Curing System for Glass Repair

Abstract

A curing device is positionable to a mount on a resin injector to cure the resin injected into a defect in glass. A housing of the curing device is removably positionable to a mounted position on the resin injector. When in the mounted position the curing device positions a light area from light emitters to an area surrounding the nozzle of the injector to provide curing of the injected resin. A GPS locator can ascertain a location, date, and time of use of the curing device and store such use information in electronic memory.

Claims

1. A curing apparatus for curing resin injected into a defect in glass by a resin injector, comprising: a housing, said housing having an upper side and a lower side opposite said upper side; said housing positionable to a mounted position upon a resin injector positioned upon glass being repaired; said housing having one or a plurality of light emitters positioned on said lower side, said light emitters for emitting light therefrom in a light wavelength which cures resin injected into said glass by said resin injector; an electric power supply positioned on said housing to provide electric power to said light emitters; and an activator, said activator, when actuated, connecting said electric power to said light emitters to thereby cause said light therefrom to be communicated to said resin for a duration of time, whereby said resin is cured by said light from said light emitters.

2. The curing apparatus of claim 1, additionally including: said housing positioned in said mounted position locating said light emitters to a registered position; and said light emitters in said registered position projecting said light therefrom to a lighting area on said glass, said lighting area illuminating a glass area of said glass which surrounds an injector nozzle of said resin injector, to thereby automatically locate said lighting area to a position to complexly cure all of said resin.

3. The curing apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a timer, said timer activated by said actuator; and said timer, when activated, connecting said electric power to said light emitters for said duration of time.

4. The curing apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: a timer, said timer activated by said actuator; and said timer, when activated, connecting said electric power to said light emitters for said duration of time.

5. The curing apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: a computer processor operatively in communication with electronic memory and with electric power from said battery; a temperature sensor for determining the ambient temperature adjacent said housing; software operating in said electronic memory to the task of ascertaining a calculated said duration of time based upon a communication from said temperature sensor of said ambient temperature discerned by said temperature sensor; and said timer in communication with said computer processor wherein said timer connects said electric power to said light emitters for said calculated duration of time.

6. The curing apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: a computer processor operatively in communication with electronic memory and with electric power from said battery; a temperature sensor for determining the ambient temperature adjacent said housing; software operating in said electronic memory to the task of ascertaining a calculated said duration of time based upon a communication from said temperature sensor of said ambient temperature discerned by said temperature sensor; and said timer in communication with said computer processor wherein said timer connects said electric power to said light emitters for said calculated duration of time.

7. The curing apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising: a GPS sensor positioned on said housing; said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to ascertain a terrestrial location of said housing from a received GPS signal; and a respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

8. The curing apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: a GPS sensor positioned on said housing; said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to ascertain a terrestrial location of said housing from a received GPS signal; and a respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

9. The curing apparatus of claim 7, additionally comprising: said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to additionally ascertain a date and time when said actuator is actuated from said received GPS signal; and said date and time of each said respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

10. The curing apparatus of claim 8, additionally comprising: said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to additionally ascertain a date and time when said actuator is actuated from said received GPS signal; and said date and time of each said respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

11. The curing apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: a computer processor operatively in communication with electronic memory and with electric power from said battery; said housing having a glass temperature sensor for determining a current temperature of said glass; software operating in said electronic memory to the task of ascertaining a calculated said duration of time based upon a communication from said glass temperature sensor of said current temperature of said glass; and said timer in communication with said computer processor wherein said timer connects said electric power to said light emitters for said calculated duration of time.

12. The curing apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: a computer processor operatively in communication with electronic memory and with electric power from said battery; said housing having a glass temperature sensor for determining a current temperature of said glass; software operating in said electronic memory to the task of ascertaining a calculated said duration of time based upon a communication from said glass temperature sensor of said current temperature of said glass; and said timer in communication with said computer processor wherein said timer connects said electric power to said light emitters for said calculated duration of time.

13. The curing apparatus of claim 11, additionally comprising: a GPS sensor positioned on said housing; said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to ascertain a terrestrial location of said housing from a received GPS signal; and a respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

14. The curing apparatus of claim 12, additionally comprising: a GPS sensor positioned on said housing; said actuator, when actuated, causing said GPS sensor to ascertain a terrestrial location of said housing from a received GPS signal; and a respective said terrestrial location of said housing correlating to each actuation of said actuator being stored in said electronic memory as use information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0047] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures herein are to be considered illustrative of the glass repair mounting system herein, rather than limiting.

[0048] In the drawings: FIG. 1 depicts the resin curing device herein which is configured for operative positioning over and in combination with a resin injector mounted upon glass being repaired, such as a windshield.

[0049] FIG. 2 is an overhead perspective view of the housing of the device of FIG. 1 showing the central passage communicating therethrough.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another overhead view of the device of FIGS. 1-2 showing the charging port and recesses formed into the lower edge of the sidewall to accommodate mounting members of the injector of FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the housing of the device herein and also shows the passages formed in the housing sidewall to allow it to operatively engage over a mounted resin injector.

