GB2031350A

GB2031350A - Improvements Relating to Vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2031350A
Application number: GB7934310A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-07
Filing date: 1979-10-03
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: GB2031350B

Abstract

An estate car having fixed rear side windows with resilient edge seals is provided with a removable panel 3 for concealing the side window and bearing promotional matter. The panel is received by a plurality of brackets 6 which are engaged in the seals for anchorage between the window glass and the seal. The front end of the panel is trapped by lugs mounted on the adjacent door. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Vehicles This invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to estate cars in which side windows extend to the rear of the car.

It is known for the rear side windows of estate cars to be concealed by detachable panels which may carry advertising material. A car thus takes on the appearance of a van and is useful for commercial purposes. The panels are simply detached if it is desired to restore the estate car appearance, e.g. for private use of the car.

It is known for such panels to be held on the exterior of the car by permenent mountings which are inconspicuous when the panels are detached.

Nevertheless, such permanent mountings detract from the appearance of the vehicle if it is to be sold for private use. Hitherto it has been regarded as impossible to provide detachable panel assemblies with readily removable mountings not involving any modification or marking of the vehicle body.

The invention achieves this objective by utilising the resilient seals at the edges of the fixed side windows. It has been discovered that a suitably shaped hook or bracket may be inserted between the seal and the exterior edge of the window to engage the edge face of the window glass in a secure and reliable manner. A plurality of such brackets may be spaced along the edge of the respective side window to hold the display panel in position.

Accordingly the present invention provides an estate car with fixed rear side windows having resilient edge seals, a plurality of brackets engageable in said seals for anchorage between the window glass and the seal, and a panel removably held by said brackets to cover the window.

It will be appreciated that in normal use the panel mounting brackets will be left in position even if the panel is removed. However, if the vehicle is to be permanently usad for private purposes the mounting brackets can be easily removed leaving the vehicle in its original condition without need for any restoration work.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of estate car in accordance with the invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one holding bracket; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a bracket and adjacent parts in use; Fig. 4 is a scrap view of Fig. 1 showing the position of holding lugs on the edge of the door; Fig. 5 is a side view to an enlarged scale of one holding lug, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lug with part of its reflective insert omitted.

Referring now to the drawings, an estate car 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a rear side window 2 partially covered by a display panel 3 which, as indicated, is slidable into the position shown in dotted line to cover the window fully. The panel 3 is a hollow plastics moulding with a peripheral flange 3a which at the front of the side window projects into the region of the rear edge of the vehicle door 4 so as to be trapped and locked in position by lugs 5 thereon when the door is closed, as will be more particularly described below.

The panel 3 is held in position by mounting brackets 6 which are spaced along the top rear and bottom side edges of the side window 2. The front or outwardly facing part of each bracket is in the form of a hook 6a in which the peripheral flange 3a of the panel 3 is received as shown generally in Fig. 1 and in greater detail in Fig. 3.

The rear part of the hook includes an L-section portion 3b which, as shown in Fig. 3, is insertable between the edge of the window glass 2 and the associated sealing rubber surround 7.

The mounting brackets 6 may be made of metal which is bent into shape or, alternatively, the brackets may be made in synthetic plastics material by injection moulding.

Each of the holding lugs 5 has a base 8 of synthetic plastics material with a generally rounded rectangular shape in plan view. The base 8 is constructed in two parts 8a, 8b held together by two self-tapping screws 9. On the outer side of the base 8 is a recess 10 which holds an amber or red reflective plastics insert 11. The insert 11 is clamped in position by the screws 9 which draw the base parts 8a, 8b together when tightened.

On the inner side of the respective base parts 8a, 8b opposing hook formations 1 2a, 1 2b engage opposite edges of the door frame 13 shown in dotted line. Tightening of the screws 9 serves also to draw the hook formations 1 2a, 1 2b together thereby clamping the holding lug 5 securely on the door frame 13.

The rear inside surface of each holding lug 5 is provided with a resilient cushion 14 for engaging the flange 3a of the panel 3.

It will be appreciated that a corresponding panel is mounted on the window at the opposite side of the car and the panels may be mounted on the inside of the vehicle merely by suitably positioning the brackets 6 at the inside of the respective side windows, in which case the holding lugs 5 can be dispensed with.

Claims

1. An estate car with fixed rear side windows having resilient edge seals, a plurality of brackets engageable in said seals for anchorage between the window glass and the seal, and a panel removably held by said brackets to cover the window.

