Patent Publication Number: US-11040759-B2

Title: Boat windshield with integrated audio system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/563,882, filed Sep. 27, 2017, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     (NOT APPLICABLE) 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to marine windshields and, more specifically, to a marine windshield including an integrated audio system. 
     In existing boats that include audio systems, speakers are typically installed below deck, in the cockpit area or above the windshield in an archway or tower. These locations, however, are not ideal for optimal listening as the sound is not appropriately directed toward the occupants of the boat. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The described embodiments endeavor to better position audio components in a boat by integrating the speakers into a windshield just above the deck and closer to passenger head level. The design provides a much more balanced listening experience in a visually pleasing package. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a windshield includes a framework including a bottom trim and a top trim, a windshield panel secured to the framework, and a speaker system secured to the framework adjacent the windshield panel between the bottom trim and the top trim. The framework may include a forward section and two side sections extending aft from the forward section. In this context, the framework may define a passenger area, where the speaker system may be positioned in the framework adjacent a head level in the passenger area. 
     The speaker system may include a first component secured adjacent an aft end of each of the side sections. The speaker system may include a second component secured adjacent a forward end of each of the side sections. In some embodiments, the first component may include a woofer and a tweeter. 
     The speaker system may be positioned facing the passenger area. The windshield may also include a lighting system coupled with the speaker system that faces away from the passenger area. The lighting system may be reactive to audio output. 
     The framework may further include a vertical trim connecting each of the two side sections with the forward section, where at least part of the speaker system may be bounded by the bottom trim, the windshield panel and the vertical trim. 
     Generally, at least part of the speaker system may be positioned through the windshield panel. 
    
    
     
       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 an inside perspective view of an exemplary windshield according to the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view of a first speaker system component secured adjacent an aft end of the windshield; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a speaker system component adjacent a forward end of a windshield side section; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exterior perspective view of the windshield. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an inside perspective view of an exemplary windshield according to the described embodiments.  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary left-side portion of a windshield assembly, where a right side of the windshield is a mirror image. A pivotable door or the like (not shown) may be positioned between the left side and the right side of the windshield assembly. 
     The windshield  10  includes a framework with a bottom trim  12 , a top trim  14 , and in some embodiments, a vertical trim  16 . One or more windshield panels  18  are secured in the framework. That is, the assembly may include a single panel or multiple panels coupled together. The windshield panels  18  are preferably formed of glass or laminated glass or another suitable transparent or partially-transparent material. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the framework includes a forward section  20  and a side section  22 , separated by the vertical trim  16 . A complete windshield assembly will also include at least a second side section  22  on a right-side portion of the windshield assembly. The entire assembly may include a single forward section  20  or separated forward sections  20  as noted. The framework is curved as shown and defines or delimits a passenger area. 
     A speaker system  24  is secured to the framework adjacent the windshield panel  18  between the bottom trim  12  and the top trim  14 . As shown, the speaker system  24  is positioned in the framework adjacent a head level in the passenger area, and in a preferred construction, the speaker system  24  is positioned facing the passenger area. The speaker system  24  may be configured to face away from the passenger area or may include components for directing audio output in both inward and outward directions. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , in an exemplary construction, the speaker system  24  may be provided with multiple components secured to the windshield assembly at various positions to provide a balanced listening experience for the boat passengers.  FIG. 2  shows an exemplary speaker component  26  secured adjacent an aft end of the side section  22 . A similar component  26  is secured in the aft end of the opposite-side side section. The component  26  may include conventional speaker drivers such as a woofer  27  and a tweeter  30 . A second component  28  of the speaker system may be secured adjacent a forward end of each of the side sections  22 . In an exemplary construction, the second component  28  may include a mid-range driver  32  or the like. The speaker system  24  may include more or fewer speaker components. 
     Either of the speaker components  26 ,  28  may be secured directly to the windshield panel  18  or may alternatively be positioned through the windshield panel  18 . For example, in  FIG. 3 , the second component  28  may be secured in an opening in the panel  18 . In this manner, the component is bounded by the bottom trim  12 , the windshield panel  18  and the vertical trim  16 .  FIG. 2  shows the first component  26  secured directly to the trim  12 ,  14  adjacent the windshield panel  18  by suitable connectors  34 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exterior perspective view of the windshield assembly  10 . A lighting system  36  may be associated with the speaker system. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the lighting system  36  is associated with the first speaker component  26  in a facing relationship. The lighting system  36  may be coupled with the first speaker component  26  to sandwich the aft end of the side section framework and windshield panel. The lighting system  36  in the illustrated embodiment thus faces away from the passenger area. The lighting system  36  may alternatively be oriented inward or may be oriented both inward and outward. Any known lighting system may be used, for example, a lighting system that is reactive to audio output. That is, the lights in the lighting system  36  may change color or flash or the like according to sounds generated by the speaker system. The lighting systems may have the ability to be solid colors, moving patterns, or other configurations. 
     By integrating a speaker system into a boat windshield assembly, the speakers can be positioned just above the deck and closer to a passenger head level. The resulting design provides a much more balanced listening experience in a visually pleasing package. The unique aesthetics of the windshield assembly are intended to complement and unify with a boat&#39;s design features, colors, and materials. The structures that contain the speakers and/or other audio components can be used as structural members in the windshield&#39;s construction if desired (for example, an aft billet assembly or housing integrated with the bottom, vertical, and/or top trims). 
     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.