Patent Description:
Various apparatus enabling a single technician to handle a windshield, for example for positioning in the windscreen aperture or open frame of a vehicle is known and disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. Such apparatus is particularly suited for use in situations of mobile use, where for example a single technician typically visits a vehicle that has a windscreen that needs replacement. In such situations an apparatus that is convenient to transport and assemble and also easily used by a lone technician has a significant benefit. However, the apparatus of the present invention is also suitable for use in a workshop or depot.

In both arrangements disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> side window glass anchor is used to mount a pivot structure to a side window glass of the vehicle. A windscreen securing structure has an arm which is arranged to engage at one end with the pivot pin of the pivot structure on the side window glass anchor, and also to carry an anchor for securing to the windshield. The windscreen can be manipulated for positioning by the technician supported at one side by the technician and at the other by the arm mounted on the pivot pin of the side glass anchor. The anchors are typically pump actuated sucker devices as known in the art. In the arrangement of <CIT> and <CIT>, the arm of the windscreen securing structure is telescopic to enable extension. In the arrangement of <CIT> the windscreen anchors are slidable along a rod comprising the arm.

Other prior art arrangements are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>.

The prior art arrangements suffer drawbacks in terms of complexity of construction, weight and also potential for damage during their use life. An improved arrangement has now been devised.

The entire support arm is designed to move bodily, in its entirety, with respect to the mount structure and in the longitudinal direction of the support arm.

According to the invention the engagement between the mount structure and the support arm is a sliding engagement, and preferably such that the support arm slides longitudinally past or through the mount structure.

Preferably, the engagement between the mount structure and the support arm is such that the arm may be lowered into an engagement position with the mount structure, and also preferably raised or lifted out of an engagement position with the mount structure. The mount structure preferably has an upper opening through which the support arm may enter into the structure to be seated for sliding engagement.

The arrangement is beneficially such that the mount structure acts as a guide for guiding the sliding movement of the support arm.

In a preferred embodiment, the mount structure may comprise a yoke or saddle structure having opposed upstanding sides or side elements for guiding and retaining the opposed sides of the support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the mount structure permits the elongate arm of the windscreen anchor assembly to be rotated or pivoted about the location of connection to the mount structure. Beneficially, the mount structure is rotatably mounted in order to achieve this result.

It is preferred that the elongate support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly is of circular cross section in the region of interaction with the mount structure. This enables the support arm to be easily rotated about its longitudinal axis when engaged with the mount structure, in addition to being slidable in the direction of its length.

In a preferred embodiment, the elongate support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly is an elongate rod. The support arm preferably engages with the mount structure at a point along the length of the support arm spaced from the opposed ends of the arm.

According to the invention the elongate support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly is provided with a stop inhibiting an end of the arm from sliding past the mount structure. The stop engages with the mount structure at one extreme limit of sliding movement. In one embodiment the stop may be a spherical stop device.

According to the invention the windscreen anchor device is mounted in a fixed position on the elongate support arm. In a certain embodiment, the elongate support arm of the windscreen anchor assembly may be in two or more part form arranged to engage end to end.

In a preferred arrangement, the mount assembly includes a vehicle anchor device enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicle. In a preferred arrangement, the mount assembly may include a side glass anchor device enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicle side glass.

Typically, the side glass anchor device may comprise a suction device, as may the windscreen anchor device. Pump actuation suction devices may be used, as known in the art.

In one embodiment, the mount assembly may include an arm portion connected at one end to carry the mount structure and at a second end to a rotatable mount comprising the mount assembly.

The mount assembly may include a vehicle anchor device for securing to the vehicle and an elongate arm extending from the anchor device, wherein the elongate arm is rotatably mounted with respect to the anchor device enabling the arm to be moved between alternative mounting configurations.

It is preferred that means is provided for securing the arm in the alternative mounting configurations. A brake handle, securing bolts or other mechanical means may be used for this purpose.

Beneficially, in the alternative mounting configurations the arm extends in opposed directions from the anchor device.

It is preferred that the arm is pivotable or rotatable about a substantially upright rotational axis.

In a preferred realisation of the invention, the vehicle anchor device comprises a side glass anchor device enabling securing of the mount assembly to the vehicle side glass. Beneficially, the vehicle anchor device comprises a suction device.

