US20060027337A1

US20060027337A1 - Protective net for vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20060027337A1
Application number: US11/144,405
Authority: US
Inventors: Moon Chul Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-06-05
Filing date: 2005-06-03
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: KR100469121B1; CN1707061A

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a protective net for vehicles, which includes a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame. When a driver or a passenger determines that the protective net is needed, the protective net constructed so that the net part made of steel or stainless steel is surrounded with the frame is used in place of a window inserted into a window frame of a vehicle. It is possible to change the protective net such that it has various sizes, according to the structure and shape of windows used in various vehicles. The protective net is manufactured to have a size proper to be inserted into a rubber packing of a window frame, when the window is maximally moved rearwards. After a lock of the window is unlocked to be moved downwards or slide backwards, the protective net is inserted into the rubber packing and is locked by a net locking unit, thus being utilized in place of the window. The protective net reduces the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicles in the summer season, has a ventilation effect, prevents noxious insects from entering the vehicles, has an antitheft function, blocks ultraviolet rays, and provides a comfortable compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protective net for vehicles, which includes a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, windows of various sizes and shapes are installed in vehicles, such as trains or cars, to maintain the safety of passengers, circulate fresh air in the vehicles, and allow the passengers to look out. In order to afford passengers' safety and convenience, various devices and components have been developed and used.
For example, a sun visor, which is installed in a car to shield against ultraviolet rays and glare, has been disclosed. The conventional sun visor is detachably attached to an inner surface of a window of the vehicle. This inventor also made attempts to develop a protective net which saves fuel used in various transportation means, such as trains or cars, having various window frames, has a ventilation effect, prevents noxious insects from entering the transportation means, has an antitheft function, blocks ultraviolet rays, and provides a comfortable compartment, in addition to overcoming the drawbacks of the conventional sun visor.
Usually, when driving a vehicle in a hot summer season, a driver opens a window of the vehicle to temper the summer heat. In this case, his or her face may be exposed to a strong wind, and his or her hair may be blown, depending on the driving speed of the vehicle. The driver drives the vehicle in a good mood while enjoying the vehicle's speed for a while. However, the strong wind may irritate his or her face and disarrange his or her hair. Further, when a child or a dog is riding in the vehicle, the child or the dog may fall through the open window of the vehicle. Furthermore, an object may be thrown through the open window of the vehicle, and gravel thrown up by another vehicle may fly through the open window. This may cause a serious accident. Consequently, people may frequently encounter traffic hazards due to the above-mentioned reasons.
Therefore, in order to avoid such dangers, a vehicle is driven while the vehicle's windows are closed even in the summer season, and an air conditioner is turned on. Driving while using the air conditioner increases fuel consumption 30% over driving without the air conditioner.
Further, it is undesirable to keep windows of a vehicle open even at night, because resorts and fishing areas are infested with moths or mosquitoes in the summer season. Thus, even when it is unnecessary for the vehicle to run, the vehicle must be started and the air conditioner must be turned on. This wastes fuel. Further, when a person falls asleep in a sealed space where the air conditioner is turned on, the person may lose his or her life.
Furthermore, when a driver who drives a large cargo truck a long distance in the summer season desires to take a rest, it is undesirable to open the windows of a vehicle, because moths and mosquitoes prevent the driver from taking a rest. Meanwhile, when a mosquito-repellant is burnt while the vehicle's door is opened, the driver must endure the acrid fumes from the burning mosquito-repellant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a protective net for vehicles, which prevents the problems caused by opening windows of various transportation means, such as a car, in the summer season or holiday season. When necessary, the protective net including a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame is installed in a window frame of a vehicle, in place of a window, thus reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle in the summer season, circulating air in the vehicle, preventing noxious insects from entering the vehicle, having an antitheft function, blocking ultraviolet rays, and providing a comfortable compartment.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a protective net for vehicles, which is installed in various transportation means, especially vehicles, and includes a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame surrounding the net part.
Generally, various doors and sliding glass doors are installed in various vehicles, such as trains. That is, four doors are installed in front and rear portions of a car, and at least two doors are installed in left and right sides of a cargo truck or a heavy machinery vehicle. In the case of a nine-passenger or twelve-passenger van, two or three doors are installed according to the size and purpose of the van, and sliding windows are installed on both sides of back seats. Further, a bus is usually provided with three doors and several sliding windows. A train has a great number of windows which are constructed to move up and down or to push outwards or pull inwards.
According to this invention, when it is necessary to substitute the protective net of this invention for a window in various vehicles, such as a car, the protective net, including a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame, is installed in a window frame of the vehicle, in place of the window, thus reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicles in the summer season, having a ventilation effect, preventing noxious insects from entering the vehicles, having an antitheft function, blocking ultraviolet rays, and providing a comfortable compartment.
