USRE20628E - Frost shield - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1938. y J, R-TH0'RP l Re. 20,628

FROST SHIELD Original Filed Oct. 27, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 '/8 /6 /5 INVENTOR.

l y Mu/vm ,1239. i -f- -v lATTORNEY@ Jan. 18, 1938.- .1. R. THORP Re 20,628

FROST SHIELD Original Filed Oct. 27, 1935 2 ,Sheets-Sheet 2 3;. M ATTQRNEY.

Reiseued Jan. 18, 1938 FROST 'SHIELD Joel a. Thorp. west Ams, wis., signor u The Fulton Compllly, West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original No. 2,002,722, dated May 28, 1935, Serial No. 695,405, October 27, 1933. Application for reissue September 24, 1935, Serial No. 41,956

`19 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to lmprovements in devices for insuring clear vision for the driver and other occupants of a vehicle, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of so-called frost shields which are cooperable with the windshields and other windows of an automobile or other vehicle for the purpose of insuring a clear I view of the external surroundings under most 10 adverse weather conditions.

Generally dened, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved clear vision device, which is simple and durable in construction, and which is, moreover, highly eillcient in operation.'

Numerous appliances intended for the purpose of maintaining clear vision through the windshields and other windows of enclosed automobiles or the like, have heretofore been proposed, but all of these prior devices are more or less complicated, inefllcient, and otherwise objectionable. A-practical clear vision shield must not only be capable of accomplishing the desired result under the most adverse weather conditions, but it must also Vbe durable in construction, neat in generalappearance, unobstructive to the view at all times, and sufiiciently simple to permit manufacture and sale thereof at moderate cost.

It should not be necessary, with such a device,

to resort to artificial heating of the shield under all vision obstructing weather conditions, since many of these conditions may be eifectively combatted without such heat if a perfectly sealed air space is provided adjacent the window in the line of vision of the occupant of the car. Such an accessory is, moreover, desirable only during certain seasons of the year, and should, thereiore, be readily removable from the window, and it should above all require minimum attention and offer least possible interference to the drivers view of the road.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved frost shield which meets all of these desirable requirements, and 45, which may be conveniently supplied with artiii- I cial heat whenever such is necessary.

Another specic object of the invention is to provide a simple and well constructed frame structure for detachable clear vision devices, whereby such devices will present a neat appearance and may be manufactured at minimum cost.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an electrically heated clear vision appliance which may be readily installed and oper- :,r, ated, and which provides a hermetically sealed (Cl. 21B-19) airspace introducing a clear vision area of desirable dimensions in the line of vision of the driver or occupants of the vehicle with which the appli-i of operating several types of frost shields built' in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a fragment of a frost coated vehicle windshield, showing one type of the improved frost shield attached to the rear surface thereof;

Fig. 2 is a reversed front view of the frost shield of Fig.A l, with the heater'energizing plug connector omitted therefrom;

. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through the i'rost shield, taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary further enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the frost shield, taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similarly enlarged transverse section .through the frame of the frost shield, taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a likewise enlarged transverse section through the frame of the frost shield, taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 'l is a similarly enlarged transverse section through the frame of the frost shield, taken along the line 1 1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of a fragment of a frost coated vehicle windshield, showing another type of improved frost shield attached to the rear surface thereof;

Fig. 91s a reversed front view of the frost shield of Fig. 8, with the heater venergizing plugl connector omitted therefrom;

Fig. l0 is an enlarged transverse vertical section i through the' modified frost shield, taken along the line i0 |0 of Fig. 8; q

Fig. 11 is a similarly enlarged similar section through the modified frost shieldshowing portions of the structure 'omitted so as to clearly illustrate the frame construction;

Fig. l2 is a further enlarged transverse section through the frame of a modified' frost shield, taken along the line |2-I2 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 13 is a similarly further enlarged transfrost shield, taken along the line I3--I3 of Fig. 9.

