GB2521380A - A window defrosting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for defrosting windscreens (55, figure 2) comprises a heater 20 and a flexible sheet 10 configured to be placed around the heater to warm the sheet prior to being placed on a windscreen. The sheet is preferably configured to be wrapped around the heater. The heater may be a tube 20 arranged to hold hot water, preferably including a releasable cap 30 for sealing and unsealing. The device may include an electrically powered heating element (25, figure 6). The flexible sheet may include an array of holes therethrough or an array of pimples on at least one side thereof. Preferably, the device further comprises a cover (60, figure 5) for receiving the heater and the sheet.

Description

A wtndow detrosttngdevte:c rhe present invention relates generally to a window defrosting device and a method of cierrostinc' windows and dads parl:ictliar, atl:notlgh not: exclusive, u tiiitt' n defrosting vehicle windscreens.

During waiter seasons when sub zero temperatures are expenenced, ice can form on vehicle windows and windscreens. This ice reduces visibility such that the vehtclc is typicallai undnvable until the: ice has been at least Partially removed.

Hemoval is typically effected by either manually scraping off the ice, and/or b applying a chemtcal de-icer.

The former has the disadvantages that it can sc.tutch the windows and is time consurnl fly, and the hitter has the disad vantage that it call datriage the pai ntwt. a-k and other componenis or the vehicle. Funherrnore, both have the Lusadvau.Lage that the windows ate still cold such i hat when a person enters the vehrcle their areath irrimcdiatc:ly condc:nsatcs canto the insde of flit: window making visibility difficult until such time as the engine is warm enough to apply wax-med air to-iL Various prior art devices are known which attempt to overcome these problems, }towevcr, they mostly ida] e to u.ovcrs brauc placed on the outsldc ot titc sv i t:tdows before the icc or frost has framed on them. Tliesc: sysrco s havc: the disad vantat'c: that 2.0 the windows tee still cold ever, tlloLwh the covets may hare prevented ice from fornii ng on the outside of them. Farthennore, die rely on people retrtetrtberitig to apply the covers.

Accordtngly, an inproved device for dealing with frosted windows is desirable.

In one aspect, the invent:ion provides a window defrost:irw device for defrost:iria wi.ndscreens comprising a heater and a flexible she:c:t, t:hc: flexible she:et conflgtire:d, in use, to he placed around the heater to thereby warm it prior to the sheet being placed on a windscreen, Tn ml its way, the rson does not rtecd to reracirt her to apply a. cover be flare the frost forms Rather, tli e sheet is sr -armed-up by couductort and radtation ol heat trot_il the heater before then being placed ci ther on the outsde arid/or on the inside of the window for a short period of dixie. The heat is thus transferred from the sheet to the window, This has the ehal e feet of removine the frost/ice, and of warmmg--up the

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window such that condensaiion does not form (or if it does, to a flit lesser extent) on the insidc of the window, when the person enters the vehicle.

The heater warms-up the sheet such that no heating device is required at the vehicle itsdf.

The flexible sheet may be folded or otherwise reduced in size and placed around a heater to warm it up. The flexible sheet may be configured to be wrappable around the heater. In this way the sheet may be wound around the heater in a coil or roll-ac manner. The flexible sheet and heater may be separate or separable.

The heater may be a tube arranged to hold hot water. Tn this way, a person may easily fill the tube with hot water from a kettle, saucepan, geyser, hot tap or other such device apparatus. No electricity is required in this embodiment.

The tube may include a releasable cap for sealing and unsealing the tube. The cap may be a push-fit or screw cap, although other means of releasably closing the tube ate comeinpiated.

The window defrosting device may include an clcct,ically powerable hearing element. This may be a heating element within the tube. Another possibility is that the heating element is separable (and/or removable) from the sheet and is placed into contact with it as requital, For inslance the healing clement may be on a rectangular card-like subsnn which is slipped between the folds of a folded sheet The flexible sheet may include an array of holes thereth rough. These holes may allow water vapour (from the meting ice) to escape 6nm between the window and the sheer, in use. These holes may also air to escape from between the sheet and the window so that the sheet can be brought into as dose as possible contact with the window.

