Split windshield assembly for recreation vehicle

Abstract

An improved split windshield assembly includes a retainer clip constructed of a flexible material, and a flexible, hollow clamp. The clip is for being attached to an upper portion of at least one of the front support posts of a recreation vehicle for releasably holding the upper windshield panel in a closed position. The hollow clamp has a base, and first and second hollow arms. The base is fixedly attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof. The first and second hollow arms have opposed, closely spaced-apart inside surfaces which define a longitudinally-extending, windshield-holding channel. The windshield-holding channel engages and holds a curved top edge of the upper windshield panel when the upper windshield panel is in the open position.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a split windshield assembly of the type for attachment to a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being permanently attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally coplaner with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel, and the upper windshield panel including an outwardly curved top side edge for engaging a holding means located at the base of the lower windshield panel when the upper windshield panel is in the open position; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a retainer clip constructed of a flexible material for being attached to an upper portion of a least one of said front support posts for releasably holding said upper windshield panel in the closed position, said retainer clip comprising: (a) an attachment member having an outer surface for engaging and being attached to a front portion of said front support posts, and an inner surface for engaging an inside face of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position;   (b) a windshield retaining member integrally formed at one end with said attachment member and having an inner surface opposite the inner surface of said attachment member for engaging an obverse face of the upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position, whereby the attachment member and the windshield retaining member cooperate to securely hold said upper windshield panel therebetween in the closed position while the recreation vehicle is in motion; and   (c) said windshield retaining member being movable from a biased, panel holding position adjacent the obverse face of the upper windshield panel to a panel release position generally perpendicular to the obverse face of the upper windshield panel.   
     
     
       2. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 1, wherein said attachment member includes an extension for engaging an inner side portion of said front support post, said extension being integrally formed at one end with said attachment member and extending substantially perpendicular to said attachment member. 
     
     
       3. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 2, wherein said retainer clip is connected to said front support posts by a screw for being inserted through the extension of said attachment member and into the inner side portion of said front support posts. 
     
     
       4. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 3, wherein said retainer clip further includes at least one hand grip located on an outer surface of the windshield retaining member for receiving pressure applied by the thumb or forefinger of the user to flex said windshield retaining member from the biased, panel holding position outwardly to the panel release position. 
     
     
       5. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 3, wherein said retainer clip includes first and second spaced apart hand grips integrally formed with an outer surface of said windshield retaining member for receiving pressure applied by the thumb or forefinger of the user to flex said windshield retaining member from the biased, panel holding position outwardly to the panel release position, said first hand grip located generally at a distal end of said windshield retaining member and said second hand grip located generally at a proximal end of said windshield retaining member. 
     
     
       6. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 1 or 4, wherein said retainer clip is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material. 
     
     
       7. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 1, wherein said retainer clip includes an ultraviolet inhibitor to protect said retainer clip from damage and wear caused by the sun. 
     
     
       8. A retainer clip for holding an upper windshield panel of a split windshield assembly in a closed position adjacent to first and second front support posts of a recreation vehicle, said retainer clip comprising: (a) an attachment member having an outer surface for engaging and being attached to a front portion of said front support posts, and an inner surface for engaging an inside face of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position;   (b) a windshield retaining member integrally formed at one end with said attachment member and having an inner surface opposite the inner surface of said attachment member for engaging an obverse face of the upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position, whereby the attachment member and the windshield retaining member cooperate to securely hold said upper windshield panel therebetween in the closed position while the recreation vehicle is in motion; and   (c) said windshield retaining member being movable from a biased, panel holding position adjacent the obverse face of the upper windshield panel to a panel release position generally perpendicular to the obverse face of the upper windshield panel.   
     
     
       9. A retainer clip according to claim 8, wherein said attachment member includes an extension for engaging an inner side portion of said front support post, said extension being integrally formed at one end with said attachment member and extending substantially perpendicular to said attachment member. 
     
     
       10. A retainer clip according to claim 9, wherein said retainer clip is connected to said front support posts by a screw for being inserted through the extension of said attachment member and into the inner side portion of said front support posts. 
     
     
       11. In a split windshield assembly of the type for attachment to a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being permanently attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally coplaner with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel including an outwardly curved top side edge for engaging a holding means located at the base of the lower windshield panel when the upper windshield panel is in the open position; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a flexible, hollow windshield clamp attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof for holding said upper windshield panel in the open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel, said clamp comprising: (a) a base for being fixedly attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof; and   (b) first and second flexible hollow arms integrally formed with the base and extending outwardly from the base, said first and second hollow arms having opposed, closely spaced-apart inside surfaces defining a longitudinally-extending, windshield-holding channel for engaging the curved top edge of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the open position.   
     
     
       12. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 11, wherein each one of said first sad second hollow arms includes a rib support integrally formed with opposing inner walls thereof, said rib support extending in a plane parallel to and spaced-apart from the base of the clamp. 
     
     
       13. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 12, wherein said clamp further includes at least one windshield grip integrally formed with respective inside surfaces of said first and second arms to further secure the curved top edge of said upper windshield panel between the first and second arms when the upper windshield panel is in the open position. 
     
     
       14. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 13, wherein said clamp is constructed of a flexible synthetic resin material. 
     
     
       15. An improved windshield assembly according to claim 14, wherein said clamp includes an ultraviolet inhibitor to protect said clamp from damage and wear caused by the sun. 
     
