Process for retrofitting an existing bus window having rubber seals with metal members that define a retention space for a sacrificial member
A process of retrofitting an existing window that uses a gasket to secure a sacrificial member and a glazing. The sacrificial member forms a replaceable protective barrier between the glazing and occupants of a vehicle such as a bus. The gasket is traditionally used to secure the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window. Over time, after several removal and re-installations during replacement of the sacrificial member or the glazing, the gasket typically becomes unfit for subsequent use. The gasket is replaced with a rigid retainer member that fits into an existing recess that receives the gasket. The retainer member secures the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window so as to permit repeated changes of the sacrificial member without removal of the retainer member.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/290,136, filed on May 9, 2001, entitled “PROCESS FOR RETROFITTING AN EXISTING BUS WINDOW HAVING RUBBER SEALS WITH METAL MEMBERS THAT DEFINE A RETENTION SPACE FOR A SACRIFICIAL MEMBER” and also is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/057,617, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,044 filed Jan. 23, 2002 entitled Quick Release Sacrificial Shield for Window Assembly, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/395,692 filed Sep. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,574 entitled Quick Release Sacrificial Shield For Window Assembly which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/186,513, filed Nov. 4, 1998, entitled Quick Release Sacrificial Shield For Window Assembly now U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,723, issued Mar. 27, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to windows for mass transit vehicles and, in particular, concerns an apparatus and method for reconfiguring bus windows so as to replace rubber retention members with metal retention members that define a space to receive a sacrificial layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mass transit vehicles, for example buses and trains and the like, typically have a plurality of windows positioned adjacent the seats of the mass transit vehicles. One difficulty that mass transit vehicle operators experience is that passengers sitting inside the mass transit vehicle will often use sharp objects to scratch the glazing of the window thereby damaging the appearance of the window. Over time, mass transit vehicles, particularly those used in large urban areas, can have windows that are significantly obscured with scratched glazings that may contain offensive comments and slogans. Replacement of the glazing can be a particularly expensive proposition given the difficulty of removing the glazing from the window and the expense of purchasing a replacement sheet of glazing that is specifically sized to meet the contours of particular window opening of the mass transit vehicle.
To address this particular need, sacrificial layers are often positioned at the inner surface of the glazing wherein the sacrificial layer is interposed between the rider of the mass transit vehicle and the inner surface of the glazing. Typically, the sacrificial layer is a layer of inexpensive acrylic or plastic that can be more easily removed and replaced than the underlying glazing. Hence, users who would otherwise attempt to damage the glazing end up damaging the sacrificial layer that can then be easily replaced.
One common mechanism for retaining the sacrificial layer is to position a rubber gasket in the window frame so as to extend around the periphery of the opening of the window frame. This gasket can then define a space into which the edges of the sacrificial layer can be positioned so as to retain the sacrificial layer adjacent the glazing. Such a gasket also retains the glazing of the window within the frame. Thus, when the sacrificial layer and/or the glazing of the window is to be replaced, the rubber gasket needs to be removed from the frame. After the sacrificial layer and/or the glazing of the window is replaced, the gasket, frequently a new set, is repositioned in the window frame.
One difficulty with the use of such a rubber retainer is that replacement of the rubber can be a very time consuming and costly endeavor. In particular, the rubber retainer must be removed from the window frame, and over time such rubber retainer can no longer be used. Consequently, a new rubber retainer must then be installed into the window frame to replace the damaged rubber retainer. Installation of such a rubber retainer is often a very difficult and time consuming process which is even more exacerbated by the fact that most mass transit vehicles have multiple windows that require multiple retainers.
Hence, there is an ongoing need for window protectors and, in particular, sacrificial window protectors that can be more easily replaced at a reduced cost. To this end, there is a need for a reusable retainer for use in conjunction with the sacrificial layers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe aforementioned needs are satisfied by a method of retrofitting an existing window in a mass transit vehicle with a replacement sacrificial member retention assembly. The method comprises extracting a rubber gasket from a recess formed in the frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the sacrificial member adjacent a first side of a glazing of the window. The rubber gasket also no longer retains the glazing in the frame. The method further comprises sizing a rigid retainer such that the rigid retainer can be positioned in the recess. The method further comprises positioning a plurality of rigid retainers into the recess in the frame such that the rigid retainers are able to retain the sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing. The rigid retainers are also able to retain the glazing in the frame. The method further comprises positioning a sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing so as to be retained by the rigid retainers.
