Abstract:
A system for mounting a windshield to a small vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”), a utility-terrain vehicle (“UTV”), or a snowmobile is disclosed. The system typically comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them configured to be secured to the vehicle, typically the handlebar(s) thereof, and a corresponding pair of mounting elements secured to a windshield panel or panel assembly and configured to be respectively releasably received in the receiving elements. Each receiving element comprises a rotatable cam and each mounting element comprises a groove on an outwardly extending protrusion such that the cams can selectively engage the grooves in a locking engagement when the mounting elements are received in the receiving elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There are no cross-related applications. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to mounting systems and support assemblies for securing a windshield to a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to quick-release windshield mounting systems and support assemblies for small vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (“ATV” or “ATVs”), utility-terrain vehicles (“UTV” or “UTVs”), snowmobiles and other similar vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Nowadays, there are an ever-increasing number of people which enjoy riding all-terrain vehicles and other similar off-road vehicles, either in trails specifically designed for this activity or even on totally uncharted terrain. 
         [0004]    In order to adapt the vehicles to the increasing variety of terrains onto which they are ridden, companies have long been offering after-market accessories such as support racks, supplementary seats, trailer hitches, track systems and so on. 
         [0005]    Since these vehicles are generally subjected to shocks and vibrations, it is important that the accessories mounted to the vehicles be relatively fixedly mounted in order to prevent accidental failure or removal during use. 
         [0006]    In the particular case of windshields, this is of utmost importance since the windshield generally protects the rider of the vehicle. Nevertheless, on some occasions, it is practical to be able to remove the windshield, at least temporarily, in order to avoid damage or for space considerations. For example, when there are low branches partially blocking a trail or when the vehicle must be stored or loaded onto a trailer for transport. 
         [0007]    Several windshield mounting systems have thus been proposed. However, most mounting systems require the use of tools to install and to remove the windshield panel. With these windshield mounting systems, the process of installing or removing the windshield panel can be long and even impossible when the required tools are not available. 
         [0008]    More recently, in order to mitigate the aforementioned shortcomings, some quick-release windshield mounting systems have been proposed, allowing the quick installation and removal of the windshields without the use of tools. Examples of such quick-release windshield mounting systems can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,044,530; 7,360,819; and 7,543879. 
         [0009]    However, despite ongoing developments in the field of windshield mounting systems and more particularly in the field of quick-release windshield mounting systems, there is still a need for an improved mounting system which would allow quick and easy installation and removal of a windshield onto a small vehicle without the need for tools. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a quick-release windshield mounting system is provided. As used hereinabove and hereinafter, the term windshield panel must be construed broadly such as to encompass, in addition to regular windshield panel, any other similar apparatuses or assemblies. 
         [0011]    The windshield mounting system in accordance with the principles of the present invention generally comprises at least one but preferably a pair of receiving elements configured to be fixedly mounted to the front portion of the vehicle. Typically, but not necessarily, the receiving elements are configured to be mounted to the steering assembly of the vehicle and more particularly to the handle bar, or bars, thereof. 
         [0012]    The windshield mounting system also comprises at least one but preferably a pair of mounting elements secured to a windshield panel and configured to be respectively releasably coupled to the receiving elements 
         [0013]    Each receiving element generally comprises a receiving cavity extending into the receiving element. The receiving cavity is configured to receive a substantially complementary protrusion outwardly extending from the mounting element. 
         [0014]    In that sense, each mounting element generally comprises the outwardly extending protrusion mentioned above and a connecting portion configured to be secured to the windshield panel. 
         [0015]    To secure the mounting element to the receiving element, the receiving element is provided with a rotatable latch having a cam configured to selectively engage, and disengage, a groove in the protrusion of the mounting element. To position the cam in and out of engagement with the groove of the protrusion, the latch comprises an arm which extends from the cam such that the cam can be actuated (e.g. pivoted) by the user of the vehicle. 
         [0016]    Hence, by simply actuating the cam arms of the latches, the windshield panel can easily be installed, or removed, from the vehicle, without the need for tools. 
         [0017]    Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice. The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary ATV equipped with an embodiment of a windshield mounting system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the windshield mounting system of  FIG. 1 , in an unconnected state. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the windshield mounting system of  FIG. 1 , in a connected state. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded view of the windshield mounting system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are cross-sectional side views of the windshield mounting system of  FIG. 1 , showing the mounting sequence. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    A novel windshield mounting system will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. 
         [0025]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a windshield mounting system  10 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is configured to allow the rapid installation and removal of a windshield panel  30  to and from a small vehicle, such as an ATV  20 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the present embodiment, the windshield mounting system  10  typically comprises a pair of receiving elements  100  and a pair of mounting elements  200 . As it will be explained in more details below, the mounting elements  200  are configured to be respectively releasably received in the receiving elements  100 . 
         [0027]    The receiving elements  100  are configured to be mounted to the front or forward portion of the vehicle  20 , typically to the handle bar(s)  21  thereof. 
         [0028]    For their parts, the mounting elements  200  are configured to be mounted to the windshield panel  30 . Understandably, the windshield panel  30  could be unitary or be made from a plurality of components. 
         [0029]    Due to the inherent substantial symmetry of the vehicle  20  and of the windshield panel  30  with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle  20 , the left and right receiving elements  100  and left and right mounting elements  200  are also symmetrical in nature. Hence, even though only one receiving element  100  and only one mounting element  200  will be described below, the description equally applied to both left and right receiving elements  100  and mounting elements  200 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5A , the right receiving element  100  and the right mounting element  200  will be described in more details. 
         [0031]    The receiving element  100  generally comprises a first or coupling portion  110  and a second or receiving portion  130 . 
         [0032]    The first portion  110  is configured to mate with the handle bar  21  of the vehicle  20 . In that sense, a coupling member  120  is pivotally mounted to the first portion  110  and is configured to form, with the first portion  110 , a substantially cylindrical opening  115 . In that sense, the first portion  110  comprises a semi-cylindrical region  112  and similarly, the coupling member  120  also comprises a semi-cylindrical region  122  which, with the semi-cylindrical region  112 , define the cylindrical opening  115  as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
         [0033]    Understandably, the opening  115  should be sized to properly circumscribe the handle bar  21  of the vehicle  20 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , to provide a better engagement between the opening  115  and the handle bar  21 , the semi-cylindrical region  112  and the semi-cylindrical region  122  are respectively provided with layers  114  and  124  of resilient friction and typically elastomeric material such as, but not limited to, rubber. The layers  114  and  124  typically prevent the receiving element  100  from rotating about the handle bar  21  during use. 
         [0035]    Referring back to  FIGS. 4 and 5A , to secure the coupling member  120  to the first portion  110 , the free end  121  of the coupling member  120  is fastened to the first portion  110 , typically via a bolt and nut assembly  116 . Understandably, the receiving element  100  is typically configured to be more or less permanently mounted to the handle bar  21 . 
         [0036]    For its part, the second portion  130  of the receiving element  100  is configured to receive the mounting element  200 . In that sense, the second portion  130  comprises a receiving cavity  132  extending into the second portion  130 . 
         [0037]    In the present embodiment, the receiving cavity  132  is slightly tapered and has a substantially circular cross-section such as to broadly define a frustro-conical configuration. This configuration allows the insertion of the protrusion  230 , described below, with more ease. Other configurations are however possible. 
         [0038]    To secure the protrusion  230  once received into the cavity  132 , the second portion  130  comprises a latch  140  pivotally mounted thereto and at least partially extending into the cavity  132 . The latch  140  generally comprises a cam  142  and an arm  148  extending therefrom. 
         [0039]    As it will be described below, the cam  142  comprises an extension  144  which is configured to engage the protrusion  230 . Understandably, the cam  142  is pivoted by actuating the arm  148 , typically by the fingers of the user. 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5A , the mounting element  200  will be described. 
         [0041]    The mounting element  200  generally comprises a connecting portion  210  configured to be fixedly mounted to the windshield panel  30 , and the protrusion  230  already introduced. 
         [0042]    In the present embodiment, the connecting portion  210  is generally configured as a fork and comprises two substantially parallel fingers  212  and  214  defining a space  213  therebetween. The fingers  212  and  214  and the space  213  are configured to receive a plate  31  (or plate portion) extending from the windshield panel  30 . The plate  31  is fastened to the mounting portion  210 , typically via a bolt and nut assembly  218 . 
         [0043]    Understandably, the configuration of the connecting portion  210  could be different to accommodate other configurations of windshield panels. 
         [0044]    The protrusion  230 , which extends form the mounting portion  210 , is configured to be received into the receiving cavity  132  of the second portion  130  of the receiving element  100 . In that respect, the protrusion  230  is provided with a notch or groove  232 . This groove  232  is typically sized to accommodate the cam extension  144 . 
         [0045]    In the present embodiment, the groove  232  fully circumscribes the protrusion  230 . However, in other embodiments, the groove  232  could only partially extend along the perimeter or circumference of the protrusion  230 . 
         [0046]    Also, in the present embodiment, the protrusion  230  is slightly tapered and has a substantially circular cross-section. Hence, as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , in the present embodiment, the protrusion  230  is generally of frustro-conical configuration. 
         [0047]    Combined with the tapered and substantially circular receiving cavity  132 , the protrusion  230  can be relatively easily inserted into the cavity  132 . In that sense, the tapered shape of the protrusion  230  and of the cavity  132  assists the user in aligning the protrusions  230  into the receiving cavities  132  of the receiving elements  100 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , in the present embodiment, a substantially circular and elastomeric resilient ring  236  (e.g. elastomeric  0 -ring) is mounted to the protrusion  230 , in a small circumferential groove  234 , typically located near the free extremity of the protrusion  230 . This resilient ring  236  generally provides adequate tightening between the protrusion  230  and the receiving cavity  132  (see also  FIGS. 5B and 5C ). 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A to 5C , a method for installing, and removing the mounting elements  200 , secured to the windshield panel  30 , into the receiving elements  100 , secured to the vehicle  20 , will be described. 
         [0050]    Referring first to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the protrusions  230  of the mounting elements  200  are first inserted into the receiving cavities  132  of the receiving elements  100 . During the insertion, the latches  140  are in an open or unlocked position, i.e. the extensions  144  do not protrude inside the receiving cavities  132 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5B and 5C , once the protrusions  230  are fully inserted in their respective receiving cavities  132 , the latches  140  are then pivoted into a closed or locked position. In the locked position, the extensions  144  of the cams  142  protrude inside the receiving cavities  132  and into the grooves  232  of the protrusions  230 , thereby locking the protrusions  230  into the receiving cavities  132 . 
         [0052]    At this point, as best illustrated in  FIG. 5C , to prevent the accidental unlocking of the latches  140 , the arms  148  are typically each provided with a small projection or hook  149  configured to be snapped in a small notch  139  provided in each of the receiving portions  130 . 
         [0053]    To remove the mounting elements  200  from the receiving elements, the aforementioned method is performed in reverse. 
         [0054]    The windshield mounting system  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention therefore allows the user of a vehicle  20  to quickly install, and remove, a windshield panel  30  on his or her vehicle  20  without the needs for tools. 
         [0055]    While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.