Vented windshield

A windshield for a utility or off-road all terrain vehicle includes a plurality of slits through a bottom center of the windshield body. A slide plate with corresponding slits is slidably attached to the windshield body. The slide plate is formed of the same transparent or translucent material as the windshield body, but is not as thick and the windshield body and is not hardened. Fasteners are fixed to the windshield body and extend through slide slots in the slide plate, enabling a throw of the slide plate of at least the width of the slits. A spacer or seal strip is positioned between the windshield body and the slide plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to windshields, and particularly to windshields of all terrain or utility vehicles intended for off road travel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utility vehicles and all terrain vehicles are well known for travel over a wide variety of terrains, including over unpaved trails or fields, rocks, etc. Such vehicles are widely used in agriculture and forestry operations, as well as in safety operations such as for rugged mountain crossings. Such vehicles are also widely used for recreational enjoyment in natural, outdoor settings away from pavement.

Many all terrain and utility vehicles include a windshield through which the driver and any passenger(s) look forward when travelling. The windshield provides significant safety benefits, such as shielding the driver and any passenger(s) from branches, bugs, and airborne stones or other debris. The windshield assists in driver and passenger comfort, such as keeping the occupants dry and comfortable during rain or snow conditions and keeping the occupants clean when travelling through muddy or dusty conditions. All terrain vehicle cabs with windshields are available both in open configurations, wherein there may be no side windows or rear window, and in closed configurations, where side and rear windows further enclose and protect the occupants. In general however, even in closed configurations, all terrain and utility vehicles still remain relatively simple and provide no air conditioning or other source of forced cool air ventilation. Even if an air heating system is provided to warm the occupants, some occupants desire additional fresh air in the cockpit, as a substantial part of the riding experience involves enjoying outdoor conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a vented windshield for a utility or off-road all terrain vehicle. At least one opening, and more preferably a plurality of slits are defined through the windshield body, such as to define a ventilation area which is in a bottom center of the windshield. A slide plate cover is slidably attached to the windshield body, slidable between a closed position in which the slide plate substantially restricts or prevents air from flowing through the windshield and an opened position in which the slide plate allows air flow linearly through the windshield. For instance, the slide plate cover may have a plurality of slits which match the plurality of slits of the windshield body, and a throw of a length corresponding to the width of the slits, such that only a small amount of movement of the slide plate is needed to open or close the vent. The slide plate may be attached to the windshield by a plurality of fasteners extending through the windshield to define slide pegs, with the slide plate having slots receiving the fasteners for sliding movement thereon. While the vented windshield is in the open position in an enclosed cab, air exchange and the corresponding temperature adjustment in the cab can be realized. While the vented windshield is in the open position in an open cab, the air flow entering into through the windshield changes the air flow direction in the cab, minimizing the entry of dust raised on the sides of the vehicle from entering and settling in the cab, thereby improving the driving environment. The vented windshield may also include a seal strip between the windshield body and the slide plate, so as to assist in preventing water from entering the cab through the ventilation area while the slide plate is in the closed position.

In these Figures, reference numerals are as follows:1indicates the transparent body of the windshield;101indicates fastener openings through the windshield;102indicates ventilation slits through the windshield;103indicates accessory holes through the windshield;2indicates the slide plate;201indicates ventilation slits through the slide plate;202indicates the slide slots through the slide plate;203indicates the handle;3indicates the slide plate lock;4indicates fasteners401indicates female threaded bolt heads;402indicates male threaded bolts;403indicates the slide washers; and5indicates a washer.

While the above-identified drawing figures set forth a preferred embodiment, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, some of which are noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the illustrated embodiments of the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other minor modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows the transparent (or significantly translucent, if tinted) body portion of a windshield1, intended for use on a utility vehicle or an all terrain vehicle such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D701,469, D622,631 and 9,365,094, all incorporated by reference. While they could possibly be outfitted with a heating system for the vehicle occupants, such utility and all terrain vehicles do not include an air conditioning system or other source of forced cool air ventilation. In the preferred embodiment, the windshield1shown is for a vehicle with spaces for two front seat occupants, a driver and a passenger.

The windshield1may include holes103in the center near the top of the windshield1for various accessories, such as for a rearview mirror (not shown) and/or a windshield wiper (not shown). These holes103should be positioned so the accessories minimally obstruct the driver's view, and in particular do not interfere with the driver's view forward down the road or trail.

The windshield1is formed of a sheet of transparent material, which is sufficiently robust to protect the vehicle occupants without shattering. For instance, the windshield1could be formed of laminated safety glass or tempered glass. More preferably, the windshield1is cast or extruded of a polymer material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic (PMMA). In the most preferred embodiment, the windshield1is formed of polycarbonate at a uniform thickness of about 5 mm, slightly curved to have the general profile shown. While the curvature of the windshield1helps the windshield1better withstand wind and impact somewhat, the preferred windshield material is hardened to make it more resistant to crushing or impact.

