CA2296225A1 - Adjustable windshield - Google Patents
Adjustable windshield Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2296225A1 CA2296225A1 CA002296225A CA2296225A CA2296225A1 CA 2296225 A1 CA2296225 A1 CA 2296225A1 CA 002296225 A CA002296225 A CA 002296225A CA 2296225 A CA2296225 A CA 2296225A CA 2296225 A1 CA2296225 A1 CA 2296225A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- windshield
- pinion
- rack
- adjustable
- adjustment mechanism
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
- B60J1/02—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle front, e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing
- B60J1/04—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle front, e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing adjustable
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J17/00—Weather guards for riders; Fairings or stream-lining parts not otherwise provided for
- B62J17/02—Weather guards for riders; Fairings or stream-lining parts not otherwise provided for shielding only the rider's front
- B62J17/04—Windscreens
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
- B62M27/00—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like
- B62M27/02—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like power driven
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
Abstract
An adjustable windshield assembly for an open-air vehicle like a snowmobile or motorcycle has a flexible windshield of sufficient flexibility and resiliency that it can be repeatedly elastically deformed without substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, appearance or translucence. Adjusting the configuration of the flexible windshield affords the rider varying degrees of frontal protection, ranging from a low-drag racing posture offering minimal protection from wind, rain and snow to a less aerodynamic, upright posture offering maximal protection. The configuration of the flexible windshield is controlled by an adjustment mechanism having a rack connected to the windshield and a pinion connected to the base and meshing with the rack such that a rotation of the pinion with respect to the rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
Description
Adjustable Windshield Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to windshields and, more particularly, to an adjustable windshield that provides the driver of an open-air vehicle with varying degrees of frontal protection.
Background of the Invention For many decades now, high-speed open-air vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, speedboats, personal watercraft and convertible sportscars have served a variety of purposes, be it recreational, competitive or utilitarian.
In the continuing evolution of such vehicles, substantial efforts have been made to enhance performance, particularly speed, acceleration and fuel efficiency. In the design of motorcycles and snowmobiles, for example, the most common approach in optimizing performance is to design small engines that rev higher and deliver more power and torque.
Another typical strategy to enhance performance entails minimizing the overall weight through the use of light materials such as aluminum, plastics and composites.
A third approach to enhance performance involves the reduction of aerodynamic drag, an objective common to all high-speed vehicles. At high speeds, aerodynamic drag becomes a significant consideration, hampering top speed and diminishing fuel efficiency. One way for engineers to reduce the aerodynamic drag that a vehicle experiences at high speeds is to design a windshield with a lower frontal profile. With a reduction in aerodynamic drag comes a commensurate increase in top speed and fuel efficiency.
On the obverse side of the coin, however, a lower profile windshield means less protection for the driver from the elements, notably wind, rain and snow. At high speeds, the driver of a motorcycle or snowmobile would probably prefer to hunch forward to keep his or her head sheltered by the windshield. Thus, the tradeoff facing open-air vehicle designers is essentially one of performance versus comfort. Whereas a lower profile windshield would provide better performance at the expense of frontal protection and comfort, a higher profile windshield would provide the inverse, better frontal protection and comfort at the expense of performance.
Ideally, however, a windshield should be adjustable so that the driver can tailor the height, or profile, of the windshield to match the type of driving he intends to do. Should the driver desire to travel at high speeds and to maximize his fuel efficiency, he would lower the profile of the windshield to reduce the aerodynamic drag. On the other hand, should the driver desire maximum comfort and frontal protection from wind, rain and snow, the driver would raise the windshield and sit upright as opposed to hunching forward in the uncomfortable racing posture. Of course, with the windshield offering its maximum frontal protection, the driver increases aerodynamic drag and sacrifices fuel efficiency. Heretofore, however, designers of high-speed open-air vehicles have by and large overlooked the issue of adjustability in the design of windshields.
Summary of the Relevant Prior Art US Patent 4,514,006 (Maruoka) discloses a synthetic resin windscreen for motorcycles and motor tricycles. US Patent 4,799,568 (Tanaka) discloses an aerodynamic front cover for mufti-wheeled vehicles. Neither patent, however, features adjustability of the windscreen.
US Patent 4,606,571 (Fujita) discloses an adjustable front-windshield structure of an open-top vehicle. The windscreen can be translated vertically. However, the windshield is not substantially deformable.
US Patent 4,830,423 (Nebu et al.) discloses an adjustable windshield which can be translated with respect to the windshield base. Again, however, the windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 4,465,315 (Barstow) discloses a hinged windshield for cycles which can be pivoted to from a position offering maximum protection to one offering maximum exposure.
Background of the Invention For many decades now, high-speed open-air vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, speedboats, personal watercraft and convertible sportscars have served a variety of purposes, be it recreational, competitive or utilitarian.