While the improved devices are generally designatedI herein as frost shields, it should be unv derstood that these appliances are not merely capable of maintaining the windows to which they are applied, free from frost deposits, butr also function to prevent other vision obstructing coatings or deposits. f

-a groove I8 formedin the seal I6; supporting elements I9 carried by cnd brackets y20 secured to the opposite ends of the main frame; and v one or more heating elements 2i carried byan'd spanning the main frame adjacent to the transparent sheet II.

The band I5 is preferably formed of resilient but relatively stiff material such as a fiat metal strip, and the embedding seal I6 may be formed of rubber or other relatively flexible material moulded around and vulcanized or otherwise attached to the resilient core. This frame forming material may be produced in strip form, of proper length to provide a. continuous sealing structure when bent into its final rectangular or other shape, and the groove I8 is of such depth that the metal strip `or band will not be exposed, and so that a spacing cushion of rubber will always be interposed between the band I6 and the edge of the 'sheet I`I confined within the groove I8, as clearly indicated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. The confined resilient band I5 of the frame may also be biased inwardly between the corners o1' the completed frame so as to insure retention of the `edges of the sheet II within the groove I8, and the edge of the sealv I6, which normally contacts with the main window 22 may be formed as a continuous highly flexible lip 23 in order to insure most effective sealing when the frame is in normal use.` l

The transparent sheet II-may be` formed of ordinary glass, cut to fit snugly within the groove I6 of the seal I6, and is held by this groove some distance away from the main Window 22 so as to providean intervening air space. The supporting elements I9 may be ordinary rubber suction cups detachably secured to the end brackets 2li by means of clamping members 2l coacting with threaded studs formed integral with the cups. 'Ihe brackets 20 may be formed of sheet 1 metal, and are firmly attached to the metal band "main frame near the other bracket 20. conductors 21 may be `formed of one piece of I6 by means of screws 25 as shown in Figs. 4 and 7. and although a thin sheet of rubber forming part of the seal I6, is interposed between the `band vI 5 and each of the brackets 2U, these brackets are conductively connected to the frame band by the screws 25. I

One of the brackets 20 is provided with integral metal ears 26 as shown in'Fig. '7, and these ears 26 pierce the rubber seal I6` and may contact with the band I5, thus providing attaching loops for the adjacent ends of the wire heating elements 2|. `'I'he metal band I6' provides an electrical conductor communicating with these ends oi.' the elements 2l, and the opposite ends of the elements 2| are attached to leaf spring conductors 21 secured to the opposite end of the The Averse section through the `frame of the modified lmetal, and coact with the inner face oi the rubpoint 32 serves as a clamping nut coacting with one of the bolts 29, while another contact point 33 is connected directly to the band I5 by means of a screw 36. With this assemblage of elements, the corresponding ends of the wire heating elements 2| are conductively connected `through theconductors 21 and one of the bolts 29 with the contact point 32, Abeing insulated from the band I5; and the opposite corresponding ends of these wires are conductively connectveci through bracket 20, band l5 and screw 3l with the other contact point 33.,v The points 32, 33 are however insulated with `respect to each other by the insulating piece 3|, and a. detachable plug connector A35 is adapted to connect the -points 32, l33 with any suitable source of electric current such as the battery of an ordinary automobile. As previously indicated,lthe wire heating elements 2I span the interior of the main frame, beinglocated within the air space provided by the seal I6 and sheet I'I, and also being spaced both fromthe sheet I'I and from themaln window 22. n

Referring specifically to Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive of the drawings, the improved modified frost shield shown therein, comprises in general a sub stantially rectangularV frame composed of a. band I5', a continuous seal I6', and an outer retainer 36; a transparent sheet II coacting along its Y peripheral edge portion with a groove formed by the adjacent edge of the seal I6' and by an inwardly projecting flange 31 of the retainer`36; supporting elements I9' carried by brackets 20,' formed integral with the retainer 36 at the four corners thereof; and one or more heating elements 2i' carried by and spanning the main frame adjacent to the transparent sheet l1'.

