IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,331,304
Granted Patent B2
US 7,331,304 · App. 11/148,222 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Windshield system including tower frame

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,331,304
App. No.
11/148,222
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A windshield assembly includes a windshield frame constructed to support a windshield. A plurality of couplers are secured to the windshield frame, and a tower frame for a wakeboard tow rope or cable attachment, radar arch or the like is connected to the windshield frame via the couplers. In one arrangement, the couplers are connected to the wing sections of the windshield frame, and the tower frame extends between the wing sections and above an area defined between the wing sections. The integrated tower frame and windshield simplifies installation for the boat manufacturer while accommodating many varieties of tower and windshield configurations.

Claims (18)

1. A windshield assembly comprising:

a windshield frame constructed to support a windshield, the windshield frame including a center section between two wing sections;

a tower frame coupled with the windshield frame, the tower frame extending between said two wing sections and above an area defined generally within said windshield frame;

a tower connector attached to each of the wing sections;

a pivot coupler attached to each of the tower connectors, the tower frame being fixed to the pivot couplers; and

swing couplers securing the tower connectors and the pivot couplers, respectively, the swing couplers including locking structure engaging the tower connectors and the pivot couplers, wherein the swing couplers comprise:

two pivotably attached C-shaped halves sized to surround connecting portions of the tower connectors and the pivot couplers; and

fixing structure that locks the swing couplers in a closed position.

2. A windshield assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing structure comprises a swing bolt, a bolt channel, and a locking knob.

3. A windshield frame comprising:

a windshield frame constructed to support a windshield, the windshield frame including a center section and two wing sections removably attached to opposite ends of the center section;

a plurality of removable pivot couplers secured to the wing sections;

a tower frame connected to the wing sections via the removable pivot couplers;

a plurality of tower connectors attached to the wing sections, wherein the removable couplers are secured to the wing sections via the tower connectors; and

swing couplers securing the tower connectors and the pivot couplers, respectively, the swing couplers including locking structure engaging the tower connectors and the pivot couplers, wherein the swing couplers comprise:

two pivotably attached C-shaped halves sized to surround connecting portions of the tower connectors and the pivot couplers; and

fixing structure that locks the swing couplers in a closed position.

4. A windshield frame according to claim 3 , wherein the fixing structure comprises a swing bolt, a bolt channel, and a locking knob.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2025
From: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.; CURT MANUFACTURING, LLC; FURRION, LLC; FURRION LTD; INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, INC.; KASPAR RANCH HAND EQUIPMENT, LLC; LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.; TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 070719/0650 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2018
From: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
To: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 045230/0567 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2015
From: WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, AS AGENT
To: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 034763/0679 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2015
From: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
To: MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 034762/0699 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 12, 2012
From: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
To: WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 028033/0482 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2012
From: SOVEREIGN BANK, N.A.
To: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC; TAYLOR MADE CREDIT, LLC, F/K/A TAYLOR MADE CREDIT CORP.; TAYLOR MADE GLASS OHIO, LLC, F/K/A TAYLOR MADE GLASS OHIO, INC.; TAYLOR MADE OVERSEAS, LLC; TMO REALTY, LLC; JWET REALTY CORP.; BMKJ REALTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 028033/0323 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 22, 2009
From: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC; TAYLOR MADE CREDIT, LLC; TAYLOR MADE GLASS OHIO, LLC; TAYLOR MADE OVERSEAS, LLC; WATER BONNET MFG., LLC; JWET REALTY CORP.; BMKJ REALTY, INC.; TMO REALTY, LLC
To: SOVEREIGN BANK, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 023409/0278 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2009
From: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, INC. A/K/A TAYLOR MADE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.; TAYLOR MADE PRODUCTS; TAYLOR MADE SYSTEMS BRADENTON, INC.; WATER BONNET MANUFACTURING, INC.
To: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 023498/0623 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 21, 2006
From: TAYLOR MADE CREDIT CORP.; TAYLOR MADE SYSTEMS BRADENTON, INC.; TAYLOR MADE GROUP, INC.; TAYLOR MADE GLASS OHIO, INC.; TAYLOR MADE INVESTMENT COMPANY, LLC; TMO REALTY, LLC; TAYLOR MADE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; TAYLOR MADE OVERSEES, LLC; WATER BONNET MFG., INC.
To: SOVEREIGN BANK
Reel/Frame 017507/0155 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2005
From: ERSKINE, EDWARD J.; SHEARER, ROBERT R.
To: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, INC.
Reel/Frame 016679/0039 →