Abstract:
A window assembly for a mass transit vehicle adapted to receive a transparent protective member to be positioned adjacent an inner surface of a piece of window glazing by a set of retaining brackets that provide rapid removal of the member without having to remove the retaining brackets. The retaining brackets enclose all four edges of the vehicle window glazing and incorporate a defined space between the window glazing an the inner surface of the retaining brackets. The protective member is positioned within the defined space and can be moved between a secured position and a release position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/395,692 filed Sep. 13, 1999 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/186,513, filed Nov. 4, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,723 which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/244,402, filed Oct. 30, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an assembly for positioning a protective member adjacent an inner surface of a piece of glazing of a mass transit vehicle window and, in particular, concerns an assembly that facilitates removal and replacement of the protective sheet. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is well known that public transportation vehicles including motor vehicles, subways systems and trains become a haven for vandals malicious acts. In particular, hoodlums will deface the interior side of vehicle window panes by using knives and other sharp instruments and carving names, inscriptions, and vulgar messages into the glazing of the window resulting in permanent damage to the glazing of the window. Vandalism to these interior windows may also take the form of defacement with magic markers, spray paint and in some extreme cases, puncturing or shattering of the glazing, creating an expensive, time consuming task of window replacement. As a result, the public transportation vehicle will be out of service, incurring lost revenue for the city and limiting the transportation available for the public. For the most part, malicious damage to the interior surface of the window glazing occurs more frequently than damage to the exterior surface of the glazing because the hoodlums can work in a more inconspicuous manner without the public taking notice. 
     To address this need, various window brackets have been developed to retain and secure a protective sheet of material adjacent the inner surface of the glazing of the vehicle window. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,207 to Carson discloses an apparatus that comprises a flexible, transparent sheet of plastic that is secured adjacent the interior side of the window glazing. A fixed bracket mounted along three sides of the vehicle window glazing and a removable bracket along the fourth edge of the window are used to retain the protective sheet of plastic. The removable bracket encloses the fourth edge of the protective sheet of plastic and is attached to the vehicle window frame with a plurality of threaded fasteners. 
     While the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,207 adequately protects the interior surface of the window against defacing, the replacement of the protective sheet of plastic can take time. To remove the protective member, first requires the removal of a plurality of threaded fasteners that attach the removable bracket across the fourth edge of the vehicle window glazing. Upon removal of bracket, the protective member is removed and replaced with a new member and the retaining bracket reattached by inserting and tightening the screw fasteners. 
     Moreover, the repeated removal and insertion of the screw fasteners can ultimately damage the underlying window frame. The window frame is often constructed from soft metal such as aluminum, whereas the threaded fasteners securing the removable bracket are often manufactured from hardened metal. Repeated installation and removal of the fasteners to the window frame can result in the fasteners stripping the window frame such that individual fasteners no longer secure the bracket to the window frame. 
     Hence, it will be appreciated that there is a continuing need to for a sacrificial protective window system that provides rapid replacement of the sacrificial window panel in a simplified, inexpensive manner. To this end, there is a system of protecting the glazing of windows from damage that is not labor intensive nor result in damage over time to the window frame itself. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied in one aspect by a glazing protection assembly that includes at least one retainer that attach to the window frame adjacent an inner surface of the glazing, wherein the at least one retainer define at least one space that is adjacent the inner surface of the glazing. The glazing protection assembly also includes a sacrificial member that is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the glazing so that the outer perimeter of the sacrificial member is positioned within the space defined by the at least one retainer such that the at least one retainer retain the sacrificial layer adjacent the inner surface of the piece of glazing. A retaining fastener is also coupled the at least one retainer so as to extend into the space. The retaining fastener is preferably positioned such that it captures the sacrificial member in the at least one space defined by the at least one retainer such that the sacrificial member is inhibited from moving in the at least one space. The sacrificial member is also sized such that when the retaining fastener is removed from the at least one space, the sacrificial member can move within the at least one space so that a perimeter edge of the sacrificial member is removed from the at least one space to thereby permit the sacrificial member to be removed from the at least one retainer. In one particular embodiment, the sacrificial member is comprised of a flexible member such that once the edge is exposed, the sacrificial member can be bent to thereby remove the edge from proximity to the recess to thereby permit removal of the sacrificial member. 
     In this way, sacrificial members can be removed quickly by removal of the at least one fastener. The fastener is attached to the at least one retainer and, in one embodiment, the at least one retainer is formed of a sufficiently rigid material that repeated removal and replacement of the at least one fastener does not damage the plurality of retainers. In one embodiment, the at least one retainer is comprised of a plurality of retainers that define the at least one space. 
