Patent Publication Number: US-7213533-B2

Title: Foldable windshield for T-top watercraft

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to a removable, foldable front windshield device for attachment to a T-top of a motorized watercraft or the like, more particularly a windshield device comprising a fold-down upper windshield portion with attachment mechanisms for detachable attachment to support poles of the T-top. 
   2. Background Information 
   There is nothing like sitting or standing in a motorboat traveling at a high-speed over the water with the wind whipping through your hair. After awhile though, the sea spray and flying insects striking you in the face as the boat bounces up and down over the waves can become inconvenient and occasionally even hazardous. 
   Popular center console style motorboats are often enhanced by adding a T-top to help shield the occupants from overhead sun, wind, and precipitation. While popular, the T-top affords little protection from the elements coming from the front of the boat while the boat is underway. Many boaters augment the T-top with custom windbreaks made from clear soft plastic film, usually installed by marine upholsterers. These film windshields are typically laced on with cord and cannot be removed easily. They typically last only a few seasons before becoming cloudy and weather-beaten. They are also difficult to see through at night because of light refracting through slight wrinkles in the fabric due to its stretchiness. Once they are installed, they cannot be removed to let in desirable breezes. Some boat owners have zippers custom-installed to allow the windshield to be “opened”. Once again this custom procedure takes the boat out of service while the zippers are installed. It is not unusual for these zippers to corrode and jam under saltwater conditions. In any case, the addition of the custom-made soft windshield requires the boat to be unavailable while the piece is being created. Such custom pieces are difficult or impossible to remove, particularly over open water. Since they are susceptible to degradation by the elements, they must periodically be replaced. 
   The present invention provides a removable windshield device with a fold-down, rigid upper windshield portion for attachment to a T-top. With this device, the user can either experience the wind whipping by when the windshield device is in a folded position, or have the protection afforded by a windshield when the windshield device in its open position. This universal device can be fitted by the consumer to essentially any T-top with a few simple tools in a matter of minutes. The installation requires no permanent modifications or drilling into the T-top, so the structure is not compromised. When protection from the elements is needed, the windshield device of the present invention can be deployed to the up, open position in seconds. When a breeze through the cockpit is desired, the present windshield device can be folded down to allow for airflow. The windshield device of present invention is constructed using non-corroding materials, such as high strength plastics and stainless steel hardware to assure an extended working life. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a foldable front windshield device for removable attachment to a T-top of a motorized watercraft or the like. The windshield device comprises:
         (a) a lower windshield portion comprising at least one lower attachment mechanism;   (b) a foldable upper windshield portion comprising at least one detachable upper attachment mechanism; and   (c) a waterproof, durable, flexible, substantially transparent hinge connecting the lower windshield portion to the upper windshield portion;       

   wherein the upper and lower windshield portions are detachably attachable to at least one pole of the T-top, and the upper windshield portion is detachable from the T-top and foldable over the lower windshield portion. 
   Advantages of the windshield device of the present invention include the following:
         1) shields occupants of the watercraft from salt spray, flying bugs, and rain, hail, and other inclement weather;   2) versatile, in that an upper portion of the windshield folds down for those occasions when a shield is not desired;   3) universal fit; fits a variety of T-top and watercraft models;   4) removable, so it need not be employed during fair weather;   5) waterproof and can be rapidly deployed on the open water;   6) the windshield portions may be tinted to provide some protection from ultraviolet light; and   7) the position of the windshield device in the space over the watercraft&#39;s center console can be adjusted somewhat by sliding it up or down the T-top poles.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a foldable windshield device according to the present invention, shown in an open position on a T-top watercraft; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of foldable windshield device according to the present invention, shown in a folded position on a T-top watercraft; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an upper attachment mechanism of an upper windshield portion according to  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a lower attachment mechanism of a lower windshield portion according to  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  shows a front perspective view of a foldable windshield device according to the present invention, shown on a T-top watercraft. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described. 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , a removable, foldable windshield device according to the present invention, generally referred to herein as  10 , is shown attached to a T-top  11  in the front of a motorized watercraft  12 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the windshield device  10  includes a lower windshield portion  13  comprising two lower attachment mechanisms  16 , and an upper windshield portion  14  comprising two upper, detachable attachment mechanisms  17 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the upper windshield portion  14  and the lower windshield portion  13  are about the same size and shape as one another, though they need not be. 
