Windshield assembly for golf carts

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to golf carts. More particularly, this invention relates to windshields for golf carts which are designed to be easily installed and removed from the golf cart.

#2. Description of the Background Art

#For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a golf cart having the window of the invention mounted about the front opening thereof;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of a window pane of the invention illustrating the upper inwardly turned edge thereof and the lower outwardly turned edge thereof;

#As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the windshield assembly 10 of invention comprises a plurality of window panes 12 designed to be affixed to the front opening 14 of a golf cart 16 or similar vehicle to deflect precipitation from flowing through the opening 14 thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical golf cart 16 comprises a front hood 18 positioned over a pair of front wheels 20. A pair of upstanding tubular roof supports 22 extends verticaly upwardly from hood 18 to define the window opening 14 of the cart 16. A roof structure, generally indicated by numeral 24, is affixed to the uppermost end of the roof supports 22 to be supported thereby along with similar roof supports (not shown) extending upwardly from the rearward portion of the cart 16. It is noted that in some golf carts 16, the upstanding roof supports 22 actually comprise a single tubular member which is formed in a generally U-shaped configuration and then inverted allowing the ends thereof to be mounted to the hood 18 of the cart 16 and allowing the roof structure 24 to rest upon and be affixed to the horizontal portion of the inverted U-shaped configuration. It is also noted that a typical roof structure 24 comprises a substantially flat uppermost member 26 having a downwardly turned edge 28 about its periphery. An inverted L-shaped rim 30 is formed about the entire periphery of the edge 28. Typically, the upper most end of the roof supports 22 are affixed to the horizontal portion of the rim 30 to support the roof structure 24. Indeed, the roof supports 22 are typically spaced apart from one another on opposing sides of the cart 16 to be aligned with rim 30 of the roof structure 24.

#Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, each window pane 12 of the invention comprises a generally flat configuration 31 having an upper inwardly turned edge 32 and a lower outwardly turned edge 34. Both edges 32 and 34 are curved in an arcuate manner to provide a streamlined appearance as shown most clearly in FIG. 3. However, the upper inwardly turned edge 32 includes a reduced width than that of the planar portion of the pane 12 thereby forming notches 36 in the upper corners of the pane 12. These notches 36 allow the upper inwardly turned edge 32 to fit between the upstanding roof supports 22 while allowing the planar portion 31 of the pane 12 to be seated over the outermost edge of the roof supports 22. Thus, the width of the upper inwardly turned edge 32 is preferably appreciably narrower than the distance between the upstanding roof supports 22 to allow the inwardly turned edge 32 to fit therebetween.

#The window assembly 10 of the invention further includes means for removably fastening the window panes 12 to the upstanding roof supports 22. More particularly, the fastening means preferably comprises hook and loop fastener means 38, such as that sold under the registered trademark "Velcro", which is adhered to the opposing outermost sides 37 of the window panes 12 and the front of the upstanding roof supports 22 such that each window pane 12 is removably fastened to the upstanding roof supports 22 by means of the hook and loop fastener 38. For added security, a pair of straps 40 are rigidly fastened to the opposing sides 37 of the window panes 12 by means of a rivet 42 or the like. Straps 40 each include a snap 44 designed to snap onto a corresponding snap 44 permanently affixed to the upstanding roof support 22.