Abstract:
A bracket is used to mount an accessory bag to a curved vehicle windshield, providing a planar bag mounting surface to prevent distortion of the bag. Angularly arranged planar surfaces of the bracket allow for mounting to windshields of varying curvatures. A mounting assembly including the bracket enables the bag to be secured to the windshield in a variety of configurations and locations on the windshield.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Compact vehicles such as motorcycle, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and similar vehicles typically lack adequate storage space for the personal effects of the vehicle driver or operator. This has been only partially addressed by the use of saddle bags and the like, since items stored in these types of storage compartments are not readily accessible by the driver of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. The amount of space available for use as storage within the easy reach of the driver is very limited indeed, and past solutions to this problem have not been found to be satisfactory. 
         [0002]    Many of the compact vehicles described above are provided with a transparent windshield in front of the driver to protect the driver from wind, precipitation, and road debris. Substantial variations can be found in the windshield, from vehicle to vehicle. For example, the windshield may be detachable or it may be permanently mounted, and it may be provided with or without metal support bars. It is, on occasion, desirable for the windshield to be used as a support structure to mount a bag or similar receptacle, so that the personal effects of the driver can be stored in a location that is readily accessible to the driver while operating the vehicle. 
         [0003]    Such use of the windshield can, however, be problematic. Most of such windshields are curved, while the bags desired to be mounted thereon are typically flat. Frequently the attachment of the bag to the curved windshield results in distortion of the bag. The distortion of the bag can cause cracking of the bag material, which can be both aesthetically displeasing and damaging to the overall structural integrity of the bag. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,096 to Salasny, Sr. describes an attempt to solve the foregoing problem by the use of a bracket that can be mounted to a curved windshield, and provides a planar mounting surface to attach the bag thereto. However, this bracket is very limited in its applicability, as it is only compatible with detachable windshields having a horizontal cross bar with a center mounting hole. Furthermore, that bracket is limited to use on a windshield having a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of the bracket&#39;s curved surface. Additionally, even on windshields that comply with the above requirements, a bag can only be mounted using this bracket at a height corresponding to the location of the horizontal cross bar, thus severely limiting the choices of the vehicle operator as to the positioning of the bag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an embodiment of the invention, a bracket to mount a bag to a windshield of a vehicle includes a body with a planar surface to which the bag is mounted. A first mounting tab extends from a side of the body that is opposite to the planar mounting surface, and defines a second planar surface that is oriented as an acute angle to the first planar surface. A second mounting tab also extends from the side of the body opposite to the first planar mounting surface, and defines a third planar surface, also oriented at an acute angle to the first planar surface. The second mounting tab is spaced apart from the first mounting tab. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the first and second mounting tabs are arranged substantially symmetrically about a center plane of the body. In some such embodiments the second and third planar surfaces are both tangent to a common arc centered on the center plane. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, apertures extend through the second and third planar mounting surfaces so that a fastener can be received through the apertures. In some such embodiments, inserts are received into the first and second mounting tabs, and threaded fasteners are received into the inserts. Rotation of the inserts within the mounting tabs, and rotation of the threaded fasteners within the inserts, is prevented. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a mounting assembly for securing a bag to a vehicle windshield includes a bracket located inboard of the windshield. The bracket includes a body, and mounting tabs extending from the body. Threaded fasteners extend through holes in the windshield and apertures in the mounting tabs to secure the bracket to the windshield, while additional fasteners secure the bag to the body of the bracket. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, deformable washers are included in the mounting assembly to conform to curved surfaces of the windshield. In some such embodiments at least some of the deformable washers are disposed against planar surfaces of the bracket. The planar surfaces of the bracket are angled with respect to the bag mounting surface. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the mounting assembly is secured to the windshield using a horizontal support bar of the windshield. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an accessory bag suitable for mounting using the bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to the bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to a vehicle windshield using a mounting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , with portions of the windshield removed for clarity. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to a vehicle windshield using a mounting assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , with portions of the windshield removed for clarity. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to a vehicle windshield using a mounting assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , with portions of the windshield removed for clarity. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partially exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to a vehicle windshield using a mounting assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to the mounting assembly of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the accessory bag of  FIG. 3  mounted to a mounting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0028]    A bracket  1  suitable for use in securing a bag to a vehicle windshield in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown and described in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The bracket  1  includes a body portion  9 , and first and second mounting tabs  3  and  4  attached at opposing ends to the body portion  9 . In the exemplary embodiment the bracket  1  is an injection molded plastic part, such that the body  9  and the first and second mounting tabs  3  and  4  are integrally molded as a single component. In certain other embodiments, however, one or both of the mounting tabs  3  and  4  can be separate components that join to the body  9  in order to form the bracket  1 . Alternatively, the bracket  1  can be formed as an integral structure including the body  9  and the mounting tabs  3  and  4  through a process, such as die casting or machining, for example. 
