Storable windshield system for a utility vehicle

A storable windshield system for a utility vehicle is provided, wherein the utility vehicle includes a frame to which a support structure is attached. The support structure includes front pillars and rear pillars extending from the frame. The system is operatively connected to the support system, and the system allows an operator to store a windshield onboard the utility vehicle when not needed as well as install the windshield over the front viewport during inclement weather without the need for tools. The windshield is slidable and rotatable relative to the roof member for storing and installing the windshield.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a utility vehicle, and more particularly, to a storable windshield system for a utility vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utility vehicles, such as those that are used for performing yard work, are often used in a variety of weather conditions. For example, the utility vehicle can be used to transport sod from one location on a property to another under ideal weather conditions. Alternatively, the utility vehicle can also be used to transport tubes or piping to various locations during raining or storming conditions. As such, the comfort needs of the utility vehicle operator can vary depending on the different weather conditions.

Typical utility vehicles known in the art either have a permanently-installed windshields or no windshield at all. However, the downside to each of these configurations is that if the utility vehicle is being used in day-to-day operations, the operator will experience changes in the weather conditions that may make the use of the utility vehicle uncomfortable. In particular, the operator will likely get completely wet when the utility vehicle that does not include a windshield is used during rainy conditions. On the other hand, the operator will have to look through a potentially dirty windshield during dry and sunny days when the utility vehicle that includes a permanent windshield is used during sunny or dry conditions.

One solution is to provide a removable windshield that can be installed or removed depending upon the current weather conditions. However, the disadvantage of such a removable windshield is that the utility vehicle typically does not include a storage location for the completely removable windshield. As such, if the weather conditions change throughout the course of the day, the windshield must either remain installed or remain stored at a location that may be an unreasonable distance to travel to simply re-attach it.

Therefore, the need exists for a storable windshield for a utility vehicle in which the windshield can be storable on or within the utility vehicle during ideal weather conditions and can be installable during inclement weather conditions without the need to retrieve the uninstalled windshield from a separate location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a storable windshield system attached to a support system of a utility vehicle is provided. The storable windshield system includes a roof assembly having a recess formed therein. A windshield assembly is operatively connected to the roof assembly. The windshield assembly is slidable relative to the roof assembly between a stored position and an extended position and rotatable relative to the roof assembly between the extended position and an installed position located immediately adjacent to the support system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a storable windshield system attached to a support system of a utility vehicle is provided. The support system forms a front viewport for said utility vehicle. The storable windshield system includes a roof assembly attached to the support system. The roof assembly is formed of an upper shell and a lower shell attached to the upper shell, wherein the roof assembly defines a recess therewithin. A track assembly is operatively attached to the roof assembly within the recess. A windshield assembly is operatively connected to the track assembly, wherein the windshield assembly is slidable relative to the roof assembly for selectively storing the windshield assembly within the recess. The windshield assembly is rotatable relative to the roof assembly for selectively engaging the support system.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a storable windshield system is attached to a support system of a utility vehicle. The storable windshield system includes a roof assembly removably attachable to the support system. The roof assembly defining a recess therewithin. A track assembly is attached to the roof assembly within the recess, wherein the track assembly includes a pair of opposing rails. A windshield assembly is operatively connected to the track assembly, wherein the windshield assembly includes a windshield and a pair of wheel bearings attached to the windshield. The wheel bearings are engageable with the track assembly. The windshield is slidable relative to the rails between a first operative position and a second operative position, and the windshield is rotatable relative to the rails between the second operative position and a third operative position. The windshield is storable within the recess when in the first operative position and selectively engageable with the support system when in the third operative position.

Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the embodiments of the invention which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects.

It should be noted that all the drawings are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference numbers are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in the different embodiments. Accordingly, the drawing(s) and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1-2, an exemplary embodiment of a utility vehicle10having a self-contained storable windshield system12is shown.FIG. 1illustrates the windshield system12in the retracted, or stored position, andFIG. 2illustrates the windshield system12in the extended, or installed position. The utility vehicle10includes a support system14, such as a roll cage or the like, having a pair of front pillars16and a pair of rear pillars18extending upwardly from the frame20, wherein the support system14includes laterally-aligned cross-bars21(FIG. 4) connecting the pillars16,18. The support system14is configured to support the windshield system12. Although the illustrated embodiment includes a support system14configured to support the windshield system12, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any support system or frame for supporting a roof over a utility vehicle can be used to support the windshield system12. A front viewport22is formed between the pair of front pillars16, the windshield system12, and the frame20. The viewport22allows the operator to be able to clearly look forward between the front pillars16when seated in the utility vehicle10. The front viewport22is framed by the front pillars16on the sides, the windshield system12along the top, and the frame20along the bottom.