In the continuing evolution of such vehicles, substantial efforts have been made to enhance performance, particularly speed, acceleration and fuel efficiency. In the design of motorcycles and snowmobiles, for example, the most common approach in optimizing performance is to design small engines that rev higher and deliver more power and torque.
Another typical strategy to enhance performance entails minimizing the overall weight through the use of light materials such as aluminum, plastics and composites.
A third approach to enhance performance involves the reduction of aerodynamic drag, an objective common to all high-speed vehicles. At high speeds, aerodynamic drag becomes a significant consideration, hampering top speed and diminishing fuel efficiency. One way for engineers to reduce the aerodynamic drag that a vehicle experiences at high speeds is to design a windshield with a lower frontal profile. With a reduction in aerodynamic drag comes a commensurate increase in top speed and fuel efficiency.
On the obverse side of the coin, however, a lower profile windshield means less protection for the driver from the elements, notably wind, rain and snow. At high speeds, the driver of a motorcycle or snowmobile would probably prefer to hunch forward to keep his or her head sheltered by the windshield. Thus, the tradeoff facing open-air vehicle designers is essentially one of performance versus comfort. Whereas a lower profile windshield would provide better performance at the expense of frontal protection and comfort, a higher profile windshield would provide the inverse, better frontal protection and comfort at the expense of performance.
Ideally, however, a windshield should be adjustable so that the driver can tailor the height, or profile, of the windshield to match the type of driving he intends to do. Should the driver desire to travel at high speeds and to maximize his fuel efficiency, he would lower the profile of the windshield to reduce the aerodynamic drag. On the other hand, should the driver desire maximum comfort and frontal protection from wind, rain and snow, the driver would raise the windshield and sit upright as opposed to hunching forward in the uncomfortable racing posture. Of course, with the windshield offering its maximum frontal protection, the driver increases aerodynamic drag and sacrifices fuel efficiency. Heretofore, however, designers of high-speed open-air vehicles have by and large overlooked the issue of adjustability in the design of windshields.
Summary of the Relevant Prior Art US Patent 4,514,006 (Maruoka) discloses a synthetic resin windscreen for motorcycles and motor tricycles. US Patent 4,799,568 (Tanaka) discloses an aerodynamic front cover for mufti-wheeled vehicles. Neither patent, however, features adjustability of the windscreen.
US Patent 4,606,571 (Fujita) discloses an adjustable front-windshield structure of an open-top vehicle. The windscreen can be translated vertically. However, the windshield is not substantially deformable.
US Patent 4,830,423 (Nebu et al.) discloses an adjustable windshield which can be translated with respect to the windshield base. Again, however, the windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 4,465,315 (Barstow) discloses a hinged windshield for cycles which can be pivoted to from a position offering maximum protection to one offering maximum exposure.
No substantial deformation of the windshield is disclosed.
Canadian Patent Application 2,107,534 discloses a support and control device for a retractable vehicle windshield. This is another pivotal windshield like Barstow's described above and does not allow for deformation of the windshield, only pivoting.
US Patent 4,696,509 (Yagasaki) discloses a windshield adjustment device for tilting the windshield from a touring configuration to a racing configuration. The tilt mechanism comprises a pair of vertically angled grooves. The edges of the windshield ride in the grooves. When raised, the windshield slides in the grooves and becomes more upright. When lowered, the windshield is angled by virtue of the grooves. The windshield is not deformable, however.
US Patent 3,622,196 (Sarra) discloses a windshield for a snowmobile which is pivotal from an operative position to a stowed position. The windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 4,479,663 (Morns et al.) discloses a handlebar mounting for a fairing which allows the motorcycle fairing, including the windshield, to be both translated and pivoted relative to the motorcycle in order to allow the rider to adopt either a touring posture or a racing posture.
There is no mention herein of a deformable windshield.
US Patent 4,707,017 (Minobe et al.) discloses an adjustable height windshield apparatus for motorcycles. The adjustment mechanism allows the windshield to be raised or lowered, but not to be substantially deformed.
Reissued Canadian Patent 23,039 (Comiskey), which was originally Canadian Patent 2,396,493, discloses a motorcycle windshield for connecting to handlebars. The windshield is not deformable.
Canadian Patent 2,237,594 (Dunlap) discloses a foldable windshield for motorcycles.
Once again, the windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 5,092,262 (Lacy) discloses an adjustable windshield and canopy for a boat which can be folded into a variety of configurations.
As evinced by the foregoing survey bf the prior art, there is a need in the industry for an adjustable windshield which is deformable from a high-profile touring configuration to a low-profile racing configuration.