         [0029]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the bracket  1  further includes a planar surface  2 , covering what will be referred to as the back side of the bracket  1 . A plurality of mounting holes  10  are provided in the planar surface  2 , and provide locations for securing a bag to the planar surface  2  as will be described later. A total of six such mounting holes  10  are shown in the exemplary embodiment, but more or fewer such holes  10  can be provided. The mounting holes  10  can be circular, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, or they can alternatively be of a non-circular shape. 
         [0030]    The mounting tab  3  defines a planar surface  5  facing in a direction that is generally opposite of the planar surface  2 . As will be described in greater detail later, the planar surface  5  is oriented at an acute angle to the planar surface  2 . Similarly, the mounting tab  4  define a planar surface  6  facing in a direction that is generally opposite of the planar surface  2 , and is oriented at an acute angle thereto. Apertures  7  and  8  extend through the planar surfaces  5  and  6 , respectively. Preferably the mounting tabs  3  and  4  each have a width that is substantially smaller than the width of the bracket  1 . In some preferable embodiments the width of each of the mounting tabs  3  and  4  is approximately one inch. 
         [0031]    The bracket  1  is preferably hollowed out in order to minimize weight and improve manufacturability. Optionally, a network of ribs  13  is provided in order to strengthen and stiffen the bracket  1 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a bag  20  can be prepared for mounting to the bracket  1 . The bag  20  can vary in shape, size, and material of construction, but is typically of a leather construction and of a size and shape that is well-suited for carrying small personal effects such as money, sunglasses, keys, and the like. A sheet metal mounting clip  22  is optionally provided on a mounting surface  23  of the bag  20 , with the mounting surface  23  located at a back side of the bag opposite the bag opening. In order to prepare the bag  20  for mounting to the bracket  1 , a plurality of holes  21 , corresponding to at least some of the mounting holes  10  of the bracket  1 , are provided through the mounting surface  23 . One or more of the holes  21  may extend through the mounting clip  22 , if it is present. In any event, it should be understood that the mounting clip  22  is optional, and that the present invention can be used to mount bags that lack such a clip. 
         [0033]    The bag  20  can be secured to the bracket  1  by mating the mounting surface  23  of the bag  20  to the planar surface  2  of the bracket  1 , and by using threaded fasteners  39  ( FIG. 8 ) extending through aligned pairs of the holes  21  and the holes  10 . Washers  38  ( FIG. 8 ) can optionally be used in the interior of the bag  20  to prevent tear-out or other damage to the holes  21 , or to accommodate for the length of the fasteners. Each of the threaded fasteners  39  extends through one of the optional washers  38 , through one of the holes  21  in the bag  20 , through one of the holes  10  of the bracket  1 , and is received by a matching threaded fastener  16 . Hexagonal-shaped recesses  11  are provided in the bracket  1  at the ends of the holes  10 , and are sized to receive the threaded fasteners  16  and prevent rotation thereof to provide a simple assembly method for securing the bag  20  to the bracket  1 . 
         [0034]    The top bent flange of the mounting clip  22  can engage against a top surface  12  of the bracket  1  in order to locate the bracket  1  on the bag  20 , as well as to provide additional resistance to rotation between the bag  20  and the bracket  1 . An additional support wall  14  is provided on the back side of the bracket  1  (see  FIG. 2 ) to engage the bottom bent flange of the mounting clip  22 . 
         [0035]    The bracket  1 , threaded fasteners  39  and  16 , and washers  38  are preferably part of a mounting assembly  32  which is provided as a kit to secure a bag such as the bag  20 ) to a vehicle windshield. Other components of the mounting assembly  32 , and the manner by which it can be used to secure a bag to a windshield, will now be described, with specific reference to  FIGS. 5-8 . 
