Patent Application
20190039690
(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
The invention relates to a boat windshield and, more particularly, to a boat windshield including a sliding walk-through the door.
Many existing boat designs include a door or opening in a windshield to enable passengers to pass between the helm and the bow of the boat. Existing designs typically include a door or openable member secured on a hinge so that a portion of the windshield can be pivoted to an open position to enable passage through the windshield. Hinging, however, becomes an issue as the boat and the door/windshield get larger. The hinged portion can get very heavy and cumbersome. Additionally, the hinged portion tends to have a problem hitting the front brow of the roof when swung open. As a consequence, existing designs are often shorter than desired. Still further, with a curved hinged portion/door, when the door is opened, the curvature of the door is opposite to the curvature of the windshield, and as a result, the open door occupies too much space and looks awkward.
According to the described embodiments, a boat windshield is provided with a sliding walk-through door that overcomes the drawbacks noted above with regard to existing designs. A sliding door panel is displaceable in a door frame between open and closed positions. The system can accommodate either a walk through style where the bow area floor is similar in height to the cabin floor or a step up and over style when the bow area is raised above the forward cabin.
In an exemplary embodiment, a boat windshield with a walk-through door includes a door frame attachable to a boat, the door frame including a panel side member and a door side member. A fixed door panel is secured in the door frame and includes a framework having a top member extending between and connecting the panel side member and the door side member, an inside member, and a bottom member extending from the panel side member to the inside member. A sliding door panel is displaceable between an open position at least partly overlaying the fixed door panel and a closed position.
The windshield may further include a top track disposed on the top member, a bottom track disposed on the bottom member, at least one top traveler coupled with the sliding door panel and engaging the top track, and at least one bottom traveler coupled with the sliding door panel and engaging the bottom track. A roller post may be fixed to the inside member and positioned adjacent a distal end of the bottom member, where the roller post supports the sliding door panel. A support position of the roller post may be adjustable. In some embodiments, the roller post comprises a channel member positioned fixed to the inside member and a post member disposed in the channel member, where a position of the post member relative to the channel member is adjustable to adjust the support position of the roller post. The roller post may further include a roller that is coupled with the post member. The post member may be locked in the support position by a lock screw extending through the channel member into engagement with the post member.
One of the bottom travelers may be positioned laterally outside of the sliding door panel.
A door latch may be secured to a distal end of the sliding door panel that is selectively engageable with a corresponding receiver positioned in the door side member.
In another exemplary embodiment, a boat windshield with a walk-through door includes a door frame attachable to a boat, a fixed door panel secured in the door frame, and a sliding door panel secured in the door frame and displaceable between an open position and a closed position. A top track and a bottom track are coupled with the door frame. A top traveler is coupled with the sliding door panel and engages the top track, and a bottom traveler is coupled with the sliding door panel and engages the bottom track. A roller post positioned adjacent a bottom edge of the fixed door panel supports the sliding door panel.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a boat windshield with a walk-through door includes a fixed panel framework attachable to a boat, and a sliding door panel coupled to and cooperable with the fixed panel framework and displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The sliding door panel includes top and bottom travelers mounted for displacement on tracks secured to the fixed panel framework. A roller post positioned adjacent a bottom edge of the fixed panel framework supports the sliding door panel during displacement between the open and closed positions.
These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
A sliding door panel 24 is displaceable between an open position at least partly overlaying the fixed door panel 22 (see
With continued reference to
With reference to
As shown in
The bottom traveler 32 takes the upward force created by the sliding door panel 24 balancing on the roller post 34. There may be a slotted attachment from the sliding door panel 24 to the travelers to take up the geometric difference in the arc of the traveler movement between the top and bottom travelers caused by the curvature of the windshield and the angle that the windshield lays back on the boat.
The assembly can be configured as shown such that the sliding door panel 24 may be provided on the port side and slide to center. Alternatively, the door panel may be secured in the center and slide to port or starboard. The configuration depends on where the driving station is and the interior arrangement of access to the forward cabin and bow.
The assembly may also include a door latch 44 secured to a distal end of the sliding door panel 24 and selectively engageable with a corresponding receiver 46 positioned in the door side member 16.
By providing a sliding walk-through door in a boat windshield, problems associated with existing pivoted doors can be overcome. The assembly including a sliding door panel rather than a pivoting or hinged door provides for a cleaner appearance when open and can better accommodate larger boats with larger windshields.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