     Moreover, in one aspect, the at least one retainer is adapted to be retrofitted to an existing window. In particular, the at least one retainer has a retaining edge that is inserted between a gasket and the inner surface of the piece of glazing in an existing window so that the plurality of retainers is retained by the gasket. In this way, existing windows can be retrofitted with a security device without requiring the use of tools and the like. In one particular embodiment, the at least one retainer has interlocking ends to inhibit unauthorized removal. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled sacrificial window assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sacrificial window assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of the sacrificial window assembly of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of the sacrificial window, assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which the sacrificial window member is removed for rapid replacement. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Referring to FIGS.  1 , 2  and  3 , the component members of a quick release sacrificial shield assembly  100  for a public transportation vehicle of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in a fully assembled state. An original equipment vehicle window frame  102  is fitted into a rectangular opening of the vehicle wall  112  (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). The vehicle window frame  102  is attached to the walls of the interior sidewall  112  of the vehicle with a plurality of threaded fasteners (not shown) that screw through a plurality of small openings  114  positioned along a first outer surface edge  116  of the vehicle window frame  102 . The threaded fasteners for the most part will not require removal unless the window frame becomes damaged and requires replacement. 
     The window frame  102  of FIG. 1 defines an opening  104  that is generally rectangular in this embodiment and is adapted to receive a vehicle window glazing  106  and a sacrificial member  110  which is used to protect the window glazing  106  against vandalism. The vehicle window frame  102  has a U-shaped cross-section (FIGS. 3 and 4) that defines an interior channel  103  into which a rubber gasket  150 , the window glazing  106  and a plurality of retaining brackets  120  can be positioned in a manner that will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     FIG. 1 also illustrates the plurality of retaining brackets  120  which comprise a first L-shaped retainer  120   a , a second L-shaped retainer  120   b  and a C-shaped retainer  120   c  (see exploded view of FIG.  2 ). The plurality of retaining brackets  120  are positioned between the gasket  150  and the glazing  106  and serve to retain the sacrificial member  110  in a secure fashion adjacent the vehicle window glazing  106  and will be discussed in greater detail below. A first opening  140  through the C-shaped retainer  120   c  is also illustrated in FIG.  1  and it accommodates a retaining fastener  142  (FIG. 2) which is used to inhibit the movement of the sacrificial member  110  within the fixed boundaries of the plurality of retaining brackets  120 , as will be described below in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     As is also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of elongate slots  160  are positioned longitudinally along the surface of each retainer  120   a - 120   c , respectively. The plurality of elongate slots  160  are used for both installing and removing the retaining brackets  120  from between the rubber gasket  150  and the inner perimeter edge  135  of the window glazing  106 , which will be described in detail below. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the individual component members of the quick release sacrificial shield assembly  100  in an exploded view. The vehicle window frame  102  receives the vehicle window glazing  106  within the rectangular opening  104  so that the outer perimeter  136  of the glazing  106  is positioned substantially adjacent an outer edge  132  of the U-shaped vehicle window frame  102 . Further, the window glazing  106  is retained against the outer frame edge  132  by the rubber gasket  150 . In particular, the rubber gasket  150  maintains a constant force against an inner perimeter edge  135  of the first surface  170  of the window glazing  106  keeping the window glazing  106  firmly positioned against the second frame edge  132  of the window frame  102  in a manner that is further illustrated and described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the glazing  106  can be positioned within a U-shaped gasket  123  so as to protect the edges of the glazing  106  from damage by contact with the frame members. The U-shaped gasket can also be integrally attached to the gaskets  150 ,  152  and permit the insertion of the retainers  120  in the previously described manner without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The vehicle window glazing  106  has a first surface  170  facing the interior of the vehicle and the second surface  172  facing the exterior of the vehicle, and is the protected component of the quick release sacrificial shield assembly  100 . Specifically, the replacement costs of labor and material associated with the replacement of the window glazing  106  could be expensive, thereby dictating a need for a quick release sacrificial window assembly  100 . 
     The sacrificial member  10  that is positioned adjacent the inner side  170  of the vehicle window glazing  106  is also illustrated in FIG.  2 . The sacrificial member  110  is transparent and has substantially the same or smaller dimensions as the vehicle window glazing  106 . The sacrificial member  110  is preferably manufactured from acrylic which provides a certain degree of flexibility for the ease of installation and removal from the retaining brackets  120  that enclose the periphery edge  134  of the sacrificial member  110 . In addition, the sacrificial member  110  must be physically robust so as to protect the window glazing  106  against vandalism. The sacrificial member  110  has a first side  174  facing the inside of the window glazing  106  and a second side  176  facing the interior of the vehicle. In particular, the sacrificial member  110  is positioned adjacent the first surface  170  of the window glazing  106 . 
