Sacrificial shield for window assembly

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

[0001] 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 60 / 244,402, filed Oct. 30, 2000.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] 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.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] 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 vehicl...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

Moreover, the repeated removal and insertion of the screw fasteners can ultimately damage the underlying window frame.

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.

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