It is preferred arrangement the mount structure is supported with respect to the anchor device on a rotatable or pivotable mounting to enable the mount structure to be moved between a dropped down and a raised-up position.

The mount assembly may comprise a vehicle anchor device for securing to the vehicle and a mount structure for engaging with a support arm of windscreen anchor assembly, wherein the mount structure is supported with respect to the anchor device on a rotatable or pivotable raising and lowering mounting to enable the mount structure to be moved between a dropped down and a raised up position.

It is preferred that the axis of rotation of the raising and lowering mounting is substantially horizontal.

Preferably, an elongate arm extends from the anchor device and the axis of rotation of the mounting is substantially aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arm.

Beneficially, an elongate arm extends away from the raising and lowering mounting to the mount structure which is spaced from the raising and lowering mounting.

It is preferred that the raising and lowering mounting is rotatable in an index-wise between a series of successively rotationally spaced positions.

The arrangement preferably includes securing means for securing the raising and lowering mounting in the desired position.

In a preferred embodiment, the raising and lowering mounting may be provided in series with a side to side rotational mounting enabling the mount structure to be moved from side to side.

The elongate support arm may be dismantle-able into more than one piece for stowage, the anchor device and a dismantled arm part being provided with means for attaching to one another for stowage.

It is preferred that, in the stowed configuration, the dismantled arm part attached to the windscreen anchor device and a remaining fixed arm part, are of approximately the same length.

It is preferred that, in the stowed configuration the dismantled arm part attached to the windscreen anchor device and a remaining fixed arm part, are arranged in substantially side by side relationship.

Beneficially, the two arm parts are provided with complementary end connections to enable connection together, and the end connection of the dismantle-able arm part is used to connect with a complementary connection provided on the anchor device.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is shown windscreen installation apparatus <NUM> in the form of windscreen anchor assembly <NUM> cooperating with a side window mount assembly <NUM> which in the embodiment shown is arranged to be mounted to a side window of a vehicle as in the prior art arrangement disclosed in <CIT>.

The side window mount assembly <NUM> is generally similar to the arrangement disclosed in <CIT> (Particularly <FIG> of that document) and comprises a swing arm <NUM> rotatably mounted to a connecting arm <NUM> by means of a pivot hub <NUM>.

The connecting arm <NUM> has a bracket <NUM> which connects to a pump actuated sucker device <NUM> which, when pump actuated, grips onto the side window of the vehicle to mount the mount assembly <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> is capable of being released from a locking position to pivot downwardly, when required, to finally position the windscreen in the window aperture of the vehicle. This facility is described in the prior art disclosure of <CIT>.

The mount assembly <NUM> differs substantially from the arrangement shown in <CIT> in that in place of a pivot rod (or pin as disclosed in <CIT>) an improved mount structure <NUM> is provided having a U-shaped mount structure (that could be as described as a yoke, rollock or saddle structure) having opposed upstanding sides 11a, 11b and an open upper portion 11c. The mount structure <NUM> is rotatably mounted to the spar <NUM> extending upwardly from the swing arm <NUM> such that the mounting structure <NUM> can rotate about an upright or vertical axis defined by spar <NUM>.

The windscreen anchor assembly <NUM> comprises a pump action vacuum sucker device <NUM> similar to the device <NUM> which is mounted by a bracket <NUM> to an elongate rigid support arm rod <NUM>. The end of the support arm rod <NUM> distal from the suction device <NUM> is provided with a spherical stop member <NUM>. The rod is of two-part construction arranged to be connected at a fixing joint <NUM> partway along the length.

As can be seen from the drawings, the support arm rod <NUM> can be lowered into the mount structure <NUM> via the open upper portion 11c to be received between the upstanding walls 11a, 11b. In this position the support arm rod <NUM> engages with the mounting structure <NUM> between the opposed ends of the rod <NUM> such that the rod <NUM> can slide lengthwise in contact with the base of the U-shaped mount structure <NUM> whilst remaining supported in the mount structure <NUM>. The support arm rod <NUM> moves bodily, in its entirety, in the longitudinal direction of the rod (arrow A of <FIG>) through and past the mount structure <NUM>. The mount structure <NUM> can also rotate on its rotatable mounting <NUM> with respect to the spar <NUM> (arrow B in <FIG>) and in addition because the rod <NUM> is of generally circular cross section the rod can also rotate about its own axis seated on the mounting structure <NUM> (arrow C in <FIG>). In <FIG> the apparatus is shown with the elongate support arm rod <NUM> extended to its limit position in one direction in which the spherical stop member <NUM> is approaching contact with the side of the mount structure <NUM>. The spherical stop member <NUM> therefore prevents the elongate support arm <NUM> from being slidingly moved out of engagement with the mount structure <NUM>.