The band I5' is again preferably formed of relatively stiff resilient flat metal strip, while the seal I6' -is formed of rubber having a continuous outwardly directed sealing flange 23' at one edge thereof and also having an inwardly directed spacer ange 38 disposed between the sheet I1 and the adjacent edge of the band I6. The outer retainer 36 and the brackets 20 may be formed of one piece of' sheet metal, and the three frame elements are permanently interconnected to provide a unitary structure, by meansv of split rivets 25' which may have insulating washers 30' for electrically insulating the band, I5' from the retainer 36 as shown in detail in Fig. 13. The transparent sheet I1' which is also preferably formed Aof glass, is confined along its entire peripheral edge, between the inner edge portionof a resilient flange 31 of the retainer 36 and the flange 36 of the seal I6', and these flanges by virtue of their resiliency will` provide a. tightseal without subjecting the sheet I1' to excessive stresses due to the clamping of the frame elements to each other. When the outer ange 23' is brought in contact with a main window 22, a sealed air space isV again provided between the sheet I1' and window 22 within the frame. -The supporting elements I9' may also be ordinary rubber suction cups detachably secured to the end brackets 2Il' by means oi' clamping members 2l' engaging threaded studs secured to the cups', as clearly shown in Fig. 12.

till

iii

The wire heating elements 2| of the modified frost shield, have their corresponding ends secured directly to the adjacent shortside of the frame band IB and within the seal il,and have their opposite corresponding ends connected to leaf spring conductors 21', as disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9. These heating elements are again spaced from both the sheet I 1 andthe window 22 and are' disposed within the air space previously described, and the extreme ends of the band i5' are spaced from the conductors 21' being supported directly from an insulating block Il' by meansl oi' screws 29'. The screws 28' 'pass directly through the rubber seal ii' but do not touch the outer retainer 36, being insulated from this retainer as shown in Figs. 1l vancl 12, and one of these attaching screws 29' serves to hold a contact point 32' within the insulator block Il'. Another contact point 32' is likewise held within the insulator block 3|', by means of a screw 24' which coacts directly with the adjacent end of the band Il', but is also insulated vi'rom the outer retainerl I8 as indicated in Fig. v11. A plug connector "is adapted to coact with the contact points 32', 3l', and it is to be noted that the band I5 functions as a conductor associated with corresponding ends of the wire elements 2l', while the conductor 21 is similarly associated with the opposite corresponding ends oi' these elements. The outer retainer 26, is, however, insulated from both the band I5 and conductor 21', and is never charged with electric current.

From the foregoing description, the manner of attaching the improved frost shield to a main windshield, should be clearly apparent. it being preferable in applying one of these shields `to a window, to have the suction cups and the continuous seal provided at their contacting surfaces with a slight amount of sealing fluid in order-to improve the holding and sealing eil'ect. In order to utilize the heating elements, it is only necessary to attach the plug connector, whereupon the wires spanning the interior ofthe frame will heatlthe confined air within the space between the transparent sheet and the main window, and will thereby effectively prevent i'rost and other moisture from accumulating upon the outer surface of the main window and will thus insure clear vision. It is not, however, necessary to utilize the heating elements, since the provision of an air space alone will tend to maintain clear vision through the main window. In each of the frost shields disclosed, the metal band cooperating with the rubber seal, serves the dual function of retaining the seal in shape and of supporting the heating elements, and in no case is the outer retaining frame charged so that short-circuiting might occur. Both of these frost shields can be readily manufactured at relatively low cost, and have been found extremely effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. The improved frame structures present a neat and highly finished appearance, and produce minimum obstruction to the view of the occupants of a vehicle with which they are associated, and by preventing direct co'ntact between thetransparent shields and the supporting metallic parts, breakage of theseshields is eiectively eliminated. If so desired, the suction cup attachers may be omitted entirely and the cementing of the seals to the window may alone be resorted to and i-n some instances ,the heating elements may be entirely omitted from the appliances. It should also be noted that two or more suction cups appropriately arranged about the outer frame. may be utilized in either oi the improved structures instead of the precise number of cups shown, and that the use of the heating elements is desirable when ice, sleet and frost are to be dispelled. The fact that the flange 21 only has line edge contact with the glass sheet, is also of importance in eliminating glass breakage, and the retainer frame 38 need not necessarily be insulated from the conductor band I5.

