Flush Glazed Windshield Mounting Trim for Boat Decks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mounting curved sheet elements, such as windshields on boat decks, face challenges like twisting and failure to maintain a flush contact due to compound curvature, leading to gaps and difficulty in securing screws, especially when aiming for a flush glazed look.

Innovation Solution

A compact bottom trim member with a cylindrical gasket and multiple orientation capabilities, secured using a mounting clip, screw, or lower extrusion, which allows for secure and sealed attachment of curved sheet elements to the deck, accommodating varying angles without bulkiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an elongated member with compound curvature is used to mount a curved windshield, then the windshield can be secured to the deck, but the member twists and fails to maintain flush contact with the deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement of windshieldVSAvoidflush contact with deck

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate functional segments: a base member that contacts the deck, a gasket member that provides sealing, and a windshield retaining portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the base member maintaining flush contact while the gasket accommodates curvature variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base member is designed with a substantially flat configuration at its free end to ensure flush contact with the deck, while the gasket member is designed with curvature to accommodate the windshield shape. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the conflict between maintaining deck contact and accommodating windshield curvature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elongated member is bent to conform to the curvature of the glass, then the windshield can be mounted, but twisting occurs causing the flat to stand up from the deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformance to glass curvatureVSAvoidcontact with deck

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the curvature adaptation function (gasket member) from the deck contact function (base member). The gasket is designed to conform to the windshield curvature while the base member remains substantially flat to maintain deck contact, eliminating the twisting problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gasket member acts as an intermediary between the flat base member and the curved windshield. It absorbs the curvature mismatch and accommodates angle variations, allowing the base member to maintain flush contact with the deck without twisting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If a flush glazed look is achieved using two bottom trims, then the trim is hidden from outside view, but the system becomes bulky and requires twice the number of extrusions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflush glazed appearanceVSAvoidnumber of extrusions

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base member integrates multiple functions into a single extrusion: it provides the mounting surface for the gasket, serves as the deck-contacting element, and supports the windshield retaining portion. This consolidation achieves the flush appearance while reducing the number of extrusions from two to one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, mounting surface, and aesthetic flush appearance. This universal design eliminates the need for separate trim pieces while maintaining the desired visual appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If fixed angle trims are used, then the number of extrusions is reduced, but the system is limited in angle between windshield and deck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of extrusionsVSAvoidangle accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket member is designed with flexibility to accommodate varying angles between the windshield and deck. Rather than being fixed at a specific angle, the gasket can adapt to different angular configurations, allowing the same single-extrusion base member to work across multiple windshield geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9126656B2Flush glazed windshield mounting

Publication Date: 2015.09.08 TAYLOR MADE GROUP LLC

AI summary

A bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element such as a windshield or the like on a surface. The bottom trim member includes a bottom trim extrusion having a connecting leg affixable to the curved sheet element and a gasket receiving leg. A gasket is disposed in engagement with the gasket receiving leg, where the gasket is shaped such that the bottom trim extrusion is positionable in multiple orientations relative to the surface and such that the gasket maintains a sealing engagement in any of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations. A securing member is affixable to the surface and cooperable with the bottom trim extrusion to secure the bottom trim extrusion to the surface in any one of the bottom trim extrusion multiple orientations.