Collapsible windshield

Abstract

A collapsible windshield includes arched plates connected to one another by pivot assemblies so that the arched plates can be pivoted relative to one another between an extended position and a collapsed position. Each of the arched plates includes a concave face and a convex face. Only a portion of the convex face of each of the arched plates is placed against a portion of the concave face of another one of the arched plates when the collapsible windshield is in the extended position. The entire convex face of each of the arched plates is placed against the entire concave face of another one of the arched plates when the collapsible windshield is in the collapsed position. A group of the arched plates is directed in a direction. An alternate group of the arched plates is directed in an opposite direction when the collapsible windshield is in the collapsed position.

1 . A collapsible windshield comprising arched plates connected to one another by pivot assemblies so that the arched plates can be pivoted relative to one another between an extended position and a collapsed position, wherein each of the arched plates comprises a concave face and a convex face, wherein only a portion of the convex face of each of the arched plates is placed against a portion of the concave face of another one of the arched plates when the collapsible windshield is in the extended position, wherein the entire convex face of each of the arched plates is placed against the entire concave face of another one of the arched plates when the collapsible windshield is in the collapsed position, wherein the arched plates are sorted into two alternate groups, wherein one of the groups of the arched plates is directed in a direction while the other group of the arched plates is directed in an opposite direction when the collapsible windshield is in the collapsed position. 
     
     
         2 . The collapsible windshield according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the pivot assemblies comprises a pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible windshield according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the pivot assemblies further comprises a washer provided on the pivot, against a corresponding one of the arched plates. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible windshield according to  claim 2 , wherein a first one of the arched plates comprises an opening, wherein the pivot of one of the pivot assemblies provided a last one of the arched plates is detachably insertion in the opening. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible windshield according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening comprises a circular aperture and a slot in communication with the circular aperture so that the pivot is movable between the circular aperture and the slot, wherein the circular aperture comprises a diameter and the slot comprises a width smaller than the diameter of the circular aperture, wherein the rive comprises a head with a diameter smaller than that of the circular aperture but larger than the width of the slot to allow axial movement of the head throughout the circular aperture but prevent the head from axial movement throughout the slot. 
     
     
         6 . A stoking apparatus comprising the collapsible windshield according to  claim 1  and struts for supporting the collapsible windshield. 
     
     
         7 . The stoking apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein each of the arched plates comprises a cutout for receiving a corresponding one of the struts. 
     
     
         8 . The stoking apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the arched plates comprises two halves divided by the cutout, wherein the halves of each of the arched plates are located on two opposite sides of the corresponding strut. 
     
     
         9 . The stoking apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the cutouts of one of the groups of the arched plates are directed in a direction while the cutouts of the other group of the arched plates are directed in an opposite direction when the collapsible windshield is in the collapsed position.