[0052] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of the housing showing a central passage there

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a lower side view of the housing showing the plurality of light emitters positioned to communicate light to the resin in wavelengths to cure it and showing a preferred pattern for the light communicated.

[0054] FIG. 7 depicts a lower side view of the housing of the device in a mode which includes an optical sensor configured to communicate electronic signals relative to reflected light from the windshield.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows a glass-mounted resin injector over which the device herein will mount without removal of the injector.

[0056] FIG. 9 shows the device herein, in the disengaged position, being slid over the resin injector toward the mounted position, as in FIG. 10.

[0057] FIG. 10 shows the device herein in the mounted position atop the injector for resin, and wherein so mounted it operates to project the pattern of light to cure injected resin in the area into which the resin was injected into the glass.

[0058] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0059] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0060] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-10, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there can be seen in FIG. 1 the resin curing device 10 herein which is configured for operative nested or mounted positioning upon a resin injector 12 which has been previously operatively positioned on the glass 14, such as a windshield having a crack or defect into which resin has been injected from an injector nozzle 13.

[0061] This configuration, providing for a connection of the housing 16 of the device 10 to the injector 12 in a mounted positioning of the device 10 upon the injector 12, as in FIG. 10, is especially preferred. In this mounted positioning, the device 10 is mounted on the resin injector 12 in a connection thereto, wherein a projected curing light area 44 (FIGS. 6 and 10), will be automatically registered in position. By registered in position is meant that the projected curing light area 44, in its communication to the glass 14, with the device 10 in the mounted position on the injector 12, will illuminate, substantially, the entire area of the glass 14, such as a windshield, into which resin has been injected by the injector nozzle 13. The device 10 is, thus, automatically aimed when positioned in the mounted position on an injector 12, such as in FIG. 10, such that no adjustment is required of the user to make sure the light area 44 having a pattern or shape on the glass 14, as communicated from the light emitters 40, will illuminate the entire area of the glass 14 into which resin has been injected.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the device 10 features a housing 16 which is specifically configured to nest or mount upon an already mounted injector 12. Conventionally, such an injector 12 will be engaged to the glass 14 to locate the injector nozzle 13 in position to inject resin into the glass 14. A central passage 18 communicates between an upper surface 20 of the housing and a lower surface, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. This central passage 18 is sized to allow positioning of a projecting portion 15 of the resin injector 12 therethrough. Action lights 17 are positioned on the housing 16 which, as noted above, can be activated to blink and/or remain illuminated for determined time periods to communicate to the user a current action of the device 10 during use.

[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3-4, the housing 16 has a sidewall 22 which surrounds the upper surface 20 thereof. The sidewall 22 has the plurality of recesses 24 formed into the sidewall 22 which extend upward from a lower edge 26 of the sidewall 22 which may contact against the glass 14 when the housing and device 10 are operatively positioned in a mounted position, such as in FIG. 10. As noted, so positioned, each of the recesses 24 define a passageway through which one of the leg members 28 (FIG. 1), which support the injector 12 in an engaged position on the glass 14, can project.

[0064] Of course, other connections of the device 10 to an injector 12 may be employed, as would occur to those skilled in the art such as magnets or cooperative connectors, where one half of the connector is on the injector 12 and the other is on the housing 16, and such is anticipated. For example, the base and leg members 28, which support an injector 12, could be differently shaped and configured, wherein the housing 16 herein would be configured with the requisite central passage 18 and recesses 24 in positions to align therewith to allow such an over-mount or nesting mount of the device 10 with injectors 12 of other configurations. However, currently, the disclosed housing 16 with a sidewall 22 to protect the user from light emissions and easily engaged central passage 18 is preferred.

[0065] In FIGS. 2-3 and 5 herein are shown various overhead views of the top surface 10 of the housing 16 of the device 10 herein. As can be seen, the central passage 18 communicates through the housing 16. Also shown in the figures is an ambient temperature sensor 30 which, as noted, is preferred. This allows software, running to the task of adjusting the light emission curing time, to make corrections for local temperature.

[0066] In FIG. 2 is also shown a power port 32 which is employable to power the device 10 directly during use or to recharge an onboard power supply, such as a battery 34 (FIGS. 8-9). Also shown are an activation button 36, which can be any shape and in other positions on the housing 16 and which is employed, as noted above, for various activation and timing inputs to the device 10. Also shown is a removably engageable support for the device 10 to the glass 14, such as a suction cup 38. The suction cup 38 or other removably engageable mount will hold the device 10 in the mounted position surrounding and covering a resin injector 12, such as in FIG. 12.