vIt should be understood that it is not `desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and desired to`secure by Letters Patent: g

1. In combination, a frame comprising a metal band embedded within a rubber seal, a transparent sheet coacting along its entire peripheral edge with said seal within said band, said band being spaced from the peripheral edge of said sheet and biased to press said seal finto intimate contact with said sheet edge, and heatingmeans carried by said band and disposed within said frame.

2. In combination, a frame comprising a continuous metal band embedded entirely within a rubber seal having a groove therein within said band, a transparent sheet coacting with said groove and spaced from said band, and heating means comprising a wire spanning said frame, t)

said wire having one end conductively connected to said band and having its opposite end insulated therefrom.

3. In combination, a frame comprising a continuous rectangular metal band embedded within a rubber seal having a groove in the side thereof and having a flexible lip remote from the groove, atransparent sheet coacting with said groove entirely within and spaced from the band, and a supporting bracket for connecting the ends of the band to produce a continuous frame while maintaining the adjacent ends of the band spaced apart.

4. In combination, a frame comprising a metal band, a transparent sheet disposed entirely within said band near one edge thereof, a continuous rubber seal supported by said frame and forming a lining for the interior of said band, said seal having a continuous preformed internal groove receiving the edge of said sheet and providing an inwardly projecting flange at one edge of the seal coacting directly with the peripheral portion of said sheet and also having a continuous pre-- formed outwardly directed sealing lip at its opposite edge projecting laterally with respect to the opposite edge of said band, and heating means carried by said band and spanning said frame.

5. In combination, a frame comprising a continuous metal band coacting with a rubber seal forming a lining for the interior of the band and having inwardly and` outwardly extending preformed continuous integral portions at the oppoi site edges thereof, a transparent sheet coacting along its entire peripheral edge with said inwardly projecting seal portion within said band, said outwardly extending seal portion being disposed beyond the edge of said band remote from said sheet and projecting outwardly beyond the periphery of said band and said band being resilient and biased inwardly to press said seal into intimate contact with said sheet edge, and heating means carried by said band and disposed within said frame.

6. In combination, a frame comprising a continuous metal band, a transparent sheet disposed forming a lining for the interior of the band and `wardly extending lip being disposed beyond the' having a. continuous preformed internal groove and a continuous preformed outwardly extending lip adjacent the opposite edges thereof, a transparent sheet coacting along its entire peripheral edge with said grove within said band, said outedge of said band remote from said sheet and projecting outwardly beyond the periphery of said band and said band being formed to press said vseal into intimate contact with said sheet edge,

and, heating means carried by said posed within said frame.

8. In combination, a Vcontinuous metal frame, a transparent sheet disposed entirely within said frame near one edge thereof, a continuous rubber band and disseal supported by and forming a lining for ther interior of said frame. said seal having a continuous preformed internal groove for directly receiving the entire peripheral edge portion of said sheet and also having a continuousl preformed laterally projecting sealed lip remote from said groove and extending outwardly beyond said frame, and heating means carried by and disposed within said frame.

9. In combination, a rectangular frame coacting with a rubber seal iorming a lining for the interior of the frame and having a continuous preformed internal groove and a, continuous preformed outwardly extending lip adjacent the opposite edges thereof, a transparent sheet having its entire peripheral edge confined within said groove, said lip being disposed beyond the edge of said frame remote from said sheet and projecting outwardly beyondA the periphery of said frame and said frame being formed to press said seal into intimate contact with said sheet edge, and heating means carried by said band and disposed within said frame.

