U.S. patent number RE34,907 [Application Number 07/799,317] was granted by the patent office on 1995-04-18 for air flow engagement panel element for the grill of a motor vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Lund Industries Incorporated. Invention is credited to Edward J. Gross.
United States Patent |
RE34,907 |
Gross |
April 18, 1995 |
Air flow engagement panel element for the grill of a motor
vehicle
Abstract
A winter front for the front grill of a motor vehicle comprises
a plurality of separate panel elements each formed from a thin
substantially rigid sheet of acrylic. Each panel can be separately
clipped onto the front grill by a spring clip adhesively attached
to the rear face of the panel element. In many arrangements the
grill has recesses at openings therethrough with structural members
across the recesses at a position recessed from the front face of
the grill. The elements are separately inserted into respective
ones of the recesses with the clips attaching to the structural
elements across the grill. A shallow cut out at one edge of the
acrylic sheet allows a key to be inserted behind the element to
pull the element out of the recess in the grill for removal. The
elements in combination cover effectively the whole of the openings
in the grill to prevent air flow through the grill. One or more of
the elements can be separately removed. The winter front provides
an effective barrier to air flow which is highly attractive and
enhances the appearance of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Gross; Edward J. (Winnipeg,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Lund Industries Incorporated
(Minneapolis, MN)
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Family
ID: |
26954381 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/799,317 |
Filed: |
November 27, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
270587 |
Nov 14, 1988 |
04883139 |
Nov 28, 1989 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
180/68.6; 165/98;
160/DIG.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60K
11/085 (20130101); Y02T 10/88 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60K
11/00 (20060101); B60K 11/08 (20060101); B60K
011/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;180/68.6,68.1,68.4
;296/91,77.1 ;160/DIG.1,DIG.2,370.2 ;165/98 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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165451 |
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Oct 1915 |
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CA |
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957711 |
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Nov 1974 |
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CA |
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0761331 |
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Sep 1980 |
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SU |
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Other References
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; David M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Battison; Adrian D. Ade; Stanley G.
Thrift; Murray E.
Claims
I claim:
1. A motor vehicle having a front grill comprising a front face
defined by a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of
vertical ribs forming therebetween a plurality of apertures through
the grill for cooling air to pass into an engine compartment of the
vehicle, each of the ribs having a front face defining the front
face of the grill, and a plurality of structural elements each
associated with a respective one of the apertures and lying in a
plane spaced rearwardly of the front face of the grill, and a
winter front covering the grill to reduce the amount of cooling air
flowing therethrough, the winter front comprising a plurality of
separate panels each formed of a plastic sheet material, each panel
defining a front surface having a shape to cover at least part of
one of said apertures leaving the front face of the ribs exposed,
each panel being sufficiently rigid so as to be self supporting
across the aperture, each panel having thereon fastening means
extending rearwardly therefrom and engaging said structural element
of the grill so as to fasten the panel to the grill, the fastening
means of each panel being separate from the fastening means of the
other panels such that each panel can be separately attached to and
removed from the grill.
2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the panels are shaped
and arranged such that they cooperate without overlapping to cover
substantially all of the apertures of the grill.
3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each panel consists
of a portion of a plastic sheet material of constant thickness and
having a shiny front surface.
4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the plastic material
is transparent.
5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the fastening means
comprises a clip member having a pair of legs extending outwardly
from the rear surface of the panel substantially at right angles
thereto each of the legs defining a clip face for engaging against
said structural element of the grill with the clip faces of the
pair being opposed to obtain a clipping action.
6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein the legs are formed
as integral elements of a U shaped member with the clip faces
directed inwardly and with a connecting base of the U shaped member
being attached to the rear surface.
7. The invention according to claim 5 wherein each of the legs is
formed as a separate L-shaped member with a base of the L-shape
attached to the rear surface.
8. The invention according to claim 1 including a coupling member
for connecting an edge of a first panel to an abutting edge of a
second panel.