The mount structure could include a pulley wheel or roller mounted for rotation and upon which the support arm rests for sliding movement. In most situations however sliding directly on the mounting structure is sufficient.

In use the side window mount assembly <NUM> is mounted to the side window of the vehicle, and the windscreen anchor assembly <NUM> is mounted to the windscreen in a similar manner to the arrangement disclosed in the prior art <CIT>, <CIT> and also <CIT>.

It is then necessary for a technician undertaking the operation to lower the support arm rod <NUM> into position in which the support arm rod <NUM> is received somewhere along its length intermediate the upstanding walls 11a, 11b of the mount structure <NUM>.

The arrangements disclosed in the prior art documents <CIT>, <CIT> and also <CIT> require the technician to position the aperture of the windscreen anchor assembly over the mounting pin on the side window mount. This is difficult to do at a distance when holding the full combined weight of the windscreen and support apparatus. The present invention provides an improvement over the prior art in that targeting of the engagement between the support arm <NUM>, and the mount structure <NUM> is significantly more straightforward and requires less fine targeting than positioning of the engagement pin and aperture in the prior art.

When positioned, such that the support rod <NUM> is received in the mount structure <NUM>, manipulation for positioning of the windscreen by the technician is also readily achieved because of the multi-directional movement facilitated by moving bodily the support rod, by sliding relative to the mount structure <NUM>; rotation of the support rod <NUM> about its own axis; and also the facility for the mount structure <NUM> to rotate along the vertical axis defined by the upright spar <NUM>. Additionally, the support arm rod <NUM> can pivot in the vertical plane about the mount structure <NUM>.

In view of the fact that there are no engineered bearings constraining movement of the support arm rod <NUM> (compared to the engineered support blocks <NUM> of <CIT>) or the telescopic arrangement disclosed in <CIT>, the device of the present invention can be lighter in weight and also more robust than the prior art devices. For example, if the support arm rod <NUM> of the windscreen anchor assembly of the present invention were to be damaged by becoming dented, bent to a slight degree, then operation of the device would not be significantly impaired. The apparatus would still work satisfactorily, the support arm rod <NUM> sliding in a satisfactory manner in the mount structure <NUM> enabling perfectly satisfactory use to be achieved.

Compare this to the potential for damage to the telescoping rod of <CIT> or <CIT> which could easily result in the inability to continue to use the telescoping device. Similarly, potential damage to the rod upon which the bearings carrying the sucker devices of <CIT> may also result in an arrangement that could easily become inoperable.

As shown most clearly in <FIG>, the support arm <NUM> may be provided with a friction or resistance portion <NUM> which is arranged to slide less easily past the mount structure <NUM>.

When the friction portion <NUM> contacts the mount structure <NUM> the increased friction means that the swing arm <NUM> will more readily pivot about pivot arm <NUM>. The friction portion <NUM> can be used in this way and when the user desires the high friction portion <NUM> should pass through the mount <NUM>, an additional push or nudge can be given to the rod <NUM> to move the friction portion past the mount <NUM>.

The high friction portion can be a relatively higher friction material or component secured at the desired position along the length of the rod, or alternatively could, for example, be a knurled portion of the rod. Additionally, or alternatively, a change in rod section or step could provide such a facility, for example, being a waisted section, or a step section in the diameter of the rod. The higher friction or step section is typically provided relatively close to the stop member <NUM> end of the rod <NUM>.

The support arm rod <NUM> of the present apparatus can be dismantled by the connection joint <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG> a connector portion <NUM> of the first part of the rod 16a is received within a female connector <NUM> of a second rod part 16b. The connector portion <NUM> includes an insert <NUM> into the interior of rod portion 16a, the insert <NUM> having a collar <NUM> receiving an insert <NUM> which has an external screw thread.

