"Protective device from luminous rays and/or from the

eyesight -and production method of said device. " ^'

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for protection from light radiation and/or from the view and a method of manufacturing such device, preferably but without limitation to a device that is adapted to be affixed to one side of a glass of a vehicle, such as a car, a van,' a trailer but also windows of houses, boats, ships _. and the like, as defined in the preamble o-f claims 1 and 13 respectively.

Background art

Devices for protection from light ^' radiation and/or from the view are known in the art, ^' and have a protection element that may be clear or- obscure or have apertures, and may be colored, or _. have images or text thereon. These protection devices may be joined, for instance, to the interior of door- glasses and/or the rear window to -provide protection from sun rays and/or to hide passengers and/or the things contained in the car from the view.

Such devices comprise a frame upon which the element for protection from light radiation is laid.

Particularly, the frame is, for instance, snap-locked into a groove or a gap between the glass and its seal or the frame has special coupling means for coupling the frame to the glass, the seals, the metal sheet or the plastic panels; finally, the frame is shaped to conform to the contour of the glass-, to be joined ^' without the help of any coupling means.

The protection element usually consists of a partially obscuring fabric which is joined with the frame using an adhesive layer or an interlock arrangement or by sewing.

Such devices are disclosed, for ^' instance, · in document DE19727510.

While these devices provide undoubted advantages, they are still affected by certain drawbacks, such as the loss of adhesion of the adhesive layer upon prolonged exposure of the device to sun rays .

This problem is obviated by having the protection element retained against the- frame by suitable sewing. Nevertheless, this requires manufacturing times and processes that increase the final cost of the product.

Technical problem

Therefore, a need is apparently felt, in the field of devices for protection from light radiation and/or for hiding people or things in the vehicle from the view, for as device whose protection element does not fall .off the frame and is free of any gathers or pleats.

The present invention is based on the problem of providing a device whose protection element is securely connected to the frame with a stable and precise tension.

Technical solution

This problem is solved by a device for protection from light radiation and/or from the view as defined in claim 1.

This problem is also solved by a -method of manufacturing a device for protection from- light radiation and/or from the view as defined in claim 13.

Advantageous effects

The present invention provides a device for protection from light radiation and/or from the view and a method of manufacturing -it, that can ensure a more reliable and constant tension between the protection element and the frame than in prior art devices.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the device and methodof manufacture according to the present invention will be apparent ^' from . the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, which are given■ by way of illustration and without limitation with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device for protection from light radiation and/or from the view, that can be manufactured without - a finishing hem, according to the present invention;

- Figure IB shows a front view of the frame of the device as shown in Figure 1A when it has- no protection element thereon; ^" -

- Figure 1C is a sectional view of the frame of Figure IB as taken across line A-A; - Figure ID is another sectional, view of the frame of Figure IB as taken across line B-B;

Figure ^' 2A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the ^" device for protection ^' from light radiation and/or from the view, when it has a finishing hem, according to the present invention;

- Figure 2B is a front view of the device of Figure 2A;

- Figure 2C is a sectional view of the device of Figure 2B across line D-D, which highlights the plastic cover for aesthetically concealing the overlap area of the sewn hem, which cover is appropriately shaped and positioned to. be used for disengaging the device from the retention details;

- Figure 2D is another sectional view of the device of Figure 2B as taken across line C-C, showing the hem aesthetically added to the frame;

- - Figure 3 is a view of a detail of the first or second embodiment of the ^■ present - invention, showing a possible disengagement system; -

- Figure 4 is a cross-section of the device of Figure 1, in which the protection element and the layer of thermoplastic element, are shown in interpenetrating relation.

Detailed description

■ Referring to the accompanying figures, numeral 1 designates a device for protection from light radiation and/or from the view, which is. designed to -be installed on any type of window. 'For example, the device 1 may be mounted -to the interior of door glasses .and/or the rear window of cars, vans-, trucks, trailers and the like, but also of aircrafts or windows of houses, boats, ships, etc.

