Abstract:
The present document describes a boat windshield assembly for installation on a boat deck, the boat windshield assembly comprising a hidden frame structure having an upper frame member; and a windshield comprising a lower edge and an upper edge opposite the lower edge, the lower edge running near the boat deck and the upper edge running near the upper frame member, the windshield substantially hiding the upper frame member; wherein the upper edge of the windshield and the upper frame member together define an upper channel for use in securing a boat covering device to the boat windshield assembly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/750,094 filed on Jan. 8, 2013, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     (a) Field 
     The subject matter disclosed generally relates to windshields for vehicles. More particularly, the subject matter relates to boat windshields and their associated mounting structure. 
     (b) Related Prior Art 
     A boat windshield must be installed on a boat deck in order to protect the occupants of the boat from elements such as, without limitation, rain, wind, any other external element, and the like. In addition to protecting the occupants of the boat, the windshield may often be used to attach a boat covering device such as, without limitation, a boat roof, a boat protection or other components on upper and/or lower frame members of the windshield. The windshield may also be used to attach other boat equipments, such as, without limitations, boat lights, boat mirrors, boat speakers, and the like. Finally, the windshield may also often have an aesthetic function in the complete assembly of the boat. 
     Currently, it is possible to find on the market windshields assembled with a frame structure visible from the outside (i.e., when the boat is coming towards us). This frame structure is also often used to attach a boat covering device. Some windshields on the market use a design with no apparent structure on the top and bottom of the windshield but, these windshields with no apparent structure on the top and bottom of the windshield do not allow the ability to attach equipment (i.e., a boat covering device, a boat mirror, a boat speaker, boat lights) on the windshield at its top and/or bottom. 
     There is therefore a need for an improved boat windshield without apparent structure for use in securing at least a boat covering device to the boat windshield. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided a boat windshield assembly for installation on a boat deck, the boat windshield assembly comprising: a hidden frame structure having an upper frame member; and a windshield comprising an upper edge running along the upper frame member when installed on the hidden frame structure, the windshield substantially hiding the upper frame member; wherein the upper edge of the windshield and the upper frame member together define an upper channel for use in securing a boat covering device to the boat windshield assembly. 
     According to another embodiment, the upper frame member further comprises an upper frame attachment section for attachment to the windshield and a ledge extending from and above the upper frame attachment section, wherein the upper edge and the ledge run parallel to each other and form an upper passage to access the upper channel. 
     According to a further embodiment, at least a portion of the ledge extends above the upper edge. 
     According to yet another embodiment, at least a portion of the ledge remains below and behind the upper edge. 
     According to another embodiment, the boat windshield assembly further comprises an upper frame attachment device removably mounted on the upper frame member, the upper frame attachment device comprising a fastener for removably connecting with a boat covering device. 
     According to a further embodiment, the upper frame member comprises a longitudinal groove and wherein the upper frame attachment device comprises a first lip and a second lip, the second lip is for introduction in the upper passage while the first lip is for introduction in the longitudinal groove thereby securing the upper frame attachment device to the upper frame member. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the fastener of the upper frame attachment device comprises a snap fastener for removably connecting with a corresponding fastener on the boat covering device. 
     According to another embodiment, the boat windshield assembly further comprises a boat covering device molding slidably mounted within the upper channel of the upper frame member, the boat covering device molding being attached to the boat covering device. 
     According to a further embodiment, the hidden frame structure further comprises a lower frame member and the windshield comprises a lower edge opposite the upper edge, the lower edge running along the lower frame member, the windshield substantially hiding the lower frame member. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the windshield further comprises windshield surface bands along the lower edge and along the upper edge respectively and wherein the hidden frame structure comprises a frame structure surface on the hidden frame structure, the boat windshield assembly further comprises an adhesive material for fixing the windshield surface bands to the frame structure surface. 
     According to another embodiment, the lower frame member comprises a lower track for use in securing the boat windshield assembly to the boat deck. 