Object and Statement of the Invention It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable windshield wherein the deficiencies of the prior art are overcome.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for quickly and easily adjusting the profile of a flexible windshield of an open-air vehicle so that a driver could opt for either a low-profile, racing configuration (i.e. minimal protection and minimal drag) or the more comfortable, upright, high-profile configuration (i.e. maximum protection and maximum drag), or a compromise configuration therebetween.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adjusting the windshield without dismounting or alighting from the vehicle.
As embodied and broadly described herein, this invention thus seeks to provide an adjustable windshield assembly for an open-air vehicle, said assembly comprising a substantially flexible windshield capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed, said windshield being deformable to a plurality of postures between a low-profile posture and a high-profile posture and an adjustment mechanism connected to a windshield base and connected to said flexible windshield, said adjustment mechanism comprising a rack connected to said windshield and a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
This arrangement allows the driver to quickly and easily adjust the windshield according to the riding conditions. If the driver seeks maximum comfort and protection, the windshield can be raised. If the driver seeks optimal aerodynamic performance, the windshield can be lowered.
The invention further seeks to provide an adjustable flexible windshield for use with a snowmobile, said snowmobile including a chassis defining a tunnel; an engine mounted to said chassis; a ground-engaging track connected to said engine via an output shaft and drive sprocket;
a rear suspension assembly for mounting said track to said chassis; a seat mounted to said chassis generally above said tunnel; a pair of steerable skis, each of said ski being mounted to said chassis via a front suspension and being connected to a pair of handlebars via a steering linkage;
said snowmobile further including a cab covering said engine; said cab defining a windshield base for supporting said adjustable, flexible windshield; and an adjustment mechanism connected to both said flexible windshield and said windshield base for displacing said flexible windshield relative to said windshield base.
Preferably, the adjustable windshield is capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance and translucence. The windshield can be repeatedly adjusted without damaging the windshield, reducing its structural integrity or impairing the visibility.
Preferably, the rack is formed integrally along a side of a slot within said windshield.
This reduces the number of parts involved in the adjustment mechanism, keeping costs and assembly time at a minimum.
Preferably, the adjustable windshield is made of polycarbonate or a similarly transparent and flexible plastic. Such materials are resilient, tough and resistant to scratching and cracking in all kinds of weather conditions.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided below with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a snowmobile disposed with an adjustable windshield in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side front elevational view of a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the rack and pinion adjustment mechanism of Figure 2 In the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, an adjustable windshield assembly 10 comprises a flexible windshield 20 and a windshield base 30. The flexible windshield 20 can be raised to a high-profile posture 22 or returned to a low-profile posture 24. The high-profile posture offers maximum protection from wind, rain, and snow but creates the most aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The high-profile posture is also known as a touring posture because the driver typically sits in a comfortable upright position. The low-profile posture offers minimum protection from the elements but creates minimal aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The low-profile posture is also known as a racing posture because the driver typically hunches or leans forward. The windshield normally can be adjusted to any posture intermediate the high-profile and low-profile postures.
The flexible windshield 20 can be repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance or translucence.
The windshield is preferably made of a clear, tough, resilient plastic like polycarbonate (which is an ester of carbonic acid and an aromatic bisphenol). Preferably, the windshield 20 is deformed when it is moved from the high-profile posture to the low-profile posture and vice versa. The polycarbonate windshield does not acquire a permanent set when it is in either the high-profile or low-profile posture. The adjustable windshield itself is made from a transparent, flexible plastic that can be repeatedly and elastically deformed without degrading its key mechanical properties. Although the preferred material for this particular windshield is polycarbonate, there are other plastics having similar mechanical properties and transparence that could be substituted for polycarbonate such as transparent acrylics.
Polycarbonates, however, are generally preferred for their superior impact strength. It should be noted for the purposes of this specification that the term transparent includes windshields that are tinted.
At the junction of the flexible windshield 20 and the windshield base 30 is a rubber, plastic or foam interface. While the windshield 20 is displaced and deformed, it is also maintained in substantial contact with the base 30 (via the interface) by virtue of fasteners, inserts or retaining springs so that at most only an insubstantial amount of air can flow through the interface of the windshield and base in any posture.
The adjustment (i.e. raising or lowering) of the flexible windshield 20 between the high-profile posture 22 and the low-profile posture 24 is achieved by operating an adjustment mechanism 40 that comprises a rack 42 and a pinion 44. The rack 42 is formed integrally with the windshield 20. The rack 42 can be formed by molding or end-milling of the windshield 20.
Integrally formed in the windshield 20 is also a slot 41. The slot 41 is disposed at least somewhat vertically to allow the windshield 20 to be displaced in a somewhat vertical direction.
