Patent Publication Number: US-7591231-B2

Title: Flush glazed bottom trim

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/855,394, filed Oct. 31, 2006, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (NOT APPLICABLE) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for mounting a curved sheet element on a surface and, more particularly, relates to apparatus and methods for mounting a windshield on the deck of a boat. Use of the term “curved sheet” is intended to encompass a generally flat sheet with some curvature to the sheet wings and fronts. 
     Systems for mounting curved sheet elements to a surface, particularly mounting curved windshields to the deck of a boat, are known. One such mounting system includes an elongated member having upper, intermediate and lower portions wherein the upper portion comprises, in cross-section, a generally channel-shaped receptacle for receiving the lower edge of the curved windshield. The lower portion includes a flat which extends from the intermediate portion at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the base of the channel-shaped upper portion. The intermediate portion includes angularly related portions connected along one edge intermediate of and to the base of the channel while the other angularly related portion extends rearwardly for connection with the flat. The forward portion of the flat terminates in a free edge defining a receptacle for receiving the trim piece with the base of the channel, the intermediate portion and the inside surface of the flat. 
     In using such a mounting system, it is necessary to bend the elongated member to conform it to the curvature of the lower edge of the glass. In bending the member, however, twisting also occurs, causing the flat to stand up from the deck. That is, the flat will not maintain a flush continuous contact with the deck over the full length of the member. Additionally, the mounting member is secured to the deck by screws disposed through the flat. The compound curvature of the mounting member, however, makes it difficult to mount the screws and secure the mounting member and windshield to the deck. Even after such securement, gaps appear between the mounting member and the deck. 
     In an improvement to this mounting system, another system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,410 (the contents of which are incorporated by reference) provides a continuous flush contact between the mounting member and the boat deck surface throughout the entire length of the mounting member while simultaneously facilitating mounting of the windshield to the deck. To accomplish this, there is provided an elongated member having upper and lower portions connected one to the other by an intermediate portion. The upper portion is preferably generally channel-shaped in cross-section for receiving the lower edge of the curved sheet element. The intermediate portion extends along one side of the member and from the channel-shaped upper portion toward the lower portion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast to the above-discussed mount, the lower portion of the mounting member of the embodiments described herein is arcuate in cross-section with the arcuate section connected along one side to the intermediate portion and extending in a direction generally toward the opposite side of the member. The arcuate section opens toward the channel-shaped upper portion. 
     It will be appreciated that, in the case of a curved glass windshield for a boat, the curvature of the windshield necessitates different angles of inclination between the windshield and deck at various locations along the windshield. For example, the angle between the windshield and the deck at the forwardmost portion of the windshield may be about 30-35°. At the sides of the windshield adjacent the corners and the locations of greatest curvature, such angle may be 75-80°. In bending and twisting the mounting member to accommodate the compound curvature of the windshield along its lowermost edge, the arcuate lower portion of the mounting member permits continuous flush contact without gaps between the mounting member and the flat deck throughout the length of the member as it curves from the front of the windshield around its corners to the sides of the windshield. That is, an edge or line contact between the arcuate section of the mounting member and the deck is maintained. Because of the compound curvature of the mounting member, however, such contact is at different arcuate or circumferential positions along the arcuate lower portion of the member. These different arcuate or circumferential positions are accommodated by the structure of the described embodiments. 
     It is additionally desirable for the construction to provide a direct glass-to-hull look, which is cleaner and results in a more sleek appearance. With the prior system, a portion of the bottom trim that covers the fastener is visible, so the improved appearance is not possible. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a multi-piece bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element on a surface. The trim member includes a base member securable to the surface and including one of a supporting leg and a receiving channel, and an upper member including the other of the supporting leg and the receiving channel, where the receiving channel is shaped to receive the supporting leg. Preferably, the base member includes the supporting leg and the upper member includes the receiving channel. In this context, the upper member is positionable relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the curved sheet. The base member is preferably substantially L-shaped including the supporting leg that engages the upper member and a securing leg that is fixable to the surface. 
     The upper member may include a lower leg and an upper leg spaced from each other and defining the base member receiving channel. In this context, the upper member is selectively positionable relative to the base member between a maximum inclined position and a maximum upright position. With the upper member engaging the base member, a bottom portion of the lower leg is engaged with a curved transition between the securing leg and the supporting leg, where a contact location is dependent on the relative position between the upper member and the base member between a maximum inclined position and a maximum upright position. 