     According to a further embodiment, the lower frame member further comprises a lower frame attachment section for attachment to the windshield and a ledge extending from and below the lower frame attachment section, wherein the lower frame attachment section, the boat deck and the ledge together form a lower channel, the lower channel for use in securing the boat covering device to the boat windshield assembly. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the lower frame attachment section comprises a lower track, and the boat windshield assembly further comprises a lower frame attachment device for mounting on the boat deck, the lower frame attachment device comprising a mounting section and a lip extending outwardly and downwardly from the mounting section, the lip of the lower frame attachment device for slidably mounting on the lower track. 
     According to another embodiment, the mounting section of the lower frame attachment device comprises a fixed mounting section mounted on the boat deck and a removable mounting section for slidably mounting on the fixed mounting section. 
     According to a further embodiment, the removable mounting section comprises an interfacing flat portion, a first lip and a second lip, the first lip and the second lip extending from and below the interfacing flat portion for slidably engaging with sides of the interfacing flat portion. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the boat windshield assembly further comprises a boat covering device molding slidably mounted within the lower channel of the lower frame member, the boat covering device molding connecting with a boat covering device. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a boat windshield assembly for installation on a boat deck, the boat windshield assembly comprising: a hidden frame structure having an upper frame member; and a windshield comprising an upper edge running along the upper frame member when installed on the hidden frame structure, the windshield substantially hiding the upper frame member. 
     According to a further embodiment, the hidden frame structure further comprises a lower frame member and the windshield comprises a lower edge opposite the upper edge, the lower edge running along the lower frame member, the windshield substantially hiding the lower frame member. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the upper edge of the windshield and the upper frame member together define an upper channel and further wherein the lower edge of the windshield, the boat deck and the lower frame member together define a lower channel, the upper channel and the lower channel for use in securing a boat covering device to the boat windshield assembly. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a hidden frame structure for use in securing a boat covering device to a boat windshield for installation on a boat deck, the boat windshield comprising an upper edge, the hidden frame structure comprising: an upper frame member comprising: an upper frame attachment section; and a ledge extending from and above the upper frame attachment section; wherein when the boat windshield is installed on the hidden frame structure, the upper edge of the boat windshield runs along the upper frame member and the upper edge of the windshield and the upper frame member together define an upper channel for use in securing the boat covering device to the boat windshield. 
     Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a boat which has a boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective partially exploded view of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2  revealing part of the hidden frame structure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded cutout view of a portion of a windshield, an adhesive material and an upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the windshield, the adhesive material and the upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective cutout view of a portion of a windshield, an adhesive material and an upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 , showing an uninstalled boat covering device with a boat covering device molding in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the windshield, the adhesive material and the upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 6 , showing an upper channel receiving the boat covering device molding; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective cutout view of a portion of a windshield, an adhesive material and an upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 , showing an uninstalled boat covering device and an upper frame attachment device in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the windshield, the adhesive material and the upper frame member of the boat windshield assembly with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 8 , showing the upper frame attachment device which connects with the boat covering device and the upper frame member; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective exploded cutout view of a portion of a boat deck, a windshield, an adhesive material and an lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 10  defining a lower channel and a lower track; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective exploded cutout view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 10 , showing a lower frame attachment device to be attached to the boat deck for connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective cutout view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 10 , showing the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck and connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 13 , showing the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck and connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective exploded cutout view of a portion of a boat deck, a windshield, an adhesive material and an lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 15  defining a lower channel and a lower track; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective partially exploded cutout view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 15 , showing a lower frame attachment device to be attached to the boat deck for connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 17 , showing a portion of the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck for connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 19  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 17 , showing the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck and connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 17 , showing a portion of the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck for connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the portion of the deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 17 , showing the lower frame attachment device attached to the boat deck and connecting with the lower track of the lower frame member; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective cutout view of a portion of a boat deck, a windshield, an adhesive material and an lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member of the windshield with a hidden frame structure of  FIG. 22  defining a lower channel; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and an lower frame member of the windshield of  FIG. 2 , showing a boat covering device molding of a boat covering device; and 
         FIG. 25  is an elevation cross sectional view of the portion of the boat deck, the windshield, the adhesive material and the lower frame member on the boat deck of the windshield of  FIG. 2 , showing the lower channel receiving the boat covering device molding. 
