Windshield quick attach and release system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11613168-B2
Application number	US-202217873323-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 26, 2022
Priority date	Nov 21, 2019
Publication date	Mar 28, 2023
Grant date	Mar 28, 2023

Abstract

An attach and release system for securing a windshield to a pillar includes an extrusion that is securable to the windshield adjacent the pillar. The extrusion has a connection tab and a seal tab. A bulb seal is connected to the seal tab, and a clamp includes a pillar section securable to the pillar and a connector section securable to the connection tab. The system and method facilitate windshield installation and removal and are suited for a utility task/terrain vehicle (UTV) as part of its rollover protection structure (ROPS).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An attach and release system for securing a windshield to a pillar, the attach and release system comprising:
a windshield section securable to the windshield adjacent the pillar and including a connection tab and a seal tab; and
a clamp including a pillar section securable to the pillar and a connector section securable to the connection tab.

2. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , wherein the connection tab and the seal tab are oriented orthogonally.

3. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , the connection tab including a dowel pin and a tapped hole.

4. An attach and release system according to claim 3 , the clamp including a slot and a clearance hole in the connector section, wherein the dowel pin engages the slot, and with the dowel pin fully inserted into the slot, the clearance hole is aligned with the tapped hole.

5. An attach and release system according to claim 4 , further comprising a connector secured through the clearance hole and the tapped hole.

6. An attach and release system according to claim 4 , wherein the slot is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the pillar section.

7. An attach and release system according to claim 4 , wherein the clamp includes two slots in the connector section.

8. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , further comprising a bulb seal connected to the seal tab, and a seal extrusion secured to the seal tab and extending along a length of the seal tab, wherein the bulb seal is integral with the seal extrusion.

9. An attach and release system according to claim 8 , wherein the seal extrusion comprises a grip section fit directly over the seal tab.

10. An attach and release system according to claim 9 , wherein the bulb seal extends outward from the grip section.

11. An attach and release system according to claim 10 , wherein the bulb seal is sandwiched between the seal tab and the pillar.

12. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , wherein the connector section of the clamp defines a longitudinal slot, and wherein the connection tab is secured in the longitudinal slot.

13. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , wherein the pillar section is shaped at least partially corresponding to an exterior shape of the pillar.

14. An attach and release system according to claim 1 , wherein the windshield section is an extrusion.

15. An attach and release system for securing a windshield to a pillar, the attach and release system comprising:
a windshield section securable to the windshield adjacent the pillar and including a connection tab and a seal tab, the connection tab including a dowel pin and a tapped hole;
a clamp including a pillar section securable to the pillar and a connector section securable to the connection tab, the clamp including a slot and a clearance hole in the connector section,
wherein the dowel pin engages the slot, and with the dowel pin fully inserted into the slot, the clearance hole is aligned with the tapped hole; and
a connector secured through the clearance hole and the tapped hole.

16. An attach and release system according to claim 15 , wherein the slot is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the pillar section thereby acting as a cam such that displacement of the clamp along the pillar serves to draw the windshield toward the pillar.

17. An attach and release system according to claim 15 , wherein the connector section of the clamp defines a longitudinal slot, and wherein the connection tab is secured in the longitudinal slot.

18. A windshield assembly securable to a vehicle having two forward pillars, the windshield assembly comprising:
a windshield; and
the attach and release system according to claim 1 connected between the windshield and each of the two forward pillars.

19. A method of securing a windshield to a pillar using an attach and release system including a windshield section with a connection tab and a seal tab, the connection tab including a dowel pin and a tapped hole, and a clamp including a pillar section and a connector section, the clamp including a slot and a clearance hole in the connector section, the method comprising:
(a) attaching the windshield section to the windshield;
(b) attaching the connector section of the clamp on the connection tab while inserting the dowel pin of the connection tab into the slot in the clamp;
(c) attaching the pillar section of the clamp onto the pillar; and
(d) displacing the clamp along and relative to the pillar section until the clearance hole in the slot is aligned with the tapped hole in the connection tab.

Assignees

• Taylor Made Group Llc

Inventors

• Mulvane Curtis
• Castleman Brian

Classifications

• B60J1/025 Primary

  Temporary windscreens · CPC title

• B62D25/04

  Door pillars {; windshield pillars} · CPC title

• B60R21/13

  Roll-over protection (electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01) · CPC title

• B60J1/006 Primary

  characterised by fixation means such as clips, adhesive, etc. (incorporated in seal B60J10/70) · CPC title

• B60J1/02

  arranged at the vehicle front {, e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing (on windscreen mounted antenna wire H01Q1/1271)} · CPC title