GB2308622A

GB2308622A - Glass repair device

Info

Publication number: GB2308622A
Application number: GB9626983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Huw Trefor Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-12-29
Filing date: 1996-12-27
Publication date: 1997-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-12-27
Also published as: GB9526641D0; GB9626983D0; GB2308622B; WO1997024232A1

Description

GLA88 REPAIR DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for repairing damage to a glass member and particularly, although not exclusively, to a device for repairing cracks and other damage in an automobile windshield.

Cracked or damaged automobile windshields are a common problem. Types of damage include an elongate crack propagating through first and second laminated layers of a windshield. Another type of damage is known as the star burst, comprising a number of substantially radially extending cracks from a central damage point. A third type of damage, the "bullseye", comprises a concave pitting of the windshield.

It is known to inject a clear liquid resin which sets under ultra violet light, into damaged windshields in order to effect a repair. For damage which is exposed on the surface of the windshield, injection of the liquid filler may cause air to be expelled from the crack, and a virtually invisible finish without any trapped air can be achieved.

In other cases the majority of the damage occurs underneath the surface of the glass, and only a small hole is present on the outer surface of the glass. In these cases, air trapped in the damaged portion can be a problem.

A known windshield repair device is disclosed in US 4,775,305, in which a syringe type device is used to inject a liquid filler material into a damaged windshield.

A cylinder contains a plunger which is pressed towards the windshield to inject liquid filler material from the cylinder. The plunger can be drawn away from the windshield in order to withdraw the liquid filler material from the crack, back into the cylinder, whereupon any air in the liquid rises, since the liquid falls towards the windshield under gravity, and the air occupies an upper portion of the cylinder. As the plunger is withdrawn to its furthest extent, the plunger slides passed an exhaust valve in the side wall of the cylinder, through which the air is expelled such that the cylinder is filled only with the liquid, which is then re-injected into the damaged windshield by depressing the plunger.

Specific embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an improved device for repairing damage to a glass sheet, for example an automobile windshield.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for repairing a damaged glass member, especially a sheet, for example a windshield, the device comprising a first reservoir for repair fluid and a first plunger movable within the first reservoir for discharging repair fluid therefrom, operation means being provided for moving the first plunger on application of an operation force and for restricting automatically, preferably substantially preventing, (by a means in addition to any frictional force acting on the first plunger) movement of the first plunger when said operation force is removed. This may ensure that a vacuum force that may be present in said device cannot cause uncontrolled movement of said first plunger.

In the context of this specification, the term "glass" refers to any material used in windshields and any material capable of being repaired using a resin or the like. It preferably specifically refers to windshield material, however.

Preferably, the operation means is capable of gradually and/or controllably moving the plunger. By gradually and/or controllably moving the plunger, control of the passage of fluid into or out of the reservoir can be achieved. As a consequence of the fine control of the passage of fluid, if it is found that a crack or other damage in a glass member begins to propagate upon injection of fluid into the crack, propagation of the crack can be immediately stopped, by controlling the passage of fluid.

Said operation means is preferably arranged to operate to restrict movement of the plunger in the manner described, at any position of said plunger between its extreme positions. Said operation force is preferably arranged to be applied by an operator in a direction laterally, more preferably substantially perpendicularly, to the direction of movement of the plunger. Said operation means preferably includes first and second cooperable parts which are preferably movable relative to one another for moving the plunger. One of said parts is preferably contactable by an operator for effecting its movement. Said part is preferably a collar which is suitably rotatably mounted. One of said parts is preferably screw-threaded. Preferably, both of said parts are screw-threaded.The axis of the or each of said screw threads is preferably parallel to, more preferably axially aligned to, an elongate axis of said plunger.

The device preferably includes a second reservoir upstream (in the sense when repair fluid is being discharged from said first reservoir) of said first reservoir, said second reservoir being communicable with said first reservoir. Said second reservoir preferably has a larger diameter than said first reservoir suitably by a factor of 2, preferably 3, more preferably 4. The diameter of said first reservoir may be at least 4 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 6 mm, especially at least 7 mm. The diameter of said second reservoir may be at least 4 cm, preferably at least 5 cm, more preferably at least 6 cm, especially at least 7 cm. Means is preferably provided for creating a vacuum in said second reservoir.

Preferably, said first plunger accommodates a second plunger which is movable in the manner described for said first plunger but, suitably, includes an operation means which is independently operable. Means is preferably provided for creating a vacuum within a region of said second plunger.

Said repair fluid preferably has a refractive index which is substantially the same as that of the glass member being repaired.

