Method and means for protecting a windshield from cracks

Abstract

A means and method for protecting a windshield from damage and therefore the development of cracks due to stone or other impact on windshields around the peripheral area. An impact resistant barrier is placed around the periphery of the windshield. The barrier is preferably a clear polymeric film, but could be opaque, rubber, plastic or metal. The barrier is placed on the glass surface and in contact adjacent to the windshield molding. The width of the barrier is selected to eliminate the higher incidence of damage to the peripheral area. The barrier can be combined with a sunlight blocking ingredient to reduce degeneration of urethane which is used in mounting the windshield to the vehicle. A kit can be assembled with the elements needed to place the barrier on a windshield. The barrier can be applied in fluid form which achieves a film. The barrier can extend not only over the front surface, but also over the edge surface and the back surface.

1 . A method of guarding a vehicle windshield against damage from impacts comprising; 
 preparing a mixture of material in fluid applyable form which material will provide impact protection to the windshield surface on which is applied;    applying said mixture in fluid form on a selected peripheral portion of the front surface of the windshield to a selected width;    causing said mixture to change from the fluid form to an impact protective solid form defining a barrier film of said material in place where applied on said windshield.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture is applied to said windshield selected peripheral portions selected from one or more of: 
 a) the sides of the windshield;  
 b) the top of the windshield;  
 c) the bottom of the windshield.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture is applied to the sides of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture is applied to the top of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture is applied to the bottom of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 4 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said mixture also contains a material which will be blocking of sunlight which degenerates urethane used to mount the windshield to the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 3    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 4    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 4    wherein said width is about 3 inches.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 5    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 5    wherein said width is about 3 inches.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 6    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 7    wherein said mixture while in fluid applyable form is applied by spraying.  
     
     
         15 . A method of guarding a windshield against damage from impacts and of protecting against penetration by ultraviolet rays in which said windshield is mounted or will be mounted on the vehicle with use of a urethane material which is vulnerable to degeneration from sunlight comprising; 
 preparing a mixture of material in fluid form of ingredients which after application will provide a selected thickness on film on said windshield which is impact absorbent and which is blocking of ultraviolet rays from sunlight;    applying said mixture in fluid form a selected peripheral portion of the front surface of the windshield to a selected width from the windshield edge of said selected peripheral portion;    causing said mixture to change from the fluid form to an impact protective and sunlight ultraviolet ray absorbent solid film in place where applied on said windshield.    
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a layer of material on a vehicle windshield having a front surface for the purpose of guarding it against impact damage and providing a molding around the selected portion of the peripheral of said windshield comprising; 
 preparing in strip form a molding which is mountable on said windshield selected portions in which said molding has an exterior lip which covers said windshield front surface to a width in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches.    
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 16    further comprising mounting a selected length of said molding on selected portions of the periphery of said windshield.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 16    in which said width is about 3 inches.  
     
     
         19 . A method for guarding a vehicle windshield against damage during handling and transportation and further for guarding the windshield against impact damage after it has been installed comprising; 
 applying an impact resistant material around selected portions of the periphery of the front surface of the windshield and continuing on the edge surface and on the back surface of the windshield, the material extending on the front surface a selected width and on the back surface a selected width.    
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 19    wherein said material is applied in fluid form and causing said material to become a solid impact resistant film defining an impact barrier strip on the selected front peripheral portion, extending on the edge surface and on the back surface to a selected width.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 19    wherein said material is applied to the front surface to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 19    wherein said material is applied to said selected portions of the periphery of the front surface selected from one or more of: 
 a) the sides of the windshield;  
 b) the top of the windshield;  
 c) the bottom of the windshield.  
 and the material is applied to the back portion to a width which is less than the width of the corresponding width of material applied to the front portion.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 19    wherein said material contains a material which will be blocking of sunlight which degenerates urethane used to mount the windshield to the vehicle.  
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 19    in which the material is at least one strip of preformed film material which is applied by adhering it to the front surface, the edge surface, and the back surface of the windshield.  
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 24    in which the preformed strip extends a width on the front surface of the windshield in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 24    in which a second preformed strip is applied and adhered adjacent to each of said at least one strip on the front surface of the windshield.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 26    in which the total width of the at least one strip and the second strip on the front surface is in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         28 . An assembly comprising: 
 a) a vehicle windshield;    b) an impact protective barrier film on selected peripheral portions of the front surface of the windshield boxing a selected width.    
     
     
         29 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein said film is a solid film formed from a precursor fluid form material.  
     
     
         30 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein said film is applied to the sides of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         31 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein the film is applied to the top of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         32 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein the film is applied to the bottom of said windshield to a width in the range from about 1 inch to about 4 inches.  
     
     
         33 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein said barrier film extends on the edge surface and on the back surface of said windshield to a selected width.  
     
     
         34 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein said windshield is of the type having a curved portion.  
     
     
         35 . The assembly of    claim 28    wherein said windshield is of the type for use on a passenger automobile.