Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Protective cover or shield
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-07-03
Avila, Stephen (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Protective cover or shield
C296S096110, C296S180100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253702
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a wind deflector adapted for use with boats and other semi-enclosed vehicle cockpits. More particularly, the invention relates to a wind deflector including a mounting assembly permitting ready attachment of the wind deflector to a curved windshield, for example, a boat windshield.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The windshield of most power boats lifts the air over the passengers sitting within the passenger compartment. It is, therefore, often desirable to create a flow of air within the passenger compartment of a boat. This is generally accomplished through the use of a wind deflector.
However, wind deflectors are generally difficult to install and do not fit a wide variety of windshields. In fact, a convenient wind deflector, with a mounting system, capable of cooperating with a wide variety of windshields has not yet been devised. With this in mind, a need exists for a convenient and versatile mounting system for installing an adjustable wind deflector on the windshield of a boat, motorcycle, or other semi-enclosed cockpit. The present invention provides such a wind deflector with a versatile mounting system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector adapted for selective attachment to a support frame. The wind deflector includes an elongated fin body having a longitudinal axis, a top side and a bottom side. The bottom side defines a concave arched surface adapted for controlling the flow of air passing thereby. A first mounting clamp and a second mounting clamp are selectively attached to the fin body by way of pivoting elements. Each of the first and second mounting clamps include means for selective attachment to the support frame. The first and second mounting clamps support the fin body and provide for selective rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fin body such that the fin body may be readily secured to support frames with a variety of profiles (i.e. curved or straight).
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the first mounting clamp includes a first pivoting element and the second mounting clamp includes a second pivoting element. The fin body is directly attached to the respective first and second pivoting elements of the first and second mounting clamps.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the first pivoting element of the first mounting clamp may be selectively rotated relative a main body of the first mounting clamp and the second pivoting element of the second mounting clamp may be selectively rotated relative a main body of the second mounting clamp.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein a first bolt secures the first pivoting element to the first mounting clamp and the first bolt selectively controls free rotation of the first pivoting element, and a second bolt secures the second pivoting element to the second mounting clamp and the second bolt selectively controls free rotation of the second pivoting element.
It is a further object to provide an arched surface with a radius selected to produce a more turbulent air flow aft and in close proximity to the fin body.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the fin body includes a forward main body and an aft edge, the aft edge being selectively coupled to the forward main body to permit adjustment of the wind flow characteristics generated by the present wind deflector.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the aft edge includes an arched bottom side with a radius of curvature greater than that of the arched bottom side of forward main body. This combination of curvatures on the main body and aft edge provides for a more voluminous air flow further aft of the fin body.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the aft edge includes a first edge and the forward main body includes a first edge. The first edge of the aft edge and the first edge of the forward main body are configured for mating engagement.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wind deflector wherein the fin body is selectively rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of fin body to adjust the volume and direction of air flow generated by the wind deflector.
It is a further object to provide alternative geometries to the contact surfaces of the mounting clamps where they attach to a support frame.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a version with a longer fin body installed on longer straight support frames of larger boats and including a mid-point mounting clamp and pivoting element to insure the structural rigidity of the larger fin body while passing larger quanities of air.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 19044 (1934-01-01), Nisbet
patent: 1498848 (1924-06-01), Lillie
patent: 4085665 (1978-04-01), Paxton
patent: 4881484 (1989-11-01), Cavanaugh
patent: 4970946 (1990-11-01), Ivey
patent: 5259582 (1993-11-01), DeLange, III
patent: 5855404 (1999-01-01), Saunders
patent: 5947052 (1999-09-01), Deising
Avila Stephen
Welsh & Flaxman LLC
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