In an embodiment, the storable windshield system12includes a roof assembly24, a track assembly26positioned within the roof assembly24, and a windshield assembly28operatively connected to the track assembly26and selectively positioned within the roof assembly24, as shown inFIG. 3. The roof assembly24forms a casing or protective covering to keep the windshield hidden and away from dirt, debris, and harmful conditions while also allowing the windshield to be withdrawn and utilized to cover the front viewport22when needed. The roof assembly24can be formed as a single piece or multiple pieces as well as a fully enclosed structure or a semi-enclosed structure for protecting the windshield.

In an embodiment, the roof assembly24includes an upper shell32, a lower shell34, and a rotatable visor30, as shown inFIGS. 3-4A. The upper and lower shells32,34are attached to each other to form a hollow casing, thereby providing a recess36(FIG. 4A) defined between the visor30and the upper and lower shells32,34. The visor30and the upper and lower shells32,34can be formed of molded plastic, stamped metal, fiberglass, or any other lightweight pliable material. The lower shell34includes a pair of aligned grooves35formed into the lower surface. The grooves35are configured to receive the cross-bars21of the support system14when the windshield system12is positively positioned atop the support system14. A U-bolt, strap, or other mechanical faster (not shown) is used to removably attach the lower shell34of the roof assembly24to the support system14or other roof support structure, thereby allowing the entire windshield system12to be removably attached to any type of utility vehicle, golf cart, or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3-4A, the upper shell32and the lower shell34together form a two-piece hollow protective casing configured to selectively store the windshield46therewithin as well as provide shade and protection from the elements to the occupants of the utility vehicle10. The upper and lower shells32,34can be formed of thermoformed ABS, injection molded plastic, fiberglass, plastic, metal, or any other material sufficient to withstand the change in environmental elements and conditions as well as sufficiently rigid to withstand the stresses due to off-road travel by the utility vehicle10. When the upper and lower shells32,34are attached to each other, the recess36formed therebetween is large enough to completely surround the windshield46when the windshield is stored therebetween. In an embodiment, the lower shell34is fixedly attached to the upper shell32. In another embodiment, the lower shell34is removably attached to the upper shell32, wherein the opposing shells can be separated to allow the windshield assembly28or track assembly26to be serviced, removed, or replaced. When the lower shell34is attached to the upper shell32, an opening40(FIG. 4B) is formed at the forwardly-directed end of the shells into the recess36.

In an embodiment, the visor30is an elongated member that is selectively rotatable relative to the roof assembly24, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A-4D. The visor30is positioned adjacent to the front portion of the roof assembly24and extending laterally between from the lateral sides of the roof assembly24between the pair of front pillars16. The visor30is rotatable between a closed position (FIG. 4A) and an opened position (FIG. 4B) relative to the roof assembly24. When the visor30is in the closed position, the visor30is configured to provide additional shade protection to operators within the utility vehicle10while simultaneously securing the windshield assembly28within the roof assembly24. When the visor30is in the opened position, the visor30is configured to allow the windshield assembly28to be withdrawn from the recess36. In an embodiment, the visor30is manually rotatable between the closed and opened positions. In another embodiment, the rotation of the visor30between the closed and opened positions can be selectively controlled by the operator by way of an electronic switch or the like. The visor30can be formed of billet aluminum, fiberglass, extruded plastic, metal, or any other material sufficient to withstand the change in environmental elements and conditions as well as sufficiently rigid to withstand the stresses due to off-road travel by the utility vehicle10.

In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the track assembly26is configured to allow the windshield assembly28to selectively slide into and out of the recess36when the visor30is in the open position, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4D. The track assembly26is positioned within the recess36of the roof assembly24. In an embodiment, the track assembly26is integrally formed with either the upper shell32or the lower shell34. In the illustrated embodiment, the track assembly26is formed separately from the upper and lower shells32,34and attached to the upper or lower shell32,34during assembly.

In an embodiment, the track assembly26includes a pair of opposing rails42that extend substantially horizontal, or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roof assembly24, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A-4D. The rails42have a C-channel cross-sectional shape, and the rails42are positioned within the recess36such that the C-channel is directed inwardly and toward the opposing rail42. In the illustrated embodiment, the rails42are substantially linear members. In another embodiment, each rail42has an elongated linear section extending from the forward distal end thereof and a lowered or offset section near the rear distal end thereof with a transition section between the linear and offset sections. The rearwardly-directed end of each rail42is sealed to prevent the windshield assembly28from becoming disengaged from the rails42when moved into the stored position. Each C-channel rail42includes a cap44positioned at each distal end thereof to enclose the end of the rail42and prevent the windshield46from becoming derailed by sliding past the end(s) of the rails42. The caps44are removable to allow the windshield assembly28to be removed for repair or replacement. The track assembly26is configured to receive a wheel bearing of the windshield assembly28within each rail42, as will be explained below.