The connector <NUM> has a female insert <NUM> which receives a further insert <NUM> having an internal threaded bore <NUM> for mating with the threaded insert <NUM>. A bearing portion <NUM> is provided for close fitting engagement with the collar <NUM>. This provides for rigid connection by screw thread and also that any bending motion is taken up in contact between the collar <NUM> and the bearing surface <NUM>.

<FIG> show an alternative arrangement for two parts 416a and 416b of the windscreen anchor rod <NUM>. In this embodiment, the part 416b which is provided with end stop member <NUM> is also provided with a male connector <NUM> having an engagement pin <NUM> extending outwardly from an engagement collar <NUM>. The engagement pin is a component having a pair of spring mounted detents <NUM> which are capable of being biased from a 'normal' externally projecting position as shown in <FIG> to a position in which the detents are retracted to lie flush with the outer surface of the anchor rod 416b. A retraction mechanism comprises a retraction rod <NUM> which extends along the entire length of the anchor rod 416b and through a bar <NUM> in the end stop member <NUM> to an actuator end <NUM> which projects into a recess494 in the end stop member <NUM>. Pressing the actuator rod end <NUM> causes the retraction rod <NUM> to move and actuate a mechanism internally of the pin <NUM> to retract the detents <NUM>.

The female connector end <NUM> of the rod part 416a is provided with a collar insert <NUM> arranged to provide an abutment surface against engagement collar <NUM> or rod part 16b. the surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are tapered to improve the engagement fit between the two parts. The collar insert <NUM> has a constriction <NUM> arranged to permit the engagement pin <NUM> to extend therethrough, but only if the detents <NUM> are retracted. When the pin <NUM> is inserted past the constriction <NUM> and the detents are allowed to spring back outwardly, the pin is secured and the two parts 416a and 416b are connected.

The arrangement enables the user to connect and disconnect the two rod parts 416a, 416b by pressing the actuator end <NUM> at the stop member <NUM> end of the rod in a quick and convenient manner.

In <FIG> an alternative embodiment of side window anchor assembly <NUM> is shown which can be used to replace the side window anchor assembly <NUM> of the preceding figures. In this embodiment modifications have been made to provide further advantageous technical enhancements to the device. In particular, in the embodiments shown the connecting arm <NUM> is mounted to the pump actuated sucker device <NUM> via a mounting boss <NUM> which is rotatably mounted to the bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may be provided with a mounting spigot (not shown) upon which the central bore <NUM> of the sucker boss <NUM> is received. The connecting arm <NUM> can pivot between two extreme positions (for example <NUM> degrees apart) to extend either in the direction shown in <FIG> away from the sucker device <NUM>, or in the opposite direction. This enables the side window anchor assembly <NUM> to be set up so as to be mounted either to the passenger side window or the driver side window depending upon the user's preference.

When the arm <NUM> is pivoted to the required orientation during set up (or prior to set up) the arm <NUM> can be secured in the required position. This may be achieved by use of a clamping cap <NUM> to be secured with bolts mounted on top of the sucker boss <NUM>. Alternatively the mounting spigot (not shown) on which the bore <NUM> sits may have an upper threaded portion which can thread into a portion in the cap enabling the cap to rotationally clamp down on the boss <NUM> to secure it in the required position. Clearly, various means for securing the sucker boss <NUM> in position can be envisaged. The important fact is that the arm <NUM> can be pivoted to extend in either of two opposed directions away from the sucker device <NUM>.