   Continuing with  FIG. 1 , the windshield device  10  also includes a waterproof, durable, flexible, substantially transparent hinge  15  between the lower windshield portion  13  and the upper windshield portion  14 . The hinge  15  connects the adjacent windshield portions  13 ,  14 , with the upper windshield portion  14  above the lower windshield portion  13  when the windshield device  10  is in place on the watercraft. The hinge  15  may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and is preferably a longitudinally extending hinge by which the upper windshield portion  14  can be folded down to closely overlie the lower windshield portion  13 . The upper windshield portion  14  is thus rotatable about the lower windshield portion. The hinge  15  preferably extends substantially the length of the two windshield portions  13 ,  14 , which are preferably generally rectangular in shape and substantially the same length as one another. 
   The upper and lower windshield portions  13 ,  14  are preferably made of transparent plastic, polycarbonate (preferred), or shatterproof, tempered glass or glass laminate that is suitable for use on a watercraft. Since the hinge and windshield material are both substantially transparent, occupants of the watercraft can easily see through the entire windshield device  10 . The windshield material must be resistant to ultraviolet radiation and salt water corrosion over time. The windshield portions may be tinted with a UV coating to provide protection from ultraviolet light rays. The edges of generally rectangular-shaped glass windshield portions are smoothly ground for safety. 
   The windshield portions  13 ,  14  are preferably substantially planar so that the upper windshield portion can fit smoothly against the lower windshield portion. The substantially straight side edges of the upper windshield portion are preferably not curved or bent forward or rearward, nor do the windshield portions comprise side panels, for the same reason. The four corners of each generally rectangular-shaped windshield portion are preferably curved but not bent forward or backward (out of the plane of the windshield portion). There is no need for a frame around the edges of the windshield portions  13 ,  14 . When the upper windshield portion  14  is folded down, it lies generally on top of the lower windshield portion  13 . When the windshield device  10  is in the open position, the lower edge of the upper windshield portion  14  is adjacent an upper edge of the lower windshield portion  13 , with the hinge  15  between the two windshield portions  13 ,  14 . When the windshield device  10  is in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the windshield device  10  is substantially planar. It therefore fits between the two parallel front outer poles  18   a  and against the planar front surface of the center console  20 , or wheelhouse, and does not interfere with seating on any bench  24  in front of the console  20 . Although the position and size of center consoles vary from boat to boat (e.g., a 19 footer vs. a 30 foot long boat), the mounting mechanism of the windshield device  10  self-adjusts to fit the various models. 
   In an open position, the detachable upper attachment mechanisms  17  are preferably attached to a different two T-top poles than the lower attachment mechanisms  16 . In an open position, the detachable upper attachment mechanisms  17  are each attached to one of two inner ones  19  of the poles of the T-top  11 , and the lower attachment mechanisms  16  are each removably attached to one of two outer ones  18  of the poles of the T-top, the inner T-top poles  19  being closer to a longitudinal centerline of the watercraft  12  than the outer T-top poles  18 . 