One implementation of the method further comprises, prior to positioning a plurality of rigid retainers, positioning a replacement glazing in the frame. The rigid retainer preferably comprises a first leg sized to fit into the recess in the frame, and a second leg that defines a space sized to receive the sacrificial member such that the sacrificial member is secured adjacent the first side of the glazing. The second leg retains the glazing in the frame by engaging the portion of the first side of the glazing. The space defined by the second leg is dimensioned such that the edges of the sacrificial member slide within the spaces of the rigid retainers positioned at opposite sides of the frame so as to facilitate removal and positioning of the sacrificial member. In one embodiment, the second leg is further adapted to permit a fastener to extend into the space so as to inhibit sliding of the sacrificial member.
The rigid retainer positioned in the recess in the frame remains in place when the sacrificial member is replaced. The rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as sacrificial member is replaced repeatedly, and in one embodiment the rigid retainer is formed from a metal. Such rigid retainer is used to retrofit a mass transit vehicle such as a bus.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of replacing a sacrificial member of a window in a mass transit vehicle. The method comprises removing a rubber gasket from a recess formed in a frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the sacrificial member adjacent a first side of a glazing of the window. The method further comprises removing the existing sacrificial member from the first side of the glazing. The method further comprises substituting the rubber gasket with at least one rigid retainer that is dimensioned to fit into the recess in the frame of the window and retain the sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing. The method further comprises installing a new sacrificial member such that the at least one rigid retainer retains the new sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing.
The rigid retainer preferably comprises a first leg sized to fit into the recess in the frame and a second leg that defines a spaced sized to receive the sacrificial member such that the sacrificial member is secured adjacent the first side of the glazing. The space defined by the second leg is dimensioned such that the edges of the sacrificial member slides within the spaces of the plurality of rigid retainers positioned at opposite sides of the frame.
Installing the new sacrificial member comprises sliding the upper edge of the sacrificial member into the space of the at least one rigid retainer positioned at the top of the frame so as to facilitate positioning of the lower edge of the sacrificial member into the space of the at least one rigid retainer positioned at the bottom of the frame. In one embodiment the second leg is further adapted to permit a fastener to extend into the space so as to inhibit sliding of the sacrificial member.
The rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as sacrificial member is subsequently replaced repeatedly, and in one embodiment the rigid retainer is formed from a metal. Such rigid retainer is used to replace the sacrificial member of the window in mass transit vehicles such as a bus.
Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of replacing a glazing of a window in a mass transit vehicle. The method comprises removing a rubber gasket from a recess formed in a frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the glazing in the frame. The method further comprises removing the glazing from the frame, and installing a new glazing in the frame. The method further comprises substituting the rubber gasket with at least one rigid retainer that is dimensioned to fit into the recess formed in the frame and retain the glazing in the frame.
In one implementation, the method further comprises, after substituting the rubber gasket, installing a sacrificial member adjacent the glazing such that the sacrificial member is also retained by the at least one rigid retainer. In one embodiment, the rigid retainer comprises a first leg sized to fit into the recess in the frame and a second leg adapted to retain the glazing in the frame. The rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as glazing is subsequently replaced repeatedly. In one embodiment, the rigid retainer is formed from a metal, and such rigid retainer is used in mass transit vehicles such as a bus.
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
The sacrificial member 106 is positioned in a layer adjacent a first side 108 of the glazing 104, and is secured in place by the gasket 110 that is pressed into a recess 114 defined by the frame 102. The gasket 110 is selected so as to permit it to securely hold the sacrificial member 106 in place. The gasket 110 may be secured in place either by frictional fit, or by an adhesive. The gasket 110 also retains the glazing 104 in the frame 102 adjacent the seal member 112.
In one embodiment, the first leg 122 has a rounded end 126 so as to facilitate easier insertion into the recess 114. The first leg 122 further comprises a plurality of serrations 130 that helps to secure the first leg 122 in the recess 114. In one embodiment, the retainer member 120 further defines various openings 134 that can receive additional seals and the like.
Preferably, the retrofitting of the window 100 is performed when the sacrificial member 106 is replaced. It will be appreciated, however, that the retrofitting of the window 100 can be performed at any time without departing from the spirit of the invention.
As shown in
It will be appreciated that the retrofitted window 100 permits subsequent changes of the sacrificial members 106 to be performed in an easier manner. Furthermore, the retrofitted window 100 permits replacing of the glazing itself when necessary (such as when the glazing is damaged) in an improved manner described above. In one embodiment, the retainer members 120, 140 are formed from a resilient material such as plastic or vinyl so as to permit repeated use, thus providing cost savings by not discarding the traditional gaskets described above.
Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment described and pointed out the fundamental features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus and method as illustrated, as well as the use thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A method of retrofitting an existing window assembly in a mass transit vehicle with a replacement sacrificial member retention assembly, the method comprising:
- extracting a rubber gasket from at least one recess formed in a frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the sacrificial member adjacent a first side of a glazing of the window assembly, wherein the rubber gasket also no longer retains the glazing in the frame;
- sizing at least one rigid retainer so as to allow the at least one rigid retainer to be positioned in the at least one recess to thereby be positioned adjacent at least two opposed edges of the glazing;
- positioning the at least one rigid retainer into the at least one recess in the frame such that the at least one rigid retainer is able to retain the sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing, wherein the at least one rigid retainer is also able to retain the glazing in the frame; and
- positioning the sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing so as to be retained by the at least one rigid retainer and wherein the at least one rigid retainer is sized such that when positioned in the at least one recess at opposed edges of the glazing, a space is defined adjacent a first edge of the sacrificial member and the at least one retainer wherein the space is sized so as to permit the first edge of the sacrificial member to be moved into the space a distance sufficient to expose an opposing edge of the sacrificial member from an opposing rigid retainer to thereby facilitate removal of the sacrificial member.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to positioning a plurality of rigid retainers, positioning a replacement glazing in the frame.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid retainer comprises a first leg sized to fit into the at least one recess in the frame and a second leg that defines the space sized to receive the sacrificial member such that the sacrificial member is secured adjacent the first side of the glazing.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second leg retains the glazing in the frame by engaging the portion of the first side of the glazing.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the space defined by the second leg is dimensioned such that the edges of the sacrificial member slide within the spaces of the rigid retainers positioned at opposite sides of the frame so as to facilitate removal and positioning of the sacrificial member.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second leg is further adapted to permit a fastener to extend into the space so as to inhibit sliding of the sacrificial member.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rigid retainer positioned in the recess in the frame remains in place when the sacrificial member is replaced.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as sacrificial member is replaced repeatedly.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a metal.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mass transit vehicle is a bus.
11. A method of replacing a sacrificial member of a window in a mass transit vehicle, the method comprising:
- removing a rubber gasket from a recess formed in a frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the sacrificial member adjacent a first side of a glazing of the window;
- removing the existing sacrificial member from the first side of the glazing;
- substituting the rubber gasket with at least one rigid retainer that is dimensioned to fit into the recess formed in the frame of the window and retain the sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing; and
- installing a new sacrificial member such that the at least one rigid retainer retains the new sacrificial member adjacent the first side of the glazing.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the rigid retainer comprises a first leg sized to fit into the recess in the frame and a second leg that defines a space sized to receive the sacrificial member such that the sacrificial member is secured adjacent the first side of the glazing.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the space defined by the second leg is dimensioned such that the edges of the sacrificial member slides within the spaces of the plurality of rigid retainers positioned at opposite sides of the frame.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein installing the new sacrificial member comprises sliding the upper edge of the sacrificial member into the space of the at least one rigid retainer positioned at the top of the frame so as to facilitate positioning of the lower edge of the sacrificial member into the space of the at least one rigid retainer positioned at the bottom of the frame.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second leg is further adapted to permit a fastener to extend into the space so as to inhibit sliding of the sacrificial member.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as sacrificial member is subsequently replaced repeatedly.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a metal.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the mass transit vehicle is a bus.
19. A method of replacing a glazing of a window in a mass transit vehicle, the method comprising:
- removing a rubber gasket from a recess formed in a frame of the window so that the rubber gasket no longer retains the glazing in the frame;
- removing the glazing from the frame;
- installing a new glazing in the frame; and
- substituting the rubber gasket with at least one rigid retainer that is dimensioned to fit into the recess formed in the frame and retain the glazing in the frame.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising, after substituting the rubber gasket, installing a sacrificial member adjacent the glazing such that the sacrificial member is also retained by the at least one rigid retainer.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the rigid retainer comprises a first leg sized to fit into the recess in the frame and a second leg adapted to retain the glazing in the frame.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a resilient material to permit repeated use as glazing is subsequently replaced repeatedly.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rigid retainer is formed from a metal.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the mass transit vehicle is a bus.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 9, 2002
Date of Patent: Oct 25, 2005
Patent Publication Number: 20020184840
Assignee: Transit Care, Inc. (Murrieta, CA)
Inventors: Jerry Farrar (Banning, CA), Dale Carson (Murrieta, CA)
Primary Examiner: Jeanette Chapman
Assistant Examiner: Yvonne M. Horton
Attorney: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
Application Number: 10/142,807