The invention extends to a method of repairing a damaged glass member which comprises charging a first reservoir of a repair device with repair fluid, applying an operation force to move a first plunger within the reservoir to discharge the repair fluid, removing said operation force, wherein said first plunger is restricted from further movement by a means in addition to any frictional force acting on the plunger.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for repairing a damaged glass sheet, the device characterised by having a fluid reservoir comprising: a first tubular cavity; a first reservoir plunger movable along the first tubular cavity; a second tubular cavity; and a second reservoir plunger movable along the second tubular cavity, wherein a volume of the reservoir is expandable or contractible by movement of said first reservoir plunger along said first tubular cavity and/or by movement of said second reservoir plunger along said second tubular cavity.

Preferably, said first reservoir plunger is capable of expanding or contracting the reservoir by a first volume, and said second reservoir plunger is capable of expanding or contracting the reservoir by a second volume.

The maximum amount of the first volume may be greater than the maximum amount of the second volume. By providing first and second reservoir plungers as described, operation of the first plunger may cause a first rate of passage of fluid into or out of the reservoir, and operation of the second plunger may cause a second different rate of fluid passage into or out of the fluid reservoir. This may allow increased controllability of the rate of fluid passage into or out of the reservoir and into or out of the glass sheet. Controllability of the rate of fluid passage may improve separation of trapped air bubbles from the fluid, and aid in removing air bubbles from a damaged glass area. Further, provision of the second plunger may increase the maximum total volume of the fluid reservoir, and where the damage includes an elongate crack, allow an increased length of crack to be repaired. Movement of the first plunger may give a coarser control of a total volume of the reservoir, and movement of the second plunger may give a finer control of the total volume of the reservoir. Minor or intricate damage may be repaired, by operating only the second plunger. By provision of a second plunger, operation of the device in an inverted state is possible, in which the device may be placed underneath a glass sheet, and fluid injected into a damaged glass against the force of gravity. By obtaining a coarse control and fine control of the total reservoir volume, the passage of fluid into and out of the fluid reservoir may be accurately controlled, leading to enhanced separation of any trapped air bubbles in the fluid.

Preferably, said second plunger is carried by said first plunger. Preferably, said first plunger comprises a tubular member substantially containing said second tubular cavity. Preferably, said first plunger is movable to expand or contract the fluid reservoir and a first vacuum chamber. Preferably, said second plunger is movable to expand or contract only said fluid reservoir.

Preferably, said second plunger is movable to connect said fluid reservoir with a second vacuum chamber. Preferably, said first plunger substantially contains said second vacuum chamber. Preferably, said first plunger is movable to connect the fluid reservoir with a first vacuum chamber.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for repairing a damaged glass sheet, the device comprising: a tubular housing containing a fluid reservoir; and a first vacuum chamber connectable with said fluid reservoir; characterised by having a second vacuum chamber connectable with the fluid reservoir.

Preferably, the device is arranged such that a pressure in the second vacuum chamber is variable independently of a pressure in the first vacuum chamber.

A pressure in said second vacuum chamber is preferably variable by means of a vacuum chamber plunger. Preferably, said vacuum chamber plunger is movable along the second vacuum chamber by means of a threaded member. A maximum volume of said second vacuum chamber may be less than a maximum volume of said first vacuum chamber. Preferably, there is provided a tapered passage between said fluid reservoir and said first vacuum chamber. Preferably, there is provided a tapered passage between said fluid reservoir and said second vacuum chamber.

The invention includes a device for repairing a damaged glass sheet, the device comprising: a fluid reservoir; and means for increasing or decreasing the volume of the fluid reservoir to draw fluid into, or expel fluid out of the reservoir, characterised in that the means for increasing or decreasing the volume of the reservoir are capable of gradually and controllably increasing or decreasing the volume of the reservoir.

The invention includes a base member for a glass sheet repair device comprising a body having a plurality of outwardly extending arms, wherein the body is constructed from an ultra violet resistant material. The ultra violet resistant material is preferably transparent or translucent.

The invention includes a device for repairing a damaged glass sheet, comprising a reservoir, the reservoir comprising a first tubular member, within which is provided a second tubular member, the second tubular member being slidable within the first tubular member, and a second plunger movable along a central substantially cylindrical bore of the second tubular member.

