FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970,
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULE, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10; RULE 13)
"FLEXIBLE CLOSURE FOR WINDOW OPENING OF AUTOMOTIVE
VEHICLE"
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY,
R&D CENTER, AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR,
89, M.I.D.C., SATPUR,
NASHIK-422 007,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES AND ASCERTAINS THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:-
The present invention relates to flexible closure for window opening of automotive vehicle, more particularly, the present invention relates to flexible closure mounting structure to mount a flexible member to a window opening of automotive vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:-
As shown in the Figure 13, canopy covering (90) is provided to cover the outer surface of the automotive vehicle. Typically, such canopy covering is available in the form of continuous covering having first portion (91) covering the top / roof surface of the automotive vehicle and second portions (92) covering side surfaces of the vehicle as depicted in the Figure 13, however, sometimes such first portion (91) and second portions (92) are stitched / joined together to form an integrated canopy covering structure. The canopy covering (90), often, not only provides the cosmetic covering, but also the protective covering that protects the passengers from the outside dust, stones, insects, etc.
This canopy covering (90) is provided with the translucent portion (95) that generally overlaps with the window / window like provisions provided on the side faces / rear face of the automotive vehicle, sometimes, such translucent portion (95) are flexibly attached with the canopy covering using zipper, so that the passenger seating inside the automotive vehicle can occasionally unzip the translucent portion from the canopy covering and fold it.
When automotive vehicle is covered with the canopy covering, the aesthetic appearance of the automotive vehicle gets highly deteriorated and does not meet the satisfaction level the present day consumers are accustomed to. Further, in this type of conventional canopy covering, the canopy covering covers the outer body of the automotive vehicle alongwith structural support members, in such situations, as the passengers are unable to notice the rigidity and robustness of the automotive vehicle structure (being covered by canopy

covering), they (passengers) get insecure feeling. Such insecure feeling by passengers can be very dangerous for business future.
Hence, to obviate the abovementioned problems, it is preferred to improve the outer appearance of the automotive vehicle by removing overall canopy covering yet providing flexible closure to the window openings of automotive vehicle instead of fitting glass material which is costlier compared to flexible closure and also difficult for mounting.
Art is known of providing closures to the window openings of the automotive vehicle such as:
1) pasting the closure member on the boundaries of the window openings,
2) fixing the flexible member such as plastic material on the boundaries of the window openings using bolts, screws, etc.
patent no US 5820189 discloses one of such means for covering the vehicle side windows and are shown in the Figure 18, 19a, 19b of the patent no US 5820189 wherein, covering is provided with magnetic hem being sewn therein which can be attached to the vehicle body, more specifically over the boundaries of the window of the vehicle.
patent no US 4544195 discloses a system comprising a cover for a pickup truck having a tillable tailgate upon which is mounted a conventional rigid camper enclosure of the type having a tiltable rear window panel and being accessible from the rear. The cover includes a flexible waterproof canvas sheet having a forward edge attached by a series of spaced snaps around the top and sides of the camper assembly at the rear end.
however, such systems are suffered from some inherent problems such as:
1) water get leaked-in from the joining boundaries, this phenomenon become more acute in rainy seasons;
2) over a period of time bonds between vehicle body and closure materia! become weak;

