APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING A WINDSHIELD ON A MOTOR VEHICLE
An apparatus for adjusting a windshield of a motor vehicle. For example, one embodiment of the apparatus comprises: a position adjustment plate coupled to or formed in a frame, the position adjustment plate having a plurality of holes; an adjustment knob rotatably coupled to the frame and having a pin to engage with the holes on the position adjustment plate; and an adjustment rod fixedly coupled to the adjustment knob and further coupled to one or more linkages, at least one of the one or more linkages coupled to the windshield of the motor vehicle, wherein the rotational motion of the adjustment knob rotates the adjustment rod to translate a force through the one or more linkages to cause the windshield to be moved in a substantially forward or backward direction relative to a driver.
This invention relates generally to the motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting the windshield on a motor vehicle such as a motorcycle.
Description of the Related ArtTwo linkage elements 141 are coupled to each end of the second rod 135 (only one being visible in
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention described below. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the embodiments of the invention.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a new apparatus for adjusting a windshield on a motorcycle (or other form of motor vehicle) which provides significant benefits over current implementations.
In one implementation, the rod 205 has a hexagonal shape as illustrated in
In addition, the adjustment knob 200 includes an adjustment pin 410 to engage with a series of holes 500 in a position adjustment plate 505 illustrated in
In one embodiment, when the driver has finished adjusting the position of the control knob 200, a spring is configured to pull the control knob 200 back towards the position adjustment plate 505.
The movement of a windshield will now be described with respect to
In addition, linkage element 226 is rotatably coupled to a second linkage element 225 via rotation point 227 (which, again, may be accomplished via a bolt or similar connection mechanism) using a bolt which moves along a guide slot 218 in response to a force applied to linkage 226 via the rotation plate 229. The second linkage element 225 is pivotally coupled to connection element 220 which secures the second linkage element 225 to the windshield 1001, causing the windshield 100 to move forward or backward (relative to the driver) in response to the motion of linkage elements 225, 226 through the guide slot 218.
Thus, in operation, when the user pulls out the adjustment knob 200, compressing the spring 810 and disengaging the pin 410 from the position adjustment plate and rotates the adjustment knob in a counter-clockwise direction (relative to the orientation shown in
In one embodiment, the adjustment knob 200 is formed from a high strength plastic material and the other components of the apparatus (e.g., rod 205, rotation plate 229, linkages 226, 225, etc, are formed from metal such as steel or aluminum or high strength plastic. However, any type of material may be used while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.
In one implementation, the various components have the following approximate sizes. However, the underlying principles of the invention are not limited to any particular size for these components.
- A. Adjustment Knob 200:
- Large circumference, 1.990 in
- Small circumference, 1.4 in
- Length, 0.75 in
- Hex hole size, 0.315 in
- B. Hexagonal Rod 205:
- Length, 10.0 in
- Width, 0.310 in
The apparatus for adjusting a windshield are superior to the prior mechanism illustrated in
Throughout this detailed description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In certain instances, well known structures and functions were not described in elaborate detail in order to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow.
Claims
1. An apparatus for adjusting a windshield of a motor vehicle comprising:
- a position adjustment plate coupled to or formed in a frame, the position adjustment plate having a plurality of holes disposed in an arc about an axis;
- an adjustment knob rotatably coupled to the frame and having a pin to engage with the plurality of holes on the position adjustment plate; and
- an adjustment rod fixedly coupled to the adjustment knob and further coupled to one or more linkages, at least one of the one or more linkages coupled to the windshield of the motor vehicle, the adjustment rod substantially colinear with the axis,
- wherein the rotational motion of the adjustment knob rotates the adjustment rod to translate a force through the one or more linkages to cause the windshield to be moved in a substantially forward or backward direction relative to a driver.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising:
- a spring coupled to apply force on the adjustment knob in a direction of the position adjustment plate.
3. The apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising:
- a spring retainer coupled to an end of the adjustment rod, the spring configured between the spring retainer and a surface of the adjustment knob.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 24, 2017
Publication Date: Aug 30, 2018
Inventors: Justin Beeman (Livermore, CA), Dave Hall (Brentwood, CA)
Application Number: 15/442,033