GB2531812A

GB2531812A - A mosquito net for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2531812A
Application number: GB1419551.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Davies Steven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-03
Filing date: 2014-11-03
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Also published as: GB2547599A; GB201708891D0; WO2016071333A1; GB201419551D0

Abstract

Ventilation device 8 for a vehicle comprising: a frame 12, 14, 16, 18 to fit within the window opening of a vehicle door when the vehicle window is open. Each member of the frame 12, 14, 16, 18 comprises an inside surface arranged in use to face into the vehicle, an outside surface, and an outer edge having a length adapted to fit within the window opening and a depth across the edge. An aperture (34, Figure 3) provided between the members, a net arranged in use to cover the aperture, the net being adapted to prevent insects from passing through the aperture, and a movable aperture cover 60 operable to move between a closed configuration and an open position. Lower member 16 comprises a groove in its outer edge 74 shaped and dimensioned to receive the upper edge of the vehicle window. A side member 12, 14 or the upper member 18 comprises an edge panel 42, 44 mounted within a recess in the edge of the member 12, 14, 18 and projecting from it, the edge panel 42, 44 being operable to retract into the recess and adapted to fit within the window recess of the window opening.

Description

A mosquito net for vehicles

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices to allow ventilation through an open vehicle window while preventing insects from entering.

Background

Screens and covers are known that may be fitted into the window opening of a vehicle to exclude insects. Such devices typically have a net and a means of fixing the device in the window opening, and may have closure means to cover the net to control the degree of ventilation. Some such devices are of fixed size. However, to accommodate the wide range of window size in vehicles, and to provide an easily operated method of fixing the device in place, it is preferable that the device has adjustable dimensions and simple fixing means. Prior art devices approach this requirement in various ways but do not provide a ready means to adapt the device to a range of window sizes.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: CN202656833U discloses: The utility model discloses a novel ventilation window having a function of dispelling smell for a new car. The ventilation window represents a piece of car ventilation equipment which is fixed by a car sash and glass and used in a snowy and rainy day, and comprises a panel, a blind window, a fixed plate, an L-shaped part and a screen window capable of preventing mosquitos. The ventilation window is characterized in that the blind window and the screen window are directly fixed on the car window by the panel, the fixed plate and the L-shaped part; the ventilation window is conveniently detached and the car is not damaged by the ventilation window; and the ventilation window is used for dispelling the smell of the new car and ventilating the car, has the capability of preventing mosquitoes in the rainy and snowy day, and is particularly suitable for continuously ventilating newly-purchased cars so as to reduce the damage of air pollution to the health in the car.

This device has a net and a slatted cover over the window, and is held in place by being sized to fit the window and then being trapped in place by the window glass. It 5 does not have an adjustable size and must be made to fit exactly to the chosen window opening.

W02012160580 discloses: A device for closing window apertures in road and rail vehicles comprises a net of the mosquito net type stretched over a rigid frame connected to a mechanism for raising and lowering the net to cover a window aperture. When used on road vehicles the raising and lowering mechanism is of the same type as the manually or electrically operated device for raising and lowering the window glass and, like this, is fixed to the same supporting plate inside the door, though placed on the side opposite that for the device that opens and closes the window. The net lies parallel to the glass and is situated between it and the internal compartment of the car. The mechanism for raising and lowering the net is worked by its separate set of push buttons. Where used on the windows of coaches or trains, nothing is changed except that, when lowered by hand, the net disappears inside the body of the vehicle.

This device fits on the inside of the window and has a separate electric raising and lowering mechanism. It does not replace the window glass and is a relatively complex and costly item, which requires to be fixed to the interior of the vehicle.

W02008143457 discloses a shielding assembly for car windows, which is mounted to a car window to block the sun or protect against flies, mosquitoes, and other harmful insects. The shielding assembly includes a main support frame, a shielding unit, and a holding means. The main support frame comprises a tube which is filled with air and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner surface of a window frame. The shielding unit is arranged inside the main support frame. The holding means connects the main support frame to the window frame, thus allowing the main support frame, which is light and has high contact ability, to be firmly secured to the window frame. The shielding assembly further includes a nozzle to inject a filler into the main support frame, a detachable attaching means, and a subsidiary support frame.

