FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a protective layer and more particularly, but not exclusively to, a protective layer for a surface to be protected.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Protective layers are applied to glass surfaces, for example, vehicle windows to enhance the safety of regular glass by strengthening it. Protective layers for windows are used to help protect windows against break-ins, vandalism, accidents, rocks colliding with windows, flying debris, and natural disasters. In some cases, upon impact, the glass will break and shatter in the absence of a protective layer. The protective layer makes it more difficult for an object to penetrate the glass. The protective layer also prevents the glass from shattering upon impact and keeps the overall glass pieces in place.

LLumar (https://www.llumar.co.za/architectural/safety.php) disclosed a safety window film for windows of buildings. The film is made from a clear, heavy- duty polyester compound. The safety film reduces the risk of shattering of glass upon impact, as it helps to hold glass fragments in place until they can be safely removed and the glass be replaced. Kingshield (https://www.klingshield.co.za/ultra-thick-safety-and-securi ty- window-films) discloses safety and security films for vehicle and building windows. The safety films are 170 micron, 200 micron and 300 micron thick.

Auto Armor (https://autoarmor.co.za/) discloses smash and grab film for vehicle windows. The film is applied to vehicle windows to reduce shattering of the window upon impact. The film also blocks some UVA and UVB rays.

Secure Fit

(https://www.securefit.co.za/component/content/article.ht ml?id=41 :clearplex- windscreen-protection-film) discloses a vehicle windscreen protection film. The protection film is applied to a vehicle windscreen to reduce the impact of hazards on the windscreen.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a protective layer of the type described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a protective layer comprising a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having securing means for securing the protective layer to an object. There is provided for the protective layer to be at least 600 microns thick.

There is provided for the protective layer to be made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

There is further provided for the securing means to be an adhesive layer.

There is provided for the protective layer to be any shape, including, but not limited to, rectangularly shaped, square shaped, complementary shaped to a vehicle window and/or complementary shaped to a vehicle windshield.

There is provided for the protective layer to be UV protective.

There is further provided for the protective layer to be 99% UV protective.

There is further provided for the protective layer to have anti-glare properties.

There is provided for the protective layer to be tinted.

There is further provided for the protective layer to be 35% tinted.

There is provided for the protective layer to be secured to a glass surface and/or windows, including, vehicle windows and building windows. There is provided for the protective layer to be secured to an outer surface of the glass surface and/or windows, including, vehicle windows and building windows, to be protected.

There is provided for the protective layer to be projectile resistant.

There is provided for the protective layer to be a 600 SFG laminate.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a protective layer;

Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle with windows;

Figure 3 shows a front left perspective view of the protective layer being secured to a window of the motor vehicle;

Figure 4 shows a front left perspective view of the protective layer secured to the window of the motor vehicle; Figure 5 shows a front left perspective view of the window with the protective layer secured thereto and a person applying force to the window with a hammer; and

Figure 6 shows a front left perspective view of the window with the window being shattered as a result of the force applied to the window but with the glass pieces in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, a protective layer is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

The protective layer 1 has a first surface 2 and a second surface 3. The first surface 2 has securing means 4. The protective layer 1 is 600 microns thick and is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The protective layer 1 is a 600 SFG laminate.

The securing means 4 is an adhesive layer which extends over the first surface 3.

The protective layer 1 may be any shape, including, but not limited to, rectangularly shaped, square shaped, complementary shaped to a vehicle window and/or complementary shaped to a vehicle windshield. In this case, the protective layer 1 is complementary shaped to a vehicle window 5.

The protective layer 1 is 99% UV protective. The protective layer 1 has antiglare properties. The protective layer 1 is 35% tinted. The protective layer is projectile resistant.

In use, a protective layer is complementary shaped to a surface, for example, a glass vehicle window, to which it will be secured.

A protective film, which covers the adhesive layer, is removed from the adhesive surface of the protective layer to expose the adhesive layer. The protective layer faces an outer surface of the vehicle window to which the protective layer will be applied. The protective layer is aligned with the vehicle window. The protective layer is pressed against the window so that the adhesive is evenly applied to the outer surface of the window to secure the protective layer to the vehicle window.

When a force is applied to the window, for example, a person hitting the window with a hammer, the protective layer absorbs some of the impact. When enough force is applied, the glass will shatter but the protective layer will, in some cases, remain in place. The person will therefore not gain entry to the vehicle through the window to which the protective layer is secured.

It is envisaged that the invention herein described will be convenient to use in that the protective layer will strengthen the surface, for example, vehicle window, to which it is secured. The vehicle window will therefore not break as easily as would have been the case in the absence of the protective layer. The protective layer will make it more difficult to break a window with an object or with a projectile.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein. For example, the protective layer may be applied to any surface to be protected.