         [0036]    A windshield  30  is shown, and is mounted by way of windshield brackets  31  to a vehicle (not shown) such as a motorcycle, scooter, ATV, snowmobile, or the like. The windshield  30  is curved in the yaw direction of the vehicle, with a radius of curvature in the exemplary embodiment of approximately twenty inches. 
         [0037]    The windshield  30  is provided with a pair of holes located so as to align with the apertures  7  and  8  of the bracket  1  when the bag  20  is in the desired mounting location. Threaded fasteners  33  extend through the holes of the windshield  30  and through the apertures  7  and  8 , and are secured into corresponding threaded fasteners  40 . As shown in exploded view in  FIG. 8 , a fastener  40  is received into an insert  19 , which is in turn received into the mounting tab  3  of the bracket  1 . Although not shown exploded in  FIG. 8 , it should be understood that a similar insert  19  and threaded fastener  40  are located within the mounting tab  4  of the bracket  1 . The insert  19  is provided with a hexagonal recess to receive the hexagonal fastener  40 , so that rotation of the fastener  40  relative to the insert  19  is prevented during securing of the bracket  1  to the windshield  30  using the threaded fastener  33 . Furthermore, the insert  19  is prevented from rotating within the mounting tabs  3 ,  4 . The inserts  19 , fasteners  33 , and fasteners  40  are additional components of the mounting assembly  32 . 
         [0038]    In order to provide a secure and snug connection between the windshield  30  and the bracket  1 , the mounting assembly  32  further includes rigid flat washers  34 , and compliant washers  35  and  36 . The rigid flat washers  34  are conventional metal washers, whereas the compliant washers  35  and  36  are of a rubber, elastomeric, or similar material. The compliant washers  35  and  36  are arranged on opposing sides of the windshield  30 , with the rigid flat washers  34  disposed between the heads of the fasteners  33  and the compliant washers  35 , and with the compliant washers  36  pressed against the planar surfaces  5  and  6  of the bracket  1 . 
         [0039]    As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the mounting tabs  3  and  4  are arranged symmetrically about a center plane  50  of the mounting bracket  1 , the center plane  50  being oriented perpendicular to the planar face  2  of the bracket. Further, the planar surfaces  5  and  6  are angled relative to the center plane  50  such that they are approximately tangent to a common circular arc centered on the center plane  50 . In other words, a single arc can be constructed whose center is located on the center plane  50 , and which is tangent to both the planar surface  5  and the planar surface  6 . Preferably, the radius of that arc is approximately equal to the radius R of the windshield. In some preferable embodiments the radius of that arc is between fifteen and twenty-five inches in order to accommodate a broad range of vehicular windshields. In a highly preferable embodiment, the radius of that arc is approximately twenty inches. 
         [0040]    Due to the relatively narrow width of the mounting tabs  3  and  4 , a moderate discrepancy between the radius R of the windshield and the radius of the tangent arc will result in only a slight mismatch between the planar surfaces  5 ,  6  and the inner surface of the windshield. Such a slight mismatch can be easily accommodated by the compliancy of the washer  36 . In a similar fashion, the compliancy of the washer  35  can accommodate the mismatch between the curved surface of the windshield  30  and the flat surface of the rigid washer  34 . As an additional advantage, a clearance  37  is created between the windshield  30  and the body  9  of the bracket  1  in the region between the mounting tabs  3  and  4 . This clearance  37  facilitates regular cleaning of the windshield in that area, providing improved aesthetics. Additionally, the clearance  37  prevents the bag  20  from rubbing against the windshield  30  because of vibrations, thus preventing wear on the inside surface of the windshield  30 . 
         [0041]    The mounting assembly  32  and bracket  1  enable the bag  20  to be mounted on a wide variety of windshield sizes, and further enable the bag  20  to be mounted at various heights and locations on the windshield in order to accommodate the desires of the driver. 
