Abstract:
A glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit ( 1 ) having first and second winder spools ( 10, 11 ) for winding a cutting filament ( 100 ) and a drive, for driving the winder spools ( 10 ). The drive means includes a single or common drive input for driving both the first and second winder spools ( 10, 11 ). The drive maybe a rotary input drive, and driving the rotary input in a first rotary direction may cause winding of the filament ( 100 ) onto the first winder spool ( 10 ) and driving the rotary input in the opposite direction causes winding of the filament ( 100 ) onto the second winder spool ( 11 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the National Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/061093 filed on May 20, 2015, which claims priority from British Patent Application No. GB 1408938.7 filed on May 20, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to glazing panel removal and more particularly to glazing panel removal techniques using a cutting wire or other length of cutting filament to remove vehicle glazing panels. 
         [0004]    2. State of the Art 
         [0005]    Glazing panel removal techniques are known using wire winding tools. Such an arrangement is shown in for example WO2006/030212 which discloses winder unit having a pair of winder spools and guide pulleys mounted outwardly of the winder spools. More recently techniques have been developed which use synthetic plastics fibre line in place of wire. 
         [0006]    An improved tool for use in such cutting techniques has now been devised. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit having:
       first and second winder spools for winding a cutting filament;   drive means for driving the winder spools;   wherein the drive means comprises a single or common drive input for driving both the first and second winder spools.       
 
         [0011]    In one embodiment the drive means comprises a rotary input drive means, preferably arranged such that driving the rotary input in a first rotary direction causes winding of the filament onto the first winder spool and driving the rotary input in the opposite direction causes winding of the filament onto the second winder spool. 
         [0012]    In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the drive means is arranged to be configured to either:
       i) drive the winder spools simultaneously or   ii) drive one of the winder spools, whilst permitting the other to rotate without being driven.       
 
         [0015]    The drive means is arranged to be configured to drive the winder spool or spools such that the filament is wound onto one spool whilst being wound simultaneously off the other. 
         [0016]    It is preferred that the drive means is arranged to be configured between a configuration in which filament is permitted to be wound off one of the spools and a configuration in which the filament is prevented from winding off that same spool. 
         [0017]    This may be achieved for example by means of using a brake arrangement, which may be an adjustable brake arrangement arranged to vary the torque required to wind the filament off either of the winder spools. With the brake fully applied the winding off torque is so high that the filament is prevented from being wound off. With the brake partially applied the winding off torque is less and the filament can be wound off if the required torque is applied. This enables the torque for slip cutting to be adjusted. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment the drive means may comprise an input drive shaft comprising the drive input and separate transmission shafts transmitting rotary motion to drive respective winder spools, the transmission shafts extending transversely to the input drive shaft. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment the device may include a transmission comprising a common bevel gear arrangement for transmitting rotary motion to each of the winder spools. 
         [0020]    In a preferred embodiment the device may include a transmission comprising respective one way bearings for transmitting rotary motion to each of the winder spools. A one way bearing is known in the art as a device that permits transmission of torque for rotation in a first direction but not for rotation in the opposed direction. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment one or more preferably both of the rotary winder spools are demountable from the unit. 
         [0022]    In a preferred embodiment one or more preferably both of the winder spools are arranged to be mounted with respect to a driven shaft in an engaged position in which the spool is coupled to rotate with the driven shaft and a neutral position in which the spool can rotate independently of the driven shaft. 
         [0023]    It is preferred that the winder spools are mounted to rotate on axes that are substantially co-axial with one another. 
         [0024]    It is preferred that the device further comprises mounting means for mounting the device to a glazing panel. In a preferred embodiment the mounting means comprises one or more suction devices. 
         [0025]    It is preferred that the device comprises one or more guide pulleys spaced from the winder spools. 
         [0026]    The drive means may be configured to be manually driven (using a lever coupled with a drive shaft) or power driven. Beneficially the device is capable of being either manually driven or power driven. It is therefore preferably capable of coupling with a manual drive tool or a powered drive tool. 
         [0027]    According to a further aspect, the invention provides a glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit having:
       mounting means for mounting the device on the glazing panel;   first and second winder spools for winding a cutting filament;   wherein the rotational axes of the first and second winder spools are substantially:
           i) coaxial; and/or   ii) horizontal or parallel with respect to the general plane of the vehicle glazing panel when the device is mounted.   
               
 
         [0033]    According to a further aspect, the invention provides a glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit having:
       first and second winder spools for winding a cutting filament;   drive transmission for driving the wider spools;   wherein the drive transmission is arranged to drive one of the winder spools, whilst permitting the other to rotate without being driven.       