9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the coupling member
is H-shaped in cross section.
10. The invention according to claim 8 wherein the coupling member
includes a rear plate portion engaging a rear surface of both the
first and second panels, an edge engaging portion extending at
right angles to said rear plate portion and a front engaging
portion extending therefrom across the front surface of only one of
the first and second panels.
11. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said coupling member
includes a rearwardly extending leg for engaging in a clipping
action against a structural element of the grill.
12. A motor vehicle having a front grill comprising a front face
defined by a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of
vertical ribs forming therebetween a plurality of apertures for
cooling air to pass into an engine compartment of the vehicle, each
of the ribs having a front face defining the front face of the
grill and at least one side face extending rearwardly from the
front face and defining a side of the respective aperture and a
plurality of structural elements of the grill each associated with
a respective one of the apertures and lying in a plane spaced
rearwardly of the front face of the grill, and a winter front at
least partly covering the grill to reduce the amount of cooling air
flowing therethrough, the winter front comprising a plurality of
separate panels each formed of a plastic sheet material defining a
front surface having a shape to fit into a respective one of the
apertures and side edges lying substantially in contact with said
side faces of the respective ribs, each panel being sufficiently
rigid to be self supporting across the aperture between said side
faces and each having fastening means extending rearwardly from the
panel and engaging said structural element of the respective
aperture of the grill thus attaching the panel into the aperture
and leaving said front faces of the ribs exposed, the fastening
means of each panel being separate from the fastening means of the
other panels such that each panel can be separately attached to and
removed from the grill.
13. The invention according to claim 12 including an indentation in
said side edge of the panel such that the edge at the indentation
is spaced away from said side edge of the rib, and tool means being
shaped to extend from a position forwardly of the front surface of
the rib through the indentation for engaging a rear surface of the
panel for pulling the panel forwardly from the aperture.
14. The invention according to claim 12 wherein each of the panels
consists of a single sheet of the material with edges of the sheet
engaging sides of the respective aperture.
15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein the front surface
of the panel is shiny.
16. The invention according to claim 12 wherein the fastening means
comprises a clip member having a pair of legs extending outwardly
from the rear surface of the panel substantially at right angles
thereto each of the legs defining a clip face for engaging against
said structural element of the grill with the clip faces of the
pair being opposed to obtain a clipping action.
17. The invention according to claim 12 wherein the legs are formed
as integral elements of a U shaped member with the clip faces
directed inwardly and with a connecting base of the U shaped member
being attached to the rear surface.
18. A motor vehicle having a front grill comprising a front face
defined by a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of
vertical ribs forming therebetween a plurality of apertures for
cooling air to pass into an engine compartment of the vehicle, each
of the ribs having a front face defining the front face of the
grill and at least one side face extending rearwardly from the
front face and defining a side of the respective aperture and a
plurality of structural elements of the grill each associated with
a respective one of the apertures and lying in a plane spaced
rearwardly of the front face of the grill, and a winter front at
least partly covering the grill to reduce the amount of cooling air
flowing therethrough, the winter front comprising a plurality of
separate panels each formed of a plastic sheet material defining a
front surface having a shape to fit into a respective one of the
apertures and side edges lying substantially in contact with said
side faces of the respective ribs, each panel being sufficiently
rigid to be self supporting across the aperture between said side
faces and each having fastening means extending rearwardly from the
panel and engaging said structural element of the respective
aperture of the grill thus attaching the panel into the aperture
and leaving said front faces of the ribs exposed, the fastening
means of each panel being separate from the fastening means of the
other panels such that each panel can be separately attached to and
removed from the grill, wherein there is provided tool means
separate from the panels including a handle portion and a tool
portion shaped for insertion between said side surface of the rib
and said edge of the panel for removal of the panel from the grill.
.Iadd.
