Method and means for protecting a windshield from further damage before repair is possible

Abstract

A method and means for protecting a windshield from further damage from existing cracks or breaks due to stone or other hard object impacts on windshields. An optically clear impact resistant, high tensile strength barrier film is placed directly over the crack or break in the windshield. The barrier is preferably a clear polymeric film or clear multiples of film, but could be opaque, rubber, plastic or metal. The barrier is placed on the glass surface and in contact with the center of the crack or break. The size of the barrier is selected to eliminate the higher incidence of continued damage to the crack or break to the peripheral area. The barrier should be combined with a clear pressure backed adhesive with UV sunlight blocking ingredients to reduce degeneration. A kit can be assembled with the elements needed to place the barrier on a windshield. The barrier can also be applied in fluid form, which achieves a film. The barrier can extend not only over the front surface of the crack or break, but also over the edge surface and the back surface where it is needed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front outside view of a windshield having the barrier film applied in an exemplary user application over a linear crack.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a windshield segment wherein a resinous fluid forms a clear protective barrier film after it is applied over a crack or break on the surface of said windshield.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a windshield segment with the clear protective barrier film after it is applied over a crack or break on the surface of a windshield.

Claims

1. A method and means of preventing a vehicle windshield against further damage from an existing crack or break comprising; an impact resistant and high tensile strength protective optically clear and non-image distorting UV resistant barrier film selected from plastic or glass or any combination or multiple composite thereof,where the protective barrier film is adhesive backed with a peel-able liner for ease of application of said film onto the glass of the windshield,wherein the protective barrier film in the alternative to the above may be applied as an optically clear film forming resinous fluid, which is cured by air or sunlight.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said impact resistant protective barrier film is at least 75% to 99.9% optically clear thereby not causing additional visual image distortion after it is applied over the crack or break on the windshield within the visual and peripheral viewing area.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said impact resistant protective barrier film is comprised of a rigid to semi-rigid high tensile strength plastic or glass and can be applied to the windshield crack or break which by itself does not become an additional distraction to the driver and/or passenger after it is applied.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said impact resistant protective barrier plastic film can be made with a self-adhesive film with peel-able liner for direct application over the windshield crack or break.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said impact protective barrier film is in fluid form and can be applied to the windshield crack or break by brushing, spraying or dabbing, which by itself does not become an additional visual distraction to the driver and/or passenger after it is applied.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid protective barrier film dries or cures to a 75% to 99.9% optically clear without visual image distortion surface film while covering the crack or break on the windshield.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said impact resistant protective barrier film can be sized to cover the complete surface area of a windshield inclusive of the crack or break.

8. A method of claim 1 wherein said impact resistant protective barrier is made of a high tensile strength material and maintains planar rigidity to further assist in arresting and/or preventing said crack or break in the windshield from spreading or getting larger due to vibration and thermal shock.

9. A method of claim 1 wherein said impact protective barrier film is protecting a crack or break in a windshield from filling up with debris and moisture.

10. A method of claim 1 wherein said impact protective barrier while guarding against debris and moisture and continue to arrest said crack or break from spreading across the whole windshield is comprised of a dry optically transparent self-adhesive film of which after application will provide a selected film thickness from 2 to 12 mil on said windshield in direct contact with the crack or break which is also impact and vibration absorbent.

11. A method of claim 1 wherein said impact protective barrier while guarding against debris and moisture and continue arresting said crack or break from spreading across the whole windshield is comprised of a dry optically transparent self-adhesive film further comprising of multiple of 1 mil thick pieces of film which after application will provide a selected film thickness from 2 to 12 mil on said windshield in direct contact with the crack or break which is also impact and vibration absorbent.

12. A method of claim 1 wherein said impact protective barrier while guarding against debris and moisture while continuing arresting said crack or break from spreading across the whole windshield is comprised of a fluid optically transparent film of which after application will provide a selected film thickness from 2 to 12 mil on said windshield in direct contact with the crack or break which is also impact and vibration absorbent