This device is adapted to fit to varying sizes of window opening by means of an inflatable tube to shape the shield to the window. Such a means is unable to accommodate more than a minor adjustment to size and is inconvenient for repeated use to mount and then de-mount the device in the window.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a ventilation device for a vehicle comprising: a frame adapted to fit within the window opening of a vehicle door when the vehicle window is open, the frame comprising: a pair of spaced apart side members, a lower member and an upper member extending between the side members, in which each member comprises an inside surface arranged in use to face into the vehicle in use, an outside surface, and an outer edge having a length adapted to fit within the window opening and a depth across the edge, and an aperture provided between the members, a net arranged in use to cover the aperture, the net being adapted to prevent insects 20 from passing through the aperture, and a movable aperture cover operable to move between a closed configuration in which the aperture is covered and an open position in which at least a part of the aperture is uncovered, wherein the lower member comprises a groove in its outer edge shaped and 25 dimensioned to receive the upper edge of the vehicle window, and wherein a side member or the upper member comprises an edge panel mounted within a recess in the edge of the member and projecting from it, the edge panel being operable to retract into the recess and adapted to fit within the window recess of the vehicle window opening.

In this way the device may be dimensioned to fit within the window opening of the vehicle when the window is opened, and is retained within the window opening by fitting the edge panel within the groove in the window opening into which the window fits when closed and then moving the window to close it. The upper edge of the window may be received within the groove in the edge of the lower member and together with the edge panel clamps the device in place in the window opening. The aperture and net may allow ventilation into the vehicle while preventing insects from entering, and the aperture cover may be used to close or to open the aperture. The present invention therefore provides a device adapted to fit to a window opening having a range of sizes, a lower edge that slopes relative to the sides, and is easily mounted into and removed from the window opening from inside the vehicle.

In some embodiments the device comprises more than one edge panel provided at an edge of a frame member. Each of the two side members may comprise a edge panel.

In some embodiments each side member comprises an edge panel, and the upper frame member comprises a fixed edge panel mounted on its edge.

The device may comprise a panel control provided on the inside of the device, for example on the inside of a frame member, operable to retract an edge panel. The panel control may be a tab projecting from the edge panel through a slot on the inside surface of the frame member. In this way by operating the panel control, for example by sliding the tab, the edge panel may be retracted into the recess to allow the device to be inserted into or removed from the window opening. As the control is provided on the inside edge of the frame member this may be done from inside the vehicle. In some embodiments a panel control is provided for each edge panel.

In some embodiments one or more edge panels are spring loaded to remain in the extended position until retracted by the panel control.

The aperture cover may comprise a blind, and may comprise a plurality of slats moveable to open or close the cover. The slats may move vertically or laterally, and may rotate to adopt a variable angle relative to the frame as known in the operation of a venetian blind. The slats may be provided in a vertical or in a horizontal orientation. The slats may comprise a seal material provided on an edge of the slat to contact an adjacent slat when in the closed position. In a cover where the slats are adapted to rotate as in a venetian blind, the seal material may be provided on the inside of the external edge of the slat, the external edge being that which rotates to face away from the device frame when opened.

The device may comprise a cover control provided on the inside of the device and adapted to control the position of the cover. The cover control may be operable to move slats forming the cover laterally or vertically, or to control the angle of the slats relative to the frame.

In this way the cover provides a means to control the proportion of the aperture that is open to ready air passage, so as to control the degree of ventilation provided by the device. The cover may be formed from an opaque material, so acting to control the amount of light passing through the device. In this way the cover provides a means to control both the ventilation and illumination passing through the device.