3) when fixed using screws, bolts, etc., the closure materials gets cracked out from the point of fixing, that further may make closure member useless.
4) Also in running condition of the automotive vehicle due to relative air velocity, the flexible closure member generates undesirable noise that may make passengers seating inside the vehicle uncomfortable.
Hence, need has been felt, in the view to negate the abovementioned shortcomings and inconveniences, to provide a mounting structure for fixing the flexible member to the window openings which is robust, have longer running life and which can be fixed to the standard vehicles.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:-
An object of the present invention is to provide a translucent flexible closure to the window openings of the automotive vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible closure adapted to be readily, quickly and easily mounted to the window openings to protect the passengers from dust, stone, insects, rain, etc.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible closure to be mounted to the window openings which requires no structural modifications to the automotive vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the automotive vehicle by providing a translucent flexible closure only to the window openings of the automotive vehicle.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a translucent flexible closure only to the window openings of the automotive vehicle so that outer body of the automotive vehicle alongwith structural support members is noticeable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible closure that can be removably fixed to the window openings of the standard vehicles.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible closure that seals the boundaries between flexible closure member and window opening so that water do not enters through the gaps.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION:-
Accordingly invention provides a flexible closure for window opening of automotive vehicle comprising a top attaching frame member and two side attaching frame members made of ribbed structure having fastening means adapted to fitted to the window opening of automotive vehicle consisting of four boundaries as top boundary , bottom boundary , front side boundary and rear side boundary; the said top boundary, front side boundary and rear side boundary provided with the hole openings , at interval, adapted to removably fix the said top attaching frame member, and two side attaching frame members respectively having matching holes thereof; a flexible closure for enveloping the said window opening fixed to the said top attaching frame and two side attaching frames by means fasteners with reinforcing strip and sealing member having matching holes on the said flexible closure, side and top attaching members, reinforcing member and sealing member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automotive vehicle employing the flexible closure to a window opening according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the. flexible closure according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the attaching frame member according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a front and rear perspective views of the front side attaching frame member according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a front and rear perspective views of the top attaching frame member according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the flexible member according to the present invention;
Figure 7 is a sectional view along A-A alongwith flexible member, reinforcing strip member and sealing member mounted thereon;
Figure 8 is a sectional view along B-B alongwith flexible member, reinforcing strip member and sealing member mounted thereon;
Figure 9 is a sectional view along C-C alongwith flexible member, reinforcing strip member and sealing member mounted thereon;
Figure 10 is a sectional view along D-D alongwith flexible member, reinforcing strip member and sealing member mounted thereon;
Figure 11 is depicting the assembly of the flexible member with top attaching frame member;
Figure 12 is depicting the assembly of the flexible member with front side attaching frame member;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the automotive vehicle of prior art using canopy covering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention the drawbacks as stated hereinabove have been overcome by providing a mounting structure for fixing the flexible member to the window openings comprising of frame members engageable with top and both the side boundaries of the window opening and which is robust, have longer running life and which can be fixed to the standard vehicles.
For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be made to the embodiment illustrated in grater depth in the accompanying figures and description here below, further, in the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
The terms "front", "rear", "left", "right" used therein represents the directions as seen from an automobile driver and these directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, L, R in the drawing figures
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the automotive vehicle designated by (100) employing the present invention depicting, generally the external appearance of a four-wheeled automotive vehicle (100), wherein there is seen provided a side body portion or side body panel designated by the reference numeral (200). The automotive vehicle (100) has a side door (300) mounted to the side body portion thereon, having flexible closure (19) enveloping the window opening (01) on the side door of the automotive vehicle (100).
The window opening (01) of automotive vehicle (100) comprises of four boundaries as top boundary (02), bottom boundary (03), front side boundary (04) and rear side boundary (05) [not shown]. The top boundary (02), front side boundary (04) and rear side boundary (05) are provided with the hole openings [not shown], at interval, adapted to removably fix the top attaching frame member (20t), front side attaching frame member (20f) and rear side attaching frame member (20r) respectively.
The flexible closure (19) for enveloping the window opening (01) of the side door (300) of the automotive vehicle (100) comprises, as depicted in the Figure

2, i) flexible member (10); ii) attaching frame member (20); iii) reinforcing strip member (30); iv) sealing member (40); and v) fastening means, such as, bolts, screws, pins, etc.
Attaching frame member (20), as illustrated in the Figure 3, made up of three different attaching frame members, as top attaching frame member (20t) and two side attaching frame members as front side attaching frame member (20f) and rear side attaching frame member (20r). Both the side attaching frame members (20f) and (20r) have substantially the similar structure and mounting steps and hence description would now be made as to the rear side attaching frame member (20r) alone.
As illustrated in the Figure 4, the rear side attaching frame member (20r) intended to be removably fixed to the rear side boundary (05) of the window opening (01) of the automotive vehicle (100) is approximately English alphabet "C" like structure having front face (21) and two side faces (22) and (23), the side faces (22) and (23) are arranged in the inclined manner to the front face (21) and extends from the front face (21) and away from each other. Rear side attaching frame member (20r) is provided with the plurality of recesses which are appearing in the form of box like depression (24) on the front face (21) of the rear side attaching frame member (20r). The box like depressions (24) are closed by a rear flat surface (25) having at least one journaiing opening (25a) entirely there through adapted to be removably fixed to the hole openings on the rear side boundary (05) of the window opening (01) using fastening means such as bolts, etc., such openings (25a) may be provided on all the flat surfaces (25) or few of them as per requirement. When looked from the rear direction, the side attaching frame member (20r) exhibits plurality of the ribs (26), these plurality of ribs (26) and box like depressions (24) provide more stiffness to the side attaching frame member (20r) to withstand the cantilever forces and wind pressure that rear side attaching frame member (20r) may subject during automotive vehicle running condition. The rear flat surface (25) confirms with the structural geometry / profile of the rear side boundary (05) of the window opening (01) and provides bearing surface to achieve proper fixing of the rear side attaching frame member (20r) with the rear side boundary (05).

On the rear side of the rear side attaching frame member (20r) can be seen plurality of tubular protrusions (27) extending to the rear direction of the rear side attaching frame member (20r); these tubular protrusions (27) are provided with at least one central hole (27a) adapted to receive the screws, plastic pins or similar fastening hardware, etc.
At the upper end thereof of the rear side attaching frame member (20r), in the lengthwise direction, is extending a flat surface (28) provided with a journaling opening (28a) entirely there through.
Further, the rear side attaching frame member (20r), particularly the rear side of the rear side attaching frame member (20r) has a shape which is identical or substantially identical to the rear side boundary (05) of the window opening (01) to achieve proper profile matching.
Figure 5 illustrates a top attaching frame member (20t) intended to be removably fixed to the top boundary (02) of the window opening (01) of the automotive vehicle (100), the top attaching frame member (20t) having front face (31) and lower face (32) substantially perpendicular to each other, as best can be seen in the Figure 7 and Figure 8, the front face (31.) is sloping in inwardly and upwardly direction towards top boundary (02) of the window opening (01). At both the ends thereof, the top attaching frame member (20t) extends downwardly in the right angled direction to the length of the top attaching frame member (20t), each such extension (33b) and (33) is provided with the journaling openings (32a) and (33a). The right angled extension (33) at the time of assembly overlaps with the flat surfaces (28) of the rear side attaching frame member (20r); and the journaling opening (28a) on the flat surface (28) and journaling opening (33a) on the extensions (33) confirms with each other so that can be removably fixed using common fasting means such as bolt, etc. to the corresponding hole opening on the boundary of the window opening (01) of the automotive vehicle (100).

The front face (31) of the top attaching frame member (20t) is provided with the plurality of recesses appearing in the form of circular depressions (34), these circular depressions (34) are closed by the rear flat surface (35) having at least one journaling opening (35a) entirely there through adapted to be removably fixed to the hole openings on the top boundary (02) of the window opening (01) using fastening means such as bolts, etc. When looked from the rear direction the top attaching frame member (20t) exhibits plurality of the ribs (36a), these plurality of ribs (36a) and circular box like depression (34) provide more stiffness to the top attaching frame member (20t) to withstand the cantilever forces and wind pressure that the top attaching frame member (20t) may subject during automotive vehicle running condition.
The top attaching frame member (20t) is also provided with the plurality of recesses which are appearing in the form of box like depressions (36) on the front face (31), the box like depressions (36) are closed by a rear flat surface (37). There are provided tubular protrusions (38) extending from the rear flat surface (37) towards font side of the top attaching frame member (20t) and provided with central hole (38a) having opening from rear side of the top attaching frame member (20t) and through the rear flat surface (37). These central hole (38a) provided on tubular protrusions (38) are adapted to receive the screws, plastic pins or similar fastening hardware, etc. Also, the tubular protrusions are provided with the plurality of rib structure (39) for better strength purpose.
Further, the top attaching frame member (20t), particularly the rear side of the top attaching frame member (20t) has a shape which is identical or substantially identical to the top boundary (02) of the window opening (01) to achieve proper profile matching.
Flexible member (10) as illustrated in the Figure 6, is formed of a sheet of flexible material which has considerable degree of stiffness, and which yet may be called flexible to some degree so that it can be bent and fold in a direction transverse to its plane, in general, flexible member (10) is made up of PVC sheet, polythene sheet/HDPE and like material having opaque portion (11) and