     
    
    
     It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In embodiments there are disclosed boat windshield assemblies with a hidden frame structure. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a boat windshield assembly  10  with a hidden frame structure (not shown) mounted on a boat deck  13  of a boat  14 . The boat windshield assembly  10  comprises a first lateral windshield  16 , a first frontal windshield  18 , a central frontal windshield  20 , a second lateral windshield  22  and a second frontal windshield  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the central frontal windshield  20  is also a door hinged to the hidden frame structure  12  ( FIG. 3 ) or directly to the first frontal windshield  18  for allowing passage between the rear seating area  26  and the front seating area  28 . It is to be noted that the boat windshield assembly  10  may include more or less windshields compared to the a first lateral windshield  16 , the first frontal windshield  18 , the central frontal windshield  20 , the second lateral windshield  22  and a second frontal windshield  24  described above. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , there is shown the boat windshield assembly  10  with the hidden frame structure  12  ( FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 3  illustrates a hidden frame structure  12  which is to be mounted on the boat deck  13 . The hidden frame structure  12  includes a lower frame member  30  to be mounted on the boat deck  13 , and an upper frame member  32  which is distant from the lower frame member  30  and a plurality of lateral frame members  34 . The hidden frame structure  12  may further include one or a plurality of non-supporting frame members, such as non-supporting frame member  36  shown in  FIG. 3 . In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is further shown a hinge device  38  which links together and allows opening of the central frontal windshield  20  over first frontal windshield  18 . The lower frame member  30 , the upper frame member  32 , the plurality of lateral frame members  34  and the non-supporting frame member  36  may be made of, without limitation, aluminum, stainless steel, any plastic material, any composite material, any other suitable material and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-9 , there is shown the upper portion of a boat windshield assembly  10  for installation on a boat deck  13 . The boat windshield assembly  10  includes a hidden frame structure  12  which has an upper frame member  32 . The boat windshield assembly  10  further includes a windshield  40  (i.e., which may comprise one of windshields  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24 ) which defines a lower edge  42  and an upper edge  44  opposite the lower edge  42 . The lower edge  42  runs near the boat deck  13  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  10 - 25 ) and the upper edge  44  runs near the upper frame member  32  ( FIGS. 1-9 ). The windshield  40  substantially hides the upper frame member  32 . The upper edge  44  of the windshield  40  and the upper frame member  32  together define an upper channel  46  for use in securing a boat covering device  48  to the boat windshield assembly  10 . It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the upper channel  46  is “open” in that a longitudinal access (upper passage  54 ) is provided to the upper channel  46 . 
     Windshield  40  can be made of or comprises many types of materials including, but not limited to glass, plastic, glass and plastic laminates (e.g., laminated safety glass), polycarbonates, acrylic plastic, etc. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4-9 , there is shown that the upper frame member  32  further includes an upper frame attachment section  50  for attachment to the windshield  40  and a ledge  52  which extends from and above the upper frame attachment section  50 . The upper edge  44  and the ledge  52  run parallel to each other and form an upper passage  54  to access the upper channel  46 . While it is shown that the ledge  52  extends above both the upper frame attachment section  50  and the upper edge  44  of the windshield  40 , it is also envisaged, in another embodiment (not shown), that the ledge  52  would, while still extend above the upper frame attachment section  50 , but would remain behind the upper edge  44  while still leaving an upper passage  54 . In such an embodiment, the upper passage  54  would provide access to the upper channel  46  from the top while it is shown to be provided from the side in  FIGS. 4-9 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9  and according to one embodiment, the boat windshield assembly  10  may further include an upper frame attachment device  56  to be removably mounted on the upper frame member  32 . The upper frame attachment device  56  may include a fastener  58  for removably connecting with a boat covering device  48 . The upper frame member  32  may include a longitudinal groove  60  and the upper frame attachment device  56  may include a first lip  62  and a second lip  64  as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . The second lip  64  is for introduction in the upper passage  54  while the first lip  62  is for introduction in the longitudinal groove  60 , thereby securing the upper frame attachment device  56  to the upper frame member  32 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the fastener  58  of the upper frame attachment device  56  may include a snap fastener  66  for removably connecting with a corresponding fastener  68  on the boat covering device  48 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-7  and according to one embodiment, the boat windshield assembly  10  may alternatively include a boat covering device molding  70  which is slidably mounted within the upper channel  46  of the upper frame member  32 . The boat covering device molding  70  is attached to the boat covering device  48 . 