     
       16. A hollow windshield clamp for being attached to a lower windshield panel of a split windshield assembly to grip and hold a curved top edge of an upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in an open position, said clamp comprising: (a) a base for being fixedly attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof; and   (b) first and second flexible hollow arms integrally formed with the base and extending outwardly from the base, said first and second hollow arms having opposed, closely spaced-apart inside surfaces defining a longitudinally-extending, windshield-holding channel for engaging the curved top edge of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the open position.   
     
     
       17. A hollow windshield clamp according to claim 16, wherein each one of said first and second hollow arms includes a rib support integrally formed with opposing inner walls thereof, said rib support extending in a plane parallel to and spaced-apart from the base of the clamp. 
     
     
       18. A hollow windshield clamp according to claim 17, wherein said clamp further includes at least one windshield grip integrally formed with respective inside surfaces of said first and second arms to further secure the curved top edge of said upper windshield panel between the first and second arms when the upper windshield panel is in the open position. 
     
     
       19. In a split windshield assembly of the type for attachment to a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being permanently attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally coplaner with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel including an outwardly curved top edge for engaging a holding means located at the base of the lower windshield panel when the upper windshield panel is in the open position; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising: (a) a retainer clip constructed of a flexible material for being attached to an upper portion of a least one of said front support posts for releasably holding said upper windshield panel in the closed position, said retainer clip comprising: (1) an attachment member having an outer surface for engaging and being attached to a front portion of said front support posts, and an inner surface for engaging an inside face of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position;   (2) a windshield retaining member integrally formed with said attachment member and having an inner surface opposite the inner surface of said attachment member for engaging an obverse face of the upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the closed position, whereby said attachment member and windshield retaining member cooperate to securely hold said upper windshield panel therebetween in the closed position while said recreation vehicle is in motion; and   (3) said windshield retaining member being movable from a biased, panel holding position adjacent the obverse face of the upper windshield panel to a panel release position generally perpendicular to the obverse face of the upper windshield panel     (b) a flexible, hollow windshield clamp attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof for holding said upper windshield panel in the open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel, said clamp comprising: (1) a base for being fixedly attached to the lower windshield panel at a lower portion thereof; and   (2) first and second flexible hollow arms integrally formed with the base and extending outwardly from the base, said first and second hollow arms having opposed, closely spaced-apart inside surfaces defining a longitudinally-extending, windshield-holding channel for engaging the curved top side edge of said upper windshield panel when said upper windshield panel is in the open position. .Iadd.     
     
     
       20.  In a split-panel windshield assembly of the type for attachment to at least one of a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally above and coplanar with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a flexible, resilient windshield retainer clip for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member flexible to the extent of at least 90 degrees so as to be manually flexed (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position;   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.21. In a split-panel windshield assembly of the type for attachment to at least one of a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally above and coplanar with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a flexible, resilient windshield retainer clip for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member and having an integrally-formed flexible hinge to permit said retaining member to be manually flexed   (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.22. In a split-panel windshield assembly of the type for attachment to at least one of a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally above and coplanar with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a flexible, resilient windshield retainer clip for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member sufficiently flexible so as to be manually flexed   (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. In a split-panel windshield assembly of the type for attachment to at least one of a pair of laterally spaced and vertically extending front support posts of a recreation vehicle, and including a lower windshield panel for being attached to a lower portion of respective front support posts and an upper windshield panel pivotally connected along a top side edge of the lower windshield panel, the upper windshield panel being movable from a closed position generally above and coplanar with the lower windshield panel to an open position generally forward of and beside the lower windshield panel; the improvement in said windshield assembly comprising a flexible, resilient windshield retainer clip formed of rubber for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member sufficiently flexible so as to be manually flexed   (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.24. A retainer clip formed of a flexible, resilient material for holding an upper windshield panel of a split windshield assembly in a closed position adjacent to first and second front support posts of a recreation vehicle, said retainer clip being adapted for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member flexible to the extent of at least 90 degrees so as to be manually flexed   (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. A retainer clip formed of a flexible, resilient material for holding an upper windshield panel of a split windshield assembly in a closed position adjacent to first and second front support posts of a recreation vehicle, said retainer clip being adapted for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member and having an integrally-formed flexible binge to permit said retaining member to be manually flexed   (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining   
     
     
        condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.26.  A retainer clip formed of a flexible, resilient material for holding an upper windshield panel of a split windshield assembly in a closed position adjacent to first and second front support posts of a recreation vehicle, said retainer clip being adapted for releasably retaining the upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member sufficiently flexible so as to be manually flexed (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining   
     
     
        condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend..Iadd.27.  A retainer clip formed of a flexible, resilient rubber material for holding an upper windshield panel of a split windshield assembly in a closed position adjacent to first and second front support posts of a recreation vehicle, said retainer clip being adapted for releasably retaining upper windshield panel in its closed position, said retainer clip including a retaining member sufficiently flexible so as to be manually flexed (a) from a biased, panel retaining condition for holding the upper windshield panel in its closed position adjacent to the front support posts; and   (b) into a flexed condition for releasing the upper windshield panel into its open position and for moving the upper windshield panel into its closed position   (c) said retaining member having at least one hand grip formed therewith for receiving pressure applied by a user's thumb or forefinger to facilitate movement of said retaining member from the panel retaining condition to the flexed condition. .Iaddend.