19. A motor vehicle having a front grill comprising a front face
defined by a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of
vertical ribs forming therebetween a plurality of apertures through
the grill for cooling air to pass into an engine compartment of the
vehicle, each of the ribs having a front face defining the front
face of the grill, and a plurality of structural elements each
associated with a respective one of the apertures and lying in a
plane spaced rearwardly of the front face of the grill, and a
plurality of separate airflow engagement panels each formed of a
plastic sheet material, each panel defining a front surface having
a shape to cover at least part of one of said apertures leaving the
front face of the ribs exposed, each panel being sufficiently rigid
so as to be self supporting across the aperture, each panel having
thereon fastening means extending rearwardly therefrom and engaging
said structural element of the grill so as to fasten the panel to
the grill, the fastening means of each panel being separate from
the fastening means of the other panels such that each panel can be
separately attached to and removed from the grill. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The invention according to claim 19 wherein the panels
are shaped and arranged such that they cooperate without
overlapping to cover substantially all of the apertures of the
grill. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The invention according to claim 19
wherein each panel consists of a portion of a plastic sheet
material of constant thickness and having a shiny front surface.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The invention according to claim 21 wherein the
plastic material is transparent. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The invention
according to claim 19 wherein the fastening means comprises a clip
member having a pair of legs extending outwardly from the rear
surface of the panel substantially at right angles thereto each of
the legs defining a clip face for engaging against said structural
element of the grill with the clip faces of the pair being opposed
to obtain a clipping action. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The invention
according to claim 23 wherein the legs are formed as integral
elements of a U-shaped member with the clip faces directed inwardly
and with a connecting base of the U-shaped member being attached to
the rear surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The invention according to
claim 23 wherein each of the legs is formed as a separate L-shaped
member with a base of the L-shape attached to the rear surface.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A motor vehicle having a front grill comprising
a front face defined by a plurality of transverse ribs and a
plurality of vertical ribs forming therebetween a plurality of
apertures for cooling air to pass into an engine compartment of the
vehicle, each of the ribs having a front face defining the front
face of the grill and at least one side face extending rearwardly
form the front face and defining a side of the respective aperture
and a plurality of structural elements of the grill each associated
with a respective one of the apertures and lying in a plane spaced
rearwardly of the front face of the grill, and a plurality of
separate air flow engagement panels each formed of a plastic sheet
material defining a front surface having a shape to fit into a
respective one of the apertures and side edges lying substantially
in contact with said side faces of the respective ribs, each panel
being sufficiently rigid to be self supporting across the aperture
between said side faces and each having fastening means extending
rearwardly from the panel and engaging said structural element of
the respective aperture of the grill thus attaching the panel into
the aperture and leaving said front faces of the ribs exposed, the
fastening means of each panel being separate from the fastening
means of the other panels such that each panel can be separately
attached to and removed from the grill. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The
invention according to claim 26 including an indentation in said
side edge of the panel such that the edge at the indentation is
spaced away from said side edge of the rib, and tool means being
shaped to extend from a position forwardly of the front surface of
the rib through the indentation for engaging a rear surface of the
panel for pulling the panel forwardly from the aperture. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The invention according to claim 26 wherein each of the
panels consists of a single sheet of the material with edges of the
sheet engaging sides of the
respective aperture. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The invention according to
claim 28 wherein the front surface of the panel is shiny. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The invention according to claim 26 wherein the fastening
means comprises a clip member having a pair of legs extending
outwardly from the rear surface of the panel substantially at right
angles thereto each of the legs defining a clip face for engaging
against said structural element of the grill with the clip faces of
the pair being opposed to obtain a clipping action. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The invention according to claim 26 wherein the legs are
formed as integral elements of a U-shaped member with the clip
faces directed inwardly and with a connecting base of the U-shaped
member being attached to the rear surface. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A
motor vehicle having a front grill comprising a front face defined
by a plurality of transverse ribs and a plurality of vertical ribs
forming therebetween a plurality of apertures for cooling air to
pass into an engine compartment of the vehicle, each of the ribs
having a front face defining the front face of the grill and at
least one side face extending rearwardly from the front face and
defining a side of the respective aperture and a plurality of
structural elements of the grill each associated with a respective
one of the apertures and lying in a plane spaced rearwardly of the
front face of the grill, and a plurality of separate airflow
engagement panels each formed of a plastic sheet material defining
a front surface having a shape to fit into a respective one of the
apertures and side edges lying substantially in contact with said
side faces of the respective ribs, each panel being sufficiently
rigid to be self supporting across the aperture between said side
faces and each having fastening means extending rearwardly from the
panel and engaging said structural element of the respective
aperture of the grill thus attaching the panel into the aperture
and leaving said front faces of the ribs exposed, the fastening
means of each panel being separate from the fastening means of the
other panels such that each panel can be separately attached to and
removed from the grill, wherein there is provided tool means
separate from the panels including a handle portion and a tool
portion shaped for insertion between said side surface of the rib
and said edge of the panel for removal of the panel from the grill.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to .[.a winter front.]. .Iadd.air flow
engagement panel elements .Iaddend.for attachment to the front
grill of a motor vehicle.