Any feature of any aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature of any other aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in general perspective view, a first windshield repair apparatus according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows in cut away view, a first fluid injector of the first windshield repair apparatus; Figure 3 shows the first fluid injector of figure 2 in a first charged state; Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings shows the first fluid injector in a second charged state; Figure 5 shows in plan view a base stand according to the first specific embodiment; and Figure 6 shows a second fluid injector according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a first windshield repairing device. The first windshield repairing device comprises a fluid injector 1 for injecting a liquid resin into a damaged windshield area, for example a crack, star burst or bullseye, the fluid injector 1 being mounted on a base mount 2. The base mount 2 is attachable to the glass sheet by a plurality of suckers 3, the fluid injector being connected to the base mount so as to present a nozzle of the fluid injector in abutment to a surface of the glass sheet, for injecting the liquid into the damaged glass area. The base 2 and injector 1 can be slid along an area of damage, by applying lubricant to the glass screen prior to contacting the suckers 3 to the surface of the glass, so as to slide the nozzle over the length of an elongate crack.

Referring to figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown in cut away view the first fluid injector of figure 1.

The first fluid injector comprises a tubular housing 10 having a tubular lower cylindrical bore portion 11 having an outer surface, a screw threaded portion for fitment of the injector into the base 2, and having an internal elongate substantially cylindrical bore cavity 31 of a first diameter, which in use acts as a fluid reservoir, and an upper cylindrical bore portion 12 of a second, larger diameter, the housing being closed by a substantially cylindrical cap 13 which can be closed over the upper cylindrical portion 12, the cap having a central aperture through which extends a first plunger member 14.

The first plunger member 14 is movable axially along the housing 10.

The first plunger member 14 comprises a first reservoir plunger portion 15 comprising a cylindrical tube arranged to slide along the lower cylindrical cavity portion 11 of the housing, and a first vacuum chamber plunger portion 16 in the form of a substantially disc like member slidable within the cylindrical upper portion 12 of the housing, so as to create a vacuum chamber between the fluid reservoir and the disc shaped first vacuum plunger portion 16. There is provided a first vacuum chamber seal 17 between the first vacuum chamber plunger portion 16 and the cylindrical bore of the upper housing portion 12. Between the cylindrical cavity 31 of the housing and the bore of the upper housing portion, is provided a tapered passage 18.

Surrounding the aperture in the housing cap 13, is provided a tubular guide wall 24 extending axially along the length of the first plunger 14, the tubular guide wall having an outwardly facing screw thread 19, which cooperates with an internally screw threaded collar 20 which fits around the guide wall portion of the housing cap 13. The collar is rotatable so as to extend in a direction axially with respect to the first plunger. The first plunger is movable axially in a smooth gradual and controllable manner by rotating the collar 20 which urges against a disc 21 fixed to an upper end of the first plunger. The collar urges the disc 21 with respect to the housing, thereby moving the first plunger member in an axial direction.

Movement of the first plunger member 14 in a direction axially of itself and of the housing 10 causes the first reservoir plunger portion 15 to slide along the cavity 31 of the lower housing portion 11, thereby varying the volume of the first reservoir contained therein by a maximum volume V1, and causes at the same time, the first vacuum plunger portion 16 to slide along the bore of the upper housing, creating a partial vacuum in the chamber 30 between the first vacuum plunger and the fluid reservoir.

Referring to figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown the first plunger member 14 extended to its full extension in a direction axially of the housing. The first vacuum chamber 30, in the bore of the housing 10 is shown and the reservoir 31 in the first bore of the lower housing portion is also shown.

At the end of the lower housing portion 11, is provided a substantially annular sealing ring 22. The annular sealing ring is used to create an air tight seal between the surface of the glass, to which the end of the housing is abutted, and the fluid reservoir 31. The annular seal 22 is removable from the lower housing portion.

Between the bore of the lower housing portion 11 and a lower end of the first reservoir plunger 15, is provided a first annular fluid reservoir seal 32.

A second reservoir plunger 40 in the form of an elongate solid cylindrical rod, is provided concentrically in a central passage of the first plunger member 14. The second reservoir plunger 40 is carried by the first plunger member 14. A lower end of the second reservoir plunger 40 slides along a cylindrical inner bore of the first reservoir plunger portion 15, which is tubular and forms part of the fluid reservoir 31. Movement of the second reservoir plunger along the first plunger member 14 acts to expand or contract the volume of the fluid reservoir 31 by a maximum volume V2.

Within the first plunger member 14, is a second vacuum chamber 41, comprising a substantially cylindrical second inner bore portion of greater diameter than the cylindrical bore within the first reservoir plunger portion 15. At an upper end of the first plunger member and at one end of the bore 41, is provided a third substantially cylindrical inner bore portion 44, of greater diameter than the second cylindrical inner bore portion 41, the third cylindrical inner bore portion 44 containing a second vacuum chamber plunger 50.

