Protective film for vehicle window

The protective film for vehicle window is a protective window film that is adapted for use with a vehicle. The protective film for vehicle window is adapted for use with the windshield of the vehicle. The protective film for vehicle window is applied to the windshield. The protective film for vehicle window is adapted to protect the windshield from damage by deflecting debris that falls upon the windshield during travel. The protective film for vehicle window is texturized. The protective film for vehicle window comprises a protective sheeting and an adhesive. The adhesive attaches the protective sheeting to the windshield.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

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REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of layered products comprised of synthetic resins, more specifically, a first synthetic resin intended to be placed in a layer against a second layered substrate.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The protective film for vehicle window is a protective window film that is adapted for use with a vehicle. The protective film for vehicle window is adapted for use with the windshield of the vehicle. The protective film for vehicle window is applied to the windshield. The protective film for vehicle window is adapted to protect the windshield from damage by deflecting debris that falls upon the windshield during travel. The protective film for vehicle windows is texturized.

These together with additional objects, features and advantages of the protective film for vehicle window will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The protective film for vehicle window100(hereinafter invention) comprises a protective sheeting101and an adhesive102. The invention100is a protective window film that is adapted for use with a vehicle131. The invention100is adapted for use with the vehicle131window132. It shall be noted that the vehicle131window132may also be referred to as a windshield132, and that the invention100is adapted to be used on any window of the vehicle131, and not simply the windshield132.

The invention100is applied to the vehicle131windshield132. The invention100is adapted to protect the vehicle131windshield132from damage by deflecting road debris133that contacts the vehicle131windshield132during travel. The invention100is texturized. The adhesive102attaches the protective sheeting101to a vehicle131windshield132.

The protective sheeting101comprises a film111and a textured surface112. The film111is a plastic sheeting similar to the plastic sheeting used for window tinting of vehicles131. The film111is further defined with a first surface141and a second surface142. The film111is further formed with a textured surface112. The textured surface112is applied to the first surface141. In the first potential embodiment of the disclosure, the film111is formed from a polyimide. Methods to apply textured surfaces to window films are known and documented in the art and would be similar to the application of textured surfaces to window films commonly marketed for household uses under descriptions such as privacy films.

The textured surface112comprises a plurality of hemispherical projections113. Each hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is a hemispherical structure that is positioned on the first surface141such that the convex surface123of each selected hemisphere is viewed when the first surface141of the film111is directly viewed. Any hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is identical to the hemispheres remaining within the plurality of hemispherical projections113. Each hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is defined with a diameter121. Each hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is assigned to a first sub-plurality of hemispherical projections116. Each hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is further assigned to a second sub-plurality of hemispherical projections117. As shown most clearly inFIG. 3, each of the plurality of hemispherical projections113is arranged on the first surface141such that: 1) the spherical center124of each hemisphere lies on the first surface141; 2) the spherical center124of any hemisphere selected from the first sub-plurality of hemispherical projections116lies on a first line143such that the first sub-plurality of hemispherical projections116forms a “row”; and, 3) the spherical center124of any hemisphere selected from the second sub-plurality of hemispherical projections117lies on a second line144such that the second sub-plurality of hemispherical projections117forms a “column.” A first span spacing122between the spherical centers124of any two adjacent hemispheres selected from the first sub-plurality of hemispherical projections116are equal. A second span spacing122between the spherical centers124of any two adjacent hemispheres selected from the second sub-plurality of hemispherical projections117are equal. The first span spacing122and the second span spacing122are equal. The span spacing122equals twice the diameter121of any hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113. The diameter121of any hemisphere selected from the plurality of hemispherical projections113is less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

The purpose of the textured surface112is to enhance the protection of the vehicle131windshield132by the invention100by enhancing the deflecting capabilities of the protective sheeting101. Specifically, the plurality of hemispherical projections113provides a three dimensional textured surface112that through friction and the variation of surface angles across the textured surface112is better able, and more likely, to catch and deflect road debris133falling on the vehicle131windshield132. The consistent and close span spacing122of each of the plurality of hemispherical projections113serves to minimize the visual distortion commonly observed when viewing through textured surfaces.

The protective sheeting101is attached to the exterior of the vehicle131windshield132using an adhesive102. The application of the protective sheeting101using an adhesive102is similar to methods used in the application of window tinting films to vehicle131windows. Application methods and suitable adhesives for applying window films to vehicle131windows are well known and documented in the window tinting arts. In a first potential embodiment of the disclosure, a commercially available silicone based clear pressure sensitive adhesive102was used to attach the protective sheeting101to the vehicle131windshield132. The use of a clear silicone pressure sensitive adhesive102is preferred when applying protective sheeting101to vehicle131windshields132or other windows formed with a curvature. In a second potential embodiment of the disclosure, the UV curable silicone based clear pressure sensitive adhesive102such that the curing of the adhesive102can be accelerated with ultraviolet lighting.