In the arrangement of the preceding figures, the spar <NUM> is provided with a pivot hub <NUM> which permits the swing arm <NUM> to pivot side to side about a vertical axis. Similarly, in the arrangement of <FIG> a pivot hub <NUM> is provided which is rotatable about the vertical axis X enabling the swing arm <NUM> to correspondingly pivot via its connection to the pivot hub 107in a side to side fashion. However, in the arrangement of <FIG> additionally spar <NUM> comprises a raising and lowering index hub <NUM> which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the connecting arm <NUM>. This provides for raising and lowering of the mount <NUM>. In order to achieve this, a plate <NUM> is secured to the connecting arm <NUM> and a brake disc <NUM> and index wheel <NUM> is mounted on the arm <NUM>. The index wheel <NUM> has a series of peripheral index recesses or apertures to receive the end of an index pin <NUM>. The index wheel rotates within a cylindrical housing <NUM> formed on the index hub <NUM>. The index wheel <NUM> and the disc <NUM> are clamped tightly between the housing <NUM> and the plate <NUM>. The housing <NUM> also holds the index pin <NUM>. The index pin <NUM> is spring loaded and can be pulled out of engagement with the index recesses on the index wheel <NUM> to permit the index hub to be rotated about the axis of the connecting arm <NUM>. When the desired position is reached the index pin can be released and returns into engagement with the index wheel securing the index hub in the required position, rotationally oriented with respect to the axis of the connecting arm <NUM>. A cam and handle arrangement <NUM> includes a cam <NUM> which is received in a slot <NUM> in the index wheel <NUM> for fine adjustment of the index wheel to ensure that the index pin can fully engage in the relevant selected index recess in the index wheel <NUM>. This angular adjustment of the index hub <NUM> with respect to the orientation of the axis of the connecting arm <NUM> is useful in setting up the device in the appropriate position in the field on the side window of the vehicle.

Furthermore, this feature can be used in order to ease lowering of the edge of the windscreen into position. In this case, with the user holding the rod <NUM> close to the end stop <NUM>, the index pin <NUM> can be released and the mounting structure <NUM> can be rotated downwardly (direction of arrow Y) so as to no longer provide a hindrance to the edge of the glass being lowered into the vehicle windscreen aperture. The prior art achieves this effect in a significantly different way in that the present arrangement provides an advantageous means of achieving this which is effectively designed into the side window anchor assembly. The arrangement of the present invention effectively provides a rotatable or pivotable mounting to enable the mounting structure <NUM> to be moved between a dropped down and a raised up position.

The pivot hub <NUM> is provided with a receiving aperture <NUM> for receiving a securing pin <NUM> providing that the arm <NUM> can be fixed to prevent rotation about the vertical axis X should this be required, or preferred, for particular circumstances of operation.

In <FIG>, a further alternative embodiment of side window anchor assembly <NUM> is shown which can be used in place of the side window anchor assemblies of the previously described embodiments. The side window anchor assembly <NUM> is generally more similar to the arrangement <NUM> of <FIG> in that it can be adapted for use on passenger or driver side glass (by reversing the direction of connecting arm <NUM>) and a raising and lowering index hub <NUM> is provided to enable the swing arm pivot hub <NUM> to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the connecting arm <NUM> (in the direction of arrow X in <FIG>).

In this embodiment, the raising and lowering index hub <NUM> is provided at the sucker device <NUM> side of the connecting arm <NUM>, being mounted to the sucker bracket <NUM>. The connecting arm <NUM> is mounted to have an end rotationally mounted in an end bearing <NUM> secured to a mounting platform <NUM> by a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> has an internal surface provided with an arcuate geared rail <NUM>, a locking gear <NUM> and locking cam <NUM> assembly mounted to the end of the connection arm <NUM>. The locking gear <NUM> is fixed to rotate with the end of the connecting arm <NUM>, the locking cam <NUM> is rotatable and connected to an actuation handle <NUM>. The locking cam <NUM> is provided with a cam recess <NUM> radially positioned adjacent the cam handle <NUM>. When the cam handle <NUM> is turned to the horizontal positions (as shown in <FIG>) the cam recess <NUM> is not adjacent the locking gear <NUM> and the locking gear <NUM> is forced upwardly into engagement with the gear rail <NUM> by the cam portion of the locking cam <NUM>. The gear teeth of the rail <NUM> and locking gear <NUM> are in meshed engagement in this position, and the arm <NUM> is held against rotation. The locking gear <NUM> is constrained to move linearly only. When the cam handle <NUM> is turned to the vertical position (as shown in <FIG>) the cam recess <NUM> is adjacent the locking gear <NUM> and the locking gear drops down into the cam recess <NUM> (a biasing spring - not shown - is provided for this purpose). With the locking gear <NUM> in the dropped down position, gear teeth of the rail <NUM> and locking gear <NUM> are out of meshed engagement, and the connecting arm <NUM> can rotate in its mounting bearing <NUM> (arrow X in <FIG>) enabling the swing arm pivot hub <NUM> to provide the drop down facility for the mount <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the locking gear <NUM> and locking cam both rotate with the connecting arm <NUM>. The locking gear <NUM> can engage with the fixed gear rail372 over a range of angular orientations. This enables the technician to adjust the position for set up on different vehicles. The rotatable bearing <NUM> may be provided with a damping arrangement to damp the motion of the connecting arm <NUM>. This prevents uncontrolled drop down and the risk of damage to the vehicle.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the side window anchor assembly can be reversed for use on the opposed side of the vehicle by unfastening the mounting platform <NUM> and reversing the mounting position through <NUM> degree and re-securing to the bracket <NUM>. Typically mounting screws or bolts are provided for this purpose.