The flexible sheet may include an array of pimples on at least one side thcreoL These may allow water vapour (from the melting ice) to escape from between the window and the sheet, in use, As well as, or in place of; the pimples other tenures are contemplated.

The window defrosting device may further comprise attachment means for attaching one end of the sheet to the heater. The attachment means may be mechanical such as press studs and straps, or chemical such as glues. However, the flexible sheet may be separate from the heater such that it is rolled on and off or otherwise placed in engagement with it.

The flexible sheet may comprise silicone rubber. The flexible sheet may have a Shore hatdness in the tegjon of 40% to 65%. Othet suitable materials are contcmplatcd such as plastics, foils, rubbex and silicone.

The window defrosting device may comprise a cover for receiving the hearer and flexible sheet This may be used to store the heater and flexible sheet in while the sheet is being heated by the heater. In this regard, the cover may be insulated such as by the provision of an internal layer of reflective Ibil and/or foam. The cover may also be useftil for storing the flexible sheet within, alter use, when it is wet.

The flexible sheet may be configured to covet at least 60% of the surface area of a windscreen, in use. This figure may be 70%, 80% or 9(7>6. In this regard, the windscreen belongs to an average family car. Other sizes are contemplated. In one example, the sheet may be relatively small, compared to a vehicle windscreen, and may be moved from one location to anothe; as required, in use.

The above and other clracteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of exampl; the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure lisa perspective view of a first window defrosting device unrolled; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the window defrosting device of Figure 1 in placc on a vehicle windscreen; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the window defrosting device of Figures 1 and 2 rolled up around a tubq Figure 4is a perspective view of the window defrosting device of Figure 3 being filied from a kettle; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the window defrosting device of Figure 1 to 4 and a cover; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second window defrosting device.

The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings hut the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of :he ilvetitlon. in I:he eiriiwines, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the I erms first. seeonti, third ami the like in lie Ueseripl:ion and in the claims, are used for dlslingutshing between similar elements antI net necessarily for uescntiing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ran_king or in any other manner, It is to be unde:rsrood that. the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate Circumstances and thin operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moret n'er, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are u Sec1 I or eiesc ripl:ive puiposes Ifici not necessarily 1:01' desenbng reial:lve positions. Ti-is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable sn other orientations than ciescri bed or illusti'at ed heretn.

F: is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to tile means. listed thereafLer; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to he interpreted as speeilving the presence oF the stated features, itsi cgers. steps or eouiponcili s as referred to, bat does not preclude (lie presence orad dition of One or molt: (flier features, integers, steps (i et'iTiPI.lnents, or 2.0 gri nips tliere f. ihus, the scope of tile expressa in a device eon)pn sing means A arid B'' should not be lirnfted to devices consisting only of components A and B. Ii. means that syitli icsfee.t to the present: in t'cn (iou, the oia Ic relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to an embodiment" or "an aspect" means thtt a oartic.ular fcaturc:, structure or c.haraeterlstlc described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invenuon, Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an etnbodtnent', or in all aspect' in varIous places throughout this speciticatiun ate not necessarily all referring to tile same enibodrnent or aspect, but ma" ret'er to dtfferent emhodments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect oí the invention may he combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to elne of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more enhodiinents or aspects, Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment Thus, the claims following the derailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is iindcnaood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these spcciflc details. In other instmnces, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in derail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

In the discussion of the invvnt1on, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The use of the term "at least one" may mean only one in certain circumstances.

The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features of the invention. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in a the art wttnonr departtng front the undefyinca concept ci technical teachtng of the Invenlion. the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1, ±e window defrosting device 5 comprises a flexible sheet 10 attached to a tube 20. The tube 20 is sealed at as lower axial end and is reieasablv closable at its upper end by a cap 30. WhIt the cap to place the tube is watertight.

Straps 15 are provided at one end of the sheet, furthest from the tube 20, so as to retain the sheet 10 around the tube after it has been wound around it (refer to i-tgure Although not shown, holes and/or pimples may be provided across and through the surface of the sheet 10.