 
         [0037]    It is preferred that the transmission is arranged to be switched so as to permit the other of the spools to be driven whilst the remaining spool rotates without being driven. The switching may be achieved by means of rotating a common drive gear in opposed directions. 
         [0038]    According to a further aspect, the invention provides a glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit having at least one winder spool for winding a cutting filament, wherein the winder spool is arranged to be mounted with respect to a driven shaft in an engaged position in which the spool is coupled to rotate with the driven shaft and a neutral position in which the spool can rotate independently of the driven shaft. 
         [0039]    According to a further aspect, the invention provides a glazing panel removal device comprising a winder unit having at least one winder spool for winding a cutting filament, wherein the winder spool is arranged to be mounted or coupled with respect to a driven shaft by magnetic means. 
         [0040]    Preferred aspects presented in respect of the first aspect of the invention may, it will readily be appreciated, also be preferred in relation to the other aspects defined. 
         [0041]    These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein. 
         [0042]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of winder unit in accordance with the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the winder unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an exemplary winder unit according to the invention; 
           [0046]      FIGS. 4A to 4E  are schematic representations showing operation of the transmission/drive train of a unit in accordance with the invention; 
           [0047]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show schematically the configuration if an adjustable friction brake arrangement suitable for operating in accordance with the invention; 
           [0048]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show how the winder spools are mounted to the transmission shaft in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0050]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 12 and 7  in particular, there is shown a glazing panel removal device  1  in the form of a winder unit  1  to be mounted on a vehicle glazing panel, and in a first mode of operation being capable of being used with a cut out wire in a similar manner to the unit disclosed in WO2006/030212. In an alternative mode of operation the unit can be used in combination with a plastics fibre line filament in place of a cutting wire. 
         [0051]    The unit is similar in certain respects to the winder unit disclosed in WO2006/030212, particularly in that it utilises a pair of spaced suction mounts  52  and also a pair of spaced winder spools  10 , 11  for winding the cutting filament in the worm either of the cutting wire or the cutting plastics fibre line. The unit also includes rotatable guide pulleys  54   55   56   57  for guiding the cutting filament  100  which are arranged in similar configuration to the arrangement of FIG. 12 in WO2006/030212. 
         [0052]    The unit includes further  2  inclined or angled pulleys  61   62  which are provided to guide the filament  100  as it is wound onto and off a respective winder spool  10   11 . These pulleys are provided because, contrary to the arrangement of WO2006/030212, the winder spools  10 , 11  are arranged upright, coaxially with one another and with their rotational axis horizontal (i.e. parallel to the general plane of the glazing panel to which the unit is mounted). This for ergonomic and ease of use reasons, particularly because the winder spools are demountable from their respective drive shafts  16   17  and the arrangement in this configuration makes for easy mounting and de-mounting. 
         [0053]    A further departure from the arrangement shown in WO2006/030212 is that a single drive for driving both the winder spools  10   11  is provided. The single drive comprises a socket  64  coupled to a drive shaft  14 . In one embodiment a rotary manual handle  68  can be coupled to drive the drive shaft  14  via the socket  64 . In an alternative embodiment a powered drive tool can be coupled to the drive socket  64 . The transmission system for driving the spools  10   11  will be described in detail below. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 2  the transmission for rotating the winder spools  10 ,  11  comprises a vertically orientated input drive shaft  14  to which is mounted a mitre gear  15 . The mitre gear  15  drives a respective drive gear  22   23  for a respective spool drive shaft  16   17  to which the spools are mounted. Shaft bearings  18  are provided for the input shaft  14  and the drive shafts  16   17 . 
         [0055]    Importantly the gears  22   23  act to drive the shafts  16   17  through respective one way bearings  12   13 . These ensure that torque is only transmitted to the respective drive shafts  16   17  when the respective gear  22   23  is rotated in one direction (opposite rotation directions for each of the gears  22   23 ). One way bearings are known in the art. 
         [0056]    Also mounted to the respective shafts  16   17  are respective adjustable friction brake arrangements  41   42  which are controlled by operating a rotary control annulus  41   a    42   a  which is cam profiled to urge a movable brake disc  25   26  to frictionally engage with fixed washers  27  in order to provide a braking effect. An alternative exemplary arrangement is shown in the schematic embodiment of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in which a wave compression spring  26  is provided between the brake actuator  42   b  and a friction washer  81 . The friction washer  81  acts against a friction plate  82  mounted by means of a one way bearing  30  to the shaft  17 . The control annulus  42   a  and the brake actuator  42   b  are cam profiled such that rotation of the annulus  42   a  results in axial movement of the brake actuator  42   b.    