The frame may comprise an window blank mounted on the outside of the edge of a frame member and adapted to fit outside the window opening and outside the vehicle door when the device is mounted in the window opening. In some embodiments the lower member comprises an window blank extending downwards from the outside lower edge and adapted to fit downwards of the edge of the window opening. The window blank may be shaped to cover a portion of the vehicle window that is not retracted into the door when opened. In this way the window blank acts in use to cover a portion of the vehicle window, to allowing the device to shut out light passing through that portion of the window. The window blank may have an edge that is angled with respect to the frame member. In this way the device can fit with vehicle window openings that are irregular. An embodiment of the device may be adapted to fit the window opening of a chosen vehicle and may be specific to a particular vehicle type, in order to provide an easy and complete fit to cover the opening.

The frame may be formed from moulded polymer or metal extrusions as known in the art. The net may comprise a moulded plastic net or a metal mesh. The edge panels and window blanks may be formed from moulded polymer or metal, and the edge panels may comprise an elastomeric edge to mount into the window recesses. The lower edge of the lower frame member may comprise an elastomeric material to form the groove to receive the window pane.

In some embodiments the device further comprises in use a fan, configured for ventilation purposes, so as to blow or direct air into the vehicle and/or configurable 35 for insect dispersal and/or vehicle aeration purposes to blow or direct air out of the vehicle. In this way in some embodiments the fan may be fixed in positioning, whereas in others the fan may be adjustable in positioning and/or orientation so as to provide a plurality of customisable uses.

Such fan may be provided with an integral power source such as displaceable or 5 rechargeable batteries, or may be provided with a wired power source, for example cabling and an adaptor for the vehicle 12V DC power outlet or cigarette lighter.

In some embodiments a powered device may provide lighting and/or insect killing electrical fields or elements in addition or the alternative.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exterior view of an embodiment of the invention with the aperture cover comprising a plurality of horizontally provided slats, with the slats open.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1, showing the recess into which the window pane is received.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an interior view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a left side view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a right side view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1.

Figure 7 shows an interior isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1. Figure 8 shows an exterior isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1. Figure 9 shows an interior isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1, with the slats closed.

Figure 10 shows an exterior isometric view of the embodiment as shown in figure 1, with the slats closed.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 to 10, an embodiment 8 of the invention comprises: A frame 10 adapted to fit within the window opening of a vehicle door when the vehicle window is open, the frame comprising: A left side member 12 and a right side member 14, a lower member 16 and an upper member 18, the members each having an inside face 20 to face into the vehicle in 35 use, an outside face 24, and an outer edge, and having a long dimension 26 to fit within the window opening and a depth across the edge, and an aperture 30 between the members, A net 32 to cover the aperture, the net being adapted to prevent insects from passing through the aperture, A movable aperture cover 34 operable to move between a closed configuration in which the aperture is covered as shown in figures 9 and 10 and an open position as shown in figures 1 to 8 in which at least a part of the aperture is uncovered, Wherein the lower member 16 comprises a groove 36 in its edge 39 to receive the upper edge of the vehicle window 37, and Wherein a side member comprises an edge panel 38 mounted within a recess 40 in the edge 42 of the member and projecting from it, the edge panel being operable to retract into the recess 40 and adapted to fit within the window recess of the vehicle window opening.

In this embodiment the left frame member 12 comprises a left edge panel 38 mounted within a recess 40 on its edge 42, the right frame member 14 comprises a right edge panel 44 mounted within a recess 46 on its right edge 48, and the upper frame member 18 comprises a fixed edge panel 50 mounted on its edge 52.

The embodiment comprises a left panel control 54 provided on the inside 22 of the left frame member 12, operable to retract the left edge panel 38, and a right panel control 56 provided on the inside of the right frame member 14, operable to retract the right edge panel 44. The panel control is a tab 58 projecting from the edge panel through a slot 59 on the inside surface of the frame member. In this way by sliding the tab the left and right side edge panels may be retracted into their recess to allow the device to be inserted into or removed from the window opening. As the control is provided on the inside edge of the frame member this may be done from inside the vehicle.

