GB2443616A

GB2443616A - Contoured net rear windscreen for a convertible vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2443616A
Application number: GB0622163A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Turner; David Spencer Wood; Adrian Charles Morgan Jenkins; Peter Maxwell Hutchinson
Original assignee: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd; Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-07
Filing date: 2006-11-07
Publication date: 2008-05-14
Also published as: JP2010508212A; WO2008056138A1; GB0622163D0; EP2091771A1

Abstract

A removable rear windscreen 1 for a convertible vehicle consists of a pliable net 2 which has a three-dimensional contoured shape to enable it to fit around the contours of the rear bulkhead of the vehicle, thereby permitting greater front seat travel than is possible with a flat panel windscreen. The net 2 is stretched across a frame comprising an upper and lower arm 3, 4 the arms being pivotally connected to one another by an over-centre hinge arrangement 10, 11. This permits folding of the windscreen 1 for storage and has the added advantage of permitting the net tension to hold the arms 3, 4 apart when in the open, deployed position.

Description

4 2443616 Contoured Net Rear Windscreen for a Convertible Vehicle This

invention relates to a removable rear windscreen for a vehicle for reducing turbulence and wind noise in a vehicle's cockpit while driving with the convertible top down.

One type of known windscreen comprises an upright, rigid generally rectangular framework for mounting vertically in the vehicle behind a front row of seats, across which is stretched a wind-breaking net. See for example US 6,352,300.

A windscreen of this known type is essentially a flat, two-dimensional panel. A problem with flat panel windscreens is that they can restrict front seat movement.

The present invention consists of a contoured rear windscreen for a convertible vehicle, the windscreen including a framework to which is secured a pliable net, and wherein the framework comprises a first arm, and a second arm, the second arm being shaped so that the surface of the net follows a three-dimensional contour, and wherein the first and second arms are pivotally attached to one another at each of their ends by an over-centre hinge.

By virtue of the invention, a windscreen may be shaped to fit around the trim of the rear of the vehicle cockpit, thus allowing freedom of movement of the front seats.

Advantageously, the framework comprises two members which are hinged together so that the windscreen can be folded for storage.

The use of over-centre hinges advantageously allows the tension in the net to assist the framework in maintaining its open position when the windscreen is in use. Further, when the windscreen is folded for storage and the net moves through the pivot axis, the net tension helps to hold the framework closed.

The effects of the net tension may be further assisted by the incorporation of a spring within each hinge.

Brackets may be provided at opposite sides of the framework to enable attachment of the windscreen to the vehicle.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a windscreen in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the windscreen of Fig. 1 mounted in a vehicle, Fig. 3 is a further perspective view of a windscreen in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and in an open (deployed) position, Fig. 4 is a side view of the windscreen of Fig. 3, and Fig. S is a side view of the windscreen of Fig. 3 in a closed (folded) position.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a contoured rear windscreen 1 consists of a pliable net 2 stretched across a framework which comprises an upper arm 3 and a lower arm 4.

The net 2 has a fine mesh and is made from nylon.

Each arm 3, 4 is made from extruded aluminium. The net 2 is attached to the arms in a conventional manner by pulling it over a slot (not shown) in each arm and pushing a rubber extrusion (not shown) into the slot, thereby holding the net 2 in place.

The upper and lower arms 3, 4 are pivotally attached to one another and the windscreen 1 can be folded for storage.

Brackets 5 are secured at either side of the upper arm 3 (close to the point of attachment to the lower arm 4) for the purpose of securing the windscreen inside a vehicle.

When the windscreen 1 is positioned in a vehicle 6 (see Fig. 2), the upper arm 3, which has an inverted U-shape, lies in a generally vertical plane. The lower arm 4 lies in a generally horizontal plane and is kinked in order to follow the contours of the rear bulkhead of the vehicle 6. Because the net 2 is stretched tightly across the framework and firmly secured thereto, it too follows the contours of the rear bulkhead and thus allows a longitudinal adjustment of the position of the front seats 7.

With reference to Figs. 3 to 5, each end of the upper and lower arms 3, 4 is fitted with a plastics end cap, 8, 9 respectively. Each end cap 8, 9 incorporates co-operating over-centre hinge members 10, 11 respectively, thereby providing pivotal attachment of the two arms 3, 4. The pivot axis 12 lies above the plane of the lower arm 4 when the windscreen is in its open, deployed position.

The over-centre arrangement permits the net tension (represented by the arrows "A" in Figs. 3 and 4) to hold the arms 3, 4 apart when the windscreen 1 is erected.

When the windscreen 1 is to be folded for storage after removal from the vehicle 6, the lower arm 4 is rotated upwards towards the upper arm 3. In so doing, the net 2 swings through the pivot axis 12 and the tension in the net (arrows "A" in Fig. 5) assists in keeping the windscreen folded.

Claims

ThAI MS 1. A contoured rear windscreen for a convertible vehicle, the

windscreen including a framework to which is secured a pliable net, and wherein the framework comprises a first arm, and a second arm, the second arm being shaped so that the surface of the net follows a three-dimensional contour, and wherein the first and second arms are pivotally attached to one another at each of their ends by an over-centre hinge.
2. A windscreen according to claim 1 and further including brackets for attaching the windscreen inside a vehicle.
3. A windscreen according to either preceding claim in which said members comprising the framework are made from extruded aluminium.
4. A windscreen according to any preceding claim in which each end of said members comprising the framework is fitted with a plastics end cap, each end cap incorporating a co-operating over-centre hinge member.
5. A windscreen according to any preceding claim in which the net has a fine mesh and is made from nylon.
6. A windscreen substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.