The grill of a vehicle is provided partly for ornamental reasons
but also to provide a plurality of apertures through which cooling
air flows into the engine compartment.
In cold weather climates it is necessary or generally desirable for
efficient running of the engine, during the particularly cold
spells, to reduce the amount of air flowing through the grill of
the vehicle so as to reduce the cooling effect of the very cold
air. Winter fronts for this purpose are well known and their use
widespread. In most cases the winter front comprises a fabric sheet
which is attached over the grill of the vehicle by suitable clips
or other fastening devices. In some cases the winter front
comprises merely a single fabric sheet which is either attached or
removed as necessary so that either the whole of the grill is
covered or the whole of the grill is exposed.
In other cases the fabric cover arrangement is more complicated in
that it includes various flaps which can be fastened into a closed
position to fully cover the grill or can be folded back and
fastened down to expose a part of the grill to release some air
into the engine compartment. Devices of this general type are shown
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,236,52 (Ziegler), 4,523,657 (Kooyumjian) and
4,750,549 (Ziegler).
Devices of this type are generally satisfactory in their operation
but are highly utilitarian in appearance and certainly reduce the
attractiveness of the vehicle. They are also difficult to adjust
and when adjusted leave various portions of fabric which are loose
or prone to flapping.
In an entirely unrelated field. U.S. Pat. No. 1,787,035 (Davis)
discloses an ornamental protective shield which fits over the
radiator of a 1930's type automobile. However this is not in any
way related to the problem of winter fronts so as to provide
control of air flow and is not in any way intended to interfere
with or modify air flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an
improved winter front for a motor vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention, therefore, there is
provided in a motor vehicle having a front grill which is a
plurality of apertures there through for cooling air to pass into
an engine compartment of the vehicle, the provision of a winter
front covering the grill to reduce the amount of cooling air
flowing therethrough, the winter front comprising a plurality of
separate panels each formed of a substantially rigid sheet material
and having thereon fastening means engaging a structural element of
the grill so as to attach the panel to the grill, the panels being
shaped and arranged to cooperate each with the next such that when
attached to the grill the panels lie in a substantially common
plane without overlapping.
According to a second aspect of the invention,t herefore, there is
provided in a motor vehicle having a front grill which is a
plurality of apertures therethrough for cooling air to pass into an
engine compartment of the vehicle, the grill having a front surface
and a plurality of recesses in the front surface each defining at
least one aperture through the grill and at least one structural
element of the grill extending across each respective recess with
the structural elements lying in a plane spaced rearwardly of the
front surface, the provision of a winter front at least partly
covering the grill to reduce the amount of cooling air flowing
therethrough, the winter front comprising a plurality of separate
panels each formed of a substantially rigid sheet material shaped
to fit into a respective one of the recesses and having on a rear
surface thereof fastening means engaging said structural element of
the respective recess of the grill so as to attach the panel into
the recess.