   The windshield device  10  may occupy substantially all of the front space between the top of the console  20  and the top of the T-top front outer poles  18   a , or just a portion of the front space. In the latter case, the user can position the windshield device  10  as desired in the front space, according to where along the T-top outer poles  18   a  the lower attachment mechanisms  16  are placed. The lower attachment mechanisms  16  are slidable up or down the T-top poles, particularly in the T-top models with substantially vertical with the poles  18 ,  19 . Once the desired position is reached, the attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  are tightened. The side edges of the windshield portions preferably project beyond the T-top front outer poles  18   a  and the sides of the console  20  for added protection. Of course, the side edges of the windshield do not project out farther than the sides of the hull. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the upper windshield portion  14  is foldable over an outer surface of the lower windshield portion  13 . By “outer surface” is meant the face of the lower windshield portion  13  that faces forward when the windshield device  10  is in place on the watercraft  12 . When the windshield device  10  is in an open position as shown in  FIG. 1 , it protects the driver and other occupants of the boat behind it from sea spray, flying insects, rain, etc. When the occupant of the watercraft, usually its driver, so desires, he or she can fold down the upper windshield portion  14  to a folded down position shown in  FIG. 2 . In the folded position, the upper windshield portion does not block air coming through the watercraft  12  from the bow. In  FIG. 2 , the windshield device  10  includes a lower windshield portion  13  comprising four spaced apart lower attachment mechanisms  16 , and an upper windshield portion  14  comprising two upper, detachable attachment mechanisms  17 . The lower attachment mechanisms  16  are attached to the outer T-top poles  18   a , with two on each side of the boat, one above the other on each outer pole  18   a.    
   The T-top model depicted in  FIG. 1  includes front  18   a  and rear  18   b  sets of outer poles, which are connected at their lower ends to the deck of the watercraft  12 , and a set of angled inner T-top poles  19 . The outer poles are closer to the side walls of the watercraft than the inner poles. The angled inner T-top poles  19  each extend up from an approximate centerline of the watercraft&#39;s console  20  in a V-shape out to the outer T-top poles  18   a , as seen in  FIG. 1 . Each of the outer T-top poles  18  extends up in a generally vertical, slightly inclined direction from the deck  22  to a corner of the T-top box  21 . In the T-top model depicted in  FIG. 1 , a front set  18   a  of the two sets of four outer poles  18  inclines slightly toward a rear set  18   b  of the four outer poles, and vice versa. The tops of all four outer T-top poles  18   a, b  are attached to a T-top electronics box  21  in the T-top model depicted. A custom-made T-top cover is usually attached to the T-top box  21  and poles  18 ,  19 . No T-top cover is depicted in  FIG. 1  so that the T-top box  21  can be seen. A portion of a T-top cover  23  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The T-top cover  23  is supported on the tops of the T-top poles  18 ,  19 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a rear (stern) facing portion of the two lower attachment mechanisms  16  on the lower windshield portion  13  are attachable around outermost poles  18   a  of the T-top  11 . The two detachable attachment mechanisms  17 , which are above them (hence, “upper”) on the windshield portion when the device is in an open position, are attachable to the two inner poles  12  of the T-top  11 . No additional parts are required for installation or use of the present device. The arrangement of poles  18 ,  19  in a T-top  11  varies according to the particular manufacture and model of T-top. The T-top may include additional poles. The windshield device  10  can fit on many different pole arrangements according to the placement of the attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  on the upper and lower windshield portions  13 ,  14 . Two or four lower attachment mechanisms  16  on the lower windshield portion  13  are alternatively attachable around inner poles of the T-top  11 . 
   For a larger sized windshield device  10 , four identical attachment mechanisms  16  are preferably employed on the lower windshield portion  13 , with two upper attachment mechanisms  17  on the upper windshield portion  14 . The positions of the attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  on the upper and lower windshield portions  13 ,  14  correspond to the desired placement of the windshield device  10  relative to the rest of the watercraft  12 , and to the location of the T-top poles  18 ,  19  behind the windshield device  10 . 