[0067] Shown in FIG. 6 is a view of a bottom side of the device 10 wherein a plurality of light emitters 40 are positioned around the side edge of the central passage 18. As noted, the emitters 40 are powered by an onboard power supply, such as the battery 34, and can be activated, as noted above, for different time durations and sequences by user activation of the activation button 36 and/or by software running in electronic memory 35 of a computer processor 42 operatively engaged between the battery 34 and the light emitters 40 to activate switches to illuminate the light emitters 40 for time durations adapted to cure the resin already positioned in the glass 14 by the injector 12. The actuation of the activation button 36 will cause an onboard timer switch 37 to connect electric power from the battery 34 or other electric power source to the light emitters 40 for a duration of time which can be preset. As noted, multiple actuations of the activation button 36 can cause the timer switch 37 to connect the electric power to the light emitters 40 for sequential durations of time or shortened durations. Also, by timer switch 37 herein is meant, any actuable timer switch to control the communication of electric power to the light emitters 40 for a duration of time. Such may not need to be a physical timer but can also be provided by software running in electronic memory 45 accessible by the computer processor 42, which will control a timer switch 37 to communicate and interrupt the electric power to the light emitters 40 to thereby energize them for the duration of time needed for curing resin.

[0068] Additionally shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is a glass temperature sensor 43 which, as noted above, will use optical or mechanical readings, or both, from the adjacent glass 14 to output a signal relative to the current glass temperature. This glass temperature reading, as noted, can be employed by software running in electronic memory 35 of the device 10 to calculate a proper duration for illumination of the light emitters 40 to cure the resin injected into the glass 14. As noted above, the glass temperature sensor 43 outputs an electronic signal relative to the current temperature of the glass 14 it has discerned. It is this electronic signal which is employable to determine or adjust the duration of illumination of the light emitters to adjust the curing time for the resin injected into the glass 14 by the resin injector 12.

[0069] As noted above, a counter 45 to count the number of uses of the device 10 to cure resin injected by a resin injector 12 is also a preferred component and function. The counter 45 may be mechanical or may be provided by software running in electronic memory 35 of the device 10 to track and count each use where the light emitters 40 have been activated. The counter will hold a running total of the number of such uses until erased by the user. Each such use, captured by the counter 45, can be associated with a GPS terrestrial location provided by the GPS sensor 21 along with the date of the use and GPS location. Such dates are easily ascertained by the GPS sensor 21 since GPS location data includes time and dates. Software running in electronic memory 35 to the task of ascertaining location from the GPS data received can, thus, correlate the time and date along with the location for each activation of the light emitters 40 to cure resin.

[0070] The activation by the user using the activation button 36 or other means for activation, can concurrently trigger the GPS sensor 21 to take the GPS location reading as to terrestrial location and the date and time, and associate it with each use held by the counter 45. This use information, including one or a combination of location, use, date, and time information, can be communicated to the service provider using the wireless transmitter 47 which can employ cellular wireless transmissions and/or Wifi or Bluetooth transmissions, or other wireless transmissions of the data. Also, the same use information can be downloaded from electronic memory 34 using an access port, such as the power port 32 where it is a USB connection.

[0071] Particularly preferred in the device 10 herein is the formation of a light area 44 or a pattern of the light projected from the emitters 40 onto the glass 14 which will contact and surround the entire area of the underlying glass 14 adjacent the injector nozzle 13 having resin injected therein. Currently, an elongated rectangle shape or area is preferred, as it provides a well defined and large area for the user to position the device 10 such that the resin is fully illuminated and cured. This light area 44 may also be used as a target, as noted above, for the user to check the positioning of the device 10 prior to starting the curing process.

[0072] However, it should also be noted that because the housing 16, once in the mounted position such as in FIG. 10, locates the light emitters 40 to the proper registered position to form the light area 44 to contact with and surround the resin injected by the nozzle injector 13, the device 10 herein requires no adjustment once the user has mounted the injector 12 in position. This is because, as noted, this mounted position automatically locates the light area 44 in the proper position to surround the nozzle 13 which is on the defect to be filled with resin, along with a surrounding area. This is most preferred since it eliminates mis-targeting automatically.

[0073] As noted, shown in FIG. 7 is a lower side view of the housing 16 of the device in a mode which includes an optical sensor 46 configured to communicate electronic signals relative to reflected light from the emitters 40 or emitters projecting light in other frequencies best adapted to reflect from the windshield or glass 14, and allow software adapted to the task of thickness determination, and/or resin injected area, to provide the data to software running to the task of adjusting curing times to calculate an optimum curing time for the injected resin.

[0074] As noted above, the device 10 is configured for an over mount of a resin injector 12 which is already in a mounted position on the glass 14 or windshield. This process of achieving such a nesting or registered mount in combination with the resin injector 12, is shown in the sequence in FIGS. 8-10. As shown in FIG. 8, the resin injector 12 is mounted on the glass 14 windshield using removable mounts, such as suction cups 29, to hold it in the properly mounted position where the injector nozzle 13 is sealed against the glass 14 upon the underlying defect into which resin is injected.

[0075] Shown in FIG. 9 is the positioning of the device 10 by sliding the central passage 18 of the housing 16 over and around the projecting portion 15 of the resin injector 12. The bottom of the housing 16 is then positioned atop the leg members 28 of the resin injector 12 which is already removably mounted on the glass 14. A secondary suction cup 38 is employable to removably hold the housing 16 in position, if needed. This locates the housing 16 to the mounted position of FIG. 10 wherein, as noted, the light emitters 40 will be automatically located to form the light area 44 which positions the curing light upon and around the area in which the nozzle 13 has injected resin into the glass 14.

[0076] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the resin curing device herein which engages over a mounted resin injector have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.