Laminated windshield vent

Abstract

A windscreen vent (10) comprising a housing plate (12) having a vent opening (14) which can be fixed to a windscreen (WS). A vent flap (16) fixed in the opening is rotatable on a shaft fixed by a clamp (18) between a closed position and an open position. The vent system is suitable for use with a laminated windscreen comprising a recess in which the housing plate is bonded.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 977,898, filed February 18, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to a ventilation solution for laminated glass windshields. Background Technology

[0005] It would be desirable to include vents in the windshield for applications in marine, ATV (all-terrain vehicle), or other sport vehicles. Many options are currently available for polycarbonate windshields. However, laminated glass windshields typically cannot incorporate ventilation options due to the difficulty of cutting holes in laminated glass. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a ventilation solution for laminated glass windshields.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the windshield vent includes a housing plate and a vent flap. The housing plate has a ventilation opening that can be fixed to the windshield, and the vent flap is fixed in the opening. The vent flap is rotatable on an axis between a closed position and an open position.

[0008] The windshield vent may be provided with two clamps, each clamp fixed to opposite sides of the vent. The clamps include corresponding holes for receiving shafts of the ventilation flaps. The windshield vent may also include a ball and spring plunger coupled to the ventilation flaps, wherein each of the two clamps may further include a stop that selectively engages with the ball and spring plunger, such that the ball and spring plunger are configured to hold the ventilation flap in a position selected by the operator. In some embodiments, each of the two clamps includes a two-piece assembly, wherein the stop is disposed on only one piece of the two-piece assembly. With the two-piece assembly, at least a portion can be configured to clamp a housing plate, wherein the ventilation flap is rotatable relative to the clamp. The two-piece assembly may be secured together by a connector.

[0009] The ventilation flap may include an extension arm and a facing surface, which respectively engage with each of two clamps, each clamp defining a circular ridge. The circular ridge may be clamped between the extension arm and the facing surface.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, the laminated windshield includes a laminated glass material having an outer edge, a recess formed into the outer edge, and a ventilation system as described in the embodiments. A housing panel may be bonded to the inner surface of the laminated glass material. Attached Figure Description

[0011] These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 A ventilation system of the described embodiment, installed in a laminated windshield, is shown;

[0013] Figure 2 An exemplary recess created in a laminated windshield is shown;

[0014] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the ventilation system components;

[0015] Figure 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the ventilation flaps;

[0016] Figure 5 It is a close-up view of the fixture; and

[0017] Figure 6 This is an internal view of the ventilation system, where the ventilation flaps are open to the first stop. Detailed Implementation

[0018] See Figure 1 The ventilation system 10 includes a housing plate 12 that can be fixed to the windshield WS. The housing plate 12 includes a connecting tab 12A and a recessed section 12B.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, the windshield WS includes a recess R formed into its outer edge. That is, the recess R is formed in the laminated glass material during the manufacture of the windshield.

[0020] See also Figure 1 The recessed section 12B of the housing plate 12 is sized to correspond to the recess R in the windshield WS. The connecting tab 12A is fixed to the inner surface of the windshield WS by adhesive or the like, and the recessed section 12B fills the windshield recess R.

[0021] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the ventilation system components. The housing plate 12 includes a ventilation opening 14. The ventilation opening 14 includes a left slot 14A and a right slot 14B. A ventilation flap 16 can be fixed in the opening 14. The ventilation flap 16 includes a left side shaft 16A and a right side shaft 16B. The ventilation flap 16 is also provided with an extension arm 17.

[0022] The ventilation system also includes a pair of clamps 18, which are respectively secured to each of the slots 14A and 14B in the housing plate opening 14. Each clamp 18 is formed by a two-piece assembly secured via screws 20 or other connectors. The system also includes at least one ball and spring plunger 22 coupled to the ventilation flap 16.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, the ball and spring plunger 22 are press-fitted into the openings on each side of the ventilation flap 16.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a close-up view of one of the clamps 18. Each clamp can be formed from two-piece components, which are secured together via connector 20. When connected, the clamp components define holes 24 configured to receive shafts 16A, 16B of the ventilation flaps 16. Figure 5 As also shown, components of clamp 18 define a groove 26 for receiving housing plate 12 during assembly. Components of clamp 18 also define a circular ridge 27, which engages with the extension arm 17 of leaflet 16 during assembly. That is, the circular ridge 27 is clamped between the extension arm 17 and the facing surface 16C of the leaflet. See also Figure 1 Figure 4 and Figure 6 This construction provides smoother and more secure rotation and positioning of the lobes 16.