The second vacuum chamber plunger 50 comprises a screw threaded tubular cylindrical member insertable into the third bore portion 44 which can be screwed in or out of the first plunger member 14. At one end of the vacuum plunger member 50 is provided a knurled knob 51 for rotating the second vacuum plunger. At another end of the second vacuum plunger 50 is provided a second vacuum seal 53 for sealing the end of the second vacuum chamber 41 against the ingress of air.

Between the internal bore of the fluid reservoir plunger portion 15 and the second vacuum chamber 40 is provided a gradually tapered passage 45.

The second plunger member 40 has at a lower end, a second fluid reservoir seal 60, the second fluid reservoir seal 60 is slidable along the internal bore of the fluid reservoir plunger portion 15 of the first plunger member.

At an opposite end, the second plunger member 40 has a threaded portion 61, upon which is fitted a disc shaped knurled adjustment knob 63, which can be turned against the knurled knob 51 of the vacuum plunger in order to draw the second plunger member 40 along the bore of the first reservoir plunger portion 15 of the first plunger member 14, in order to expand or contract the volume of the fluid reservoir 31.

The pressure in the second vacuum chamber 41 is adjustable by moving the vacuum chamber plunger 50 into or out of the first plunger member. The vacuum created in the second vacuum chamber can be increased or decreased by movement of the second vacuum chamber plunger.

The volume of the fluid reservoir 31 can be increased or decreased by movement of the first plunger member 14 relative to the housing, and/or by movement of the second plunger member 40 relative to the first plunger 14.

Since the first plunger member comprises the first reservoir plunger portion 15 and the first vacuum plunger portion 16, movement of the first plunger member 14 in the housing causes change of the vacuum pressure in the first vacuum chamber 30, at the same time as a change of the volume of the fluid reservoir 31.

Movement of the second plunger member 40 with respect to the first plunger member 14 is independent of the movement of the first plunger member 14 with respect to the housing.

By varying the position of the second plunger member 40 relative to the first plunger member 14, the volume of the fluid reservoir 31 may be varied over a maximum volume range V2. Additionally, by movement of the vacuum plunger 50 with respect to the first plunger member 14, the pressure in the second vacuum chamber 41 may be varied.

The volume of the fluid reservoir 31 may be varied by movement of the second plunger member 40 with respect to the first plunger member 14 and the vacuum plunger 50.

Operation A practical operation of the first fluid injector will now be described.

To repair a crack, star burst, bullseye or other damage in a glass sheet. Operation of the first specific embodiment may be as follows: the first and/or second plunger member 14, 40 may be withdrawn to their fullest extents, as shown in figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. The seal 22 may be removed, and the fluid reservoir 31 filled with liquid resin.

The housing may be screwed into an extending arm of the base 2, and the base 2 fitted in position over a damage by pressing the suckers 3 onto the glass sheet. In this position, the seal 22 forms an airtight seal between the surface of the glass sheet and the fluid reservoir 31.

The liquid may be injected out of the fluid reservoir and into the damaged glass by movement of first and/or second plunger members 14 and/or 40.

When the liquid is injected into the damaged area, there may be trapped air bubbles within the glass damaged area. To remove the air bubbles the liquid is then drawn out of the damaged glass by withdrawing the first and/or second plunger members 14 and/or 40, thereby drawing the liquid back into the fluid reservoir 31.

Since the trapped air separates from the liquid under gravity, if the first injector is pointing vertically downwards, the air bubbles will rise in the liquid.

However, the first vacuum chamber 30 causes negative pressure on one side of the seal 32, such that air may be attracted towards the lower end of the first plunger member 14, particularly when the seal 32 is adjacent the tapered channel portion 18 between the fluid reservoir and the vacuum chamber. Under these circumstances, as shown in figures 3 and 4, the seal 32 may effectively form a one way valve so that air may transfer from the fluid reservoir 31 into the vacuum chamber 30 which may be at lower pressure. The air will not pass the other way, since the pressure in the fluid chamber may be higher than the pressure in the vacuum reservoir 30. Thus, air may effectively be removed from the liquid and reside in the vacuum chamber 30. The liquid may be then re-injected into the damaged glass area.

The operation may be repeated until all air bubbles in the liquid are removed.

The liquid is a known liquid which sets under ultra violet light, and has a refractive index equivalent of that of glass, thus effecting a virtually invisible repair.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above operation, the second plunger member 40 may be withdrawn with respect to the first plunger member 14, independently of the position of the first plunger member 14. Movement of the second plunger member 40 along the first plunger member 14 may provide a similar expansion and contraction of the fluid reservoir, with a maximum range of volume difference V2.