Further, when a driver or a passenger determines that the protective net of this invention is needed, the protective net constructed so that the net part made of steel or stainless steel is surrounded with the frame is used in place of a window inserted into a window frame of a vehicle. It is possible to change the protective net such that it has various sizes, according to the structure and shape of windows used in various vehicles. The protective net is manufactured to have a size proper to be inserted into a window frame, when the window is maximally moved rearwards. After the protective net is inserted into a rubber packing that supports the window, the protective net is locked by a net locking unit, thus being utilized in place of the window.
In order to maintain passengers' safety and circulate air in a vehicle, the present invention provides a structure that substitutes for vehicle windows having various sizes and shapes. The structure is a protective net which comprises a net part made of steel or stainless steel and surrounded with a frame and is used in place of a window fitted into a window frame of the vehicle. The protective net is manufactured to have a size similar to windows for various vehicles. After a window of a vehicle is maximally moved rearwards, the protective net is inserted into the rubber packing and is locked by the net locking unit.
According to the present invention, the shape of the protective net having a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame surrounding the net part may be variously changed, according to the structure of windows or window frames of various vehicles, as long as the protective net is inserted into the rubber packing which is fitted into a window frame to support a window, when the window is maximally moved rearwards. For example, the protective net may be manufactured such that it is divided into two parts, and the two parts are coupled to or assembled with each other, according to the shape of a specified window.
According to the embodiment of this invention, a 16 to 24 mesh stainless net that is 0.29 to 0.7φ in line thickness is used as the net part. Additionally, a material which is resistant to external impact and maintains durability, for example, steel, various kinds of new materials, carbon fiber, or nano fiber may be used as a material of the net part.
Further, the protective net has an outer frame of a size which is proper to be inserted into a window frame of a vehicle. The outer frame is made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or synthetic resin, such as ABS resin. Further, a metallic material, such as stainless steel or aluminum, may be used for the outer frame according to a desired specification.
According to the embodiment of this invention, when manufacturing the net part having line thickness of 0.5φ, each line of the net does not have a circular cross-section but has a rectangular cross-section. Thus, when manufacturing the net part, it is possible to provide an inclination angle to the net part formed by interconnecting longitudinal and latitudinal lines with each other, thus regulating the amount of exterior air. Meanwhile, when a manufacturer desires to mass produce the protective net using a perforated plate made of steel or stainless steel and having a mesh line thickness from 0.29 to 0.7φ, inclination is provided to holes of the perforated plate, thus regulating the amount of wind when the vehicle is running.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective net for vehicles, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the protective net of FIG. 1, shown from the exterior of a vehicle;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the protective net of FIG. 1, shown from the interior of the vehicle;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the protective net of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling unit included in the protective net of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a view to show an example of use of the protective net, according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a view to show another example of use of the protective net, according to the present invention;
FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are perspective views of the protective net of FIG. 7, in which FIG. 8 a is a view from an exterior of a vehicle, and FIG. 8 b is a view from an interior of the vehicle; and
FIGS. 9 a and 9 b are views to illustrate SUS net parts of protective nets, according to further embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the drawings and that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective net, according to the present invention, in which the protective net including a net part made of stainless steel and a frame is mounted to a frame of each window that is installed on left and right sides of a driver's seat of a van.
As shown in FIG. 1, the protective net 1 includes an A portion and a B portion. In this case, a coated transparent acrylic plate 3 or glass is used for the A portion in place of a stainless net part 2 which is insufficiently transparent, so that a driver can see an outside mirror provided on the left side of the driver's seat. Meanwhile, the stainless net part 2 is used for the B portion. A plate support frame 5 for the A portion and a net support frame 4 for the B portion are separately manufactured, and are supported by a frame support unit 6. However, if the vehicle does not need an outside mirror, it is possible to use the stainless net part for the A portion.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the protective net, shown from the exterior of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the protective net, shown from the interior of the vehicle.
The drawings show the state where the protective net is used. In this case, the stainless net part 2 and the transparent acrylic plate 3 are supported by the net support frame 4 and the plate support frame 5, respectively. Further, the net support frame 4 and the plate support frame 5 are coupled to each other by the frame support unit 6.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the protective net, shown from the interior of the vehicle. The plate support frame 5 for the A portion is divided into three parts. Similarly, the net support frame 4 for the B portion is divided into three parts. In this case, reference numeral 4 a denotes a convex part which forms a main part of the frame. Reference numeral 4 b denotes a support part to surround and support the SUS net part. A portion 4 c of the net support frame 4 is inserted into a rubber packing which supports a window, in place of the window, after the window of the vehicle is removed from the vehicle or the window of the vehicle is moved rearwards. Similarly, reference numeral 5 a denotes a convex part which forms a main part of the frame. Reference numeral 5 b denotes a support part to surround and support the transparent acrylic plate 3. A portion 5 c of the plate support frame 5 is thin so that it is inserted into the rubber packing which supports the window, in place of the window, after the window of the vehicle is removed from the vehicle or the vehicle is moved rearwards.
