Stress-free mounting system for sheet material

Abstract

An improved glass sheet support system eliminates the use of elastomeric gaskets for mounting glass sheets in metal frames and replaces the gaskets with elastomeric support members that are positioned within a channel of the metal frame to temporarily support the glass sheet. Permanent support of the glass sheet is then provided by utilizing a bonding agent to adhesively bond an edge of the glass to the metal frame. The temporary elastomer support members may be short sections of elastomeric material laid into the channel and having sufficient length and spacing to adequately support the glass sheet in the metal frame until such time as the bonding agent has set. A plastic insert in the form of an elongated strip of material that can be snapped into place between the glass sheet and the upper edges of the channel fills the space between the glass and frame and provides a clean cosmetic edge. In the case of a boat windshield, the invention includes an improved mounting of the windshield to the deck of a boat. The invention further includes an improved mounting system for snap buttons on metal frames such as used on boat windshields.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for mounting frangible sheet material in a metal frame, the frame having a channel for receiving an edge of the sheet material, comprising: 
 positioning a plurality of spacers in the channel for supporting an edge of the sheet material in spaced relationship from a bottom of the channel;    depositing a bonding agent in the channel at periodic intervals;    positioning the frame on the sheet material with the spacers contacting an edge of the sheet material; and    holding the frame in position on the sheet material until the bonding agent has set.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet material comprises a glass sheet.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the channel is wider than a thickness of the glass sheet such that spaces are defined between surfaces of the glass sheet and adjacent edges of the channel, and including inserting a plastic strip into the spaces.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the frame comprises an aluminum strip.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the frame and glass sheet form a windshield.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the spacers comprise a plurality of elastomeric strips adapted for seating in a bottom of the channel.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  and including the step of inserting a decorative plastic trim strip between a surface of the sheet material and adjacent sides of the channel.  
     
     
         8 . A windshield for a boat comprising: 
 a curved glass sheet tapering from a maximum vertical dimension at about a forward centerline of a boat to a minimum vertical dimension at a side edge of the boat;    a metal track encompassing the glass sheet and including a channel for receiving an edge of the glass sheet, the glass sheet being supported from a bottom of the channel by a plurality of spaced elastomer inserts positioned between the edge of the glass sheet and the bottom of the channel, the track being adhesively bonded to the glass sheet; and    a decorative plastic trim strip inserted into the channel between a surface of the glass sheet and a side of the channel.    
     
     
         9 . A method for reduced stress mounting of the windshield of  claim 7  to a boat deck comprising fastening the windshield to the deck at a forward location, a rearward location and at an intermediate location forward of a point where the windshield curves toward the centerline of the boat.  
     
     
         10 . The windshield of  claim 8  and including an outwardly facing slot extending along a length-wise direction on said metal track and means for attaching a snap button to said metal track comprising a plastic insert adapted for insertion in said slot and having an axial opening extending therethrough, said snap button having a threaded member extending therefrom and adapted for threaded engagement in said opening in said insert, said insert having a pair of legs extending about said axial opening and having a portion thereof sufficiently thin such that the threads of said threaded member cut through said leg portion and engage abutting portions of said metal track in said slot.  
     
     
         11 . The windshield of  claim 8  wherein said decorative plastic trim strip comprises a pair of spaced leg members extending in a first direction and adapated for straddling and frictionally engaging a side member defining a side of said channel, a wiper member extending angularly and in a generally opposite direction from said leg members, said wiper member being adapted for pressure engaging said glass sheet when said trim strip is inserted into the channel.  
     
     
         12 . The windshield of  claim 10  wherein said insert comprises a circular plate member having a central aperture for passage therethrough of said threaded member, said pair of legs extending from said plate member and being adapted for engagement in said slot.