The rack 42 has a plurality of teeth which are aligned along one side of the slot 41 such that the teeth protrude into the slot. The teeth of the rack 42 mesh with the teeth of equal size and pitch formed around the periphery of the pinion 44. The rack 42 is thus fixed to or integral with the windshield 20 so that it translates with respect to the base 30 or the rest of the vehicle.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the windshield 20 is sandwiched between a cap 46 and a knob 45. The windshield base 30 is maintained in place by a retainer 49 and a fastener 38. The plate holder 36 has a cavity 21 into which a plug portion 47 of the cap 46 is fitted when the adjustment mechanism 40 is assembled. The pinion 44 is at least partially enclosed by the knob 45 and the cap 46. The knob 45 is disposed with a plurality of gripping portions 43. The gripping portions 43 are arranged circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the knob. The gripping portions are ridge-like protrusions equally spaced around the outside surface of the knob 45.
Equivalently, the gripping portions can be either depressions sunken into the knob 45, knurling, or regions of roughened, high-friction material as long as the end result is that the grip on the knob is enhanced. Since the knob 45 is used primarily for open-air vehicles like snowmobile, motorcycles or straddle-type vehicles and are thus commonly exposed to rain, snow and ice, the gripping portions are helpful for improving the grip of the knob, especially if the driver's hands are encumbered by thick gloves.
The retainer 49 penetrates a central cavity in the knob 45, a central cavity in the pinion 44 and engages the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. The fastener 38 fixes the windshield base 30 to the retainer 49. The retainer 49 fits into the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. The plug portion of the cap 46 has an outer profile that mates with the cavity 21 of the plate 36. The plate 36 is thus fastened to the windshield base 30. It is understood that the plate holder 36 can be eliminated if the inside surface of the windshield base 30 comprises a cavity that mates with the outer profile of the cap 46. A coil spring 48 encircles the retainer 49 in order to give the adjustment mechanism a degree of elasticity or play along the axis of the retainer and fastener.
The spring 48 urges the knob 45 against windshield 20 thereby locking the adjustment mechanism in a desired position. The retainer 49 has a square end portion for engaging with a matching square cavity on the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. This ensures that the retainer 49 and the cap 46 remain angularly aligned {i.e. do not rotate with respect to one another about the axis defined by the retainer and fastener). The knob 45 is rotatably engaged with the pinion 44 so that turning the knob turns the pinion. The pinion 44 is non-rotatably engaged to the cap 46 so that the pinion is free to rotate within the inner confines of the cap. The cap 46 is prevented from rotating with the knob because the plug portion 47 of the cap is fitted into the cavity 21 of the plate holder 36. The spring 48 is selected to have a stiffness sufficiently low that it allows the adjustment mechanism to be operated manually and without undue wear of tightly interfaced parts. On the other hand, the spring 48 must have a sufficiently high stiffness such that the adjustment mechanism remains in place, and does not vibrate or rattle around.
s Normally, the open-air vehicle has two adjustment mechanisms as described herein, one on each side of the flexible windshield to allow for symmetrical displacement and deformation of the windshield.
In operation, the driver who wishes to either raise the windshield to the high-profile posture 22 or to lower the windshield to the low-profile posture 24 simply toms the knob 45. As seen above, the rack 42 is an integral portion of the windshield 20 and is movable relative to the base 30 while the pinion 44, the knob 45 and the cap 46 are fixed. The cap 46 is matingly connected to the cavity 21 in the plate 36. Any rotation of the knob 45 causes the rack 42 to travel along the pinion 44 and the windshield 20 is thus displaced with respect to the base 30.
The same operation is performed either sequentially or simultaneously on the second adjustment mechanism. Since the windshield is flexible, the displacement of the windshield on both sides results in a deformation of the windshield. The adjustment mechanism may comprise a plurality of gradations for making symmetrical adjustments to the windshield.
Alternatively, it may have a rotary member that can only be rotated in discrete amounts, similar to a Geneva mechanism in order to limit the adjustability of the rack and pinion to precise, discrete, predetermined steps.
The rack and pinion may also have a locking mechanism to lock the rack relative to the pinion.
It is understood that the adjustment mechanism may be motorized by providing an electrical switch, a reversible electric motor and a gear train transmission that is self locking.
Indeed, in this construction, the vehicle comprises an electrical switch carried by, or juxtaposed to, the steering control of the vehicle. This switch is operatively connected to one or two reversible motors. The motor has an output shaft drivingly connected to a worm gear which is, in turn, enmeshed with a worm wheel. The teeth of this worm wheel mesh with the teeth of equal size and pitch of those formed integrally with, or connected to, the windshield. This type of construction is well known in the art and has been used in cars for many years (e.g. power windows).
The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Canadian Patent Application 2,107,534 discloses a support and control device for a retractable vehicle windshield. This is another pivotal windshield like Barstow's described above and does not allow for deformation of the windshield, only pivoting.
