Abstract:
A windshield installation device for use by a single technician in replacing a vehicle windshield. The device includes a first assembly attachable to a side window of the vehicle and a second assembly attachable to the windshield to be placed on the vehicle. The second assembly is adapted to couple to the first assembly and pivot with respect to the first assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Installing a windshield on an automotive vehicle requires precise placement of the windshield. Given the weight and considerable size of windshields, and the arrangement of most cars, installing a windshield is often a two-person job that requires individuals on both the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle. Many businesses that provide auto glass repair and replacement provide on site service, in which a service technician or a team of technicians travel to the customer&#39;s vehicle for repair or replacement of the windshield wherever the vehicle happens to be located. Providing on site service in this manner provides a high level of convenience to the customer and can be a distinct competitive advantage for glass replacement businesses. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    The present invention provides a windshield installation device comprising a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a suction device, a first tubular member connected to the suction device, and a second tubular member having a first portion and a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion, the first portion having a diameter less than a diameter of the first tubular member, the first portion adapted to slide within the first tubular member. The second assembly includes a suction device, a bracket connected to the suction device, a third tubular member defining a bore and connected to the bracket, the bracket adapted to pivot with respect to the third tubular member, and an elongated rod positioned and adapted to slide within the bore, wherein the elongated rod is adapted to couple to the second portion of the second tubular member of the first assembly. 
         [0003]    The present invention also provides a windshield installation device comprising a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a suction device, a first tubular member connected to the suction device, and a second tubular member having a first portion and a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion, the first portion having a diameter less than a diameter of the first tubular member, the first portion adapted to slide within the first tubular member. The second assembly includes a suction device, a bracket connected to the suction device, a third tubular member defining a bore and connected to the bracket, the bracket adapted to pivot with respect to the third tubular member, and an elongated rod positioned and adapted to slide within the bore, wherein the elongated rod is adapted to couple to the second portion of the second tubular member of the first assembly. 
         [0004]    The present invention further provides a method of installing a windshield on a vehicle, the vehicle including a windshield opening and a side window. The method comprises the acts of attaching a first assembly to the side window, the first assembly including a suction device, a first tubular member coupled to the suction device, and a substantially L-shaped second tubular member adapted to slide within the first tubular member; attaching a second assembly to the windshield, the second assembly including a second suction device, a third tubular member coupled to the second suction device, and a rod supported by the third tubular member; positioning the rod on the L-shaped second tubular member; positioning the windshield adjacent the windshield opening; and securing the windshield to the windshield opening. 
         [0005]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pivot portion of a windshield installation device embodying the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a support portion of the windshield installation device coupled to a windshield. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the windshield installation device supporting a windshield for installation in a vehicle. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the windshield installation device with the windshield positioned for installation in the vehicle. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a section view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a first assembly of a windshield installation device embodying the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the first assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the first assembly illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second assembly of a windshield installation device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the second assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a top view of a portion of the second assembly illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a windshield installation device  10  according to one construction of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  includes a pivot assembly  12  that attaches to a side window  14  of a vehicle. The pivot assembly  12  includes a first suction device  16 , a second suction device  18 , and a pivot member  24  coupled to the first and second suction devices  16 ,  18 . Each suction device  16 ,  18  includes a resilient cup  28 , a handle  32  coupled to the cup  28 , and a manually actuated vacuum device  34  that removes air from between the cup  28  and a surface to which the suction device is being attached (e.g. the side window  14 ). The construction of the suction devices  16 ,  18  and the vacuum device  34  are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,823, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. A plate  36  is coupled to the handles  32  and couples the suction devices  16 ,  18  to one another. The plate  36  can include upturned side edges in some embodiments. The pivot member  24  is substantially L-shaped and includes a first portion that is coupled to the plate  36  and a depending portion  40  that extends away from the plate  36  and which defines a reduced-diameter cylindrical portion  44  at one end. The reduced-diameter cylindrical portion  44  is operable to retract inside of the depending portion  40 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a support assembly  48  of the windshield installation device coupled to a windshield  52  that is to be installed on the vehicle. The support assembly  48  includes a third suction device  56  and a fourth suction device  60 , both of which are configured similarly to the first and second suction devices  16 ,  18 . A channel or plate  64  couples the third and fourth suction devices  56 ,  60  to one another, and support blocks  68  are coupled to the plate  64 . The third and fourth suction devices  56 ,  60  are configured such that a first plane defined by the plate  64  is at an obtuse angle with respect to a second plane defined generally by the windshield  52 . 
         [0023]    The support blocks  68  each define a bore  72 , and the bores  72  are substantially axially aligned with one another and define an axis  76 . A generally cylindrical elongated support rod  80  extends through the bores  72  and is both rotatable about the axis  76  and axially moveable with respect to the support blocks  68 . The support blocks  68  may include bushings and/or bearings to facilitate smooth sliding and rotation of the support rod  80 . The support rod  80  includes an end portion  84  having external threads adapted to receive a connector  86 . The connector  86  includes an opening  88  adapted to receive the cylindrical portion  44  of the pivot member  24  (see  FIG. 5 ). The support rod  80  and pivot member  24  are therefore pivotable with respect to one another about an axis  90  defined by the cylindrical portion  44 . As illustrated, additional suction devices  92  can be coupled to the windshield  52  to facilitate handling of the windshield  52  during windshield installation. 
         [0024]    Referring also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the support assembly  48  and the additional suction devices  92  are coupled to the windshield  52 , and the pivot assembly  12  is coupled to the side window  14 , all by way of manually operating the vacuum devices  34 . The pivot assembly  12  is positioned on the side window  14  so that the depending portion  40  extends upwardly and forwardly from the plate  36 , adjacent a windshield opening  96 . The support rod  80  is moved axially within the support blocks  68  so that the end portion  84  extends past a side edge of the windshield  52 . The windshield  52  is manually lifted using the handles  32  of the third and/or fourth suction devices  56 ,  60  and/or the additional suction devices  92 , and the end portion  84  of the support rod  80  is positioned over the cylindrical portion  44  of the pivot member  24 . The windshield  52  is thereafter at least partially supported by the pivot member  24  and can be pivoted about the axis  90  of the cylindrical portion  44 . 
         [0025]    With the support rod  80  engaged with the pivot member  24 , the windshield  52  is manipulated from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3  into an installation position over the windshield opening  96  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Manipulating the windshield  52  in this manner will generally include pivoting the windshield  52  and the support assembly  48  about the pivot member  24 , sliding the support rod  80  axially within the support blocks  68 , and also rotating the windshield  52  about the axis  76 . The pivotal engagement between the support rod  80  and the pivot assembly  12 , along with the sliding and rotating engagement between the support rod  80  and the support blocks  68  movably supports the windshield  52  in such a way that the windshield  52  can be installed by a single technician. More specifically, the technician can first engage the end portion  84  with the pivot member  24 , and can then grasp the additional suction devices  92  while walking around the forward portion of the vehicle, thereby pivoting the support rod  80  about the pivot member  24 . From the opposite side of the vehicle as the pivot assembly  12 , the windshield  52  can be rotated about the axis  76  and moved axially along the support rod  80  until the windshield  52  is properly positioned above the windshield opening  96 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6-14  illustrate a windshield installation device  100  according to one construction of the present invention. The device  100  includes a first assembly  104  (illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 ) that attaches to a side window (e.g., the passenger side window or driver side window)  14  of a vehicle. With reference to  FIGS. 6-9 , the first assembly  104  includes a first tubular member  108  connected to a first suction device  110  and a second suction device  114 . The first tubular member  108  can include two collars  118 ,  122  coupled to an exterior surface of the tubular member  108  such that the tubular member  108  is connected to the first suction device  110  and second suction device  114  through the first collar  118  and the second collar  122 , respectively. The first tubular member  108  also includes an aperture  126  adapted to receive a quick release pin  130 . The first tubular member  108  also includes a first end  134  and a second end  138 . 
         [0027]    The first suction member  110  and the second suction device  114  each include a resilient cup  142 , a handle  146  coupled to the cup  142 , and a manually actuated vacuum device  150  that removes air from between the cup  142  and a surface to which the suction device is being attached (e.g., a side window  14  of the vehicle). The construction of the suction devices  110 ,  114  and the vacuum device  150  are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,823, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0028]    The tubular member  108  is connected to a portion of the handle  146  of both the first suction device  110  and the second suction device  114  with a connector  154 . The connector  154  illustrated in the figures is a nut and a bolt, however other suitable connectors may be utilized to connect the tubular member  108  to the first suction device  110  and the second suction device  114 . The tubular member  108  can be connected to the first suction device  110  and the second suction device  114  through additional supporting structure as well. Similarly, additional connection points between the tubular member  108  and the first suction device  110  and the second suction device  114  may be implemented. 
         [0029]    The first assembly  104  also includes a second tubular member  158  generally L-shaped. The second tubular member  158  includes a diameter less than a diameter of the first tubular member  108 . The second tubular member  158  includes a first portion  162  adapted to be received by and slide within the first end  134  or the second end  138  of the first tubular member  108  (to accommodate a driver side or passenger side mounting). The second tubular member  158  includes a plurality of apertures  166  adapted to align with the aperture  126  in the first tubular member  108  and to receive the quick release pin  130 . Although two apertures  166  are illustrated in  FIG. 9 , additional apertures  166  can be implemented in the first tubular member  108  and the second tubular member  158 . The second tubular member  158  is adapted to slide within the first tubular member  108  to adjust a position of the second tubular member  158  with respect to the first tubular member  108 . 