   The T-top cover provides shade and overhead rain protection for the occupants of the watercraft. The present invention provides protection from wind, rain, or hail driving in from the bow of the boat as the boat moves through the water. It also protects a person standing behind it from water spray coming in over the bow, as well as strong winds and flying insects. A tinted windshield device  10  can also provide shade and some protection from ultraviolet light, particularly on a sunny day when the sun is in front of the boat. The windshield device  10  can quickly be deployed in the event of rain. It only takes a few seconds to move the windshield device  10  into the open (up) or folded (down) position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower attachment mechanisms  16  are preferably pivotable, strap-on clamps  16   a . Each lower windshield portion  13  has a hole drilled through it for each strap-on clamp  16   a . Each hole is of a sufficient diameter to accommodate the shaft of a screw  27 . Each strap-on clamp  16   a  comprises two washers  28  (preferably metal) with one on each side of the windshield portion when the windshield device is installed. It has been found herein that a washer with a diameter approximating the T-top pole diameter should be employed herein in order to distribute the load across a wider area of the windshield and reduce stress in that area. A bendable, stationary strap  30  (preferably a band of thin, stainless steel metal) projects from between the washers  28 , extending behind the second washer  28   b  on the inside surface of the lower windshield portion  13 . The metal strap  30 , which is substantially circular when it is in use, extends out substantially perpendicularly from the planar inner surface of the windshield device  10 . Once the screw  27  has been inserted through the holes in the first metal washer  28   b , the metal strap  30 , the lower windshield portion  13 , and the second metal washer  28   a , a nut  29  is placed over the end of the screw shaft during assembly. The windshield device  10  is then ready for installation on the watercraft. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper attachment mechanisms  17  are preferably detachable, pivotable clamps  17   a , which match the strap-on clamps  16   a . The upper windshield portion  13  has a hole drilled through it for accommodating each detachable clamp  17   a . Each hole is of a sufficient diameter to accommodate the shaft of a screw  27 . Placement of the holes in the windshield portions  13 ,  14  corresponds to the location of the T-top poles  18 ,  19  on which the windshield device is to be placed. 
   Each detachable clamp  17   a  comprises two washers  28   a, b  (preferably metal), with one washer on each side of the windshield portion. Each washer, then, is adjacent an outer or inner surface of the windshield portion. The clamps  16   a ,  17   a  are shown without a windshield portion  13 ,  14  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for the purposes of illustration. A flexible, detachable attachment strap  31  extends from behind the first washer  28   b  on the inside surface of the lower windshield portion  13 . The attachment strap  31  extends out from the inner surface of the windshield device  10 , which is the surface that faces the rear, or stern, of the boat when the windshield device is installed on the boat. Once the screw  27  has been inserted through the holes in the first metal washer  28   b  during installation, the attachment strap  31 , the upper windshield portion  14 , and the second metal washer  28   a , a nut  29  is placed over the end of the screw shaft. The windshield device  10  is then ready for use. The attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  are positioned in the interior of the windshield device  10  and not along its edges. The attachment strap  31  preferably includes two corresponding strips of hook and loop material  32  for attaching the upper attachment mechanisms  17  around the T-top pole. 
   To use the windshield device  10 , the metal straps  30  on the strap-on clamps  16   a  are opened and placed around the T-top poles  18   a . The metal straps  30  are then tightened by means of a screw fastening device  33  on the metal straps. Once the windshield device  10  is in place on the watercraft, there is no need to detach it from the watercraft, although it can easily be removed by unfastening the metal straps  30 , if desired. 
   To fix the windshield device  10  in the open position (see  FIG. 1 ), the attachment straps  31  on the upper windshield portion  14  are then opened and fastened around the T-top inner poles  19  at the desired location. The attachment straps  31  of the detachable clamps  17   a  are then fastened around the T-top inner poles  19  by pressing the corresponding hook and loop strips  32  together. The user merely pulls a free end of each attachment strap  31  to separate the sets of hook and loop strips  32  and unfasten the upper attachment mechanisms  17 . This causes the upper windshield portion  14  to fold down (see  FIG. 2 ). 
   The clamps  16   a ,  17   a  are self-correcting in that they follow the angle, or taper, of the T-top poles  18 ,  19 . Although they fit snugly around the T-top poles, the clamps  16   a ,  17   a  pivot slightly at the center of each clamp  16   a ,  17   a  to follow the curvature, if any, of the T-top poles  18 ,  19 . 
   The upper and lower attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  alternatively include countersunk screws with rubber stoppers (rather than metal washers) encircling the heads of the screws. Since the screws are countersunk, they are safer and project a cleaner appearance. The rubber stoppers prevent the screws from scratching the windshield material. 