     As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the plurality of retaining brackets  120  are comprised of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a , the second L-shaped retainer  120   b  and the C-shaped retainer  120   c  that in combination provide a one piece member that encloses the periphery edge  134  of the sacrificial member  110 . It will be appreciated that the exact configuration of the retaining brackets  120  can vary and can comprise even a single bracket without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The plurality of retaining brackets  120  have a Z-shaped cross section and, in particular, each of the retainers  120   a - 120   c  has a retaining leg  190  and a securing leg  192 . The retaining leg  190  and the securing leg  192  are generally parallel to the plane of the sacrificial member  110 , but offset from each other in a direction normal to the plane of the sacrificial member  110 . In particular, the retaining leg  190  and the securing leg  192  are interconnected by an interconnecting section  194  which is perpendicular to the retaining leg  190  and the securing leg  192 . The interconnecting section  194  is spaced to accommodate the width of the sacrificial member  110 . Hence, the plurality of retaining brackets  120  with the interconnecting sections  194  are advantageously positioned within the interior channel  103  of the window frame  102  to retain and enclose the periphery edge  134  of the sacrificial member  10  in the manner that will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates the manner in which a first and a second end of each of the plurality of retaining brackets  120   a - 120   c  engage with each other in an interlocking, diagonal pattern within the defined space of the inner channel  103  of the window frame  102 . In particular, the first L-shaped retainer  120   a  has a first end  200  that abuts a second end  127  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c , and a first end  128  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  abuts a second end  212  of the second L-shaped retainer  120   b . Further, a first end  213  of the second L-shaped retainer  120   b  abuts a second end  202  of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a.    
     Moreover, the first ends  200 ,  128 ,  213  of the plurality of retaining brackets  120   a - 120   c  have a first configuration, and the second ends  127 ,  212 ,  202  of the plurality of retaining brackets  120   a - 120   c  have a second configuration. Specifically, the retaining brackets  120  are formed so as to define a diagonal end such that an inner point  220  (FIG. 1) on the first end  200  of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a  is located laterally outward from an outer point  222  on the first end  200  of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a . The first and second ends  213 , 212  of the second L-shaped retainer  120   b  also have a first configuration. A mating pattern of a second configuration is formed on the second and first ends  127 ,  128  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  and also on the second end  202  of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a . In particular, an inner point  224  of the second end  127  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  is located laterally inward from an outer point  226  on the second end  127  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  (seen in both FIGS.  1  and  2 ). The first end  128  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  and the second end  202  of the first L-shaped retainer  120   a  also have a second configuration. 
     It will be appreciated that the first ends of the retaining brackets  120  inhibit the inward movement of the second ends of the retaining brackets  120  respectively. In particular, the plurality of retainers  120   a - 120   c  are configured so that there is an overlapping inward edge overlapping each end of each of the retainers  120 . Hence, inward movement of the retainers  120  away from the window frame  102  is opposed due to the interaction between adjacent retainers  120 . In this way, the plurality of the combined retaining brackets  120 , engage a single bracket that will fixedly be positioned within the inner channel  103  of the window frame  102 . The interlocking configuration of the retaining brackets  120  provide a method to secure the retaining brackets  120  within the interior channel  103  of the window frame  102  without the need to attach external bracket members to the window frame  102  or interior wall  112  of the vehicle with exposed screw fasteners, that could damage the window frame. 
     It will also be appreciated that the sacrificial layer  10  also inhibits the removal of the retainers  120   a - 102   c . In particular, when the sacrificial layer  110  is positioned within the recess defined by the retainers, the retainers are inhibited from moving inward towards the center of the window opening. Thus, the presence of the sacrificial layer  110  inhibits removal of the retainers  120   a - 120   c . Consequently, the sacrificial layer  110  must preferably be removed prior to removal of the retainers  120   a - 120   c . However, to inhibit unauthorized removal, the sacrificial layer  110  is captured in the recess defined by the retainers in the manner that will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. While the previous illustrated embodiment has illustrated the retainer  120  as being comprised of a plurality of mating retainer pieces  120   a - 120   c , it will also be appreciated that a single retainer  120  can be inserted in the previously described manner and used to retain the sacrificial member  110  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     A retaining fastener  142  is shown in FIG. 2 with a phantom line illustrating that the retaining fastener  142  advantageously extends through a first opening  140  of the retaining leg  190  of the C-shaped retainer  120   c . With the retaining fastener  142  fully threaded into the first opening  140  of the C-shaped retainer  126 , the retaining fastener  142  will be positioned within a space defined by the plurality of retainers  120   a - 102   c.    