         [0030]    The second tubular member  158  includes a second portion  170  extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion  162 . The second tubular member  158  also includes a reduced-diameter cylindrical member  174  coupled to the second portion  170  at a distal end of the second portion  170 . The reduced-diameter cylindrical member  174  extends from the distal end of the second portion  170  and is operable to retract inside of the second portion  170  via a peg  178  that slides along a track  182  formed in the second portion  170 . 
         [0031]    The windshield installation device  100  also includes a second assembly  200  (illustrated in  FIGS. 10-14 ) that attaches to a windshield  52  to be installed in a vehicle. With reference to  FIGS. 10-14 , the second assembly  200  includes a third suction device  204  and a fourth suction device  208 . The third suction device  204  and the fourth suction device  208  each include a resilient cup  212  and a manually actuated vacuum device  216  that removes air from between the cup  212  and a surface to which the suction device is being attached (e.g., a windshield). The construction of the suction devices  204 ,  208  and the vacuum device  216  are more fully described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,823, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0032]    The second assembly  200  also includes a first bracket  220  connected to the third suction device  204  and a second bracket  224  connected to the fourth suction device  208 . The first bracket  220  includes a body  232 , a first leg  236  extending from the body  232 , a first flange  240  extending from an end of the first leg  236 , a second leg  244  extending from the body  232 , and a second flange  248  extending from an end of the second leg  244 . The first flange  240  and the second flange  248  are connected to a handle  252 . The second bracket  224  includes a body  256 , a first leg  260  extending from the body  256 , and a second leg  264  extending from the body  256 . 
         [0033]    The body  232  of the first bracket  220  is connected to the third suction device  204  with a connector  268 . Similarly, the body  256  of the second bracket  224  is connected to the fourth suction device  208  with a connector  268 . The connector  268  can be a bolt, however other suitable connectors may be utilized to connect the brackets  220 ,  224  to the respective suction devices  204 ,  208 . 
         [0034]    The second assembly  200  also includes a third tubular member  272  connected to the first and second legs  236 ,  244  of the first bracket  220  and to the first and second legs  260 ,  264  of the second bracket  224 . The first bracket  220  and the second bracket  224  are connected to the third tubular member  272  with a connector  276 , which allows the first and second brackets  220 ,  224  and corresponding suction devices to pivot with respect to the third tubular member  272  to accommodate different shapes and/or contours of windshields. 
         [0035]    The third tubular member  272  defines a bore  280  and an axis  284 . The second assembly  200  also includes an elongated rod  288  adapted to slide along the axis  284  on bearings within the bore  280  of the third tubular member  272 . The elongated rod  288  also is rotatable about the axis  284 . The elongated rod  288  includes a connector  292  secured to a first end  296  that has an opening  300  adapted to receive the reduced-diameter cylindrical member  174  of the first assembly  104 . The elongated rod  288  is adapted to pivot with respect to reduced-diameter cylindrical member  174 . The elongated rod  288  also includes a flange  304  at a second end  308  that has a diameter greater than a diameter of the bore  280 . The third tubular member  272  includes a brake mechanism  312  adapted to slow down movement of the elongated rod  288  through the bore  280 . The brake mechanism  312  includes a knob connected to one end of a screw, which has a second end positioned inside of the third tubular member  272  adapted to contact the elongated rod  288  to provide sufficient friction to reduce movement of the elongated rod  288  with respect to the third tubular member  272 . The screw can comprise a material softer than the material of the elongated rod  288 . For example, brass is a suitable material for the screw to provide sufficient friction and slow movement of the elongated rod  288 , which can comprise steel. In other constructions, a rubber pad can be connected to a second end of the screw. The rubber pad is positioned inside of the third tubular member  272  and is adapted to contact the elongated rod  288  to provide sufficient friction to reduce movement of the elongated rod  288  with respect to the third tubular member  272 . Additional suction devices can be coupled to the windshield  52  to facilitate handling of the windshield  52  during windshield installation. 
         [0036]    Although the installation devices  10 ,  100  are shown and described herein as facilitating installation of a windshield in an automotive vehicle, it should be appreciated that the device  10 ,  100  can be utilized in a variety of other applications in which it is desired to at least partially support an object in a moveable manner to facilitate installation or general manipulation thereof. 
         [0037]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.