US Patent 4,696,509 (Yagasaki) discloses a windshield adjustment device for tilting the windshield from a touring configuration to a racing configuration. The tilt mechanism comprises a pair of vertically angled grooves. The edges of the windshield ride in the grooves. When raised, the windshield slides in the grooves and becomes more upright. When lowered, the windshield is angled by virtue of the grooves. The windshield is not deformable, however.
US Patent 3,622,196 (Sarra) discloses a windshield for a snowmobile which is pivotal from an operative position to a stowed position. The windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 4,479,663 (Morns et al.) discloses a handlebar mounting for a fairing which allows the motorcycle fairing, including the windshield, to be both translated and pivoted relative to the motorcycle in order to allow the rider to adopt either a touring posture or a racing posture.
There is no mention herein of a deformable windshield.
US Patent 4,707,017 (Minobe et al.) discloses an adjustable height windshield apparatus for motorcycles. The adjustment mechanism allows the windshield to be raised or lowered, but not to be substantially deformed.
Reissued Canadian Patent 23,039 (Comiskey), which was originally Canadian Patent 2,396,493, discloses a motorcycle windshield for connecting to handlebars. The windshield is not deformable.
Canadian Patent 2,237,594 (Dunlap) discloses a foldable windshield for motorcycles.
Once again, the windshield is not deformable.
US Patent 5,092,262 (Lacy) discloses an adjustable windshield and canopy for a boat which can be folded into a variety of configurations.
As evinced by the foregoing survey bf the prior art, there is a need in the industry for an adjustable windshield which is deformable from a high-profile touring configuration to a low-profile racing configuration.
Object and Statement of the Invention It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable windshield wherein the deficiencies of the prior art are overcome.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for quickly and easily adjusting the profile of a flexible windshield of an open-air vehicle so that a driver could opt for either a low-profile, racing configuration (i.e. minimal protection and minimal drag) or the more comfortable, upright, high-profile configuration (i.e. maximum protection and maximum drag), or a compromise configuration therebetween.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for adjusting the windshield without dismounting or alighting from the vehicle.
As embodied and broadly described herein, this invention thus seeks to provide an adjustable windshield assembly for an open-air vehicle, said assembly comprising a substantially flexible windshield capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed, said windshield being deformable to a plurality of postures between a low-profile posture and a high-profile posture and an adjustment mechanism connected to a windshield base and connected to said flexible windshield, said adjustment mechanism comprising a rack connected to said windshield and a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
This arrangement allows the driver to quickly and easily adjust the windshield according to the riding conditions. If the driver seeks maximum comfort and protection, the windshield can be raised. If the driver seeks optimal aerodynamic performance, the windshield can be lowered.
The invention further seeks to provide an adjustable flexible windshield for use with a snowmobile, said snowmobile including a chassis defining a tunnel; an engine mounted to said chassis; a ground-engaging track connected to said engine via an output shaft and drive sprocket;
a rear suspension assembly for mounting said track to said chassis; a seat mounted to said chassis generally above said tunnel; a pair of steerable skis, each of said ski being mounted to said chassis via a front suspension and being connected to a pair of handlebars via a steering linkage;
said snowmobile further including a cab covering said engine; said cab defining a windshield base for supporting said adjustable, flexible windshield; and an adjustment mechanism connected to both said flexible windshield and said windshield base for displacing said flexible windshield relative to said windshield base.
Preferably, the adjustable windshield is capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance and translucence. The windshield can be repeatedly adjusted without damaging the windshield, reducing its structural integrity or impairing the visibility.
Preferably, the rack is formed integrally along a side of a slot within said windshield.
This reduces the number of parts involved in the adjustment mechanism, keeping costs and assembly time at a minimum.
Preferably, the adjustable windshield is made of polycarbonate or a similarly transparent and flexible plastic. Such materials are resilient, tough and resistant to scratching and cracking in all kinds of weather conditions.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided below with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a snowmobile disposed with an adjustable windshield in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side front elevational view of a rack and pinion adjustment mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the rack and pinion adjustment mechanism of Figure 2 In the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figure 1, an adjustable windshield assembly 10 comprises a flexible windshield 20 and a windshield base 30. The flexible windshield 20 can be raised to a high-profile posture 22 or returned to a low-profile posture 24. The high-profile posture offers maximum protection from wind, rain, and snow but creates the most aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The high-profile posture is also known as a touring posture because the driver typically sits in a comfortable upright position. The low-profile posture offers minimum protection from the elements but creates minimal aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. The low-profile posture is also known as a racing posture because the driver typically hunches or leans forward. The windshield normally can be adjusted to any posture intermediate the high-profile and low-profile postures.
The flexible windshield 20 can be repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance or translucence.