         [0057]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1, 2 and 7  a series of fixed and rotary brake discs indicated at  27 . The brake arrangement does not rotate with the shaft  16  or  17 . One way bearings  30  ensure that friction is not applied by the brake to the shaft  16   17  whilst winding in the filament on the respective spool  10 ,  11 . The brake only takes effect for winding in the opposite direction. 
         [0058]    In use the transmission can be used in 2 modes, these being slip mode (in which the filament  100  is simultaneously wound off one spool as it is wound onto another) and non-slip mode (in which the filament is wound onto one of the spools whilst not being wound off the other). In slip mode the tension can be adjusted using the brake devices. 
         [0059]    Non-slip mode is shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  where the arrows show the rotation according to the right hand rule  FIG. 4E . In  FIG. 4A  rotation of the drive shaft  14  and mitre gear  15  is clockwise. Torque is transferred via the one way bearing  13  to rotate the shaft  17  and spool  11  to wind in the filament  33 . The one way bearing  30  on the brake device  41  is configured such that when the shaft  17  is driven, no brake is applied by brake  41 . 
         [0060]    In the situation of  FIG. 4A  the brake  42  is fully applied and effective by means of torque being applied via the one way bearing  30  of brake  42  so as to apply braking friction to the shaft  16  to a degree sufficient to prevent rotation. Torque is not applied through the one way bearing  12  of gear  22  to drive the shaft  16 . Consequently filament is not wound off spool  10  because the tension in the filament  100  is not sufficient to overcome the braking force of the brake  42 . 
         [0061]    For counter clockwise winding of the drive shaft  14 , the situation is reversed as shown in  FIG. 4B  and filament is wound onto spool  10  but not off spool  11 . In this configuration torque is not transferred through bearing  30  of brake  42 . Torque is however applied via the bearing  30  of brake  41 . The transmission is driving the shaft  16  because torque is applied via the bearing  12 . No torque is applied via the bearing  13 . 
         [0062]    This non-slip cutting is achieved when the brakes  41   42  are full applied (or at least sufficiently applied to prevent rotation as a result of tension in the filament). 
         [0063]    If the brakes  41   42  are not fully applied, then the slip cutting situation shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D  results. The braking force applied by the brakes  41   42  (when acting via the respective one way bearings  30 ) is not sufficient to prevent the tension in the filament on the winding off spool causing rotation of the spool  10   11  and slip cutting occurs as filament is wound off one spool whilst being simultaneously wound onto the other. In the clockwise drive shaft  14  rotation situation shown in  FIG. 4C  the shaft  17  is driven via the one way bearing  13  and the brake  41  torque is not being applied via the one way bearing  30 . The one way bearing  30  of brake  42  is acting to transmit braking torque, but not sufficient to prevent the filament  100  from being wound off the spool  10 . One way bearing  12  of gear  22  is not acting. 
         [0064]    In the situation of counter clockwise rotation (as shown in  FIG. 4D , the operation is reversed. Shaft  16  is driven by the active bearing  12  in order to wind on to spool  10 . Shaft  17  rotates due to the torque applied via the filament  100  being wound off spool  11 . Brake  41  is active but not sufficient to prevent the filament being wound off spool  11 . Because the brake torque is adjustable, the tension in the filament required to effect winding off the relevant spool can be adjusted. This provides for adjustable slip cutting. 
         [0065]    As an alternative to the transmission described, the gear train could be used to drive the shafts simultaneously in opposed directions but this would result in potentially a less versatile means of operation as the alternative modes of cutting would be more difficult to achieve. 
         [0066]    The spools  10 ,  11  are mounted on respective drive shafts in  16   17  in two positions, a driving or engaged position in which they rotate with the driven shaft  16   17  and a neutral position in which they can rotate independently of the main drive shaft  16   17 . The spools  10   11  are displaced axially outwardly from the drive position to the neutral position. In the neutral position the spools  10   11  are held to rotate with a rotatable shaft tip  16   a    17   a  which is rotatably fixed to the main shaft  16   17  by a respective axis pin  71 . This is shown most clearly and schematically in  FIGS. 6A and 6B .  FIG. 6A  shows the spool  11  in the engaged position.  FIG. 6B  shows the spool  11  in the neutral position. The shaft tip  71  and the shaft are provided with magnets  92   93  and the spool has a ferrite insert  11   a  to ensure that the spool is held in the desired engaged or neutral position. A spring  73  is provided to control friction in the rotating tip  16   a    17   a.    
         [0067]    The ability to engage neutral position is important to enable filament to be pulled off from the spools once it has already been wound on. This is necessary for example when using the fibre line filament during the set up procedure. 
         [0068]    The cut out unit can be used in various techniques and procedures and is particularly versatile in this regard being capable for powered or manual use and also for use with traditional wire or the newer fibre line filament. 
         [0069]    It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, “comprises” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.