Reference will be made hereinafter, by way of example, to the situation in which the device 1 is joined to the interior, i.e. the non-exposed side of a car window.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 and a protection element 3 which acts as a surface for protection from light radiation and/or from the view for people and/or things that are located, for instance, in the vehicle equipped with the protection device 1.

As · used herein, · the term ^■ light radiation shall be intended to designate, for instance, sun rays or rays from high beam headlights of a -car, i.e. radiation having a wavelength falling in - the visible spectrum and/or the ultraviolet spectrum.

For this purpose/ the protection element 3 may be formed from:

- a material that may be partially o wholly transparent to light radiation and/or to the view or

- a material that may be totally blind to light radiation and/or to the view.

Such materials may be also tinted or bear images and/or text.

Particularly, the- material for making the protection element 3 consists of ^' a polyester fabric or a plastic or vinyl laminate, _, ^' -comprising a single layer or multiple layers joined ^" together.

In a preferred embodiment, the protection element 3 is a PVC■ fabric that may also dyed in two colors and/or have apertures of variable sizes on its surface (i.e. be ^" perforated). Such fabric is known to the skilled person under the trademark Filtravedo ^R and will not be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Advantageously, the frame 2 is partially covered by a layer of thermoplastic layer 4.

Particularly, the protection element 3 is joined thereto at the thermoplastic material 4 to form one piece with the thermoplastic material.

In other words, also referring to Figure 4, the protection element 3 penetrates the thermoplastic material 4 to form one piece therewith, thereby ensuring that the protection element 3 and the thermoplastic material ^' 4 are firmly and securely joined together.

Particularly, the obscuring fabric 3 is unremovably joined to the thermoplastic layer 4,' which means that it cannot be removed therefrom.

Preferably, the protection element 3 is joined to the thermoplastic material 4 in pleatless, gatherless stretched arrangement .

It shall be noted that, ^' by joining the protection element 3 to the thermoplastic material 4, long-time reliability is ensured, even upon prolonged exposure to solar radiation, and tension of the protection element 3 is improved as compared with prior art devices, for greater reliability with time.

It should be further noted that the ^' term partially covered is intended to designate the case in which the frame 2 has one or more portions of its outer surface covered with the thermoplastic material, 4.

Preferably, the outer surface of the frame 2 is entirely covered with the thermoplastic material 4.

According to a peculiar aspect of the present invention, the protection element 3 and the thermoplastic material 4 are joined together by heat sealing, high-frequency welding and/or ultrasonic welding.

This provides improved features in terms of reliability, corrosion, prevention and maintenance of the proper tension value of the protection element 3 with time, as compared with prior art devices.

For the frame 2 to be partially or entirely covered with the layer . of thermoplastic material, the frame 2 is immersed in a tank containing the thermoplastic material 4.

Immersion of the frame 2 in the tank causes the frame 2 to be partially or entirely covered with the thermoplastic material 4.

It should be noted that the frame 2 shall be covered with ^' the thermoplastic material 4 before joining the protection element 3 thereto.

Alternatively, ■ the thermoplastic material 4 may be sprayed on the frame 2 in liquid or powder form, using suitable tools.

In one aspect of the present invention, the layer of thermoplastic material 4 has a thickness S ranging from 0·.1 mm to 5 mm.

Preferably, the thickness S of the layer of thermoplastic material 4 ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm and more preferably the thickness S is 0.5 mm.

It ^' shall be noted that the material from which the thermoplastic material 4 is formed is selected from the group comprising polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene

n

terephthalate, polyethylene, polyamide, PVC and/or nylon.

According to another embodiment, the step of covering the frame 2 with the layer of thermoplastic material 4 may consist in placing a heat-shrinkable sheath (not shown) on the frame 2.

Particularly the heat shrinkable sheath is fixed to time ^¬ frame 2 by applying heat or interposing a layer of adhesive material therebetween.

Referring now to Figures 1A-1B and 2A-2B, the frame 2 is shown as a specially shaped frame, having a predetermined shape .

For instance, according to ^' the particular embodiment as shown in Figures IB and 2B, the frame 2 may be shaped .to conform to the glass with which it is designed to be joined, e.g. the glass o.f a rear window of a motor vehicle.