Unlike prior art windshields, the windshield1of the present invention has openings or slits102which enable some air to flow through the windshield1Like the accessory holes103, the slits102should be positioned so as to minimally obstruct the driver's view, and in particular to not interfere with the driver's view forward down the road or trail. A preferred position for the slits102is low in the center of the windshield1, where the slits102will be directly impacted by air flow along the centerline of the vehicle as the vehicle travels. The ventilation slits102are more effective in the center of the windward surface. Locating the slits102in the center of the vehicle also generates a general ventilation effect to the vehicle cabin without focusing the airflow directly at either the driver or the passenger, neither of which is seated directly behind the slits102. The middle of the windshield1is also an area of the windshield1that typically has a generally uniform curvature, important for mating well with the slide plate2.

Each slit102is preferably wider than the thickness of the windshield material, and more preferably at least twice the thickness of the windshield material, thereby presenting a significantly open air flow profile through the slits102even when driving in a crosswind. At the same time, each slit102is narrow enough to still provide a significant safety function in preventing branches or airbourn stones from entering the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the slits102are 25 mm wide in the 5 mm thick windshield material.

The spacing between slits102needs to be great enough, for the length of slits chosen, so as to not create too weak of a windshield section between adjacent slits102to adequately protect the vehicle occupants. The spacing between slits102also affects the maximum amount of open space for ventilation. In the preferred embodiment, the spacing between slits102matches the slit width at 25 mm.

The length of the slits102is chosen to complete the general area desired for ventilation. In the preferred embodiment, this ventilation area is about 100 mm high×375 mm wide, taking up in the width direction slightly less than the middle third of the windshield1. With slits102that are 25 mm wide and at 25 mm spacing, this means the preferred embodiment uses eight slits102. To provide an adequate ventilation effect, the slits102combine for an open area of at least 15 cm2, and more preferably an open area of at least 100 cm2. In the preferred embodiment, the eight slits102combine for an open area of about 200 cm2.

The orientation of the slits102is chosen for the easiest formation, attachment and movement of the slide plate2. In the preferred embodiment, particularly useful when the ventilation area is wider than it is high, the slits102are oriented vertically (i.e., vertically relative to the windshield1, at whatever pitch angle the windshield1has). With vertically oriented slits102, the sliding movement of the slide plate2is horizontal. Alternatively, horizontally oriented slits can be used, with the sliding movement of the slide plate being vertical.

In manufacture of the windshield1, the slits102are formed in the sheet material before the windshield hardening treatment. The end of each slit102has a circular transition or rounded corners, so as to provide no sharp edges.

As shown inFIGS. 1-4, the slide plate2is attached to the windshield1immediately behind the slits102. The slide plate2should include slits201which match in number, width, length, spacing and orientation to the slits102in the windshield1. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the slide plate2includes eight slits201, each 25 mm wide and 100 mm high, oriented vertically and spaced 25 mm apart. Like the slits102in the windshield1, the ends of each slit201in the slide plate2have a circular transition or rounded corners, so as to provide no sharp edges. In some embodiments, the slide plate2has a slight curvature both in width and height directions which matches the slight uniform curvature of the inside of the windshield1. Alternatively, the slide plate2may be planar, provided the attachment between the slide plate2and the windshield1still permits sliding.

The slide plate2is attached to the windshield1in a manner that allows it to move relative to the windshield1, with the preferred travel length matching the width of the slits102,201. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the slide plate2is attached to the windshield1such that it can be slid horizontally a distance of about 25 mm. In the preferred embodiment, this is achieved through five fastener openings101through the windshield1, four for slide pegs or bolts4and one for a slide lock3. The five fastener openings101are preferably positioned adjacent to but just outside the ventilation area defined collectively by the slits102.

Each fastener opening101in the windshield1is circular. While it might be possible to directly machine threads into the fastener openings, a more robust connection is provided by inserting female threaded bolt heads401(such as best shown inFIG. 5) into each of the five fastener openings101. The female threaded bolt heads401are preferably formed of stainless steel. The four bolt heads401used for slide pegs may include a nylon locking nut insert (not shown) in their threads as known in the fastening arts. The diameter of the fastener openings101and the diameter of the bolt heads401are selected as appropriate to handle the associated stresses for years of repeated use, such as 7.5 mm diameter fastener openings101receiving 15 mm bolt heads401with 7.5 mm shanks.

The shanks of the female threaded bolt heads401extend through the circular openings101in the windshield1and into five appropriately positioned slide slots202in the slide plate2. Each of the slide slots202has a width which generally matches the diameter of the shanks (7.5 mm, in the preferred example) of the bolt heads401. Each of the slide slots202has a length in the slide direction to generally match the desired throw of the slide plate2(32.5 mm length, allowing for a 25 mm throw, in the preferred example).