In a third potential embodiment of the disclosure, the protective sheeting101of the first potential embodiment of the disclosure further comprises a reinforced backing151. The reinforced backing151is a transparent structure applied to the second surface142of the film111. The purpose of the reinforced backing151is to strengthen the film111in order to minimize damage to the invention100from road debris133. In the third potential embodiment of the disclosure, the reinforced backing151is formed from a plurality of graphene sheets152. Each individual graphene sheet154selected from the plurality of graphene sheets152are layered against the individual graphene sheets154remaining in the plurality of graphene sheets152in order to form a transparent substrate153that is applied to the second surface142of the film111. The transparency of each individual graphene sheet154is derived from the cyclic structure of an individual graphene sheet154as shown onFIG. 6. It is expected that 98% of visible light will pass through an individual graphene sheet154giving the individual graphene sheet154a transparent appearance. It is further expected that a transparent substrate comprising 10 individual graphene sheets154will continue to appear clear and transparent to the causal viewer.

Each individual graphene sheet154can be applied to the second surface142of the film111using lithographic or printing techniques. Specifically, the lithographic or printing techniques commonly used in install graphene sheets to capacitive touchscreens can be readily applied to lithographic or printing equipment commonly available for printing on films. The transparent substrate153formed from the plurality of graphene sheets152will be applied directly to the film111using this technique to form the reinforced backing151.

A fourth potential embodiment of the disclosure, the first potential embodiment of the disclosure is further modified by applying a tinted pigment to the film111thus allowing the invention100to further provide the benefit of tinted windows to the vehicle131.

A fifth potential embodiment further enhances the third potential embodiment of the disclosure by further increasing the number of individual graphene sheets154in the plurality of graphene sheets152that form the transparent substrate153. In this instance scenario, the number of individual graphene sheets154is increased such that the protective sheeting101remains transparent but has a tinted appearance. It is expected that a transparent substrate153comprising 45 individual graphene sheets154will remain transparent and while providing a level of tinting that is legally acceptable in most jurisdictions.

To use the invention100, the invention100is applied as a normal window tint film. Once the invention100is applied to a vehicle131windshield132no additional intervention is required.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

Adhesive: As used in this disclosure, an adhesive is a chemical substance that can be used to adhere two or more objects to each other. Types of adhesives include, but are not limited to, epoxies, polyurethanes, polyimides, or cyanoacrylates, silicone, or latex based adhesives.

Automobile: As used in this disclosure, an automobile is a road vehicle that that specializes in carrying passengers and light cargo loads. This definition is specifically intended to include vehicles generally referred to as pickup trucks, vans, and minivans.

Convex: As used in this disclosure, convex is used to describe: 1) a surface that resembles the outer surface of a sphere; or, 2) a surface with a curvature structure wherein a chord that connects any two points of the surface will pass through the described surface.

Diameter: As used in this disclosure, a diameter of an object is a straight line segment that passes through the center of an object. The line segment of the diameter is terminated at the perimeter or boundary of the object through which the line segment of the diameter runs.

Sheeting: As used in this disclosure, sheeting is a material, such as cloth or plastic, in the form of a thin flexible layer or layers.

Texture: As used in this disclosure, a texture refers to a tactile or three dimensional characteristic of a surface. In daily use, texture will on occasion refer to a visual characteristic of the surface.

Ultraviolet Light: As used in this disclosure, ultraviolet light is understood to be electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength lesser than visible light. In general usage, ultraviolet light is taken to mean electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength less than 400 nm.

UV: As used in this disclosure, UV is an abbreviation for ultraviolet.

Vehicle: As used in this disclosure, a vehicle is a motorized device that is used transporting carrying passengers, goods, or equipment. The term motorized refers to a vehicle that can move under power provided by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine.

Window: As used in this disclosure, a window is an opening in the body of a vehicle that is fitted with glass or other transparent material in a frame to admit light or air and that allows people to see out. Windshields and windscreens are explicitly considered to be windows in this definition.

Window Film: As used in this disclosure, window film is a thin film or laminate that is used as a coating to retrofit or upgrade the glass surfaces, or windows and windshields, of automobiles, boats, or other vehicles.

Windshield: As used in this disclosure, a windshield refers to the front window of a vehicle that is intended to shield the occupants of the vehicle from the wind generated by the normal forward motion of the vehicle.