Sliding Walk-Through Door for Boat Windshields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat windshield designs with hinged doors become cumbersome and awkward as they grow larger, often resulting in shorter designs due to weight and space issues, and the curvature mismatch between the door and windshield leads to inefficient use of space.
Innovation Solution
A sliding walk-through door system with a displaceable sliding door panel within a door frame, utilizing top and bottom tracks, travelers, and a roller post for support, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure operation, which accommodates different bow area configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged door design is used in a boat windshield, then the door can be opened for passage, but the door becomes very heavy and cumbersome as the boat and windshield get larger
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hinging the door at the front brow (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a sliding mechanism where the door panel moves vertically within the windshield structure. This eliminates the need for a heavy hinged door that must support its own weight during rotation, thereby reducing door weight while maintaining operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hinged rotation system with a sliding mechanism guided by tracks and travelers. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy hinges and counterbalancing mechanisms, reducing overall door weight while providing smooth operation through track-guided movement.
2Ease of operation
If a hinged door design is used in a boat windshield, then the door can be opened for passage, but the hinged portion tends to hit the front brow of the roof when swung open
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of swinging the door outward on hinges (which causes collision with the front brow), the patent inverts the opening mechanism by sliding the door vertically within the windshield structure. This allows full opening for passage without the door hitting the front brow, enabling longer windshield designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the door opening movement from horizontal rotation (hinged) to vertical sliding motion. This dimensional change allows the door to open fully for passage while remaining within the windshield structure, avoiding collision with the front brow and enabling extended windshield length.
3Ease of operation
If a curved hinged door is used in a boat windshield, then the door can be opened for passage, but the curvature of the door is opposite to the curvature of the windshield, causing the open door to occupy too much space and look awkward
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a curved hinged door that swings outward (creating awkward space occupation and opposite curvature), the patent inverts to a vertical sliding mechanism. This allows the door to open for passage while maintaining the windshield's original curvature aesthetics and occupying minimal additional space when open.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes door movement from horizontal swinging to vertical sliding, allowing the door to open for passage while maintaining a compact profile. This eliminates the awkward space occupation and curvature mismatch issues, as the sliding door remains aligned with the windshield's curvature throughout its travel.
Data Source
AI summary
A boat windshield with a walk-through door includes a fixed panel framework attachable to a boat and a sliding door panel coupled to and cooperable with the fixed panel framework. The sliding door panel is displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The sliding door panel is provided with top and bottom traveler cars mounted for displacement on tracks secured to the fixed panel framework frame. A roller post may be positioned adjacent a bottom edge of the fixed panel framework that supports the sliding door panel during displacement between the open and closed positions.