The windshield assembly28is operatively connected to the track assembly26, whereby the windshield assembly28is both slidable and rotatable relative to the track assembly26, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4D. In an embodiment, the windshield assembly28includes a windshield46, a locking assembly48attached to the windshield46, a wheel bearing50operatively connected to the windshield46, and a pair of protective sliding members52, as shown inFIGS. 3-5. The windshield46can be formed of glass, acrylic plastic, polycarbonate, or any other transparent material sufficient to allow an operator of the utility vehicle10to be able to see therethrough as well as provide protection for the operator during inclement weather. In an embodiment, the windshield46is a substantially flat member having sufficient flexibility to generally conform to the opening and curvature of the front viewport22. The windshield46includes a leading edge54, a trailing edge56, and a pair of lateral edges58extending between the leading and trailing edges54,56. A laterally-aligned support member60is attached to the windshield46adjacent to the leading edge54, wherein the support member60extends a portion of the lateral distance of the windshield46. The windshield46is securable to the front pillars16by way of a pair of locking assemblies48, wherein each locking assembly48is positioned adjacent to an opposing front corner along the leading edge54of the windshield46. The locking assemblies48are configured to secure and positively position the leading edge54of the windshield46relative to the utility vehicle10while the trailing edge56of the windshield46remains engaged with the roof assembly24by way of the wheel bearing50.

In an embodiment, each locking assembly48includes a bracket62and a knob assembly64that are operatively connected to the windshield46, as shown inFIG. 5. Each locking assembly48corresponds with a receiving member66(FIGS. 7A-7B) that is operatively connected to one of the front pillars16to allow the windshield46to be removably attachable to the support system14. The bracket62includes an aperture formed through the thickness thereof for receiving the knob assembly64. The bracket62also includes a groove formed configured to receive the lateral support member54such that the lateral support member54is sandwiched between the bracket62and the windshield46.

The knob assembly64of the locking assembly48attached to the windshield assembly28, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6A-6C, is a generally circular member that is rotatable relative to the bracket62. The knob assembly64includes a grip68which is an elongated projection that extends from the base70. The grip68allows the operator to grasp the knob assembly64, wherein the operator can rotate the knob assembly64by twisting or rotating the grip68. The knob assembly64is rotatable in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. A flange72extends radially outward from the base70. A substantially circular multi-pole magnet74is fixedly attached to the rear surface of the flange72extending away from the base70. The knob assembly64that is rotatably attachable to the windshield46is configured to be selectively attachable to a corresponding receiving member66(FIGS. 1 and 4A-4D) attached to the front pillar16of the support system14for securing the windshield46in an installed position.

In an embodiment, each wheel bearing50is operatively connected to a rear corner of the windshield46, as shown inFIG. 5. The wheel bearings50are received in the rails42such that the wheel bearings50are rollingly engaged with the rails42(FIG. 3). Rotation of the wheel bearings50allow the rear portion of the windshield46to slide or translate relative to the stationary rails42as well as rotate relative to the rails42when the windshield46is extended or withdrawn from the recess36. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any other mechanism that allows the windshield46to both slide and rotate relative to the rails42can be used. In an embodiment, a sliding member52is attached to the lower surface of the windshield46adjacent to each of the opposing lateral edges58. The sliding member52acts as a skid- or wear-resistant barrier between the windshield46and the rails42. Because the windshield46is positioned above the rails42, as the windshield46is extended or retracted relative to the rails42, the lower surface of the windshield46would otherwise contact and slide against the rails42. The sliding member52protects the windshield46from scraping against the rails42. The sliding member52can be formed of metal, Teflon®, or any other material sufficient to allow the windshield46to slide relative to the rails42.

In an embodiment, the exemplary embodiment of a receiving member66shown inFIGS. 7A-7Bis a substantially ring-shaped member having a central bore76extending through the thickness of the receiving member66. The central bore76is sized and shaped to receive one of the front pillars16therein for securing the receiving member66to the front pillar16. The receiving member66also includes a detent for receiving a multi-pole magnet74, similar to the multi-pole magnet74of the knob assembly64. The receiving member66is attached to the front pillar16such that the multi-pole magnet74is directed forwardly such that when the windshield46is rotated downwardly to the installed position the opposing multi-pole magnets74are substantially aligned. In an embodiment, the receiving member66is fixedly attached to the front pillar16to prevent rotation of the receiving member66relative to the pillar. In another embodiment, the receiving member66can be easily removed from the front pillar16and re-attached to another front pillar or other similar support structure of a different vehicle to which the windshield system10is attachable.