Other shapes may be envisaged for the frame 2 according to particular needs.

In other words, in order to form the required bends in the frame and maintain a proper tension of the protection element 3, while preventing any permanent deformation of the frame during normal use, preferred materials should exhibit a good compromise between tensile modulus E (or Young's modulus, with values approximately ranging from 70,000 N/mm ² to 220,000 N/mm ² ) and the possibility of forming the required shape, as well as a proper width of the elastic portion in the stress-strain curve of metals.

For this purpose, the frame 2..comprises ^' a metal material selected from iron, steel, aluminum of metal alloys or comprises a plastic material. .

In order to obtain the desired shape of the frame 2, if the latter is . made from one of the above mentioned' metal materials, the metal profile shall be bent into a shape , (which will change through products according to the area to be covered) ; this step is preferably carried out using CNC machines which will make ^' the bends and curves required to obtain the desired shape, from a two-dimensional frame -design. ^{■ ■} ,

In order to ^■ obtain the desired shape of the frame 2, if the -latter is made from the above mentioned plastic material, an injection molding step is provided. To ^' ensure elasticity in a frame 2 made from plastic, a metal core shall be maintained therein, whereby the injection molding process will be carried out by comolding of a metal frame.

This will provide an aesthetically valuable finish of the frame, while allowing a special seat to be formed along its- perimeter for welding (preferably ultrasonic . welding) of the fabric. ^* -

Preferably, the frame 2 has a rod or tubular shape, having a circular plan shape with a diameter S' ranging from 2 mm to 6 mm.

Preferably, the diameter S' is 4 mm.

Other cross-sectional shapes of the frame 2 may be envisaged, e.g. quadrangular shapes.

Referring to -Figure ID, although the same applies to the embodiment as shown in Figures 2A to 2D, the frame 2 is formed preferably but without limitation into a (possibly irregular) closed loop, and it can be closed by welding or clinching (i.e. using metal fasteners) 5.

Thus, once the frame 2 has been bent as desired, the two ends thereof are joined together by welding or clinching into a closed loop shape.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protection element 3 is joined at the thermoplastic material 4 in the proximity of a free edge of the protection element.

No ^' pleat and/or bulge should result from this coupling arrangement .

Particularly., the free edge portion of the protection element 3 exceeding the perimeter defined by the frame 2 is trimmed.

Such trimming action is performed as the protection element 3 is joined to the thermoplastic element 4 on the outer surface of .the frame 2 by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding and/or high-frequency welding.

Alternatively, trimming may be performed by blanking and/or punching when the protection element 3 has already been joined to the thermoplastic material 4 that covers the frame 2 by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding and/or high- frequency welding.

Trimming may be also performed along the welding bead when the protection element 3 has already been joined to the thermoplastic material 4 that covers the frame 2 by heat sealing, ultrasonic welding and/or high-frequency welding.

In one aspect of the present invention, the device 1 may be free of (see embodiment of Figures 1A and IB) or be equipped with (see embodiment of Figures 2A and 2B) a finish 6 adapted to conceal the frame 2.

Particularly, the finish 6 consists of a sheath that w.raps around the frame 2 and the portion of the protection, element 3 close to its free peripheral edge.

This sheath consists, for instance, of a textile material, whose free ends are pressed together by sewing 7 and/or ultrasonic welding, to enclose the frame 2 and the obscuring fabric- Referring to Figure 2D, the device 1 is . shown -to ^' comprise a hook 8, e.g. made of plastic or textile material, which acts as a cover for aesthetically concealing the overlap- area of the sewn/welded hem.

Referring to Figure 3, the. device 1 is shown to comprise a loop 9 for easy removal of the device from the glass against which it is installed.

The ^' device 1 may be joined to the interior of vehicle windows, with or without the interposition of hook means (not shown), so that the device ^' is placed at a predetermined distance from the glass surface to- form a kind of gap.

It shall be noted that the hook means, if any are those that are commonly used in the field and will not be described herein.

Those . skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of variants may be envisaged to the above, still within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.