Further, the net support frame 4 and the plate support frame 5 are supported by the frame support unit 6. The frame support unit 6 is fastened to a predetermined position via coupling parts 7 a and 7 b.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the protective net, according to the present invention. The frame support unit 6 of the protective net 1 couples the net support frame 4 to the plate support frame 5. The frame support unit 6 includes a flat part 6 a having a predetermined width, a narrow convex part 6 b, and a wide convex part 6 c. The flat part 6 a functions at both sides thereof to support the net support frame 4 and the plate support frame 5. The narrow convex part 6 b fills a gap between the net support frame 4 and the plate support frame 5, thus increasing a coupling force between the support frames 4 and 5. Further, the wide convex part 6 c, which supports the support frames 4 and 5, is fastened to a predetermined position via the coupling part 7 b of FIG. 3, thus firmly supporting the support frames 4 and 5.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling unit 7, which is constructed so that a latch 9 is locked to a frame fastening part for the plate support frame 5. When the net support frame 4 is coupled to the plate support frame 5, a bolt 12 c is locked to an upper locking step 8 a, and a first frame fastening part 10 for fastening the net support frame 4 is locked to a lower locking step 8 b. As such, the coupling unit 7 functions to support the first frame fastening part 10 for the net support frame 4 and the second frame fastening part 11 for the plate support frame 5. In this case, the bolts 12 a and 12 b function to fasten the second frame fastening part 11 for the plate support frame 5, while the bolt 12 c functions to fasten the first frame fastening part 10 for the net support frame 4 to a predetermined position.
FIG. 6 shows an example where the protective net of this invention is attached to the left of a driver's seat of a van, in place of a window.
FIG. 7 shows another example where a protective net having a different shape is adapted to a side of a compartment of the van of FIG. 6, in place of a sliding window. Referring to the drawing, a lock of a window of the compartment of a bus or a van is unlocked, and the window slides backwards. In such a state, the protective net of this invention is installed in a side of the compartment.
FIG. 8 a is a perspective view of the protective net used in FIG. 7, shown from the exterior of the vehicle. After the existing window slides backwards to the maximum, the protective net of this invention is fitted into a rubber packing of a window frame.
FIG. 8 b is a perspective view of the protective net of FIG. 7, shown from the interior of the vehicle. Referring to the drawing, a net locking unit 13 is provided at a predetermined position on the protective net so as to lock the protective net to the window frame.
FIG. 9 a shows another embodiment of this invention. According to this embodiment, longitudinal lines and latitudinal lines are alternately arranged to form an 18 mesh SUS having a line thickness of 0.5φ, thus providing a net part. When the net part is manufactured, each line of the net part does not have a circular cross-section but has a rectangular cross-section. Thereby, a predetermined inclination angle is provided to each hole of the net part comprising the longitudinal and latitudinal lines. Such a construction allows the amount of exterior air to be appropriately controlled.
FIG. 9 b shows a further embodiment of this invention. According to this embodiment, a perforated plate having a mesh line thickness of about 0.5φ is manufactured. In this case, each hole of the perforated plate is inclined in a predetermined direction, thus controlling the ingress of exterior air into a vehicle. Referring to FIG. 9 b, inclined holes 16 of the perforated plate are formed such that a great amount of air flows in a moving direction of the vehicle, and a great amount of fresh air is supplied to the interior of the vehicle.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
In a detailed description, in the summer season or in the holiday season, a driver or a vehicle owner installs a protective net in the window frame of a vehicle, in place of a window, thus maintaining the safety of passengers and ventilating the interior of the vehicle. To this end, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the protective net has various sizes and shapes. If the worth of this invention is proven, the protective net may be manufactured to be operated in the same manner as an existing window that is fitted into the window frame of the vehicle and is automatically driven up and down by manipulating a control of a driver's seat. In this case, the protective net may be manufactured using a thin SUS perforated plate having a mesh line thickness of 0.29 to 0.7φ without the necessity of having a separately manufactured net part and outer frame. When a driver determines that it is necessary to immediately adapt the protective net to an existing vehicle, it is possible to insert the protective net, having a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame, into the window frame of the vehicle, in place of the window.
Further, it is possible to change the specification of the protective net, according to the size of windows employed in various kinds of vehicles. The size of the protective net is determined such that the protective net is fitted into the window frame when the window of the vehicle is maximally moved rearwards. After the protective net is fitted into a rubber packing, the protective net is locked by a net locking unit. In such a state, the protective net is used in place of the window. The protective net and the installation method of the protective net are included in the scope of this invention.
The present invention achieves the following effects. That is, even when a strong wind blows according to the vehicle's speed, the wind is dispersed while passing through the stainless net part having a predetermined mesh. Thus, the driver can drive the vehicle in a good mood and be exposed to fresh air while irritation to the driver's face and the disarrangement of the driver's hair due to the strong wind are prevented. Further, when a child or dog rides in the vehicle, the protective net prevents the child or dog from falling from the vehicle, thus ensuring their safety. Furthermore, although an exterior object contacts the vehicle, the stainless SUS net part, which is stronger than a window, is firmly held in a window frame, thus enhancing the safety. Consequently, the protective net eliminates all dangers that may occur when the window of the vehicle is opened, and eliminates the necessity of using an air conditioner, thus saving fuel. Moreover, the protective net has an air ventilation effect, prevents noxious insects from entering the vehicle, has an antitheft function, blocks ultraviolet rays, and provides a comfortable compartment.