According to a third aspect of the invention, therefore, there is
provided a kit of parts for forming a winter front for use with a
motor vehicle having a front grill which has a plurality of
apertures therethrough for cooling air to pass into an engine
compartment of the vehicle, the kit of parts comprising a plurality
of separate panels each formed of a substantially rigid sheet
material and having thereon fastening means for engaging a
structural element of the grill so as to attach the panel on the
grill, the panels being shaped and arranged to cooperate each with
the next such that when attached to the grill the panels lie in a
substantially common plane without overlapping.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become
apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention
relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein
described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the
applicant and of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles
of the present invention, in which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a motor vehicle
including a grill and .[.a winter front.]. .Iadd.airflow engagement
panel element .Iaddend.according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the grill of FIG. 1
.[.showing the winter front in more detail but
schematically.]..
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of one element of the
.[.winter front.]. .Iadd.vehicle of FIG. 1.Iaddend..
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the element of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5--5 of FIG.
2.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a key for removal of the
elements .[.of the winter front.]. from the grill of FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along the lines 7--7 of FIG.
2.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a connecting element similar to that
shown in FIG. 7 but modified for ready removal of one element.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIG. 1 is shown a front portion of a motor vehicle generally
indicated at 10 including a hood 11, a front bumper 12, headlamps
13 and a front grill 14 which allows cooling air to enter the
engine compartment in conventional manner. The vehicle type shown
is a small truck type vehicle and vehicles of this type generally
have a relatively large vertical grill filling the area between the
headlights. The design of the grill is however only one example and
it will be appreciated that other vehicles have different shapes
and arrangements of grill for which the principles of the present
invention can be adapted.
Small truck type vehicles have a greater requirement for a winter
front relative to passenger type automobiles since the grill is
relatively large in order to provide a high quantity of cooling air
during hot weather and since it is in most cases generally vertical
in orientation so that air flow remains large even if the fan is
halted when the vehicle is moving due to the relative movement of
the air toward the vehicle.
The grill is shown in front elevation in FIG. 2 and is shown partly
in cross section in FIG. 5. The grill is formed by four transverse
strips 15, 16, 17 and 18 which are connected at ends by vertical
strips 19 and 20. All of these strips form a front face of the
grill which constitutes the leading surface of the grill. As
particularly shown in FIG. 5, each of the strips has a
substantially vertical front face 21 and includes rearwardly
extending sides 22, 23 which extend from the front face rearwardly
and slightly outwardly. As best shown in FIG. 5 the upper side 22
of the strip 15 extends outwardly toward an edge flange 24 which
surrounds the whole of the outside of the grill for attachment to
the vehicle. The lower side 23 of the strip 15 and also the upper
side 23 of the strip 16 extend rearwardly to a position adjacent
the vertical plane of the flange 24 at which they terminate in an
opening 25 to allow air flow into the vehicle engine
compartment.
The horizontal strips 16 and 17 are connected at a centre position
therealong by an eliptical boss member 26 which is provided for
decorative purposes and to carry the logo of the vehicle
manufacturer. In addition the strips 16 and 17 are connected by
vertical supports 27 which are positioned approximately one quarter
of the distance along the strips and approximately three quarters
of the distance along the strips.
Similarly the strips 15 and 16 are connected by vertical supports
27 at the positions one quarter, one half and three quarters along
the length of the strips. One of the supports is shown in FIG. 5
and it will be seen that the support is molded integrally with the
inner surfaces 23 and extends from a position at the rear of the
surfaces 23 to a position partway along the surfaces and generally
of the order of one half of the distance therealong thus defining a
front face of the support which is recessed from the front face of
the grill. For convenience of illustration the supports 27 are
omitted from the view of FIG. 2.
The grill thus described is molded generally in one piece from
suitable plastics material. Further wire or thin reinforcements 28
are provided intermediate the supports 27 to provide greater
structural support and these are recessed from the front face of
the grill to a position at or adjacent the rear opening 25.