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a cross-sectional view of the quick release sacrificial window assembly  100  with the sacrificial window member  110 , the vehicle window glazing  106  and the plurality of retaining brackets  120   a - 120   c  are illustrated as being positioned within a channel  103  defined by the window frame  102 . In particular, the Z-shaped cross section of the C-shaped retainer  120   c  is shown such that the securing leg  192  is forcibly positioned between the rubber gasket  150  and the first surface  170  of the vehicle window glazing  106 . 
     As is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gasket  150  exerts a force against the plurality of retainers  120   a - 120   c  so as to urge the plurality of retainers  120   a - 102   c  against the inner surface  170  of the glazing  106 . Hence, the plurality of retainers  120  are retained in the window frame  102  by the combination of the force exerted by the gasket  150  and the interlocking of the ends of the retainers  120   a - 120   c  described previously. Preferably, a tool is used to urge the retainers  120   a - 120   c  into position by hammering against the elongate slots  160  of the retainers  122 ,  124  so as to urge the securing leg  192  of each of the retainers between the rubber gasket  150  and the inner surface  170  of the window glazing  106 . 
     As is also illustrated in FIG. 3, when the securing leg  192  is positioned between the gasket  150  and the inner surface  170  of the glazing  106 , the retaining leg  190  is positioned outward from the inner surface  170  of the glazing  106  so as to define a space  182  that extends about the entire perimeter of the piece of glazing  106 . 
     Preferably, the sacrificial member  110  is positioned such that both a first and second edge  214 ,  216  are positioned within the space  182  so as to retain the sacrificial member  110  in proximity to the first surface  170  of the glazing  106 . 
     In particular, the first end  214  is positioned immediately adjacent the outer edge  211  of the retainer  120   c  immediately adjacent the retaining fastener  142  such that the outer edge  211  overlaps the outer perimeter  214  and is retained in the space  182  by the retainer  120   c  as is illustrated in FIG.  3 . However, the retaining fastener  142  extends into the space  182  so as to abut the outer perimeter  214  of the sacrificial member  110  to thereby prevent the sacrificial member  110  from moving in the space  182 . In this way, the first and second edges  214 ,  216  of the sacrificial member  110  are retained in the space  182  defined by the plurality of retainers  120   a - 120   c  and the sacrificial member  110  is thus secured adjacent the inner surface  170  of the glazing  106 . The sacrificial member  110  can thus inhibit damage to the inner surface  170  of the glazing by vandals and the like. 
     However, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, once the retaining fastener  142  is removed, the sacrificial member  110  can be slidably moved within the space  182 . In particular, the edge  214  can be slid towards the interconnecting section  194  of the retainer  120   c . As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the sacrificial member  110  is preferably sized so that when the first edge  214  is positioned adjacent the interconnecting section  194  of the retainer  126 , the second edge  216  is position out of the space  182  defined by the retainers  122 ,  124  in the manner shown in FIG.  4 . In this way, the sacrificial member  110  can be removed from the space  182  thereby permitting replacement. 
     In particular, the sacrificial member  110  is preferably made of a relatively flexible material so as to permit bending of the sacrificial member  110 . The retaining fastener  142  is preferably positioned within the retainer  120  so as to inhibit movement of the sacrificial member  110 . However, upon removing the retaining fastener  142 , the sacrificial member  110  can be moved so as to expose the edge  216 . This permits the sacrificial member  110  to be removed in the manner shown in FIG. 4 in phantom thereby permitting the sacrificial member  110  to be removed from adjacent the first surface  170  of the glazing  106 . The sacrificial member  110  is preferably flexible such that it can also be bent from side to side. Each of the side edges of the sacrificial member  110  is also captured within the recesses defined by the retainers  120   a - 120   c . Hence, once the edge  216  is exposed, the center of the edge  216  can be pulled out thereby laterally bending the sacrificial member  110  which reduces the width of the sacrificial member and permits its removal from the edges of the side retainers as well. 
     A replacement sheet of sacrificial member  110 ′ can then be installed by positioning a first edge  214 ′ of the replacement sheet  110 ′ into the space occupied by the retaining fastener  142  and then positioning the second edge  216 ′ adjacent the retainer  120 . The replacement sheet  110 ′ is then moved downward and the fastener  142  is re-secured thereby securing the replacement sacrificial member  110 ′ adjacent the inner surface  170  of the glazing  106  in the previously described manner. 
     It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the assembly  100  allows for very quick and efficient removal and replacement of the sacrificial sheets. Only a single fastener need to be displaced and the sacrificial sheet can then be pulled out. Moreover, retainers can be mounted in the window frame without requiring the use of fasteners to secure the retainers to the window frame. Hence, damage to the window frame is also reduced. 
     Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated as well as the uses thereof may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.