Accessory support device for vehicle windshield and method of installing

Claim 2

An accessory support panel for installation within a motor vehicle, said panel comprising: (a) a shaped sheet of laminated safety glass for mounting on a body portion of said motor vehicle, said glass sheet having an inner and an outer surface and at least partially defining a boundary between a passenger compartment within said vehicle and an external portion of said vehicle; (b) at least one bracket means configured and adapted for removably mounting said accessory support panel upon said glass sheet, said at least one bracket means secured to said inner surface of said glass sheet along an upper portion thereof; and (c) an accessory support panel mounted along said upper portion of said glass sheet by said at least one mounting bracket means, said panel configured and adapted for installation thereon of one or more vehicle accessory means.

Claim 3

The accessory panel of claim 1 wherein said glass sheet is an automobile windshield.

Claim 4

The accessory panel of claim 2 wherein said windshield further comprises, on said inner surface at a location adjacent that at which said panel is to be installed, a layer of an opaque coating material adapted to prevent direct observation of said panel therethrouqh from outside said vehicle.

Claim 5

The accessory panel of claim 3 wherein each said bracket means is adhesively secured to said inner surface of said windshield upon a portion of said opaque coating layer.

Claim 6

The accessory panel of claim 4 wherein said panel is removably mounted on said at least one bracket means by means selected from bolts, clips and interengaging fastener means.

Claim 7

The accessory panel of claim 5 wherein each said bracket means comprises a substantially planar base portion having an upper end and a lower end, each said end provided with outwardly projecting flange means configured and adapted for engaging corresponding flange means on an under surface of said panel to retain said panel in a predetermined position upon said windshield.

Claim 8

The accessory panel of claim 6 wherein each said bracket means further comprises at least one aperture defined by said base portion, said aperture configured to permit a portion of said adhesive to pass therethrough when said bracket means is pressed thereon to facilitate attachment between said bracket means and said coated windshield portion.

Claim 9

The accessory panel of claim 7 wherein said panel extends substantially completely across the width of said windshield.

Claim 10

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is at least one adjustable sun visor.

Claim 11

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is a rear view mirror.

Claim 12

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is a switch for controlling interior illumination within said passenger compartment.

Claim 13

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is a light.

Claim 14

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is one or more speakers operatively associated with an accessory device selected from a radio, a tape player, a compact disc player, and the like.

Claim 15

The accessory panel of claim 8 wherein said vehicle accessory means is a clock.

Claim 16

The accessory panel of claim 1 wherein said panel has installed thereupon at least one vent means operatively associated with a heating/ventilation system installed within said vehicle.

Claim 17

The accessory panel of claim 15 which further comprises air deflection means operatively associated with said vent means, said deflection means configured and adapted for regulating a flow of air through said vent means.

Claim 18

The accessory panel of claim 16 wherein said vent means are directed toward a roof portion of said vehicle to facilitate movement of air within said vehicle to improve the comfort of the occupants thereof.

Claim 19

The accessory panel of claim 16 wherein said vent means is directed toward said glass sheet to facilitate removal of condensate therefrom.

Claim 20

An accessory support panel for installation within a motor vehicle, said panel comprising: (a) a windshield mounted upon a body portion of said vehicle, said windshield having an inner and an outer surface and at least partially defining a boundary between a passenger compartment within said vehicle and an external portion of said vehicle, said windshield comprising, on an interior portion thereof at a location adjacent that at which said panel is to be installed, a layer of an opaque coating material adapted to prevent direct observation of said panel therethrough from outside said vehicle; (b) at least one bracket adhesively secured to said inner surface of said windshield along an upper portion thereof, each said bracket configured and adapted for removably mounting said accessory support panel upon said inner surface of said windshield , wherein each said bracket comprises a substantially planar base portion having an upper end and a lower end, each said end provided with outwardly projecting flange means configured and adapted for engaging corresponding flange means on an under surface of said panel to retain said panel in a predetermined position upon said windshield, said base portion of each said bracket defining at least one aperture configured to permit a portion of said adhesive to pass therethrough when said bracket is pressed therein to facilitate attachment between said bracket and said coated windshield portion; and (c) an accessory support panel removably mounted upon said brackets along said upper portion of said inner surface of said windshield, said panel extending substantially completely across the width of said windshield and configured and adapted for installation thereon of at least one vehicle accessory means selected from sun visors, mirrors, switches for controlling illumination within said passenger compartment, a clock and speakers.

Claim 21

An accessory support panel for installation within a motor vehicle, said panel comprising: (a) a windshield mounted upon a body portion of said vehicle, said windshield having an inner and an outer surface and at least partially defining a boundary between a passenger compartment within said vehicle and an external portion of said vehicle, said windshield comprising, on an interior portion thereof at a location adjacent that at which said panel is to be installed, a layer of an opaque coating material adapted to prevent direct observation of said panel therethrough from outside said vehicle; (b) at least one bracket adhesively secured to said inner surface of said windshield along an upper portion thereof, each said bracket configured and adapted for removably mounting said accessory support panel upon said inner surface of said windshield , wherein each said bracket comprises a substantially planar base portion having an upper end and a lower end, each said end provided with outwardly projecting flange means configured and adapted for engaging corresponding flange means on an under surface of said panel to retain said panel in a predetermined position upon said windshield, said base portion of each said bracket defining at least one aperture configured to permit a portion of said adhesive to pass therethrough when said bracket is pressed therein to facilitate attachment between said bracket and said coated windshield portion; and (c) an accessory support panel removably mounted upon said brackets along said upper portion of said inner surface of said windshield, said panel extending substantially completely across the width of said windshield and configured and adapted for installation thereon of at least one vehicle accessory means selected from sun visors, mirrors, switches for controlling illumination within said passenger compartment, a clock and speakers.