The slide plate2is preferably formed of a transparent material, preferably of the same transparent material as the windshield1so the refractive index of both structures is similar for better viewing through the slide plate2. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the slide plate2is formed of polycarbonate. However, the slide plate2itself provides no significant safety role, but instead merely allows the occupants to open or close the ventilation openings. Playing no significant safety role, the slide plate material need not be as thick as the windshield material, and need not be hardened in the same way. Thus, the slide plate2is preferably thinner than the windshield1, with the preferred embodiment having a slide plate2which is 4 mm thick.

The slide plate2includes a handle203for easier grasping by an occupant when sliding the slide plate2between the open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment with a horizontal throw, the handle203is provided by inwardly curving a vertical edge of the slide plate material. This edge preferably extends inward a distance acceptable for grasping but small enough to be inconspicuous, such as about 15-20 mm.

When using a planar slide plate2, when the curvature of the inside of the windshield1is not uniform, or to eliminate production error and assembling clearance, an intermediate spacer structure may be positioned between the slide plate2and the windshield1. In one preferred embodiment as shown inFIG. 5, thin washers5are placed around the shanks of the five female threaded bolt heads401between the slide plate2and the windshield1. While the washers5can be formed of any hard material (such as, at low cost and readily available steel washers), they are preferably formed of a transparent material such as polycarbonate or more preferably acrylic (PMMA). In a preferred embodiment, the washers5are circular at a thickness of about 0.8 mm, with an inner diameter of about 10 mm and an outer diameter of about 18 mm. Such washers minimize any wear between the slide plate2and the windshield1, because during sliding the slide plate2only bears against the surface of the washers5. At the same time, the washers5introduce a gap between the slide plate2and the windshield1. When the slide plate2is positioned in a closed position with the slide plate slits201staggered relative to the windshield slits102, there is still a slight gap (about 0.8 mm) through which air or water can flow laterally between the windshield1and the slide plate2. With most ATV usages, the small permitted water egress between the windshield1and the slide plate2(such as when driving in rain) is acceptable relative to the benefit of a slight air flow and drying allowed by the gap between the slide plate2and the windshield1.

As an alternative to washer5, a thin seal strip (not shown) can be positioned between the windshield1and the slide plate2. For instance, the seal strip can encircle each of the five fastener openings101and each of the eight slits on the windshield1, providing a lubricious bearing surface for the slide plate2. The seal strip5not only assists in allowing sliding of the slide plate2relative to the windshield1, but also helps keep rain or other water from passing between the windshield1and the slide plate2, particularly important when the slide plate2is in the closed position shown inFIG. 3. For instance, the seal strip5may be formed of a silicone material (coated to reduce friction), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or fluorinated ethylene proplylene (FEP).

The slide plate2is slidably secured to the windshield1, preferably by four tool tightenable male threaded bolts402(as shown inFIG. 5) and one hand tightenable male threaded locking bolt3(best shown inFIGS. 1-4). Each of the tool tightenable bolts402and the hand tightenable locking bolt3may be formed of stainless steel. For instance, the four tool tightenable male threaded bolts402preferably include an Allen wrench recess or similar recess for tightening with a screw driver. A slide washer403is used on each of these tool-tightenable male threaded bolts402, so the slide plate2is kept sealed against the seal strip5but still permits hand sliding using the handle203. In contrast, the hand tightenable locking bolt3preferably includes a shoulder which butts up against the slide plate2to provide a friction force between the locking bolt3and the slide plate2, so when tightened the locking bolt3prevents the slide plate2from sliding from the normal vibrations witnessed during driving the vehicle. Alternatively, the slide plate2could be slidably secured to the windshield by adhesively attaching guide members to the windshield, so the only openings through the windshield are provided by the slits102.

Each of the four tool tightenable bolts402and the locking bolt3are preferably removable by the user such as by using standard tools, which enables the slide plate2to be easily removed from the windshield1. Removal of the slide plate2from the windshield1is beneficial not only when replacing the slide plate2such as when damaged, but also for standard maintenance and cleaning.

Operation of the vented windshield is simple and straightforward. When the slits201in the slide plate2are staggered from the slits102in the windshield1, the vent is closed, substantially restricting (in the embodiment with the washers5) or entirely preventing (in the embodiment with a seal strip) air flow through the windshield1. When the slide plate2is slid so the slits201in the slide plate2align with the slits102in the windshield1, the vent is opened. Only a small amount of movement of the slide plate2is needed to open or close the vent. The user merely hand loosens the locking bolt3, slides the slide plate2to the desired position, and retightens the locking bolt3. While the vented windshield is in the open position in an enclosed cab, air can move linearly through the windshield and a corresponding temperature adjustment in the cab can be realized. While the vented windshield device is in the open position in an open cab, the air flow entering into through the windshield changes the air flow direction in the cab, minimizing the entry of dust raised on the sides of the vehicle from entering and settling in the cab, thereby improving the driving environment. Of course, the user can also move the slide plate2to an in-between position so the vent is partially opened and partially closed.