The aperture cover 34 comprises a plurality of slats 60 moveable to open or close the cover. The slats 60 in this embodiment are provided substantially horizontally oriented and rotate to adopt an angle relative to the frame as known in the operation of a venetian blind. The slats comprise a seal material 62 provided on the inside of the external edge of the slat so as to contact an adjacent slat when in the closed position.

The device comprises a sliding cover control 64 provided on the inside of the device, operable to control the angle of the slats relative to the frame.

In this embodiment the cover is formed from an opaque material, so acting to control 5 the amount of light passing through the device. In this way in this embodiment the cover provides a means to control both the ventilation and illumination passing through the device.

In this embodiment the frame 10 comprises an window blank 70 mounted on the outside of the edge 39 of the lower frame member 16 and adapted to fit outside the window opening and outside the vehicle door when the device is mounted in the window opening. The lower member comprises a window blank extending downwards from the outside lower edge and adapted to fit downwards of the edge of the window opening. The window blank is shaped to cover a portion of the vehicle window that is not retracted into the door when opened. The window blank has an edge 74 that is angled with respect to the left frame member 12. In this way the device can fit with vehicle window openings that are irregular. The dimensions and angle of the window bank may be adapted to fit the window opening of a chosen vehicle and may be specific to a particular vehicle type, in order to provide an easy and complete fit to cover the opening.

In this embodiment the frame may be formed from moulded polymer or metal extrusions as known in the art. The net may comprise a moulded plastic net or a metal mesh. The edge panels and window blanks may be formed from moulded polymer or metal, and the edge panels may comprise an elastomeric edge to mount into the window recesses. The lower edge of the lower frame member may comprise an elastomeric material to form the groove 36 to receive the window pane.

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. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, 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, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. 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 as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A ventilation device for a vehicle comprising: a frame adapted to fit within the window opening of a vehicle door when the vehicle 5 window is open, the frame comprising: a pair of spaced apart side members, a lower member and an upper member extending between the side members, in which each member comprises an inside surface arranged in use to face into the vehicle in use, an outside surface, and an outer edge having a length adapted to fit within the window opening and a depth across the edge, and an aperture provided between the members, a net arranged in use to cover the aperture, the net being adapted to prevent insects from passing through the aperture, and a movable aperture cover operable to move between a closed configuration in which the aperture is covered and an open position in which at least a part of the aperture 15 is uncovered, wherein the lower member comprises a groove in its outer edge shaped and dimensioned to receive the upper edge of the vehicle window, and wherein a side member or the upper member comprises an edge panel mounted within a recess in the edge of the member and projecting from it, the edge panel 20 being operable to retract into the recess and adapted to fit within the window recess of the vehicle window opening.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein one or both of the side members comprises an edge panel, and the upper frame member comprises a fixed edge panel mounted on its edge.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a panel control provided on the inside of the device operable to retract an edge panel.
4. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one or more edge panels are spring loaded to remain in the extended position until retracted by the panel control.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a blind.
6. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of slats moveable to open or close the cover.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the slats move vertically.
8. A device according to claim 6 wherein the slats move laterally.
9. A device according to claim 6 wherein the slats rotate to adopt a variable angle relative to the frame.
10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the slats are provided in a vertical orientation.
11. A device according to any of claims 6 to 10 comprising a cover control provided on the inside of the device and operable to move the slats to control the angle of the slats relative to the frame.
12.A device according to any preceding claim comprising a window blank mounted on the outside of the edge of a frame member and adapted to fit outside the window opening and outside the vehicle door when the device is mounted in the window opening.
13. A device according to claim 12 comprising wherein the lower member comprises a window blank extending downwards from the outside lower edge and adapted to fit downwards of the edge of the window opening.
14. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising an electrical power supply.
15. A device according to claim 14 comprising a ventilation fan.
16. A device according to claim 14 comprising an electrical element.
17. A device according to claim 14 comprising lighting. 35
18. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.