As stated above the example of grills shown is only one of many
types of grill with which the invention can be used. In this
particular case the grill .[.include.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a
number of recesses from the front face of the grill .Iadd.defined
.Iaddend.by the surfaces 22 and 23 and the front faces of the
supports 27. Many grills for different vehicles are of this type,
defining recesses since the appearance of the grill is attractive
with a possibility of different textures or colors for the front
face relative to the recessed structural members.
The winter front shown in FIG. 2 comprises six separate panels or
elements each of which is shaped to fit into a recess of the grill.
Thus the upper and lower recesses are divided into two separate
elements or panels which are connected at a centre line of the
grill. The central recess is divided into two separate elements by
the central boss member 26.
Each of the separate elements of the winter front is formed of a
flat sheet of acrylic material which is preferably transparent or
transclucent and is preferably smoked or otherwise pigmented to
provide a shiny attractive appearance. The thickness of the sheet
is such that it has sufficient strength to remain rigid or
substantially rigid and self supporting when inserted into a
respective one of the recesses.
The acrylic panels are shaped so that when arranged in
non-overlapping relationships, in combination they substantially
fill the recesses or openings in the grill so as to substantially
fill the grill and prevent or reduce the flow of air through the
grill into the engine compartment.
One of the elements is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. In
FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown the left hand element of the central recess.
This element has a substantially straight upper edge 30, a
substantially straight parallel lower edge 31, a convexly curved
left hand edge 32 and a concavely curved right hand edge 33 so that
it closely follows the shape of the associated recess of the grill.
It will be appreciated that the left hand .Iadd.edge 32 .Iaddend.of
the element matches the curved inside edge of the vertical strip 19
and the right hand edge 33 closely follows the outer surface of the
eleptical boss member 26.
The element consists substantially wholly of the acrylic sheet so
that the edges of the acrylic sheet contact directly the inner
surfaces of the recesses at generally the surfaces 23 as shown in
FIG. 5. The edges of the acrylic sheet thus sit upon and are
supported by the sides 23 of the recess. It is not expected that
the edges of the element will be in a sealing relationship with the
sides 23 since it is not important that sealing takes place but the
merely the amount of airflow be reduced.
A recess 34 is formed in one edge of the element so that the edge
at that recess is spaced slightly further from the side 23 leaving
a narrow gap. A key illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided as part of
the kit of parts forming the winter front. The key is indicated
generally at 40 and includes a manually graspable handle 41
together with a simple turned down operating end 42. The end 42 can
thus be inserted through the recess 34 while turned parallel to the
side 23 following which the portion 42 can be rotated at right
angles to grasp the rear surface of the element to pull the element
out of the recess for removal from the grill.
Each of the elements is attached into its respective recess by one
or more clip members which engage structural parts of the grill.
The element of FIGS. 3 and 4 includes three such clip members
indicated respectively at 43, 44 and 45. The clip members 43 and 45
are identical and each comprises a substantially L-shaped member
with a base 46 which lies parallel to and is attached to the rear
surface of the element by an adhesive 47. Upstanding from the base
is a flexible clip portion which extends generally at right angles
to the element and defines an apex 48 which engages against or
around one of the structural members of the grill. An inclined lead
in surface 49 extends from a position remote from the apex
gradually toward the apex. The lead in surface 49 thus in operation
will engage the structural member so that inward movement of the
element toward the structural member causes the clip portion to be
flexed outwardly until the apex 48 passes over the structural
member and engages around the rear of the structural member to hold
the element in place.
Basically the clip 44 comprises two such clip portions connected
face to face with the apexes 48 facing inwardly so that they clip
around a structural member which has a size so that it can sit in
the area between the apexes 48 and be clamped or clipped thereby.
In this case the base 50 of the clip portions connects the clip
portions to form a U-shape and is again attached to the element by
an adhesive layer 51.