The multi-pole magnets74attached to both the knob assembly64and the receiving member66are substantially circular magnets having multiple poles that extend radially outward from the center of each magnet, as shown inFIGS. 6C and 7A. The exposed face of each magnet is divided into a plurality of quadrants80in which each quadrant has a different polarity relative to the quadrants on both sides thereof. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each multi-pole magnet74is divided into twelve (12) quadrants80. The first, third, fifth, etc. quadrants80have a positive/North polarity, and the second, fourth, sixth, etc. quadrants80have the opposing negative/South polarity. Although the magnets are shown and described as having four quadrants, other embodiments of the magnets74can be formed as having between 2-16 quadrants, provided at least two of the quadrants have opposite polarity. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that both of the multi-pole magnets74should have the same number of quadrants80.

The multi-pole magnets74are formed by an extrusion process in which each of the quadrants80is integrally connected with the adjacent quadrant. In another embodiment, the multi-pole magnets74are generated by forming wedge-shaped quadrants80of different polarity and fixedly attaching the edges separate quadrants to the knob assembly64or receiving member66such that the polarity of adjacent quadrants are alternating. In operation, when the multi-pole magnets74are positioned immediately adjacent to each other such that like poles of each magnet are aligned the magnets are repelled from each other, and when the magnets are positioned immediately adjacent to each other such that opposing poles of each magnet are aligned the magnets are attracted to each other. The grip68allows the operator to rotate the multi-pole magnet74attached to the knob assembly64relative to the substantially fixed second multi-pole magnet74of the receiving member66to either engage or disengage the locking assembly48relative to the front pillars16of the utility vehicle10. Although the exemplary embodiment of the locking assembly48shown and described herein includes a pair of opposing multi-pole magnets positioned adjacent to both corners along the leading edge54of the windshield46, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the locking assembly48can be formed of a mechanical latching mechanism or any other mechanism that can be actuated to secure or release the windshield46relative to the support system14or other support structure.

The storable windshield system12provides a windshield46that can be stored within a roof assembly24positioned above the support system14of a utility vehicle10or positioned to cover the front viewport22of the utility vehicle10. The storable windshield system12is self-contained, meaning that the system can be easily attached to any utility-type vehicle having sufficient supporting structures that allow the system to be mounted upon as well as be easily removed from one vehicle and easily installed on a separate vehicle.

In operation, when the storable windshield system12is attached to the support system14of a utility vehicle10, the windshield46is in a first operative position, or the stored position, and the visor30is in a closed position, as shown inFIG. 4A. To extend the windshield46, the visor30is rotated to the opened position, thereby exposing the windshield46through the opening40of the roof assembly24, as shown inFIG. 4A. The windshield46is then pulled forwardly such that the leading edge54of the windshield46is withdrawn through the opening40, as shown inFIG. 4B. The windshield46is withdrawn in a linear, sliding manner from the roof assembly24until the wheel bearing50contacts the caps44at the forward distal end of the rails42, locating the windshield46in a second operative position, or the withdrawn position. Once the windshield46is extended to a fully extended position relative to the roof assembly24, the windshield46is rotated downwardly such that the windshield46covers the front viewport22. The windshield46is rotated downwardly until the multi-pole magnet74of each locking assembly48attached to the windshield46is substantially aligned with the corresponding multi-pole magnet74of the receiving member66, wherein the windshield46is in the installed position, as shown inFIG. 4C. The visor30is then rotated downwardly to the closed position. The operator rotates the grip68of the knob assembly64until opposite polarities of the opposing multi-pole magnets74are aligned, wherein the magnetic attraction between the magnets74cause the locking assembly48to be locked to the receiving member66, as shown inFIG. 4D.

To return the windshield46to the stored position within the roof assembly24from the installed position, the locking assembly48is unlocked by rotating the knob assembly64until like polarities of the opposing multi-pole magnets74are aligned and the magnets are repelled away from each other. The visor30is rotated from the closed position to the opened position and the windshield46is then rotated upwardly such that the lateral edges52are substantially parallel relative to the rails42and the windshield46is then slid rearwardly into the recess36of the roof assembly24until the wheel bearing50contact the closed rear distal ends of the rails42. The visor30is then rotated downwardly back to the closed position, thereby securing the windshield46within the recess36.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not so limited and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and all devices, process, and methods that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.