2. An estate car as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bracket comprises a hook portion for engaging the edge of the panel and an L-shaped portion for insertion between the seal and the window glass.

3. An estate car as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the panel is located externally of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Vehicles This invention relates to vehicles and, more particularly, to estate cars in which side windows extend to the rear of the car. It is known for the rear side windows of estate cars to be concealed by detachable panels which may carry advertising material. A car thus takes on the appearance of a van and is useful for commercial purposes. The panels are simply detached if it is desired to restore the estate car appearance, e.g. for private use of the car. It is known for such panels to be held on the exterior of the car by permenent mountings which are inconspicuous when the panels are detached. Nevertheless, such permanent mountings detract from the appearance of the vehicle if it is to be sold for private use. Hitherto it has been regarded as impossible to provide detachable panel assemblies with readily removable mountings not involving any modification or marking of the vehicle body. The invention achieves this objective by utilising the resilient seals at the edges of the fixed side windows. It has been discovered that a suitably shaped hook or bracket may be inserted between the seal and the exterior edge of the window to engage the edge face of the window glass in a secure and reliable manner. A plurality of such brackets may be spaced along the edge of the respective side window to hold the display panel in position. Accordingly the present invention provides an estate car with fixed rear side windows having resilient edge seals, a plurality of brackets engageable in said seals for anchorage between the window glass and the seal, and a panel removably held by said brackets to cover the window. It will be appreciated that in normal use the panel mounting brackets will be left in position even if the panel is removed. However, if the vehicle is to be permanently usad for private purposes the mounting brackets can be easily removed leaving the vehicle in its original condition without need for any restoration work. The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of estate car in accordance with the invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one holding bracket; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a bracket and adjacent parts in use; Fig. 4 is a scrap view of Fig. 1 showing the position of holding lugs on the edge of the door; Fig. 5 is a side view to an enlarged scale of one holding lug, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lug with part of its reflective insert omitted. Referring now to the drawings, an estate car 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a rear side window 2 partially covered by a display panel 3 which, as indicated, is slidable into the position shown in dotted line to cover the window fully. The panel 3 is a hollow plastics moulding with a peripheral flange 3a which at the front of the side window projects into the region of the rear edge of the vehicle door 4 so as to be trapped and locked in position by lugs 5 thereon when the door is closed, as will be more particularly described below. The panel 3 is held in position by mounting brackets 6 which are spaced along the top rear and bottom side edges of the side window 2. The front or outwardly facing part of each bracket is in the form of a hook 6a in which the peripheral flange 3a of the panel 3 is received as shown generally in Fig. 1 and in greater detail in Fig. 3. The rear part of the hook includes an L-section portion 3b which, as shown in Fig. 3, is insertable between the edge of the window glass 2 and the associated sealing rubber surround 7. The mounting brackets 6 may be made of metal which is bent into shape or, alternatively, the brackets may be made in synthetic plastics material by injection moulding. Each of the holding lugs 5 has a base 8 of synthetic plastics material with a generally rounded rectangular shape in plan view. The base 8 is constructed in two parts 8a, 8b held together by two self-tapping screws 9. On the outer side of the base 8 is a recess 10 which holds an amber or red reflective plastics insert 11. The insert 11 is clamped in position by the screws 9 which draw the base parts 8a, 8b together when tightened. On the inner side of the respective base parts 8a, 8b opposing hook formations 1 2a, 1 2b engage opposite edges of the door frame 13 shown in dotted line. Tightening of the screws 9 serves also to draw the hook formations 1 2a, 1 2b together thereby clamping the holding lug 5 securely on the door frame 13. The rear inside surface of each holding lug 5 is provided with a resilient cushion 14 for engaging the flange 3a of the panel 3. It will be appreciated that a corresponding panel is mounted on the window at the opposite side of the car and the panels may be mounted on the inside of the vehicle merely by suitably positioning the brackets 6 at the inside of the respective side windows, in which case the holding lugs 5 can be dispensed with. Claims

3. An estate car as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the panel is located externally of the window and the front edge of the panel is arranged to be trapped by lugs on the adjacent car door when the door is closed.

4. An estate car as claimed in claim 3, wherein each lug has a body made of two parts interconnected by screws for adjusting the body parts relative to each other, said parts defining on the outer side of the lug a recess for receiving a reflective insert and on the inner side of the lug opposed hook formations for engaging the car door frame.

5. An estate car substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.