The element of FIGS. 3 and 4 as one example, therefore, includes
the three separate clips which will hold it in place within the
grill. The central clip 44 cooperates with the vertical support 27
so that the clip portions engage around the outer sides of the
vertical support 27 with the apexes engaging around the rear most
edge of the support 27 as also shown in FIG. 5. The clip members 43
and 45 cooperate with the wires 28 so that they are again deflected
by the wire as the element is moved into place and then snapped
back behind the wire when the element reaches, its intended
position within the recess and with the rear surface of the element
in contact with or closely adjacent to the front surface of the
support 27.
Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown an edge coupling for joining
the two elements which together fill the upper recess. The edge
coupling is indicated generally at 55 and connects edges of the
elements indicated respectively at 56 and 57. The coupling at 55 is
generally H-shape in cross section so that the edges of the
elements 56 and 57 can be inserted along the channels defined by
the H-shaped to a position close to or abutting the central web 58.
A rear plate 59 of the H-shape is adhesive attached at 60 to a
further clip 61 of the type previously indicated at 44. The clip 61
thus cooperates with the central vertical support 27 to clip and
hold the inner most edges of the elements 56 and 57 in position
within the recess. The use of this clip at the central connector 55
obviates the necessity for the inner clip members 45 of the element
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
In FIG. 8 there is shown an alternative style of central coupling
element similar to the element 55 but in this case one part of the
front plate 62 is omitted so that the element 63 of the winter
front is free to be removed from the grill by forward movement away
from the coupling 55A without disturbing the coupling 55A.
The winter front thus formed by the kit of parts including the six
separate elements can be simply attached to the grill quickly and
without the use of tools by snapping the various clips into place
with the elements held in place within the recesses of the grill.
When the weather is therefore particularly cold, the whole grill
can be covered by all of the elements being applied. In a situation
where the weather is not so cold that complete blockage is
required, one or more of the elements can readily be removed
separately from the other elements so that part of the grill is
open for the passage of cooling air. The elements are thus entirely
independant from one another but together cooperate to cover the
whole of the grill or more specifically the whole of the recesses
within the grill.
The rigid acrylic material thus provides a winter front which is
highly attractive in appearance since it enhances the appearance of
the grill by providing a shiny surface recessed within the grill.
This provides a compliment to or a contrast against the texture of
the front surface of the grill. The winter front can be adjusted
with regards to the amount of air flowing through the grill simply
by removing one or more pieces of the acrylic material leaving the
other pieces intact and in place and retaining their attractive
appearance. There is thus no folding of fabric materials or
flapping parts which can detract from the appearance of the vehicle
or cause damage to the winter front.
While the winter front has been described in the embodiment shown
in relation to a grill which has horizontally elongate recesses, it
can be used with a grill having recesses which are vertically
elongate or which are square or which are of any other shape since
the acrylic material can simply be cut to the required shape to be
housed within the recess.
In addition the winter front according to the invention can be used
with grills which are not so recessed with the acrylic material
merely sitting on the outside of the front face of the grill. The
clipping methods described herein can be used to attach such
outside mounted elements but it may be necessary to increase the
length or resilience of the clipping member to ensure that the
weight of the element is properly supported. It will be appreciated
that in the embodiment described the element is supported within
the recess and the clipping forces thus required are relatively low
merely to prevent it jumping out of the recess during vibration of
the vehicle. In cases where the element is placed on the front face
of the grill, it is necessary for the clipping members also to
support the vertical weight of the element and hence need to
generate greater clipping force. In this case also the winter front
is formed by a plurality of separate elements or panels which
together cooperate to cover the grill when arranged edge to edge or
in a common plane of the grill. The use of the separate elements
has a number of advantages. Firstly it enables one or more elements
to be readily removed to control air flow. Secondly, it enables the
elements to be attached more readily. Thirdly reduces the total
mass of each element so that it is less prone to falling from the
grill under the vibration forces generated by movement of the
vehicle. Fourthly it enables the separate elements to be readily
stored when not in use in a suitable box or container of which can
be kept on the vehicle.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as
hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different
embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims
without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that
all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
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