The sheet 10 of the device 5 may be unwound, or roiled oul:. and placed across the windscreen 55 of a vehicle 50 its shown in Flaure 2. The tube 20 and cap 30 are visible at one end of the sheet 10: h_owever, if the sheet 10 is removable front the tube then these. would not be. visible.

Although awinclscrccu 55 of a vehicle Sobas hccn shown, it will he understood that other windows of the vehicle and indeed other wmdows and other surfaces mar he warmed by the window defrosting device 5.

To want i the sheet 10 in fins fir dcx altiple of the device,j. t lie sln-:et around the rube 20 as shown in Fiu;inc 3. The cap.50 is rctnovcel, hot watt-i is poutcn 2.0 in to the tube and the cal-) At) is renlaced. The straps 1.5 rnai ntai n tile sheer 10 around the i.ube 2t.; 10 close proxflriitv thereto whde it is warming-. tip.

F.quall:i, the view in Figure 3 eouid represent the situation when the device 5 is not is use and the sheet 11) has been rolled up around the tube 20 for storage.

A view of the device S being filled from a kettle 40 is shown in Figure 4. The hot water is poured into the open end of the tube 20 before the cal: .30 is fitted.

To help warm-up the sheet 10 a cover in the form ot a larger tube 62 is --r I - ... .--., 0 pro'dett. I he device may be piaced inside as indicated in Figure ti. Inc cover incluelesa substantially cylindrical body-60 and a it-lea sable id 65. Tn this way, the hear from the tube 2f may be retarned for longer.

An alternative example of the window defrosting device 105 is show'ii iii Figure 6. This version includes a tube 120 including an electrical heating-element 25, The element 25 is powered by an electrical cable.26, which may be ellseonnee.tabie, which includes means for connection to an eleetneal power source. This may he a domestic powe-Soulec: (11 0\//230V), a low voltage source such as a I 2V T)C source npeaiiv found in vehicles, or a hartery The banery may he included witb:n the tube 12.0 such that no cable 26 is necessary. The battery may be rechargeable.

A rherino s:al: m ax be in eli' ded wt h the d e'Jc e 1 05 to reg U In I:e the tern perat nrc if the element 25. A switch and indicaiion hehts may dsc) be included.

This example 105 also includes an end clip iS for stiffening the end of the sheet and for attaching straps 113 to one end of the sheetS furthest front the rube 120 A piece ol Velcro (RTM) 17 is provicleri on the surface of the sheet 110 near he end clip I S and a cones poudi' piece (nor shown) ma beprovded further along the sheet and on h-ac opposiie side tnereof Ira aad reteniion of the sheet liD an a roiled state.

Aga,na. ic tube 12;) and sneer 110 n,.av he senarabl.e, 01 separate, ox attaehecL

Claims (10)

1. Cl.ALMS 1. A window defrosting device Sr defrosting windsereens comprising a heater and a flexible sheet, the flexible sheet conClgured, in use, to be placed around the hearer totherebvwarmitpriortothesheetbeingplacedonatndscreen.
2. 2. The window defrosting device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is configured to be wrappabk around the heater.
3. 3. The window defrosting device of either one of claims I and 2, wherein the heater is a tube arranged to hold hot water.
4. 4. The window defrosting device of claim 3, wherein the tube includes a releasable cap for scaling and unscaling the tube.
5. 5. The window defrosting deviec of any preceding claim including an electrically powetable heating element.
6. 6. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible sheer includes an array of holes therethrough.
7. 7. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim, wherein the flexibie teei.includes an atrav of pimples on at least one side thereo
8. 8. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim, further comprising attachment means for attaching one end of the flexible sheet to the heater.
9. 9. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible sheet comprises silicone rubber.
10. 10. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible sheet is configured to covet at least 60% of the surface area of a windscreen, in use.

    ii. The window defrosting device of any preceding claim comprising a cover for receiving the heater and flexible sheet.2. A window dcfrosiing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawingt