U.S. patent application number 10/833898 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for windshield fastening device.
Invention is credited to Dolan, Frank.
Application Number | 20050039316 10/833898 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34197748 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050039316 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dolan, Frank |
February 24, 2005 |
Windshield fastening device
Abstract
A method of securing a fastener to the windshield of a golf cart
comprising the steps of: (1) providing a windshield that defines a
windshield opening; (2) providing a fastener that comprises a male
portion and a body portion; and (3) securing the fastener to the
windshield by inserting the male portion into the windshield
opening. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fastener
is maintained in place relative to the windshield via the
frictional contact between the male portion and the windshield.
Inventors: |
Dolan, Frank; (Augusta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Family ID: |
34197748 |
Appl. No.: |
10/833898 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60465411 |
Apr 25, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/450 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 21/086 20130101;
Y10T 29/4987 20150115; B60J 10/30 20160201; B60J 10/70 20160201;
F16B 21/088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/450 |
International
Class: |
B23P 011/02 |
Claims
1. A method of securing a fastener to the windshield of a golf
cart, said method comprising the steps of: providing a windshield
that defines a windshield opening; providing a fastener that
comprises a male portion and a body portion; and securing said
fastener to said windshield by inserting said male portion into
said windshield opening.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said male portion is made of a
flexible material.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said male portion comprises a
head portion and a neck portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/465,411, entitled
"Windshield Fastening Device", which was filed on Apr. 25, 2003,
and which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to fastening devices for
retaining the windshield of a vehicle, such as a golf cart, in a
relatively fixed position relative to the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, current
golf carts typically include a two-part windshield that includes a
transparent upper portion and a transparent lower portion.
Typically, the lower portion is fixedly attached to the golf cart
so that it can not move relative to the golf cart's body. The upper
windshield portion, however, is usually attached to the lower
windshield portion by a hinge. This allows users to move the upper
windshield portion from a closed to an open position.
[0004] When the upper windshield portion in the closed position,
the upper windshield portion is positioned above the lower
windshield portion. In this closed position, the upper and lower
portions of the windshield cooperate to form a substantially
continuous, planar windshield that shields the golf cart's driver
from rain and wind as they drive the golf cart.
[0005] When the upper windshield portion is in the open position,
the upper and lower portions of the windshield are substantially
parallel to, and offset from each other, and the vertical position
of the upper and lower windshield portions is about the same. In
this closed position, the area immediately above the lower
windshield portion of the windshield is open to the elements. This
allows wind to pass above the lower windshield portion to cool the
driver as the driver drives the golf cart from place to place.
[0006] Prior art golf carts typically include flexible rubber
fasteners for holding the upper windshield portion in the open and
closed positions. These rubber fasteners are typically attached to
the upper and/or lower portions of the windshield using an adhesive
substance such as glue.
[0007] One disadvantage associated with these prior art golf carts
is that the adhesive used to attach the rubber fasteners to the
golf cart's windshield often deteriorates over time, especially
after prolonged exposure to the sun. As a result, the rubber
fasteners often become detached from the golf carts. Consequently,
the rubber fasteners must frequently be replaced, which is both
inconvenient and expensive.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for improved fasteners for golf
cart windshields that are configured for being attached to the
windshields in a more robust fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A method of securing a fastener to the windshield of a golf
cart according to one embodiment of the invention comprises the
steps of: (1) providing a windshield that defines a windshield
opening; (2) providing a fastener that comprises a male portion and
a body portion; and (3) securing the fastener to the windshield by
inserting the male portion into the windshield opening. In a
particular embodiment of the invention, the fastener is maintained
in place relative to the windshield via the frictional contact
between the male portion and the windshield.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Having thus provided a brief description of various
embodiments of the invention, certain embodiments of the invention
will now be described with reference to the drawings listed below,
which are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers refer to
like elements throughout.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper attaching member
and an end portion of an upper windshield portion according to a
first embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the upper attaching member and upper
windshield portion of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower attaching member and
a portion of a lower windshield portion according to a first
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the lower attaching member and
lower windshield portion of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the
invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a
closed position.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the
invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in an
open position.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an upper attaching member
and an end portion of an upper windshield portion according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top view of the upper attaching member and upper
windshield portion of FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lower attaching member
and a portion of a lower windshield portion according to a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side view of the lower attaching member and a
lower windshield portion of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to another embodiment of the
invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a
closed position.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of a golf cart that includes the
windshield fastening system of FIG. 12. This figure depicts the
upper windshield portion in an open position.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of a lower attaching member and a
lower windshield portion according to a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 is a side view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to a third embodiment of the
invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a
closed position.
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view of a golf cart that includes a
windshield fastening system according to a third embodiment of the
invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in an
open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] First Embodiment of the Invention FIGS. 1-7 depict a
windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the
invention. More particularly, FIGS. 5-7 depict a golf cart 100 that
includes a windshield comprising an upper windshield portion 30 and
a lower windshield portion 60. The lower edge of the upper
windshield portion 30 is attached to the upper edge of the lower
windshield portion 60 via a hinge 36 as shown in FIGS. 5-7. As will
be understood by one skilled in the relevant field, the upper
windshield portion 30 is configured to be moved from a closed
position, which is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, to an open position,
which is depicted in FIG. 7.
[0028] As may be understood from FIGS. 5-7, the windshield
fastening system includes two upper attaching members 20 and two
lower attaching members 52. The upper attaching members 20 are used
to maintain the upper windshield portion 30 in the closed position.
Similarly, the lower attaching members 52 are used to maintain the
upper windshield portion 30 in the open position. The structure and
operation of the upper and lower attaching members 20, 52 will now
be discussed in greater detail.
[0029] Upper Attaching Members--First Embodiment
[0030] The structure of an upper attaching member 20 according to a
first embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. As
may be understood from these figures, the upper attaching member 20
includes a substantially planar rear portion 25, a substantially
planar connector portion 22 that extends outwardly from and
generally perpendicular to, the rear portion 25, and a front,
substantially planar front portion 18 that extends outwardly from,
and generally perpendicular to, the connector portion 22. As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper attaching member's rear portion 25,
connector portion 22, and front portion 18 cooperate to form a
substantially U-shaped exterior structure of the upper attaching
member 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this
exterior structure is made of a flexible material, such as rubber,
so that the connector portion 22 and front portion 18 may be moved
relative to the rear portion 25.
[0031] The upper attaching member 20 further includes a fastening
member 12 for attaching the upper attaching member 20 to the upper
windshield portion 30 of the golf cart 100 as discussed below. This
fastening member 12, which preferably functions as a "male"
fastener, preferably includes a substantially planar head portion
16 that is substantially parallel to, and offset from the interior
surface of the upper attaching member's rear portion 25. The
fastening member 12 also includes a neck portion 14 that extends
between the interior surface of the upper attaching member's rear
portion 25 and an interior surface of the head portion 16 as shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
length of the neck portion 14 is about equal to the thickness of
the upper windshield portion 30.
[0032] As may be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper
windshield portion 30 defines an elongate opening 32 that is
immediately adjacent an outer edge 34 of the upper windshield
portion 30. A cross section of this opening is preferably about the
same size and shape as a cross-section of the upper attaching
member's neck portion 14. Also, the head and neck portions 14 and
16 of the upper attaching member 20 are preferably made of a
flexible material.
[0033] To install the upper attaching member 20 on the upper
windshield portion 30, a user simply pushes the upper attaching
member's head portion 16 through the elongate opening 32 in the
upper windshield portion 30 until the interior surface of the head
portion 16 is adjacent the exterior surface of the upper windshield
portion 30. In this position, which is shown in FIG. 2, the neck
portion 14 extends through the elongate opening 32. As may be
understood from FIG. 2, in this position, the frictional contact
between the head, rear, and neck portions of the upper attaching
member 20 with the upper portion of the upper windshield portion 30
serve to maintain the upper attaching member 20 in place relative
to the upper windshield portion 30.
[0034] To use the upper attaching members 20, the user rotates the
upper windshield portion 30 from the open position (shown in FIG.
7) to the closed position (shown in FIG. 6). Just before the upper
windshield portion 30 reaches the fully closed position, the user
manually flexes the upper attaching member's front and connector
portions 18, 22 so that one of the golf cart's roof support poles
110 is received within an interior portion defined by the front and
connector portions 18, 22 of the upper attaching member 20. The
user then releases front and connector portions 18, 22 so that the
front and connector portions 18, 22 contact the back and side
portions of the support pole 110. In this position, shown generally
in FIG. 6, the upper attaching member 20 extends around the support
pole 110 and holds the upper windshield portion 30 in the closed
position.
[0035] To release the upper windshield portion 30 from the closed
position, the user simply flexes the front and connector portions
18, 22 again so that the upper attaching member 20 releases the
support pole 110. The user then rotates the upper windshield
portion 30 about the hinge 36 until the upper windshield portion 30
is in the open position as shown in FIG. 7.
[0036] Lower Attaching Members--First Embodiment
[0037] The structure of a lower attaching member 52 according to
one embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. As
may be understood from these figures, the lower attaching member 52
includes a body portion 50 that comprises an upper arm 55 and a
lower arm 54. The upper arm 55 and lower arm 54 are spaced apart
from each other to define a windshield lip receiving cavity 56. The
upper and lower arms 54, 55 each preferably include teeth adjacent
the receiving cavity 56 for gripping the upper lip 34 of a
windshield as discussed below. The lower attaching member 52
further includes a neck portion 44 that is a adjacent the body
portion 50 and that extends between a head portion 46 of the lower
attaching member 52 and the lower attaching member's body portion
50. As shown in FIG. 4, the length of this neck portion 44 is
preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the lower
windshield portion 60.
[0038] As may be understood from FIGS. 3-7, each lower attaching
member 52 is attached to the lower windshield portion 60 adjacent
the lower windshield portion's bottom edge. As may be understood
from FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, each lateral side of the lower windshield
portion 60 defines a substantially horizontal elongate receiving
slot 62 that is dimensioned to receive the head and neck portions
44, 46 of the lower attaching member 52 as shown in FIG. 4. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and neck portions
44, 46 are made of a flexible material, such as rubber, to allow
the user to insert the head portion 46 through the receiving slot
62 so that the inner surface of the head portion 46 is adjacent an
interior surface of the lower windshield portion 60 and so that the
lower attaching member's neck portion 44 is disposed within the
receiving slot 62. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
body, neck, and head portions 50, 44, 46 of the lower attaching
member 52 are dimensioned so that the frictional contact between
the body, neck and head portions of the lower attaching member 52
and the lower windshield portion 60 hold the lower attaching member
52 in place relative to the lower windshield portion 60.
[0039] To use the lower attaching members 52, the user rotates the
upper windshield portion 30 from the closed position (shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6) to the open position (shown in FIG. 7). Just before
the upper windshield portion 30 reaches the fully open position,
the upper lip 34 of the upper windshield portion 30 (which extends
outwardly from, and substantially perpendicular to, the upper
windshield portion 30) enters each lower attaching member's
receiving slot 56. The upper lip is then held in place within the
lower attaching members' 53 receiving slots 56 by teeth adjacent
the receiving slots 56. This, in turn, holds the upper windshield
portion 30 in the open position as shown in FIG. 7.
[0040] To release the upper windshield portion 30 from the open
position, the user briskly pulls the upper windshield portion 30
away from the lower attaching member 52. This causes the lower
attaching member 52 to release the upper windshield portion's upper
lip 34. The user then rotates the upper windshield portion 30 about
the hinge 36 until the upper windshield portion 30 is in the closed
position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0041] Second Embodiment of the Invention
[0042] FIGS. 8-13 depict a windshield fastening system according to
a second embodiment of the invention. More particularly, these
figures depict a golf cart 200 that includes a windshield
comprising an upper windshield portion 230 and a lower windshield
portion 260. The lower edge of the upper windshield portion 230 is
attached to the upper edge of the lower windshield portion 260 by a
hinge 236 as shown in FIGS. 12-13. As will be understood by one
skilled in the relevant field, the upper windshield portion 230 is
configured to be moved from a closed position, which is depicted in
FIG. 12, to an open position, which is depicted in FIG. 13.
[0043] As was the case with the first embodiment described above,
this second embodiment of the windshield fastening system includes
two upper attaching members 220, and two lower attaching members
252. The upper attaching members 220 are preferably attached to the
upper windshield portion 230 in substantially the same place
(relative to the upper windshield portion 30, 230) as the upper
attaching members 20 shown in FIG. 5, which was discussed above in
relation to the first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the
lower attaching members 252 are preferably attached to the lower
windshield portion 260 in substantially the same place (relative to
the lower windshield portion 60, 260) as the lower attaching
members 52 shown in FIG. 5.
[0044] The upper attaching members 220 are used to maintain the
upper windshield portion 230 in the closed position. Similarly, the
lower attaching members 252 are used to maintain the upper
windshield portion 230 in the open position. The structure and
operation of these upper and lower attaching members 220, 252 will
now be discussed in greater detail.
[0045] Upper Attaching Members--Second Embodiment
[0046] The structure of an upper attaching member 220 according to
a second embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.
As may be understood from these figures, the upper attaching member
220 includes a body portion 221 that comprises: (1) a substantially
planar base portion 219; (2) a substantially planar first gripping
arm 217 that extends outwardly from, and perpendicular to, a first
exterior face of the base portion 219; and (3) a substantially
planar second gripping arm 218 that extends outwardly from, and
perpendicular to, the first exterior face of the base portion 219
so that the second gripping arm 218 is offset from, and
substantially parallel to, the first gripping arm 217.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the base portion 219, first
gripping arm 217 and second gripping arm 218 are oriented to define
a support pole receiving cavity 227 that preferably includes a
cross section that is about the same size and shape as a cross
section of a golf cart support pole 110, 210. (Note: The golf cart
support pole 210 in FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to the golf cart
support poles 110 shown in FIG. 5, which is discussed above.) In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the first gripping arm 217
includes an outer lip 225 that extends outwardly from an interior
surface of the first gripping arm's outer end generally toward the
second gripping arm 218. Similarly, the second gripping arm 218
includes an outer lip 223 that extends outwardly from an interior
surface of the second gripping arm's outer end generally toward the
first gripping arm 217. These outer lips 223, 225 serve to further
define the support pole receiving cavity 227.
[0048] The upper attaching member 220 further includes a head
portion 216 and a neck portion 214 that are adjacent the upper
attaching member's body portion 221. As may be understood from
FIGS. 8 and 9, the head and neck portions 214, 216 are preferably
dimensioned to hold the body portion 221 in place relative to the
upper windshield portion 230. The neck portion 214 extends between
the upper attaching member's head and body portions 216, 221. As
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the length of the neck portion 214 is
preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the upper
windshield portion 230.
[0049] As may be understood from FIGS. 5, 12, and 13, each upper
attaching member 220 is attached to the upper windshield portion
230 adjacent an outer edge of the upper windshield portion 230. As
may be understood from FIGS. 8 and 9, each lateral side of the
upper windshield portion 230 defines a substantially vertical
elongate receiving slot 232 that is dimensioned to receive the head
and neck portions 216, 214 of the upper attaching member 220 as
shown in FIG. 9.
[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and
neck portions 216, 214 are made of a flexible material, such as
rubber, to allow the user to insert the head portion 216 through
the receiving slot 232 so that the inner surface of the head
portion 216 is adjacent an exterior surface of the upper windshield
portion 230 and so that the upper attaching member's neck portion
214 is disposed within the receiving slot 232. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the body, neck, and head portions 221,
214, 216 of the upper attaching member 220 are dimensioned so that
the frictional contact between the body, neck and head portions
221, 214, 216 of the upper attaching member 220 and the upper
windshield portion 230 hold the upper attaching member 220 in place
relative to the upper windshield portion 230.
[0051] To use the upper attaching members 220, the user rotates the
upper windshield portion 230 from the open position (shown in FIG.
13) to the closed position (shown in FIG. 12). Just before the
upper windshield portion 230 reaches the fully closed position, the
outer surfaces of each upper windshield portion's first and second
gripping arms 217, 218 contact the outer lateral sides of a golf
cart support pole 210. This serves to flex the first and second
gripping arms 217, 218 away from each other so that the upper
windshield portion 230 may receive the support pole 210 within its
support pole receiving cavity 227.
[0052] Once the upper windshield portion 230 reaches the fully
closed position (shown in FIGS. 9 and 12), the outer lips 223, 225
of the first and second gripping arms 217, 218 wrap around the
interior side of the golf cart support pole 210 to hold the upper
attaching member 220 and the upper windshield portion 230 in place
relative to the golf cart support pole 210.
[0053] To release the upper windshield portion 230 from the closed
position, the user simply pulls or pushes the upper windshield
portion 230 away from the golf cart support poles 210 and toward
the open position (shown in FIG. 13). The pulling or pushing motion
serves to flex the first and second gripping arms 217, 218 away
from each other and also to push the upper attaching members 220
away from the golf cart support poles 210. This, in turn, causes
the upper attaching members 220 to release the golf cart support
poles 210. The user then rotates the upper windshield portion 230
about the hinge 236 until the upper windshield portion 230 is in
the open position as shown in FIG. 13.
[0054] Lower Attaching Members--Second Embodiment
[0055] The structure of a lower attaching member 252 according to a
second embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 10-11. An
alternative embodiment of this lower attachment member 252 is shown
in FIGS. 12-13. As may be understood from these figures, the lower
attaching member 252 preferably includes a substantially U-shaped
body portion 253 that comprises an outer latching member 254, a
central member 255 and an interior support member 257. As may be
understood from Figure, this U-shaped body portion 253 preferably
defines a recess 256 for receiving the front portion of the upper
windshield portion's upper lip 234.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the outer
latching member 254 and the interior support member 257 are
substantially planar. The outer latching member 254 is preferably
spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the interior
support member 257. The central member 255 is preferably
substantially planar and is disposed between the outer latching
member 254 and the interior support member 257. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the central member 255 is
substantially perpendicular to both the outer latching member 254
and interior support member 257.
[0057] The lower attaching member 252 further includes a head
portion 246 and a neck portion 244 that are a adjacent the lower
attaching member's body portion 253. As may be understood from
FIGS. 10 and 11, the head and neck portions 244, 246 are preferably
dimensioned to hold the body portion 253 in place relative to the
lower windshield portion 260. The neck portion 244 extends between
the lower attaching member's head and body portions 246, 253. As
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the length of the neck portion 244 is
preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the lower
windshield portion 260.
[0058] As may be understood from FIGS. 12-13, each lower attaching
member 252 is attached to the lower windshield portion 260 adjacent
the lower windshield portion's bottom edge. As may be understood
from FIGS. 10 and 11, each lateral side of the lower windshield
portion 260 defines a substantially horizontal elongate receiving
slot 262 that is dimensioned to receive the head and neck portions
244, 246 of the lower attaching member 252 as shown in FIG. 11. In
a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and neck portions
244, 246 are made of a flexible material, such a rubber, to allow
the user to insert the head portion 246 through the receiving slot
262 so that the inner surface of the head portion 246 is adjacent
an interior surface of the lower windshield portion 260 and so that
the lower attaching member's neck portion 244 is disposed within
the receiving slot 262. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the body, neck, and head portions 253, 244, 246 of the lower
attaching member 252 are dimensioned so that the frictional contact
between the body, neck and head portions 253, 244, 246 of the lower
attaching member 252 and the lower windshield portion 260 hold the
lower attaching member 252 in place relative to the lower
windshield portion 260.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as is shown
in FIG. 11, the upper windshield portion 230 includes a preferably
planar upper lip 234 along the upper edge of the upper windshield
portion 230. This upper lip 234 preferably extends outwardly from,
and substantially perpendicular to, the outer face of the upper
windshield portion 230. The upper lip 234 preferably includes a
receiving slot 233 that is dimensioned to align with the latching
member 254 of a corresponding lower attaching member 252 when the
upper windshield portion 230 is in the open position, as shown in
FIGS. 11 and 13. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
upper lip 234 includes two receiving slots 233, each receiving slot
233 corresponding to a single lower attaching member 252.
[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each receiving
slot 233 defines a cross section that is substantially the same
size and shape as a cross section of the latching member 254 of the
corresponding lower attaching member 252. Furthermore, as shown in
FIG. 11, each receiving slot is preferably configured so that the
latching member 254 of the corresponding lower attaching member 252
aligns with the receiving slot 233 when the upper windshield
portion 230 is in the open position.
[0061] To use the lower attaching members 252, the user rotates the
upper windshield portion 230 from the closed position (shown in
FIG. 12) to the open position (shown in FIGS. 11 and 13). Just
before the upper windshield portion 230 reaches the fully open
position, the upper lip 234 of the upper windshield portion 230
engages the latching members 254 of the lower attaching members
252, which flexes the latching members 254 in a generally downward
direction. As the upper windshield portion 230 continues to move
into the fully open position, the latching members 254 slide along
the outer surface of the upper lip 234 of the upper windshield
portion 230 until the upper windshield portion 230 is in the fully
open position.
[0062] Finally, when the upper windshield portion 230 is in the
fully open position, each latching member 254 aligns with its
corresponding receiving slot 233. When this occurs, the latching
members 254 move into place within the receiving slots 233 due to
the resilient structure of the latching members 254. The latching
members 254 then hold the upper windshield portion 230 in the open
position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13.
[0063] To release the upper windshield portion 230 from the open
position, the user briskly pulls the upper windshield portion 230
away from the lower attaching member 252. This causes the latching
members 254 to flex and slide out of their respective receiving
slots 233. As a result, the lower attaching members 252 release the
upper windshield portion's upper lip 234. The user then rotates the
upper windshield portion 230 about the hinge 236 until the upper
windshield portion 230 is in the closed position as shown in FIG.
12.
[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer end of
the latching members 254 are cut diagonally as shown in FIGS. 10
and 11 to facilitate the movement of the latching members 254 in to
the receiving slots 233. However, as will be understood by one
skilled in the relevant field, other configurations are
possible.
[0065] Third Embodiment of the Invention
[0066] A third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14-16.
As may be understood from these figures, this embodiment of the
invention is preferably essentially identical to the second
embodiment of the invention described above, except that the lower
attaching members 352 in this embodiment of the invention are
preferably dimensioned to define a slightly larger recess 256 than
that defined by the lower attaching members 252 of the second
embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the lower
attaching members 352 are preferably configured to receive, within
the recess 256 and in a substantially snug manner, an upper end
portion of the upper windshield portion 230. In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, each lower attaching member 256 is
preferably configured to receive the upper windshield portion's
upper lip 234 within the recess 256.
SELECTED ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0067] Although the invention has many advantages over prior art
windshield fastening systems, one key advantage of the present
invention is that the upper and lower attaching members 20, 220,
52, 252, 352 are configured to be attached to the windshield
without the use of adhesives. As a result, the upper and lower
attaching members 20, 220, 52, 252, 352 of the current invention
are more suitable for use in direct sunlight than prior art
windshield fastening systems, which are typically attached to the
windshield with adhesives that break down upon prolonged exposure
to the sun.
[0068] Furthermore, the upper and lower attaching members 20, 220,
52, 252, 352 of the present invention are much easier to replace
than prior art windshield fastening systems. This is due to the
fact that the upper and lower attaching members 20, 220, 52, 252,
352 are attached to the windshield through frictional contact
between the upper and lower attaching members 20, 220, 52, 252, 352
and the windshield, rather than with a strong adhesive.
CONCLUSION
[0069] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
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