         [0042]    Although the exemplary embodiments in the accompanying figures make use of threaded fasteners, it should be understood that various types of non-threaded fasteners can be used instead. For example, rivets, snaps, or other thread-less fasteners can be substituted for one or more of the threaded fasteners previously described without departing from the invention. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, certain components of the mounting assembly  32  need not be present. For example, the washers  38  and/or  34  can be eliminated, or can be integrated with the fasteners  33  and/or  39 . In other embodiments the inserts  19  and fasteners  40  can be eliminated, and a self-tapping or thread-cutting screw can be used as the fastener  33 . In still other embodiments the fasteners  40  can be provided as captured components within the bracket  1 , such as by insert molding. In other embodiments of the invention, additional components can be provided, as will be described hereafter. 
         [0044]    An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , where the windshield  30  includes a metal internal horizontal support bar  41  and metal external horizontal support bar  42 . In this embodiment, the compliant washers  35  and  36  are not needed. Instead, holes can be provided through the horizontal supports bars  41  and  42 , and the fasteners  33  can extend through the holes to secure the planar surfaces  5 ,  6  to the internal horizontal support bar  41 . A lip  17  is provided at both the top and the bottom edge of each of the planar surfaces  5 ,  6  so that the horizontal support bar  41  engages between the lips  17  and rotation of the bracket  1  relative to the support bar  41  is further prevented. Such lips  17  are preferably small enough in size so that the compliant washers  36  disposed between the planar surfaces  5 ,  6  and the internal surface of the windshield  30  prevent contact between the lips  17  and the windshield  30  in the case where the bracket  1  is mounted to the windshield  30  as previously described, without the use of a horizontal support bar. 
         [0045]    Yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 11-13 . In this embodiment the bracket  1  is again mounted using horizontal support bars  41  and  42 . A center hole is provided through the bars  41  and  42 , and the windshield therebetween, to facilitate the mounting of the bracket  1 . The fasteners  33  (along with associated hardware  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  19 , and  40 ) are eliminated, and instead a lengthened fastener  39  extends sequentially through a washer  38 , the bag  20 , the bracket  1 , a standoff  46 , the internal horizontal support bar  41 , the windshield  30 , the external horizontal support bar  42 , a flat washer  45 , a lock washer  44 , and a threaded fastener  43 . Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , preferred one of the mounting holes  10  to receive the lengthened fastener  39  is provided with its axis at the intersection of a center plane of the bracket body portion  9  (centered between the mounting tabs  3  and  4 ), and a plane extending through approximately the centers of the mounting tabs  3  and  4 , so that the lips  17  are spaced equidistantly from that plane. The required holes in the windshield  30  and in the horizontal support bars  41  and  42  are often already provided at the center of the horizontal support bars, thus eliminating the need for adding additional holes to the windshield. The lips  17  on the bracket  1  again prevent rotation of the bag  20 . 
         [0046]    Still another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , and includes an air vent  47  provided on the windshield  30 . In this embodiment, the bag  20  is indirectly mounted to the windshield  30  by attaching to the air vent  47 . The bracket  1  and associated hardware are used as before, with corresponding holes being provided in the air vent  47  in place of in the windshield  30 . An additional stand-off  48  is optionally used in place of the bottom center one of the threaded fasteners  16  in order to counteract the moment that results from the force of gravity when the bag is mounted in such an orientation, but is not required. 
         [0047]    As seen in the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 16 , the bracket  1  is additionally capable of being used in a 180 degree rotated orientation. When used in such an orientation, the apertures  7  and  8  by which the bracket  1  is secured to the windshield are located lower on the bag, thereby allowing the bag  20  to be mounted at a location that is vertically higher on the windshield. Again, the bracket  1  can be used to mount a bag  20  with a mounting clip  22 , as well as without a mounting clip  22 , in the rotated orientation illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 16 . In the case of a bag with a mounting clip  22 , the top bent flange of the clip can engage against the surface  18  of the bracket  1  (see  FIG. 2 ). An additional wall  19  is provided to similarly engage the bottom bent flange of the mounting clip  22 . Clearances  15  provided in the rib walls  13  of the bracket  1  allow the bracket to accommodate mounting clips  22  of various widths in the rotated orientation of  FIG. 16 . 
         [0048]    Various alternatives to the certain features and elements of the present invention are described with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention. With the exception of features, elements, and manners of operation that are mutually exclusive of or are inconsistent with each embodiment described above, it should be noted that the alternative features, elements, and manners of operation described with reference to one particular embodiment are applicable to the other embodiments. 
         [0049]    The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.