For example, with the first plunger member fully inserted into the housing 10, and the first vacuum chamber at its minimum volume (the position shown in figure 2), the second plunger member 40 may be used to effect a repair in a glass sheet as follows.

The seal 22 may be removed, and the second plunger member 40 fully withdrawn with respect to the first plunger member 14. The liquid may then be poured into the fluid reservoir 31. The seal 22 is then replaced.

After fitting the injector into the base mount and mating the seal 22 to the surface of the glass, the second plunger may be pressed into the first plunger member 14, thereby pressurising the liquid in the fluid reservoir 31 and injecting it into the damaged glass.

The liquid is then cycled into and out of the glass damage, to remove air bubbles present, by moving the second plunger member backwards and forwards with respect to the first plunger member 14. To create a vacuum in the second vacuum chamber, the screw threaded vacuum plunger 50 may be withdrawn by rotating it. The second plunger member 40 may be withdrawn to its maximum extent, as shown in figure 4, such that the second reservoir seal 65 at the ends of the second plunger lies adjacent the second tapered channel 45, between the second vacuum chamber 41 and the fluid reservoir 31. The second fluid reservoir seal 65 may act effectively as a one way valve allowing air to pass from the higher pressure fluid reservoir 31 to the lower pressure second vacuum chamber 41, but not in the reverse direction.

Movement of the second plunger member may be made in addition to or instead of movement of the first plunger member, depending upon the extent of vacuum required and the volume of liquid required to be injected into and removed from the damaged area.

In a preferred embodiment the first plunger member is movable by a maximum distance of 29 mm and the second plunger is movable a maximum distance of 32 mm.

By provision of a first or second vacuum creating chamber, separation of air from the liquid is not wholly dependent upon gravity, and the injector may be used in an inverted position to repair glass damage from underneath.

Further detail of the base member 2 will now be described.

Referring to figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown the base member 2 of the first specific embodiment. The base member 2 comprises a body 100 having a plurality of extending limbs, each having a sucker, and an extending arm 102 having a screw threaded aperture for fitment of the of the injector housing 10. Centrally of the body there is provided a second screw threaded aperture for storage of a second injector, or as an alternative mounting position of the first injector.

The base is preferably manufactured from a light transparent but UV opaque material so that an operator can see the damage and the damage is well lit, but the resin is partially shielded from UV light during injection.

Referring to figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment second fluid injector having a single vacuum chamber 100. The second injector 200 is substantially similar to the first injector, however the second plunger member, the second vacuum chamber plunger of the first injector are absent.

The second injector has good controllability of the volume of the fluid reservoir 203 and the first vacuum chamber 201 by virtue of the screw threaded collar 205 which is used to move the plunger 206 along the housing 210. Operation of the second injector is substantially the same as operation of the first plunger member 14 of the first injector, but without the second plunger 40.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for repairing a damaged glass member, the device comprising a first reservoir for repair fluid and a first plunger movable within the first reservoir for discharging repair fluid therefrom, operation means being provided for moving the first plunger on application of an operation force and for restricting automatically (by a means in addition to any frictional force acting on the first plunger) movement of the first plunger when said operation force is removed.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said operation means is arranged to restrict movement of the first plunger when it is in any position between its extreme positions.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said operation force is arranged to be applied in a direction laterally to the direction of movement of the first plunger.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said operation means includes first and second co-operable parts which are movable relative to one another for moving the first plunger.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein a rotatably mounted collar is provided for contact by an operator for effecting movement of said first plunger.

6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein one of said parts is screw-threaded.

7. A device according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein both of said parts are screw-threaded.

8. A device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the axis of the or each of said screw threads is parallel to an elongate axis of said plunger.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, including a second reservoir upstream (in the sense when repair fluid is being discharged from said first reservoir) of said first reservoir, said second reservoir being communicable with said first reservoir.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said second reservoir has a larger diameter than said first reservoir.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the diameter of said first reservoir is at least 4 mm.

12. A device according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the diameter of said second reservoir is at least 4 cm.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for creating a vacuum in said second reservoir.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first plunger accommodates a second plunger which includes an independently operable operation means.

15. A method of repairing a damaged glass member which comprises charging a first reservoir of a repair device with repair fluid, applying an operation force to move a first plunger within the reservoir to discharge the repair fluid, removing said operation force, wherein said first plunger is restricted from further movement by a means in addition to any frictional force acting on the first plunger.

16. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

17. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.