Upgradeable windshield assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9428152-B2
Application number	US-201414477913-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2014
Priority date	Sep 5, 2014
Publication date	Aug 30, 2016
Grant date	Aug 30, 2016

Abstract

A windshield includes a notch formed along an edge, and a motor pocket secured adjacent the notch. The motor pocket includes assembly components for securing a windshield accessory, such as a windshield wiper system. A pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket such that the notch is covered for use without the windshield accessory. The assembly facilitates installation of the windshield accessory if desired.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An upgradeable windshield assembly comprising:
a windshield including a notch in the windshield along an edge of the windshield;
a motor pocket secured to the windshield on one side of the windshield adjacent the notch, the motor pocket including assembly components for securing a wiper assembly; and
a pocket lid secured to the motor pocket, the pocket lid concealing the assembly components.

2. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the motor pocket and the pocket lid are sized to cover the notch in the windshield.

3. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the motor pocket is bonded to the windshield.

4. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket with screws.

5. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the assembly components comprise a detachable shaft protrusion positioned in the motor pocket, and wherein a space created by detaching the shaft protrusion is sized for receiving parts of the wiper assembly.

6. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 5 , wherein the shaft protrusion is configured to be used as a shaft for the wiper assembly.

7. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the assembly components comprise a plurality of removable blanks for accommodating parts of the wiper assembly.

8. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealant between the motor pocket and the pocket lid.

9. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 8 , wherein the motor pocket and the pocket lid are engaged by a slot connection including a slot and a flange, and wherein the sealant is disposed in the slot.

10. An upgradeable windshield according to claim 1 , wherein the windshield comprises laminated glass.

11. A windshield comprising:
a notch in the windshield formed along an edge of the windshield;
a motor pocket secured to the windshield adjacent the notch, the motor pocket including assembly components for securing a windshield accessory; and
a pocket lid secured to the motor pocket.

12. A windshield according to claim 11 , wherein the motor pocket and the pocket lid are sized to cover the notch.

13. A windshield according to claim 11 , wherein the pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket with screws.

14. A windshield according to claim 11 , wherein the assembly components comprise a detachable shaft protrusion positioned in the motor pocket, and wherein a space created by detaching the shaft protrusion is sized for receiving a component of the windshield accessory.

15. A windshield according to claim 14 , wherein the shaft protrusion is configured to be used as a shaft for the windshield component.

16. A windshield according to claim 11 , wherein the assembly components comprise a plurality of removable blanks for accommodating parts of the windshield accessory.

17. A method of assembling a windshield assembly, the method comprising:
providing a windshield with a notch in the windshield along an edge of the windshield;
securing a motor pocket to the windshield on one side of the windshield adjacent the notch, the motor pocket including assembly components for securing a wiper assembly; and
securing a pocket lid to the motor pocket, the pocket lid concealing the assembly components.

18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein the assembly components comprise a detachable shaft protrusion positioned in the motor pocket, the method further comprising detaching the shaft protrusion thereby creating a space sized for receiving parts of the wiper assembly.

19. A method according to claim 18 , further comprising using the shaft protrusion as a shaft for the wiper assembly.

Assignees

• Taylor Made Group Llc

Inventors

• Bender Thomas J

Classifications

• B60J1/008

  of special shape, e.g. beveled edges, holes for attachment, bent windows, peculiar curvatures such as when being integrally formed with roof, door, etc. · CPC title

• B60J1/006

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

• B60J9/00

  Devices not provided for in one of main groups B60J1/00 - B60J7/00 (B60J10/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60S1/0438 Primary

  Attachement of separate wiper motor assembly to the vehicle · CPC title