seat in said channel, said angled means and said projection being associated with said body portion in a manner permitting free slidable movement of said window panel when the guard is positioned in said frame.

In contrast the present invention provides an easily attached and detached system for ensuring that glass on agricultural machinery does not get broken, being easy to replace and applicable to all types of glass.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a shield for agricultural machinery window glass, to be attached over the glass, including in use at least one pane spaced apart from the glass by at least one spacer.

Typically this is in use with mobile agricultural machinery and more particularly tractor glass.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the shield includes a polycarbonate sheet forming an additional pane, wherein the.polycarbonate may be formed with or coated with a surface that is resistant to scratching.

The pane is in use preferably spaced apart from the glass in a plurality of locations by use of mounting spacers.

These spacers ideally serve to mount the pane and additionally provide a means by which the shield may accept or absorb impacts.

Ideally therefore the spacers are formed or include a layer of a resiliently deformable compound, such as sponge-like, elastomer or a foam cellular structure, wherein impacts on the pane are transmitted into compression of the cells of this compound or buffer.

In some embodiments a plurality of spacers is included, being disposed about the pane, or the pane's edge in strategic locations.

In preferred embodiments the spacers are formed by suckers or suction cups, formed in rubber or elastomer. These suction cups may be dispersed about the pane, and act both with a mount function to maintain the pane in place on the glass and spacer function to absorb impact by deformation.

A suction cup is formed of a disc held on a stem, wherein said stem is attached to the pane or shield.

The mount function is achieved by a vacuum formed by deformation of the disc, to dispel air between the stem and pane.

The spacer function is provided by the stem, which is ideally formed in a similar elastomer to the disc and will be consequently deformable under stress or pressure of impact.

These suction cups may be disposed in great number about the pane, being small and multiple, or there may be provided a small number of relatively large suction cups.

Said suction cups ideally include vacuum breaks or release tabs in order that the user can easily release the vacuum and detach the pane.

Embodiments having suction cups may also be envisaged to have secondary attachment means to attach the pane to the glass, to prevent unauthorised and/cr accidental detachment.

Such means may include elastic ties, such as bungee ropes, or shock cord. At least one such cord may be wrapped about the pane and glass. Projections or studs or lacunae on the shield may be provided through which to thread the cord.

In preferred embodiments at least one cord is attached at one end to at least one suction cup and having a hook, catch or connector at its distal end.

Typically in preferred embodiments suction cups are disposed at the shield's comers and the cords are disposed at each of the cups, being attached to each cup stem or Other embodiments may utilise a strip of spacer, such as provided on a roll, such as bitumen clay.

In some embodiments therefore the spacer is supplied in a separate format, in order that the user may cut it to size as appropriate and preferred.

In such embodiments it may be envisaged that the spacer is provided with adhesive on at least one side, covered before use with a removable plastic or paper, such as waxed paper, cover.

According to these embodiments the spacer may be a form of putty or other clay-like substance able to deform under pressure and absorb impacts on the pane.

In yet further embodiments the spacer is integral to the shield, for example being embodied in a format that includes magnetic parts, in order that the shield is provided in custom made sizing for relevant agricultural machinery or vehicles, for example to fit appropriate sized windows or glass.

Such embodiments of the shields are therefore fully formed at retail so that a user buys a set for hisfher vehicle and can install or utilise the set simply and efficiently.

The panes in such embodiments are edged or arranged in a way in which the magnetic parts are coordinated in use with where metallic sections are situated on particular agricultural machinery or vehicle.

In this way the user may easily attach the shields over glass on the vehicle.

The magnetic parts on the shield would ideally be encapsulated or held within mouldings, wherein said moulding also provides the spacer and frames or holds the buffer.

This would be combined in a design where magnetic part projects beyond the moulding, wherein the buffer is still capable of absorbing impact pressure without being prevented by the moulding.

The buffer therefore is capable of compression within the moulding and/or spacer, meaning that the magnetic part is not envisaged to be fixed to the moulding or is fixed with some flexibility as it may be required to move closer to the moulding when the buffer is under compression.

Some embodiments may have flexible magnetic parts and/or flexible sections of the moulding wherein compression of the buffer is reflected or accepted in this flexibility.

in order that repeated impacts may avoid damage to the shield or pane.

In some embodiments the pane may be envisaged to accept impacts, for example where the pane is large and formed in a plastic with sufficient flexibility; or alternatively or additionally where the pane is fixed to the moulding with a flexible mounting.

This moulding is likely to be plastic, rubber or elastomer in preferred embodiments in order that any flicked up stones or other objects is less likely to damage the moulding, which damage may loosen the pane.

The panes included in such mouldings may constitute a form of glazed unit for a vehicle that lacks double glazing, and may therefore combine two or three panes with an inert gas or vacuum between them, thereby additionally providing said vehicle with insulative glazing.

In preferred embodiments mouldings may additionally allow a plurality of shields to be correlated or connected in order that more than one window or piece of glass on the agricultural machinery or vehicle may be shielded by shields and concurrently the user is able to displace elements of the glass such as for example opening doors or windows.

Ideally therefore male parts are included on the shield which allow connections such as hinges, clips, projections, eyes or studs; and corresponding female parts.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figure

Figure 1 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the shield in use on a window, wherein the pane (1) is held by spacers (2)on the glass (3).

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A shield for agricultural machinery window glass, to be attached over the glass, including in use at least one pane spaced apart from the glass by at least one spacer.
2. 2. A shield according to claim 1 comprising a polycarbonate sheet forming at least one pane, wherein the polycarbonate includes a surface that is resistant to scratching.
3. 3. A shield according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the spacer includes a deformable buffer capable of absorbing impacts on the pane.
4. 4. A shield according to claims 1. 2 or 3 wherein the shield includes suction cups.
5. 5. A shield according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the shield includes magnetic parts.
6. 6. A shield according to any of the preceding claims wherein the pane is held within a moulding.
7. 7. A shield according to claim 6 wherein two panes are spaced apart in the shield.
8. 8. A shield according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the moulding allows tessellation or connection of shields.
9. 9. A shield according to a preceding claim utilising at least two means of attaching.