The windshield is preferably made of a clear, tough, resilient plastic like polycarbonate (which is an ester of carbonic acid and an aromatic bisphenol). Preferably, the windshield 20 is deformed when it is moved from the high-profile posture to the low-profile posture and vice versa. The polycarbonate windshield does not acquire a permanent set when it is in either the high-profile or low-profile posture. The adjustable windshield itself is made from a transparent, flexible plastic that can be repeatedly and elastically deformed without degrading its key mechanical properties. Although the preferred material for this particular windshield is polycarbonate, there are other plastics having similar mechanical properties and transparence that could be substituted for polycarbonate such as transparent acrylics.
Polycarbonates, however, are generally preferred for their superior impact strength. It should be noted for the purposes of this specification that the term transparent includes windshields that are tinted.
At the junction of the flexible windshield 20 and the windshield base 30 is a rubber, plastic or foam interface. While the windshield 20 is displaced and deformed, it is also maintained in substantial contact with the base 30 (via the interface) by virtue of fasteners, inserts or retaining springs so that at most only an insubstantial amount of air can flow through the interface of the windshield and base in any posture.
The adjustment (i.e. raising or lowering) of the flexible windshield 20 between the high-profile posture 22 and the low-profile posture 24 is achieved by operating an adjustment mechanism 40 that comprises a rack 42 and a pinion 44. The rack 42 is formed integrally with the windshield 20. The rack 42 can be formed by molding or end-milling of the windshield 20.
Integrally formed in the windshield 20 is also a slot 41. The slot 41 is disposed at least somewhat vertically to allow the windshield 20 to be displaced in a somewhat vertical direction.
The rack 42 has a plurality of teeth which are aligned along one side of the slot 41 such that the teeth protrude into the slot. The teeth of the rack 42 mesh with the teeth of equal size and pitch formed around the periphery of the pinion 44. The rack 42 is thus fixed to or integral with the windshield 20 so that it translates with respect to the base 30 or the rest of the vehicle.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the windshield 20 is sandwiched between a cap 46 and a knob 45. The windshield base 30 is maintained in place by a retainer 49 and a fastener 38. The plate holder 36 has a cavity 21 into which a plug portion 47 of the cap 46 is fitted when the adjustment mechanism 40 is assembled. The pinion 44 is at least partially enclosed by the knob 45 and the cap 46. The knob 45 is disposed with a plurality of gripping portions 43. The gripping portions 43 are arranged circumferentially around the outer perimeter of the knob. The gripping portions are ridge-like protrusions equally spaced around the outside surface of the knob 45.
Equivalently, the gripping portions can be either depressions sunken into the knob 45, knurling, or regions of roughened, high-friction material as long as the end result is that the grip on the knob is enhanced. Since the knob 45 is used primarily for open-air vehicles like snowmobile, motorcycles or straddle-type vehicles and are thus commonly exposed to rain, snow and ice, the gripping portions are helpful for improving the grip of the knob, especially if the driver's hands are encumbered by thick gloves.
The retainer 49 penetrates a central cavity in the knob 45, a central cavity in the pinion 44 and engages the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. The fastener 38 fixes the windshield base 30 to the retainer 49. The retainer 49 fits into the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. The plug portion of the cap 46 has an outer profile that mates with the cavity 21 of the plate 36. The plate 36 is thus fastened to the windshield base 30. It is understood that the plate holder 36 can be eliminated if the inside surface of the windshield base 30 comprises a cavity that mates with the outer profile of the cap 46. A coil spring 48 encircles the retainer 49 in order to give the adjustment mechanism a degree of elasticity or play along the axis of the retainer and fastener.
The spring 48 urges the knob 45 against windshield 20 thereby locking the adjustment mechanism in a desired position. The retainer 49 has a square end portion for engaging with a matching square cavity on the plug portion 47 of the cap 46. This ensures that the retainer 49 and the cap 46 remain angularly aligned {i.e. do not rotate with respect to one another about the axis defined by the retainer and fastener). The knob 45 is rotatably engaged with the pinion 44 so that turning the knob turns the pinion. The pinion 44 is non-rotatably engaged to the cap 46 so that the pinion is free to rotate within the inner confines of the cap. The cap 46 is prevented from rotating with the knob because the plug portion 47 of the cap is fitted into the cavity 21 of the plate holder 36. The spring 48 is selected to have a stiffness sufficiently low that it allows the adjustment mechanism to be operated manually and without undue wear of tightly interfaced parts. On the other hand, the spring 48 must have a sufficiently high stiffness such that the adjustment mechanism remains in place, and does not vibrate or rattle around.
s Normally, the open-air vehicle has two adjustment mechanisms as described herein, one on each side of the flexible windshield to allow for symmetrical displacement and deformation of the windshield.