[0025] Each clamp 18 may have a stop 28 provided on one side of its surface facing the ventilation flap 16. The stop 28 may selectively engage with a ball and spring plunger 22. Thus, the ball and spring plunger 22 are configured to hold the ventilation flap 16 in a position selected by the operator. The operator can easily adjust the position of the ventilation flap 16 by hand. In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the stopper 28 is only provided on one of the two pieces of the assembly.

[0026] Therefore, the clamp 18 rotatably secures the ventilation flap 16 in the ventilation opening 14 of the housing plate 12. Shafts 16A and 16B are rotatable within corresponding holes 24 defined in the clamp 18. The ventilation flap 16 is rotatable on shafts 16A and 16B between a closed position and an open position. With balls and spring plungers 22 included on one or both sides of the ventilation flap 16, the ventilation flap 16 can be easily positioned as desired. Figure 6 In the diagram, the ventilation flap 16 is shown in the position where it is opened to the first stop 28 on the clamp 18.

[0027] The ventilation assembly of the described embodiment is suitable for installation in a pre-fabricated recess within a laminated windshield. The housing plate can be sized to accommodate recesses of any size within the laminated windshield. Ventilation flaps fixed within the housing plate can be selectively positioned according to user preference. The ventilation assembly provides a ventilation solution for laminated (or other types) windshields.

[0028] While the invention has been described in conjunction with embodiments that are now considered to be the most practical and preferred, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A windshield ventilation opening, comprising: A housing plate fixed to a windshield, the housing plate including a connecting tab, a recessed section and a ventilation opening in the recessed section, the ventilation opening being completely surrounded by the recessed section; Two clamps, each clamped to opposite sides of the ventilation opening, each clamp including a groove for receiving the housing plate, and each clamp including a corresponding hole; and A ventilation flap is fixed between the two clamps in the ventilation opening such that the ventilation flap is completely surrounded by a recessed section of the housing plate, and the ventilation flap includes a left axis engaging one of the corresponding holes and a right axis engaging the other of the corresponding holes, the ventilation flap being rotatable on the left axis and the right axis between a closed position and an open position; wherein the ventilation flap includes an extension arm and a facing surface, the extension arm and the facing surface respectively engaging each of the two clamps, and wherein each clamp defines a circular ridge clamped between the extension arm and the facing surface, the circular ridge being provided with a stop.

2. The windshield vent according to claim 1, further comprising a ball and a spring plunger coupled to the ventilation flap, wherein, The stopper can selectively engage with the ball and spring plunger, such that the ball and spring plunger are configured to hold the ventilation flap in a position selected by the operator.

3. The windshield ventilation opening according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the two clamps comprises a two-piece assembly, wherein the stop is disposed on only one of the two-piece assemblies.

4. The windshield ventilation opening according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the two clamps includes a two-piece assembly, at least a portion of which is configured to clamp the housing plate, wherein the ventilation flap is rotatable relative to the clamp.

5. The windshield ventilation opening according to claim 4, wherein, The two-piece assembly is secured together by a connector.

6. A laminated glass windshield, comprising: A laminated glass material having an outer edge; A recess is formed within the outer edge; as well as A ventilation system, fixed in the recess, comprising: A housing plate, fixed to the laminated glass material adjacent to the recess, the housing plate including a connecting tab, a recessed section, and a ventilation opening in the recessed section, the ventilation opening being completely surrounded by the recessed section. Two clamps, each clamped to opposite sides of the ventilation opening, each clamp including a groove for receiving the housing plate, and each clamp including a corresponding hole; and A ventilation flap is fixed between the two clamps in the ventilation opening such that the ventilation flap is completely surrounded by a recessed section of the housing plate, and the ventilation flap includes a left axis engaging one of the corresponding holes and a right axis engaging the other of the corresponding holes, the ventilation flap being rotatable on the left axis and the right axis between a closed position and an open position; wherein the ventilation flap includes an extension arm and a facing surface, the extension arm and the facing surface respectively engaging each of the two clamps, and wherein each clamp defines a circular ridge clamped between the extension arm and the facing surface, the circular ridge being provided with a stop.

7. The laminated glass windshield according to claim 6, wherein, The housing plate is bonded to the inner surface of the laminated glass material.

8. The laminated glass windshield according to claim 6, wherein, The ventilation system further includes a ball and spring plunger coupled to the ventilation flap, wherein the stopper is selectively engaged with the ball and spring plunger such that the ball and spring plunger are configured to hold the ventilation flap in a position selected by the operator.

9. The laminated glass windshield according to claim 8, wherein, Each of the two clamps comprises a two-piece assembly, wherein the stop is disposed on only one of the two-piece assemblies.

10. The laminated glass windshield according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the two clamps includes a two-piece assembly, at least a portion of which is configured to clamp the housing plate, wherein the ventilation flap is rotatable relative to the clamp.

11. The laminated glass windshield according to claim 10, wherein, The two-piece assembly is secured together by a connector.

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