   Since the flexible hinge  15  must often sustain a beating when the watercraft is in motion, it must be durable even in a marine environment. It must be made of a material that is flexible, waterproof, and rustproof. The hinge  15  is preferably made of a flexible, clear, acrylic material and it is preferably fastened to the windshield portions  13 ,  14  with a cement adhesive or other suitable adhesive. 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the windshield device  10  includes an optional mechanical windshield fastener  36 , preferably a clasp attached to an outer surface of the upper windshield portion  14 . The mechanical fastener  36  maintains the upper windshield portion  14  when the windshield device  10  is in the folded position, so that it does not flap up and down when the boat is in motion. To place the windshield device  10  in the folded position as shown in  FIG. 2 , the user unfastens the upper attachment mechanisms  17  and drops the upper windshield portion  14  down over the lower windshield portion  13 . The user then pushes up the clasp  36 , fastening it over the lower edge  37  of the lower windshield portion  13 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Since a watercraft is often subjected to a great deal of vibration as it impacts waves, especially on a windy day, the fastener  36  prevents the folded down upper windshield portion  14  from banging on the lower windshield portion  13 . The windshield device of the present invention is built to withstand repeated jarring impacts and vibration. 
   Continuing with  FIG. 5 , the back of the clasp fastener  36  is adhered to the outer surface of the upper windshield portion  14 , which is the surface that faces outward, or forward, when the upper windshield portion  14  is in the open position. The clasp fastener  36  fastens over a lower edge  37  of the lower windshield portion  13 , when the windshield device  10  is in the folded position. Here, the upper windshield portion  14  is sized so that the clasp fastener  36  fits over the lower edge  37  of the lower windshield portion when the windshield is in the folded position. 
   In  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the windshield device  10  includes a lower windshield portion  13  comprising four lower attachment mechanisms  16 , and an upper windshield portion  14  comprising two upper, detachable attachment mechanisms  17 . Each upper attachment mechanism  17  includes an attachment strap  31 . The attachment strap  31  preferably includes two corresponding strips of hook and loop material  32  for removably attaching the upper attachment mechanism  17  around the T-top pole. The upper attachment mechanisms  17 , and therefore the upper windshield portion  14  they are attached to, can be detached from the T-top poles  18  by pulling apart the corresponding hook and loop strips  32 . The hook and loop strips  32  on each upper attachment mechanism  17  are shown separated in  FIG. 2 . 
   Portions of the upper and lower attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  are permanently affixed to the windshield portions  13 ,  14 , but not along the edges of the windshield portions. The attachment mechanisms  16 ,  17  are attached to the windshield device  10 . 
   The mechanical fastener  36  can alternatively be a male cleat member on an upper corner of the upper windshield portion  14 , which fits into a corresponding portion of a female cleat member formed along a lower, corresponding corner of the lower windshield portion  13 . To fasten the windshield device  10  in the folded position, the user unfastens the detachable attachment mechanisms  17  and drops the upper windshield portion  14  down over the lower windshield portion  13 . The user then moves the male cleat member into place in the corresponding portion of the female cleat member. The male cleat member can easily be pulled down when the user desires to place the windshield device  10  in the open position. 
   No modification of the T-top is required in order to employ the present invention. The windshield device  10  is preferably for use on watercraft having a T-top. The present invention can be installed during or after manufacture of the watercraft. 
   From the foregoing it can be realized that the described device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized as a fold-down front windshield for a watercraft or the like. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting. 
   While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person&#39;s product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
   BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN THE DRAWINGS 
   
       
         10  foldable windshield device 
         11  T-top 
         12  watercraft 
         13  lower windshield portion 
         14  upper windshield portion 
         15  hinge 
         16  lower attachment mechanism 
         17  upper attachment mechanism 
         18  outer T-top poles 
         19  inner T-top poles 
         20  watercraft console 
         21  T-top box 
         22  watercraft deck 
         23  T-top cover 
         24  watercraft bench 
         27  clamp screw 
         28  clamp washer 
         29  clamp nut 
         30  metal strap 
         31  attachment strap 
         32  hook and loop strip 
         33  strap screw fastening device 
         36  mechanical fastener 
         37  lower edge of windshield