Claims

1. A method of installing a protective net in a vehicle, the protective net having various sizes and shapes and being utilized in place of a window to maintain a passenger's safety and circulate air in the vehicle, the method comprising:

manufacturing the protective net so that the protective net is divided into two parts, with a front part of the protective net made of a transparent material so as to be used to see a left or right outside mirror from a vehicle's front seat, and a rear part of the protective net including a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame surrounding the net part, the net part having a mesh line thickness from 0.29 to 0.7φ;

inserting the front and rear parts of the protective net into a rubber packing, after the window of the vehicle is maximally moved rearwards; and

coupling and supporting the front and rear parts using a frame support unit and a coupling unit.

2. A protective net for vehicles, the protective net having various sizes and shapes and utilized in place of a window to maintain a passenger's safety and circulate air in a vehicle, the protective net comprising:

front and rear parts, the front part made of a transparent material so as to be used to see a left or right outside mirror from a vehicle's front seat, and the rear part including a net part made of steel or stainless steel and a frame surrounding the net part, the net part having a mesh line thickness from 0.29 to 0.7φ; and

a frame support unit and a coupling unit functioning to support and couple the front and rear parts, after the window of the vehicle is maximally moved rearwards and the front and rear parts are inserted into a rubber packing.

3. The protective net as set forth in claim 2, wherein the frame support unit comprises:

a flat part to support at both sides thereof a net support frame and a plate support frame;

a narrow convex part to fill a gap between the net support frame and the plate support frame; and

a wide convex part to support the net support frame and the plate support frame, and fastened to a predetermined position on the protective net via the coupling unit, thus firmly holding the net support frame and the plate support frame.

4. The protective net as set forth in claim 2, wherein the coupling unit is constructed so that a latch is locked to a first frame fastening part for the plate support frame, and comprises:

an upper locking step to engage with a bolt; and

a lower locking step to engage with a second frame fastening part for the net support frame, when the net support frame and the plate support frame are coupled to each other.

5. The protective net as set forth in claim 2, wherein the protective net comprises a steel or stainless steel net, and each of longitudinal and latitudinal lines forming the net has a rectangular cross-section to have a predetermined inclination angle, thus controlling an amount of air flowing into the vehicle.