In operation, the driver who wishes to either raise the windshield to the high-profile posture 22 or to lower the windshield to the low-profile posture 24 simply toms the knob 45. As seen above, the rack 42 is an integral portion of the windshield 20 and is movable relative to the base 30 while the pinion 44, the knob 45 and the cap 46 are fixed. The cap 46 is matingly connected to the cavity 21 in the plate 36. Any rotation of the knob 45 causes the rack 42 to travel along the pinion 44 and the windshield 20 is thus displaced with respect to the base 30.
The same operation is performed either sequentially or simultaneously on the second adjustment mechanism. Since the windshield is flexible, the displacement of the windshield on both sides results in a deformation of the windshield. The adjustment mechanism may comprise a plurality of gradations for making symmetrical adjustments to the windshield.
Alternatively, it may have a rotary member that can only be rotated in discrete amounts, similar to a Geneva mechanism in order to limit the adjustability of the rack and pinion to precise, discrete, predetermined steps.
The rack and pinion may also have a locking mechanism to lock the rack relative to the pinion.
It is understood that the adjustment mechanism may be motorized by providing an electrical switch, a reversible electric motor and a gear train transmission that is self locking.
Indeed, in this construction, the vehicle comprises an electrical switch carried by, or juxtaposed to, the steering control of the vehicle. This switch is operatively connected to one or two reversible motors. The motor has an output shaft drivingly connected to a worm gear which is, in turn, enmeshed with a worm wheel. The teeth of this worm wheel mesh with the teeth of equal size and pitch of those formed integrally with, or connected to, the windshield. This type of construction is well known in the art and has been used in cars for many years (e.g. power windows).
The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (36)
1. An adjustable windshield assembly for an open-air vehicle, said assembly comprising:
a substantially flexible windshield capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed;
said windshield being deformable to a plurality of postures between a low-profile posture and a high-profile posture; and an adjustment mechanism connected to a windshield base and connected to said flexible windshield; said adjustment mechanism comprising:
(a) a rack connected to said windshield; and (b) a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
a substantially flexible windshield capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed;
said windshield being deformable to a plurality of postures between a low-profile posture and a high-profile posture; and an adjustment mechanism connected to a windshield base and connected to said flexible windshield; said adjustment mechanism comprising:
(a) a rack connected to said windshield; and (b) a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
2. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said windshield is capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance and translucence.
3. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said adjustment mechanism is manually operable.
4. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises: an electric switch; a reversible electric motor; and a self locking gear transmission; said windshield including a portion with teeth which mesh with the teeth of said gear transmission for allowing displacement and deformation of said windshield relative to said base.
5. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said rack is formed integrally along a side of a slot within said windshield.
6. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said rack has a plurality of teeth which are aligned along one side of said slot and said pinion has also a plurality of teeth of equal size and pitch such that the teeth of said rack and said pinion mesh together.
7. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a cap for housing said pinion, said cap having a top plug portion for immobilizing said cap with respect to said base.
8. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a knob connected to said pinion so that turning of said knob causes said pinion to rotate and said rack to translate.
9. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said pinion is at least partially enclosed by said cap and said knob.
10. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said knob has a plurality of gripping protrusions arranged circumferentially on an outer surface of said knob, said gripping protrusions facilitating turning of the knob and the pinion.
11. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a spring for locking said rack relative to said pinion.
12. An adjustable windshield assembly comprising: a substantially flexible windshield capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed; said windshield being deformable to a plurality of postures between a low-profile posture and a high-profile posture; and a pair of adjustment mechanisms symmetrically connected to a windshield base, and symmetrically connected to said flexible windshield; each of said adjustment mechanisms comprising:
(a) a rack connected to said windshield; and (b) a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
(a) a rack connected to said windshield; and (b) a pinion connected to said base and meshing with said rack such that a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
13. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said windshield is capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance and translucence.
14. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said adjustment mechanisms are manually operable.
15. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein each said adjustment mechanism comprises: a reversible electric motor and a self locking gear transmission;
said windshield including a portion with teeth which mesh with the teeth of said gear transmission for allowing displacement and deformation of said windshield relative to said base, and each said motors being operated by a common electric switch.
said windshield including a portion with teeth which mesh with the teeth of said gear transmission for allowing displacement and deformation of said windshield relative to said base, and each said motors being operated by a common electric switch.
16. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein said rack is formed integrally along a side of a slot within said windshield.
17. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 16 wherein said rack has a plurality of teeth which are aligned along one side of said slot and said pinion has also a plurality of teeth of equal size and pitch such that the teeth of said rack and said pinion mesh together.
18. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 17 wherein each said adjustment mechanism further comprises a cap for housing the pinion, said cap having a top plug portion for immobilizing said cap with respect to said base.
19. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 18 wherein each said adjustment mechanism further comprises a knob connected to said pinion so that turning of said knob causes said pinion to rotate and said rack to translate.
20. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 19 wherein said pinion is at least partially enclosed by said cap and said knob.
21. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 20 wherein said knob has a plurality of gripping protrusions arranged circumferentially on an outer surface of said knob, said gripping protrusions facilitating turning of the knob and the pinion.
22. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein each said adjustment mechanism further comprises a spring for locking said rack relative to said pinion.
23. An adjustable flexible windshield for use with a snowmobile, said snowmobile including:
a chassis defining a tunnel;
an engine mounted to said chassis;
a ground-engaging track connected to said engine via an output shaft and drive sprocket;
a rear suspension assembly for mounting said track to said chassis;
a seat mounted to said chassis generally above said tunnel;
a pair of steerable skis, each of said ski being mounted to said chassis via a front suspension and being connected to a pair of handlebars via a steering linkage;
said snowmobile further including a cab covering said engine; said cab defining a windshield base for supporting said adjustable, flexible windshield; and an adjustment mechanism connected to both said flexible windshield and said windshield base for displacing said flexible windshield relative to said windshield base.
a chassis defining a tunnel;
an engine mounted to said chassis;
a ground-engaging track connected to said engine via an output shaft and drive sprocket;
a rear suspension assembly for mounting said track to said chassis;
a seat mounted to said chassis generally above said tunnel;
a pair of steerable skis, each of said ski being mounted to said chassis via a front suspension and being connected to a pair of handlebars via a steering linkage;
said snowmobile further including a cab covering said engine; said cab defining a windshield base for supporting said adjustable, flexible windshield; and an adjustment mechanism connected to both said flexible windshield and said windshield base for displacing said flexible windshield relative to said windshield base.
24. A windshield as defined in claim 23 wherein said adjustment mechanism is capable of deforming said windshield.
25. A windshield as defined in claim 24 wherein said windshield is capable of being repeatedly and elastically deformed without a substantial degradation of strength, stiffness, resilience, elasticity, appearance and translucence.
26. A windshield as defined in claim 25 wherein said adjustment mechanism is manually operable.
27. A windshield as defined in claim 25 wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises an electric switch, a reversible electric motor operated by said switch and a self locking gear transmission connected to said motor; said windshield has a portion with teeth which mesh with the teeth of said gear transmission for allowing displacement and deformation of said windshield relative to said base when said switch is activated.
28. A windshield as defined in claim 25 wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a rack and pinion.
29. A windshield as defined in claim 28 wherein said rack is connected to said windshield and meshes with said pinion which is connected to said base, wherein a rotation of said pinion with respect to said rack causes the flexible windshield to displace and deform relative to the base.
30. A windshield as defined in claim 29 wherein said rack is formed integrally along a side of a slot within said windshield.
31. A windshield as defined in claim 30 wherein said rack has a plurality of teeth which are aligned along one side of said slot and said pinion has also a plurality of teeth of equal size and pitch such that the teeth of said rack and said pinion mesh together.
32. A windshield as defined in claim 31 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a cap for housing said pinion, said cap having a top plug portion for immobilizing said cap with respect to said base.
33. A windshield as defined in claim 32 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a knob connected to said pinion so that turning of said knob causes said pinion to rotate and said rack to translate.
34. A windshield as defined in claim 33 wherein said pinion is at least partially enclosed by said cap and said knob.
35. A windshield as defined in claim 34 wherein said knob has a plurality of gripping protrusions arranged circumferentially on an outer surface of said knob, said gripping protrusions facilitating turning of the knob and the pinion.
36. An adjustable windshield assembly as defined in claim 35 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a spring for locking said rack relative to said pinion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002296225A CA2296225A1 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2000-01-17 | Adjustable windshield |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002262038A CA2262038A1 (en) | 1998-02-16 | 1999-02-15 | Adjustable windshield |
| CA2,262,038 | 1999-02-15 | ||
| CA002296225A CA2296225A1 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2000-01-17 | Adjustable windshield |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2296225A1 true CA2296225A1 (en) | 2000-08-15 |
Family
ID=31888845
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002296225A Abandoned CA2296225A1 (en) | 1999-02-15 | 2000-01-17 | Adjustable windshield |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2296225A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015106599A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2016-11-03 | Ktm Ag | Windshield device |
-
2000
- 2000-01-17 CA CA002296225A patent/CA2296225A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102015106599A1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2016-11-03 | Ktm Ag | Windshield device |
| DE202015009658U1 (en) | 2015-04-29 | 2018-11-21 | Ktm Ag | Windshield device |
| DE102015106599B4 (en) * | 2015-04-29 | 2020-04-09 | Ktm Ag | Windshield device |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |