Abstract:
A method of securing a fastener to the windshield of a golf cart comprising the steps of: (1) providing a windshield that defines a windshield opening; (2) providing a fastener that comprises a male portion and a body portion; and (3) securing the fastener to the windshield by inserting the male portion into the windshield opening. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fastener is maintained in place relative to the windshield via the frictional contact between the male portion and the windshield.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/465,411, entitled “Windshield Fastening Device”, which was filed on Apr. 25, 2003, and which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to fastening devices for retaining the windshield of a vehicle, such as a golf cart, in a relatively fixed position relative to the vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     As will be understood by one skilled in the art, current golf carts typically include a two-part windshield that includes a transparent upper portion and a transparent lower portion. Typically, the lower portion is fixedly attached to the golf cart so that it can not move relative to the golf cart&#39;s body. The upper windshield portion, however, is usually attached to the lower windshield portion by a hinge. This allows users to move the upper windshield portion from a closed to an open position.  
         [0004]     When the upper windshield portion in the closed position, the upper windshield portion is positioned above the lower windshield portion. In this closed position, the upper and lower portions of the windshield cooperate to form a substantially continuous, planar windshield that shields the golf cart&#39;s driver from rain and wind as they drive the golf cart.  
         [0005]     When the upper windshield portion is in the open position, the upper and lower portions of the windshield are substantially parallel to, and offset from each other, and the vertical position of the upper and lower windshield portions is about the same. In this closed position, the area immediately above the lower windshield portion of the windshield is open to the elements. This allows wind to pass above the lower windshield portion to cool the driver as the driver drives the golf cart from place to place.  
         [0006]     Prior art golf carts typically include flexible rubber fasteners for holding the upper windshield portion in the open and closed positions. These rubber fasteners are typically attached to the upper and/or lower portions of the windshield using an adhesive substance such as glue.  
         [0007]     One disadvantage associated with these prior art golf carts is that the adhesive used to attach the rubber fasteners to the golf cart&#39;s windshield often deteriorates over time, especially after prolonged exposure to the sun. As a result, the rubber fasteners often become detached from the golf carts. Consequently, the rubber fasteners must frequently be replaced, which is both inconvenient and expensive.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, there is a need for improved fasteners for golf cart windshields that are configured for being attached to the windshields in a more robust fashion.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     A method of securing a fastener to the windshield of a golf cart according to one embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of: (1) providing a windshield that defines a windshield opening; (2) providing a fastener that comprises a male portion and a body portion; and (3) securing the fastener to the windshield by inserting the male portion into the windshield opening. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the fastener is maintained in place relative to the windshield via the frictional contact between the male portion and the windshield.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Having thus provided a brief description of various embodiments of the invention, certain embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings listed below, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an upper attaching member and an end portion of an upper windshield portion according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the upper attaching member and upper windshield portion of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a lower attaching member and a portion of a lower windshield portion according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the lower attaching member and lower windshield portion of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a closed position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in an open position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an upper attaching member and an end portion of an upper windshield portion according to a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the upper attaching member and upper windshield portion of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a lower attaching member and a portion of a lower windshield portion according to a second embodiment of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the lower attaching member and a lower windshield portion of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to another embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a closed position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a golf cart that includes the windshield fastening system of  FIG. 12 . This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in an open position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a lower attaching member and a lower windshield portion according to a third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a side view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to a third embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in a closed position.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a side view of a golf cart that includes a windshield fastening system according to a third embodiment of the invention. This figure depicts the upper windshield portion in an open position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     First Embodiment of the Invention  FIGS. 1-7  depict a windshield fastening system according to a first embodiment of the invention. More particularly,  FIGS. 5-7  depict a golf cart  100  that includes a windshield comprising an upper windshield portion  30  and a lower windshield portion  60 . The lower edge of the upper windshield portion  30  is attached to the upper edge of the lower windshield portion  60  via a hinge  36  as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . As will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field, the upper windshield portion  30  is configured to be moved from a closed position, which is depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , to an open position, which is depicted in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0028]     As may be understood from  FIGS. 5-7 , the windshield fastening system includes two upper attaching members  20  and two lower attaching members  52 . The upper attaching members  20  are used to maintain the upper windshield portion  30  in the closed position. Similarly, the lower attaching members  52  are used to maintain the upper windshield portion  30  in the open position. The structure and operation of the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  52  will now be discussed in greater detail.  
         [heading-0029]     Upper Attaching Members—First Embodiment  
         [0030]     The structure of an upper attaching member  20  according to a first embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As may be understood from these figures, the upper attaching member  20  includes a substantially planar rear portion  25 , a substantially planar connector portion  22  that extends outwardly from and generally perpendicular to, the rear portion  25 , and a front, substantially planar front portion  18  that extends outwardly from, and generally perpendicular to, the connector portion  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper attaching member&#39;s rear portion  25 , connector portion  22 , and front portion  18  cooperate to form a substantially U-shaped exterior structure of the upper attaching member  20 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this exterior structure is made of a flexible material, such as rubber, so that the connector portion  22  and front portion  18  may be moved relative to the rear portion  25 .  
         [0031]     The upper attaching member  20  further includes a fastening member  12  for attaching the upper attaching member  20  to the upper windshield portion  30  of the golf cart  100  as discussed below. This fastening member  12 , which preferably functions as a “male” fastener, preferably includes a substantially planar head portion  16  that is substantially parallel to, and offset from the interior surface of the upper attaching member&#39;s rear portion  25 . The fastening member  12  also includes a neck portion  14  that extends between the interior surface of the upper attaching member&#39;s rear portion  25  and an interior surface of the head portion  16  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the neck portion  14  is about equal to the thickness of the upper windshield portion  30 .  
         [0032]     As may be understood from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper windshield portion  30  defines an elongate opening  32  that is immediately adjacent an outer edge  34  of the upper windshield portion  30 . A cross section of this opening is preferably about the same size and shape as a cross-section of the upper attaching member&#39;s neck portion  14 . Also, the head and neck portions  14  and  16  of the upper attaching member  20  are preferably made of a flexible material.  
         [0033]     To install the upper attaching member  20  on the upper windshield portion  30 , a user simply pushes the upper attaching member&#39;s head portion  16  through the elongate opening  32  in the upper windshield portion  30  until the interior surface of the head portion  16  is adjacent the exterior surface of the upper windshield portion  30 . In this position, which is shown in  FIG. 2 , the neck portion  14  extends through the elongate opening  32 . As may be understood from  FIG. 2 , in this position, the frictional contact between the head, rear, and neck portions of the upper attaching member  20  with the upper portion of the upper windshield portion  30  serve to maintain the upper attaching member  20  in place relative to the upper windshield portion  30 .  
         [0034]     To use the upper attaching members  20 , the user rotates the upper windshield portion  30  from the open position (shown in  FIG. 7 ) to the closed position (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Just before the upper windshield portion  30  reaches the fully closed position, the user manually flexes the upper attaching member&#39;s front and connector portions  18 ,  22  so that one of the golf cart&#39;s roof support poles  110  is received within an interior portion defined by the front and connector portions  18 ,  22  of the upper attaching member  20 . The user then releases front and connector portions  18 ,  22  so that the front and connector portions  18 ,  22  contact the back and side portions of the support pole  110 . In this position, shown generally in  FIG. 6 , the upper attaching member  20  extends around the support pole  110  and holds the upper windshield portion  30  in the closed position.  
         [0035]     To release the upper windshield portion  30  from the closed position, the user simply flexes the front and connector portions  18 ,  22  again so that the upper attaching member  20  releases the support pole  110 . The user then rotates the upper windshield portion  30  about the hinge  36  until the upper windshield portion  30  is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [heading-0036]     Lower Attaching Members—First Embodiment  
         [0037]     The structure of a lower attaching member  52  according to one embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As may be understood from these figures, the lower attaching member  52  includes a body portion  50  that comprises an upper arm  55  and a lower arm  54 . The upper arm  55  and lower arm  54  are spaced apart from each other to define a windshield lip receiving cavity  56 . The upper and lower arms  54 ,  55  each preferably include teeth adjacent the receiving cavity  56  for gripping the upper lip  34  of a windshield as discussed below. The lower attaching member  52  further includes a neck portion  44  that is a adjacent the body portion  50  and that extends between a head portion  46  of the lower attaching member  52  and the lower attaching member&#39;s body portion  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the length of this neck portion  44  is preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the lower windshield portion  60 .  
         [0038]     As may be understood from  FIGS. 3-7 , each lower attaching member  52  is attached to the lower windshield portion  60  adjacent the lower windshield portion&#39;s bottom edge. As may be understood from  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  5 , each lateral side of the lower windshield portion  60  defines a substantially horizontal elongate receiving slot  62  that is dimensioned to receive the head and neck portions  44 ,  46  of the lower attaching member  52  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and neck portions  44 ,  46  are made of a flexible material, such as rubber, to allow the user to insert the head portion  46  through the receiving slot  62  so that the inner surface of the head portion  46  is adjacent an interior surface of the lower windshield portion  60  and so that the lower attaching member&#39;s neck portion  44  is disposed within the receiving slot  62 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body, neck, and head portions  50 ,  44 ,  46  of the lower attaching member  52  are dimensioned so that the frictional contact between the body, neck and head portions of the lower attaching member  52  and the lower windshield portion  60  hold the lower attaching member  52  in place relative to the lower windshield portion  60 .  
         [0039]     To use the lower attaching members  52 , the user rotates the upper windshield portion  30  from the closed position (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to the open position (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Just before the upper windshield portion  30  reaches the fully open position, the upper lip  34  of the upper windshield portion  30  (which extends outwardly from, and substantially perpendicular to, the upper windshield portion  30 ) enters each lower attaching member&#39;s receiving slot  56 . The upper lip is then held in place within the lower attaching members&#39;  53  receiving slots  56  by teeth adjacent the receiving slots  56 . This, in turn, holds the upper windshield portion  30  in the open position as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0040]     To release the upper windshield portion  30  from the open position, the user briskly pulls the upper windshield portion  30  away from the lower attaching member  52 . This causes the lower attaching member  52  to release the upper windshield portion&#39;s upper lip  34 . The user then rotates the upper windshield portion  30  about the hinge  36  until the upper windshield portion  30  is in the closed position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [heading-0041]     Second Embodiment of the Invention  
         [0042]      FIGS. 8-13  depict a windshield fastening system according to a second embodiment of the invention. More particularly, these figures depict a golf cart  200  that includes a windshield comprising an upper windshield portion  230  and a lower windshield portion  260 . The lower edge of the upper windshield portion  230  is attached to the upper edge of the lower windshield portion  260  by a hinge  236  as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . As will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field, the upper windshield portion  230  is configured to be moved from a closed position, which is depicted in  FIG. 12 , to an open position, which is depicted in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0043]     As was the case with the first embodiment described above, this second embodiment of the windshield fastening system includes two upper attaching members  220 , and two lower attaching members  252 . The upper attaching members  220  are preferably attached to the upper windshield portion  230  in substantially the same place (relative to the upper windshield portion  30 ,  230 ) as the upper attaching members  20  shown in  FIG. 5 , which was discussed above in relation to the first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the lower attaching members  252  are preferably attached to the lower windshield portion  260  in substantially the same place (relative to the lower windshield portion  60 ,  260 ) as the lower attaching members  52  shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0044]     The upper attaching members  220  are used to maintain the upper windshield portion  230  in the closed position. Similarly, the lower attaching members  252  are used to maintain the upper windshield portion  230  in the open position. The structure and operation of these upper and lower attaching members  220 ,  252  will now be discussed in greater detail.  
         [heading-0045]     Upper Attaching Members—Second Embodiment  
         [0046]     The structure of an upper attaching member  220  according to a second embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As may be understood from these figures, the upper attaching member  220  includes a body portion  221  that comprises: (1) a substantially planar base portion  219 ; (2) a substantially planar first gripping arm  217  that extends outwardly from, and perpendicular to, a first exterior face of the base portion  219 ; and (3) a substantially planar second gripping arm  218  that extends outwardly from, and perpendicular to, the first exterior face of the base portion  219  so that the second gripping arm  218  is offset from, and substantially parallel to, the first gripping arm  217 .  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the base portion  219 , first gripping arm  217  and second gripping arm  218  are oriented to define a support pole receiving cavity  227  that preferably includes a cross section that is about the same size and shape as a cross section of a golf cart support pole  110 ,  210 . (Note: The golf cart support pole  210  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  corresponds to the golf cart support poles  110  shown in  FIG. 5 , which is discussed above.) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first gripping arm  217  includes an outer lip  225  that extends outwardly from an interior surface of the first gripping arm&#39;s outer end generally toward the second gripping arm  218 . Similarly, the second gripping arm  218  includes an outer lip  223  that extends outwardly from an interior surface of the second gripping arm&#39;s outer end generally toward the first gripping arm  217 . These outer lips  223 ,  225  serve to further define the support pole receiving cavity  227 .  
         [0048]     The upper attaching member  220  further includes a head portion  216  and a neck portion  214  that are adjacent the upper attaching member&#39;s body portion  221 . As may be understood from  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the head and neck portions  214 ,  216  are preferably dimensioned to hold the body portion  221  in place relative to the upper windshield portion  230 . The neck portion  214  extends between the upper attaching member&#39;s head and body portions  216 ,  221 . As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the length of the neck portion  214  is preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the upper windshield portion  230 .  
         [0049]     As may be understood from  FIGS. 5, 12 , and  13 , each upper attaching member  220  is attached to the upper windshield portion  230  adjacent an outer edge of the upper windshield portion  230 . As may be understood from  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each lateral side of the upper windshield portion  230  defines a substantially vertical elongate receiving slot  232  that is dimensioned to receive the head and neck portions  216 ,  214  of the upper attaching member  220  as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0050]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and neck portions  216 ,  214  are made of a flexible material, such as rubber, to allow the user to insert the head portion  216  through the receiving slot  232  so that the inner surface of the head portion  216  is adjacent an exterior surface of the upper windshield portion  230  and so that the upper attaching member&#39;s neck portion  214  is disposed within the receiving slot  232 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body, neck, and head portions  221 ,  214 ,  216  of the upper attaching member  220  are dimensioned so that the frictional contact between the body, neck and head portions  221 ,  214 ,  216  of the upper attaching member  220  and the upper windshield portion  230  hold the upper attaching member  220  in place relative to the upper windshield portion  230 .  
         [0051]     To use the upper attaching members  220 , the user rotates the upper windshield portion  230  from the open position (shown in  FIG. 13 ) to the closed position (shown in  FIG. 12 ). Just before the upper windshield portion  230  reaches the fully closed position, the outer surfaces of each upper windshield portion&#39;s first and second gripping arms  217 ,  218  contact the outer lateral sides of a golf cart support pole  210 . This serves to flex the first and second gripping arms  217 ,  218  away from each other so that the upper windshield portion  230  may receive the support pole  210  within its support pole receiving cavity  227 .  
         [0052]     Once the upper windshield portion  230  reaches the fully closed position (shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 ), the outer lips  223 ,  225  of the first and second gripping arms  217 ,  218  wrap around the interior side of the golf cart support pole  210  to hold the upper attaching member  220  and the upper windshield portion  230  in place relative to the golf cart support pole  210 .  
         [0053]     To release the upper windshield portion  230  from the closed position, the user simply pulls or pushes the upper windshield portion  230  away from the golf cart support poles  210  and toward the open position (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The pulling or pushing motion serves to flex the first and second gripping arms  217 ,  218  away from each other and also to push the upper attaching members  220  away from the golf cart support poles  210 . This, in turn, causes the upper attaching members  220  to release the golf cart support poles  210 . The user then rotates the upper windshield portion  230  about the hinge  236  until the upper windshield portion  230  is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [heading-0054]     Lower Attaching Members—Second Embodiment  
         [0055]     The structure of a lower attaching member  252  according to a second embodiment of the invention is depicted in  FIGS. 10-11 . An alternative embodiment of this lower attachment member  252  is shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . As may be understood from these figures, the lower attaching member  252  preferably includes a substantially U-shaped body portion  253  that comprises an outer latching member  254 , a central member  255  and an interior support member  257 . As may be understood from Figure, this U-shaped body portion  253  preferably defines a recess  256  for receiving the front portion of the upper windshield portion&#39;s upper lip  234 .  
         [0056]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the outer latching member  254  and the interior support member  257  are substantially planar. The outer latching member  254  is preferably spaced apart from, and substantially parallel to, the interior support member  257 . The central member  255  is preferably substantially planar and is disposed between the outer latching member  254  and the interior support member  257 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central member  255  is substantially perpendicular to both the outer latching member  254  and interior support member  257 .  
         [0057]     The lower attaching member  252  further includes a head portion  246  and a neck portion  244  that are a adjacent the lower attaching member&#39;s body portion  253 . As may be understood from  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the head and neck portions  244 ,  246  are preferably dimensioned to hold the body portion  253  in place relative to the lower windshield portion  260 . The neck portion  244  extends between the lower attaching member&#39;s head and body portions  246 ,  253 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the length of the neck portion  244  is preferably substantially equal to the thickness of the lower windshield portion  260 .  
         [0058]     As may be understood from  FIGS. 12-13 , each lower attaching member  252  is attached to the lower windshield portion  260  adjacent the lower windshield portion&#39;s bottom edge. As may be understood from  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each lateral side of the lower windshield portion  260  defines a substantially horizontal elongate receiving slot  262  that is dimensioned to receive the head and neck portions  244 ,  246  of the lower attaching member  252  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the head and neck portions  244 ,  246  are made of a flexible material, such a rubber, to allow the user to insert the head portion  246  through the receiving slot  262  so that the inner surface of the head portion  246  is adjacent an interior surface of the lower windshield portion  260  and so that the lower attaching member&#39;s neck portion  244  is disposed within the receiving slot  262 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body, neck, and head portions  253 ,  244 ,  246  of the lower attaching member  252  are dimensioned so that the frictional contact between the body, neck and head portions  253 ,  244 ,  246  of the lower attaching member  252  and the lower windshield portion  260  hold the lower attaching member  252  in place relative to the lower windshield portion  260 .  
         [0059]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as is shown in  FIG. 11 , the upper windshield portion  230  includes a preferably planar upper lip  234  along the upper edge of the upper windshield portion  230 . This upper lip  234  preferably extends outwardly from, and substantially perpendicular to, the outer face of the upper windshield portion  230 . The upper lip  234  preferably includes a receiving slot  233  that is dimensioned to align with the latching member  254  of a corresponding lower attaching member  252  when the upper windshield portion  230  is in the open position, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper lip  234  includes two receiving slots  233 , each receiving slot  233  corresponding to a single lower attaching member  252 .  
         [0060]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each receiving slot  233  defines a cross section that is substantially the same size and shape as a cross section of the latching member  254  of the corresponding lower attaching member  252 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 11 , each receiving slot is preferably configured so that the latching member  254  of the corresponding lower attaching member  252  aligns with the receiving slot  233  when the upper windshield portion  230  is in the open position.  
         [0061]     To use the lower attaching members  252 , the user rotates the upper windshield portion  230  from the closed position (shown in  FIG. 12 ) to the open position (shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 ). Just before the upper windshield portion  230  reaches the fully open position, the upper lip  234  of the upper windshield portion  230  engages the latching members  254  of the lower attaching members  252 , which flexes the latching members  254  in a generally downward direction. As the upper windshield portion  230  continues to move into the fully open position, the latching members  254  slide along the outer surface of the upper lip  234  of the upper windshield portion  230  until the upper windshield portion  230  is in the fully open position.  
         [0062]     Finally, when the upper windshield portion  230  is in the fully open position, each latching member  254  aligns with its corresponding receiving slot  233 . When this occurs, the latching members  254  move into place within the receiving slots  233  due to the resilient structure of the latching members  254 . The latching members  254  then hold the upper windshield portion  230  in the open position as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 .  
         [0063]     To release the upper windshield portion  230  from the open position, the user briskly pulls the upper windshield portion  230  away from the lower attaching member  252 . This causes the latching members  254  to flex and slide out of their respective receiving slots  233 . As a result, the lower attaching members  252  release the upper windshield portion&#39;s upper lip  234 . The user then rotates the upper windshield portion  230  about the hinge  236  until the upper windshield portion  230  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0064]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer end of the latching members  254  are cut diagonally as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  to facilitate the movement of the latching members  254  in to the receiving slots  233 . However, as will be understood by one skilled in the relevant field, other configurations are possible.  
         [heading-0065]     Third Embodiment of the Invention  
         [0066]     A third embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . As may be understood from these figures, this embodiment of the invention is preferably essentially identical to the second embodiment of the invention described above, except that the lower attaching members  352  in this embodiment of the invention are preferably dimensioned to define a slightly larger recess  256  than that defined by the lower attaching members  252  of the second embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the lower attaching members  352  are preferably configured to receive, within the recess  256  and in a substantially snug manner, an upper end portion of the upper windshield portion  230 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each lower attaching member  256  is preferably configured to receive the upper windshield portion&#39;s upper lip  234  within the recess  256 .  
       SELECTED ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0067]     Although the invention has many advantages over prior art windshield fastening systems, one key advantage of the present invention is that the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  220 ,  52 ,  252 ,  352  are configured to be attached to the windshield without the use of adhesives. As a result, the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  220 ,  52 ,  252 ,  352  of the current invention are more suitable for use in direct sunlight than prior art windshield fastening systems, which are typically attached to the windshield with adhesives that break down upon prolonged exposure to the sun.  
         [0068]     Furthermore, the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  220 ,  52 ,  252 ,  352  of the present invention are much easier to replace than prior art windshield fastening systems. This is due to the fact that the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  220 ,  52 ,  252 ,  352  are attached to the windshield through frictional contact between the upper and lower attaching members  20 ,  220 ,  52 ,  252 ,  352  and the windshield, rather than with a strong adhesive.  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0069]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.