10. A windshield heater comprising a pane of l glass. a glass-carrying member of rubber encircling the pane of glass and having on its inner face a groove in which the edge. of the glass is received and also having a windshield-engaging lip, said glass-carrying member having al uniform cross-*sectional area throughout, a metal supporting member encircling the glass-'carrying member and clamping the latter to the edge of the glass, said metal supporting member having offset portions associated therewith, and suction cups carried by the offset portions for securing the heater to a windshield.

11. A Windshield heater comprising a pane of glass, a glass-carrying member of rubber encircling said pane of glass and having on its inner face a groove in which the edge of the glass is received and also having a Windshield-engaging lip, a band of metal encircling the glasscarrying member and holding the latter in clamping relation to `the edge of the glass, said band of metal having outwardly-extending arms associated therewith, suction cups carried by said arms for attaching the heater to a'windshield 'and an electric heating element extending from one side to the other of the heater and situated on the windshield side of the pane of glass.

12. A windshield heater comprisingk a pane of glass, a `glass-carrying member of rubber encircling the glass and having on its inner face a groove to receive the edge of the glass and also having a windshield-engaging lip, a metal supporting member encircling the rubber glasscarrying member andholding the latter clamped lto the edge of the glass, said metal supporting member having outwardly-extending arms associatd therewith, suction cups carried by said arms for holding the heater to the windshield, an electric heating unit carried by the supporting frame and situated on the windshield side of the glass.

13. A Windshield heater comprising a pane of glass, a glass-carrying member or,` rubberencircling the pane of glass and having on its inner face a preformed groove in which theedge of the glass is received and also having a windshieldengaging lip, said glass-carrying member having a uniform cross-sectional area throughout, a

metal supporting member encircling the glass# receiving groove and clamping the glass-carrying member to the edge of the glass, said metal supporting member having outwardly extending rigid portions associated therewith, and suction cups carried by said outwardly extending portions for securing said metal supporting member to a windshield. Y

14. A windshield heater comprising a pane of glass, a glass-carrying member of rubber encircling said pane of glass and having on its inner` face a preformed groove to receive the edge of the glass and also having a Windshield-engaging lip, a frame of metal encircling the glass-engaging groove and holding said glass-carrying member in clamping relation to the edge of the glass,

said frame having outwardly extending portions associated therewith, suction cups carried by said outwardly extending portions for attaching the heater to a windshield, and an electric heating element extending from one side toy the other of said frame and situated on the windshield side oi the pane of glass.

15. A windshield heater comprising a pane of glass, a glass-carrying member of rubber encircling the glass and having on its inner face a preformed groove to receive the edge of the glass i and also having 'a windshield-engaging lip, a

metal supporting frame encircling the grooveV and holding said glass-carrying member clamped to the edge of the glass, said frame having rigid` outwardly extending portions associated therewith at the opposite ends thercovsuction cups carried -by said outwardlyextending portions for attachingfsaid frame to the windshield, and an electric heating unit carried by and spanning the supporting frameandsituated on'the windshield side of the glass. i

16. In combination, a continuous rubber seal having an inner groove and a continuous outwardly directed flexible lip 'disposed laterally of said groove, a transparent sheet having its peripheral edge conned within said groove, a eentinuous metal band embracing the grooved. portion of said seal in the plane of said sheet and disposed remote from said lip, suction cups for attaching said band to a windshield with said lip in contact with the latter.' and heating means spanning the space Within said seal between said sheet and the windshield.

17. In combination, a continuous rubber sealV having an inner groove and a. continuous outwardly directed iexible 'lip disposed laterally of said groove, a transparent sheet having its peripheral edge confined within said groove. a continuous metal band embracing the grooved por- 'tionoi said seal in the plane of said sheet and a windshield with said np in contact-with the I' latter, and heating means spanning the space within said seal between said sheet and the windshield. t

19. In combination, a continuous rubber seal having an inner preformed groove and a continuous ilexible lip disposed laterally of said groove, a transparent sheet having its peripheral edge confined within said groove, a metal band embracing the grooved portion of said seal in the plane of said sheet and disposed remote from said lip, and suction cups for attaching said band to a windshield with said lip in contact with the latter,

JOEL R. THORP.

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