     The upper member preferably includes a support surface to which the curved sheet is securable. The support surface may face away from an opening direction of the base member receiving channel. In this context, the upper member may further include a screw boss formed in the support surface, where the screw boss is positioned to receive a fastening member to secure an end piece to the bottom trim member. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a windshield assembly includes a windshield attachable to a boat hull via the bottom trim member of the described embodiments. The windshield is preferably selectively positionable on the support surface to thereby control a distance between a bottom edge of the windshield and the boat hull. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, a multi-piece bottom trim member for securing a windshield on a surface includes a base member including a supporting leg and a securing leg fixable to the surface; and an upper member including a base member receiving channel that is shaped to receive the supporting leg of the base member, and a support surface to which the windshield is securable. The support surface faces away from an opening direction of the base member receiving channel, and the upper member is positionable relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the windshield. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment, a method of manufacturing a multi-piece bottom trim member includes the steps of extruding a base member that is securable to the surface, the base member being extruded to include a supporting leg; and extruding an upper member in a shape including a base member receiving channel that is shaped to receive the supporting leg of the base member, the upper member and the base member being shaped in extrusion such that the upper member is positionable relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the curved sheet. The base member may be extruded in substantially an L-shape including the supporting leg that engages the upper member and a securing leg that is fixable to the surface. The upper member may be extruded in a shape such that it comprises a lower leg and an upper leg spaced from each other that define the base member receiving channel. 
     In a still further exemplary embodiment, a method of securing a windshield to a boat hull using the bottom trim member of the described embodiments includes the steps of securing the base member to the boat hull with a plurality of fastening members, the base member being positioned with the supporting leg extending away from the boat hull; applying a sealant/adhesive to the base member adjacent the supporting leg; fixing the windshield to the upper member; and securing the upper member to the base member by inserting the supporting leg in the base member receiving channel, and positioning the upper member relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the windshield. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the bottom trim assembly in a maximum incline position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the assembly in a maximum upright position; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  show an alternative embodiment of the bottom trim assembly; and 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  show yet another alternative construction. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The multi-piece bottom trim member described herein provides the desired glass-to-deck look while concealing the fastening structure. With a multi-piece structure, a base member can be fixed securely to the boat hull, while a separate upper member, which supports the windshield, can then be secured and positioned relative to the base member. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bottom trim member  10  includes a generally L-shaped base member  12  fixable to a boat hull B via a suitable fastening means such as a screw  14  or the like shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Other suitable fasteners may include adhesives such as pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), rivets, or other mechanical fasteners. The base member  12  includes a flush mount leg or a securing leg  12   a  and an upper member support leg or supporting leg  12   b . The flush mount leg  12   a  is placed on the boat hull B, and the fastener  14  secures the base member  12  to the hull through the flush mount leg  12   a.    
     The trim member  10  also includes an upper member  16  that supports the windshield W and is securable to the base member  12 . The upper member  16  includes a lower leg  18 , which together with spaced upper legs  20   a ,  20   b  define a base member receiving channel  22 . With the upper member  16  secured to the base member  12 , the upper member leg  12   b  of the base member  12  is positioned within the base member receiving channel  22 . 
     As shown, the upper legs  20   a ,  20   b  define a generally arcuate shape, although any shape may be suitable provided there is sufficient clearance for positioning of the upper member leg  12   b . With the upper member  16  engaging the base member  12 , the preferably J-shaped bottom of the lower leg  18  is engaged with the preferably curved transition between the securing leg  12   a  and the upper member leg  12   b . The contact location is dependent on the relative position between the upper member  16  and the base member  12 . As shown from a comparison of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 2 , the upper member  16  can be positioned relative to the base member  12  to accommodate any windshield angle between a maximum inclined position, in which a distal end  13  of the upper member leg  12   b  is positioned adjacent lower leg  18  and separated from leg  20   b  ( FIG. 1 ), and a maximum upright position, in which the distal end  13  of the lower leg  18  is positioned adjacent leg  20   b  and separated from lower leg  18  ( FIG. 2 ). A sealant/adhesive is preferably placed in the base member  12  prior to assembly. The sealant/adhesive may also be used to secure the upper member  16  to the base member  12  once positioned for supporting the windshield W. Other suitable fasteners for securing the upper member  16  and the base member  12  include, without limitation, mechanical fasteners, wedges, insert members and the like. 
     The upper member  16  also includes a support surface  24  to which the windshield W is affixed preferably by a suitable sealant/adhesive. The support surface  24  includes a screw boss  26  formed therein to receive a screw or other fastening member for securing an end piece (not shown) to the trim. The screw boss  26  also provides a greater contact surface and additional sealant space for securing the windshield W. As shown, the support surface  24  faces away from an opening direction of the base member receiving channel  22 . Another embodiment could have the base face the opposite way. The windshield W is thus selectively positionable on the support surface  24  to thereby control a distance between a bottom edge of the windshield W and the boat hull B. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an alternative embodiment where the screw boss  26  is positioned toward a lower end of the upper member  16 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the bottom trim member including alternative shape configurations for the base member and the upper member. 
     With the construction of the described and illustrated embodiments, the windshield W can be positioned relative to the boat hull B so that the glass appears to be secured directly to the deck without any bottom trim structure. Additionally, the assembly is inherently more water resistant since water drains directly down the glass surface, and there is no glass receiving channel as in the prior systems (although the design could be modified to include such a channel, which may be desirable in some applications). 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.