     According to one embodiment and referring to  FIGS. 4-9 , the boat windshield assembly  10  includes an adhesive material  72  which fixes a portion of a surface defined by the windshield  40  near the upper edge  44  to a portion of a surface defined by the hidden frame structure  12 . 
     According to one embodiment and referring now to  FIGS. 10-21 , the hidden frame structure  12  may further include a lower frame member  30 . The lower edge  42  of the windshield  40  runs near the lower frame member  30  and forms a lower channel  74  between a lower frame attachment section  76 , the boat deck  13  and the windshield  40 . As shown, a portion of the lower frame member  30  defines a lower track  80  for use in securing the boat windshield assembly  10  to the boat deck  13 . The lower edge of the windshield  40 , the boat deck  13  and the lower frame member  30  together define a lower channel (shown, but not numbered) 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10-21 , there is shown that the lower frame member  30  further includes a lower frame attachment section  76  for attachment to the windshield  40  and a ledge  78  extending from and below the lower frame attachment section  76 . The lower frame attachment section  76  and the ledge  78  together form the lower track  80 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10-21 , there is shown that the boat windshield assembly  10  further includes a lower frame attachment device  82  to be mounted on the boat deck  13 . The lower frame attachment device  82  includes a mounting section  84  and a lip  86  which extends outwardly and downwardly from the mounting section  84 . The lip  86  of the lower frame attachment device  82  is slidably mounted over the ledge  78  within the lower track  80  of the lower frame member  30 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 15-21 , there is shown that the mounting section  84  of the lower frame attachment device  82  may include a fixed mounting section  88  to be mounted on the boat deck  13  and a removable mounting section  90  to be slidably mounted on the fixed mounting section  88 . As shown, the removable mounting section  90  includes an interfacing flat portion  92 , a first lip  94  and a second lip  96 . The first lip  94  and the second lip  96  each extends from and below the interfacing flat portion  92  for slidably engaging with sides of the fixed mounting section  88 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-21 , the lower frame attachment device  82  of the boat windshield assembly  10  may include one or more fasteners  98  for connecting with the boat deck  13 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 22-25 , there is shown that the hidden frame structure  12  may include a lower frame member  30 , where the lower edge  42  of the windshield  40  runs near the lower frame member  30 . In this configuration, a portion of the lower frame member  30  defines a lower channel  74  for use in securing the boat covering device  48  to the boat windshield assembly  10 . As shown, the boat windshield assembly  10  further includes a boat covering device molding  100  to be slidably mounted within the lower channel  74  of the lower frame member  30 . The boat covering device molding  100  connects with the boat covering device  48 . 
     According to one embodiment, and referring to  FIGS. 10-25 , there is shown that the boat windshield assembly  10  further includes an adhesive material  72  which fixes a portion of a surface defined by the windshield  40  near the lower edge  42  to a portion of a surface defined by the hidden frame structure  12 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , it is to be noted that the upper frame member  32  and the lower frame member  30  each comprise two parts. The two parts are the respective left and right parts which may be mirror images of each other. In this embodiment, there are two lateral frame members  34 . 
     The lower frame and upper frame attachment devices  56 ,  82 , including fastener  58 , may be made, without limitation, of at least one of a PVC material, a nylon material and any other suitable materials. 
     It is to be noted that the adhesive material  72  may include, without limitation, at least one of a polyurethane material, a silicone material and any other suitable material for connecting the windshield  40  to a hidden frame structure  12 . 
     While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.