translucent portion (12) in the central zone thereof, sometimes, the opaque portion (11) and transparent portion (12) are made up of different material which are then joined together by joining process preferably by using vibration welding. The material of the flexible member (10) can be selected of desired grade as per requirement. The opaque portion (11) of the flexible member (10) is provided with holes (11a) performed horizontally in the upper region thereof in general consonance with the journaling openings (35a) provided on the rear flat surfaces (35) of the circular depressions (34) of the top attaching frame member (20t). Similarly, holes (11b) performed vertically on the side edges thereof of the flexible member (10) are in general consonance with the journaling openings (25a) on rear flat surface (25) of the box like depressions (24) on the rear side attaching frame member (20r) and similar provisions on the front side attaching frame member (20f).
The opaque portion (11) of the flexible member (10) also provided with horizontal row of smaller holes (13a) in the upper region thereof and vertical column on both the sides of the flexible member (10). The layout of smaller openings (13a) is in consonance with the configuration layout of the central holes (38a) of tubular protrusions (38) on the top attaching frame member (20t) and central holes (27a) of tubular protrusions (27) on the rear side attaching frame member (20r) and corresponding provisions on the front side attaching frame member (20f). The plastic hardware such as plastic pins are used to fix the flexible member (10) with the top attaching frame member (20t) and front side attaching frame member (20f) and rear side attaching frame member (20r). The flexible member (10) is further provided with the zipper (39) to enable the flexible member (10) to be folded so that passenger can commute with the outside world through window opening (01).
Now, construction and assembly of the flexible closure (19) will be described in the more details.
As illustrated in the Figure 11 and Figure 7 and Figure 8, flexible member (10), in the upper portion, is folded over the top attaching frame member (20t) as shown by reference numeral (10aa) and the smaller holes (13a) in the upper

region of the flexible member (10) are brought in overlap relation with the central holes (38a) on the tubular protrusions (38) of the rear flat surface (37) of the top attaching frame member (20t) and a reinforcing strip member (30) having similar configuration layout of the hole openings (30a) as of central holes (38a) on the tubular protrusions (38) of the top attaching frame member (20t) is fixed to the top attaching frame member (20t) by inserting fastening means such as screws, plastic hardware such as plastic pin, etc., sandwiching in between the flexible member (10).
Similarly, as illustrated in the Figure 12 and Figure 9 and Figure 10, vertical side of the flexible member (10) is folded over the rear side attaching frame member (20r) as shown by reference numeral (10ab) and the vertical column of smaller hole openings (13a) on the side region of the flexible member (10) are brought in overlap relation with the central holes (27a) on the tubular protrusions (27) on the rear side of the rear side attaching frame member (20r) and the reinforcing strip member (30) having similar configuration of the hole openings (30a) as of the central holes (27a) on the tubular protrusions (27) on the rear side of the rear side attaching frame member (20r) is fixed to the rear side attaching frame member (20f) by inserting screws, plastic hardware such as plastic pin (10a), etc., sandwiching in between the flexible member (10). Flexible member (10) is also fixed to the front side attaching frame member (20f) in similar manner.
Flexible member (10) is fixed to the top attaching frame member (20t), and side attaching frame members (20f) and (20r) using reinforcing strip member (30), this reinforcing strip member (30) helps to avoid tearing of the flexible member (10) from the point of fixing i.e. from the periphery of the smaller hole openings (13a).
sealing member (40) such as foam having, in general, similar configuration of the hole openings (40a) as of the journaling openings (25a) on the rear flat surface (25) of the box like depressions (24) on the front face (21) of the rear side attaching frame members (20r) & corresponding provisions on the front side attaching frame members (20f) and journaling openings (35a) on the rear

flat surface (35) of circular depressions (34) on the top attaching frame member (20t) is then pasted on the side attaching frame members (20f) & (20r) and top attaching frame member (20t). The sealing member (40) works as sealing member.between frame members (20t), (20f) & (20r) and boundaries of the window opening (01) respectively to restrict any possible entrapment of water droplets from entering inside the automotive vehicle body (please refer 89 in the Figure 7). This flexible closure (19) is now ready to be removably fixed to the window opening (01) of standard automotive vehicles.
The flexible closure (19) is held in proper relation with the window opening (01) of standard automotive vehicle (100) and removably fixed to the window opening (01) by inserting bolts through the journaling openings (25a) on the rear flat surface (25) of the box like depressions (24) on the front face (21) of the side attaching frame members (20f) & (20r) and journaling openings (35a) on the rear flat surface (35) of circular depressions (34) on the top attaching frame member (20t) and tightening with the hole openings on the top boundary (02), front side boundary (04) and rear side boundary (05) of the window opening (01).
Sometimes, flexible member (10) is fixed to the attaching frame members (20t), 20f) & (20r) such that after fixing, sufficient portion (depicted by 82) of the flexible member (10) at the free edges available whereupon is provided a Velcro (82a) as illustrated in Figure 10; similarly sufficient extra material (84) can be stitched to the flexible member (10) whereupon provided a counter Velcro (84a), once these Velcro are joined together, the attaching frame members are get hidden thus aesthetic appearance is further enhanced.
Person skilled in the art shall appreciate that, for mounting the closure member, alongwith top attaching frame member (20t), front side attaching frame member (20f) and rear side attaching frame member (20r), an additional bottom attaching frame member can also be used, if required.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without

departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:-
1. A flexible closure for window opening of automotive vehicle comprising a top attaching frame member and two side attaching frame members made of ribbed structure having fastening means adapted to fitted to the window opening of automotive vehicle consisting of four boundaries as top boundary , bottom boundary , front side boundary and rear side boundary; the said top boundary, front side boundary and rear side boundary provided with the hole openings , at interval, adapted to removably fix the said top attaching frame member, and two side attaching frame members respectively having matching holes thereof; a flexible closure for enveloping the said window opening fixed to the said top attaching frame and two side attaching frames by means fasteners with reinforcing strip and sealing member having matching holes on the said flexible closure, side and top attaching members, reinforcing member and sealing member.
2. A flexible closure for window opening as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said top attaching frame, having front face sloping in inwardly and upwardly direction towards top boundary of the window opening and lower face substantially perpendicular to each other, provided with joumaling openings, adapted to be fitted to the top matching hole of the said side attaching frames, to the both ends downwardly extending right angled direction; the said front face of the top attaching frame member is provided with the plurality of recesses appearing in the form of circular depressions closed by the rear flat surface having at least one joumaiing opening entirely there through adapted to be removably fixed to the hole openings on the top boundary of the window opening using fastening means; the said top attaching frame member is also provided with the plurality of recesses which are appearing in the form of box like depressions on the front face , the box like depressions are closed by a rear flat surface , a tubular protrusions extending from the rear flat surface towards font side of the top attaching frame member and provided with central hole, for fastener means, having opening from rear side of the said top attaching frame member and through the rear flat surface .

3. A flexible closure for window opening as claime in claim 1 and 2 wherein the said side attaching frames having cross sectional shape approximately english alphabet "C" like structure having front face , having the plurality of recesses which are appearing in the form of box like depression, and two side faces , arranged in the inclined manner to the front face and extends from the front face and away from each other; the said box like depressions are closed by a rear flat surface having at least one journaling opening entirely there through adapted to be removably fixed to the hole openings on the rear side boundary of the window opening using fastening means, such openings may be provided on all the flat surfaces or few of them as per requirement; a plurality of tubular protrusions having a central hole adapted to receive fastening means provided on the rear side of the said side attaching frame member extending to the rear direction of the said side attaching frame member; at the upper end thereof of the said rear side attaching frame member, in the lengthwise direction, extending a flat surface provided with a journaling opening entirely there through for removably fixing the said top attaching frame journaling opening at both ends.
4. A flexible closure for window opening as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein the said flexible member formed of a sheet having opaque portion with translucent portion in the central zone; a first set number of holes at distant in horizontally at upper region with matching with the journaling openings of circular depression on the said top attaching frame; a second set of number of holes vertical side edges of the said opaque portion provided with matching journaling opening on the on the rear flat surface of the box depressions of said side attachment frame; a third set of smaller holes provided on the said opaque in the upper region and vertical column on both sides matching with holes on the said tubular protrusions of top attaching frame and tubular protrusions on the said side attaching frames; fastener means applied fix the flexible member to the said top attaching frame and side attaching frames with matching holes/openings on the said flexible member and the said top and side attaching frames.
5. A flexible closure for window as claimed in claim 4 wherein the said flexible member, in the upper portion and side portion is folded over the top

attaching frame member and side attaching frame respectively the smaller holes in the upper region and side vertical region of the flexible member are brought in overlap relation with the central holes on the tubular protrusions of the top attaching frame member and side attaching frame member and a reinforcing strip member having similar configuration layout of the hole openings as of central holes on the tubular protrusions of top attaching frame member and side attaching frame member fixed to the top attaching frame member and side attaching frame respectively by inserting fastening means sandwiching in between the flexible member.
6. A flexible closure for window opening as claimed claims 1 to 5 wherein the
said sealing member, such as foam having, in general, similar
configuration of the hole openings as of the journaling openings on the
rear flat surface of the box like depressions on the front face of the side
attaching frame members and journaling openings on the rear flat surface
of circular depressions on the top attaching frame member is then pasted
on the said side attaching frame members and top attaching frame
member.
7. A flexible closure for window opening as claimed in claims 1 to 6 wherein
the flexible member is further provided with the zipper to enable the flexible
member to be folded for commute with the outside through window opening.
8. A flexible closure for window opening as claimed in claims 1 to 7 wherein
the said side attaching frame member (20r), having the rear side shape
identical or substantially identical to the rear side boundary (05) of the
window opening.