As described earlier, the windscreen support rod <NUM> is provided in two-part form with a connection joint <NUM>. In the arrangement shown in <FIG> the windscreen anchor assembly <NUM> has the ability to dismantle to enable storage with the support rod <NUM> dismantled into its separate parts 216a and 216b. The fixed, distal end of the rod 216a extends outwardly from the sucker device <NUM> via a plastic moulding shroud <NUM>. The female connector <NUM> at the end of the rod part 216b is arrangement to cooperatively releasably engage with a receiving socket <NUM> mounted to the suction device mounting bracket <NUM>. The receiving socket <NUM> is provided with a male threaded shaft <NUM> to screw threadingly mate with the female connector <NUM> of the second rod part 216b. The end of the rod 216b can first be past via a supporting collar <NUM> also provided on the mounting bracket <NUM>. In the position shown, the extension rod part 216b is securely mounted to the sucker device <NUM> extending in side by side relationship to the fixed rod part 216a. For operational purposes the fixed rod part 216a extends outwardly at an inclined angle (of approximately <NUM> degrees). In the arrangement shown in <FIG> the extension rod part 216b is not inclined at that angle, but rather extends horizontally.

The arrangement provides a convenient means for storing the extension rod part 216b in a configuration in which the overall size of the unit is minimised for storage or stowage. The arrangement effectively provides a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor suction device <NUM> and an elongate support arm extending away from the windscreen anchor device, the elongate arm being dismantle-able into pieces 216a 216b for stowage, the anchor device <NUM> and a dismantled arm part 216b being provided with means <NUM><NUM> for attaching to one another for stowage.

In certain circumstances it is envisaged that means other than a threaded connection between the extension rod part 216b and the fixed rod part 216a may be provided, such as a bayonet fitting or other quick release fitting. In such circumstances the means for receiving the end of the extension rod part 216b on the suction device mounting bracket will correspondingly need to be adapted to provide the required secure connection with the end of the extension rod part 216b. Referring to <FIG> to 11c it has been shown as generally similar to the arrangements shown in <FIG> to 10c. However, in the arrangement shown the extension rod bracket <NUM> is configured and orientated to receive the extension rod part 216b at the inclined angle corresponding to the angle of inclination of the fixed rod part 216a.

The apparatus has proved convenient to use and robust and also significantly lighter and less expensive to manufacture than the prior art arrangements known.

Claim 1:
Apparatus for use in handling windscreens for installation in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a windscreen anchor assembly (<NUM>) comprising a windscreen anchor device (<NUM>) and an elongate support arm (<NUM>) extending away from the windscreen anchor device, the elongate support arm (<NUM>) including proximate one end a stop member (<NUM>) greater than the width of the arm, the elongate support arm (<NUM>) having cylindrical outer surface and a longitudinal axis and being a rigid fixed length arm; characterized by the anchor device (<NUM>) being fixed to the support arm at the opposite end to the stop member (<NUM>) at a fixed distance from the stop member along the longitudinal axis of the elongate support arm; wherein the stop member is positioned on the axis of the elongate support arm; and
a mount assembly (<NUM>) for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly (<NUM>), wherein the mount assembly includes a mount structure (<NUM>) for engaging with the support arm (<NUM>) such that the support arm can slide in its longitudinal direction relative to the mount structure (<NUM>) between the anchor device (<NUM>) at one end of the elongate support arm (<NUM>) and the stop member (<NUM>) at the other end of the elongate support arm (<NUM>), the stop member (<NUM>) inhibits an end of the support arm (<NUM>) from sliding past the mount structure (<NUM>).