Flush Glazed Boat Windshield Trim with Arcuate Base

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mounting curved windshields on boat decks face challenges such as twisting and gaps due to compound curvature, making it difficult to maintain flush contact and secure the mounting member and windshield effectively, and they do not provide a clean, sleek appearance.

Innovation Solution

An arcuate lower portion of the mounting member connected to an intermediate portion, allowing for continuous flush contact and accommodating varying angles, combined with a multi-piece bottom trim member that includes a base and upper member with a receiving channel and support surface to secure the windshield, enabling direct glass-to-hull mounting and concealing fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting member is bent to conform to the curvature of the glass, then the member can accommodate the curved windshield shape, but twisting occurs causing the flat to stand up from the deck and gaps appear between the mounting member and deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurvature accommodationVSAvoidflush contact maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting member is divided into multiple portions: an arcuate lower portion for deck contact, an intermediate portion, and an upper channel-shaped portion for glass reception. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while reducing unwanted twisting effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower portion of the mounting member is made arcuate in cross-section to match the curvature of the boat deck. This curved design allows the member to conform to the deck surface without twisting, maintaining continuous flush contact while accommodating the overall curvature of the windshield installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the mounting member is secured to the deck by screws through the flat, then the member can be firmly attached, but the compound curvature makes it difficult to mount the screws and secure the member effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidscrew mounting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting member is divided into multiple portions: an arcuate lower portion for deck contact, an intermediate portion, and an upper channel-shaped portion for glass reception. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while reducing unwanted twisting effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower portion of the mounting member is made arcuate in cross-section to match the curvature of the boat deck. This curved design allows the member to conform to the deck surface without twisting, maintaining continuous flush contact while accommodating the overall curvature of the windshield installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Device complexity

If a single-piece mounting member is used, then the structure is simpler, but gaps appear between the mounting member and deck due to compound curvature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting member structureVSAvoidgap-free contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting member is divided into multiple portions: an arcuate lower portion for deck contact, an intermediate portion, and an upper channel-shaped portion for glass reception. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while reducing unwanted twisting effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower portion of the mounting member is made arcuate in cross-section to match the curvature of the boat deck. This curved design allows the member to conform to the deck surface without twisting, maintaining continuous flush contact while accommodating the overall curvature of the windshield installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS7591231B2Flush glazed bottom trim

Publication Date: 2009.09.22 TAYLOR MADE GROUP LLC

AI summary

A multi-piece bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element such as a boat windshield on a surface such as a boat hull. The trim member includes a base member securable to the surface and including a supporting leg, and an upper member including a base member receiving channel that is shaped to receive the supporting leg of the base member. The upper member is positionable relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the curved sheet.