U.S. patent application number 11/555808 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for multi-pane window assembly with two-sided frame.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert John Cicala.
Application Number | 20080122262 11/555808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462908 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080122262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cicala; Robert John |
May 29, 2008 |
Multi-Pane Window Assembly With Two-Sided Frame
Abstract
A window assembly configured for installation in a recessed
window aperture comprises one or more transparent fixed position
panes, one or more sliding panes, and a mounting frame. The
mounting frame comprises at least a substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement
integral with the frame member. The mounting frame at least
partially defines a window opening. The mounting frame, e.g., the
frame member, forms upper and lower slider runways extending
laterally above and below the window opening. The sliding pane is
slidably positioned in the upper and lower slider runways for
sliding movement between open and closed positions. The mounting
frame mounts the fixed position pane(s) by adhesive surface bonding
to the interior surface of the fixed position pane. The exterior
surface of the fixed position pane is free of adhesive. At least a
laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of the fixed pane
is covered by a portion of the frame member which also is flush
with the adjacent exterior surface of the fixed position pane. A
show-surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic
frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly
for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly
above and/or below the window opening. The reinforcement comprises
an elongate reinforcing member(s) extending laterally above and/or
below the window opening.
Inventors: |
Cicala; Robert John;
(Rochester Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF LTD.,;ATTORNEYS FOR CLIENT NO. 004954
28 STATE STREET - 28TH FLOOR
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Dura Automotive Systems,
Inc.
Rochester Hills
MI
|
Family ID: |
39462908 |
Appl. No.: |
11/555808 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60839083 |
Aug 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/201 ; 49/125;
49/360; 49/419; 49/489.1; 52/204.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 10/74 20160201;
E05Y 2900/55 20130101; E05D 15/0652 20130101; B60J 1/1853 20130101;
B60J 10/18 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/201 ;
49/489.1; 49/419; 49/125; 49/360; 52/204.51 |
International
Class: |
B60J 1/18 20060101
B60J001/18; B60J 10/04 20060101 B60J010/04; E06B 3/46 20060101
E06B003/46; E05D 15/06 20060101 E05D015/06 |
Claims
1. A window assembly configured for installation in a recessed
window aperture in a motor vehicle body panel, the window assembly
comprising: a transparent fixed position pane having an interior
surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface, a
sliding pane, and a mounting frame comprising a substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement
integral with the frame member, the mounting frame at least
partially defining a window opening, wherein: the mounting frame
forms a downwardly-open upper slider runway extending laterally
above the window opening, and an upwardly-open lower slider runway
extending laterally below the window opening, the sliding pane
being slidably positioned in the upper and lower slider runways for
substantially lateral sliding movement between a closed position in
which it closes the window opening and an open position, and the
mounting frame mounts the fixed position pane by adhesive surface
bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the fixed
position pane, the exterior surface of the fixed position pane
being free of adhesive surface bonding to the mounting frame, and
at least a laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of the
fixed pane being covered by a portion of the mounting frame that is
flush with the adjacent exterior surface of the fixed position
pane, a show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded
plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window
assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window
assembly above or below the window opening, and the reinforcement
comprises an elongate reinforcing member extending at least
laterally above or below the window opening.
2. The window assembly of claim 1 further comprising an upper run
channel in the upper slider runway and a lower run channel in the
lower slider runway.
3. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing member
extends laterally at least partly in the upper or lower slider
runway.
4. The window assembly of claim 3 further comprising a run channel
in the reinforcing member, the run channel being positioned between
the slider pane and the reinforcing member.
5. The window assembly of claim 3 wherein the reinforcing member
forms a run channel contacting the slider pane.
6. The window assembly of claim 3 wherein the reinforcing member
extends laterally at least the entire lateral dimension of the
slider runway.
7. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing member is
at least partly embedded in the full-circumference molded plastic
frame member.
8. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing member
extends laterally beyond the window opening both to the right and
to the left.
9. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the window assembly of
claim 1 where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
is made of a reaction injection molded (RIM) thermoset plastic
material.
10. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the window assembly of
claim 1 where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
is made of a reaction injection molded polyurethane.
11. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the window assembly of
claim 1 where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
is made of injection moldable thermoplastic.
12. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the window assembly of
claim 1 where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
is made of polyvinychloride (PVC).
13. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement member
forms at least a generally U-shaped channel positioned at least
partially in one of the U-shaped slider runways.
14. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement member
is formed of rigid plastic, aluminum or steel.
15. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement
comprises a first elongate reinforcing member extending above the
window opening and laterally beyond the window opening, and a
second elongate reinforcing member extending below the window
opening and laterally beyond the window opening.
16. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the configuration of the
reinforcement member is generally a flanged U-shape, with a
U-shaped portion positioned at least partially in one of the
U-shaped slider runways, and a flange portion at least partially
embedded in the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic
frame member.
17. The window assembly of claim 16 wherein at least a section of
the flange portion of the reinforcement member extends laterally in
the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
in a plane substantially parallel to an overlying section of the
surface of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member
which forms at least a portion of the exterior surface of the
window assembly above or below the window opening.
18. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the reinforcement member
comprises at least one generally U-shaped channel made of rigid
plastic, aluminum or steel, which is integrally molded with the
molded plastic frame member in the upper or lower slider
runway.
19. The window assembly of claim 18 wherein a slide glass seal is
mounted in the U-shaped channel.
20. The window assembly of claim 19 wherein the slide glass seal is
adhesively mounted to a peripheral portion of an inside surface of
the U-shaped channel.
21. The window assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pull-pull
cable and drum powered drive assembly operatively connected to the
sliding pane and operative to move the sliding pane between the
open and closed positions.
22. The window assembly of claim 21 wherein the pull-pull
cable-and-drum powered drive assembly comprises: a drive drum, a
drive cable wrapped around the drive drum and attached to the
sliding pane for pulling the sliding pane open and closed by
corresponding rotation of the drive drum.
23. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the
downwardly-open upper slider runway and the upwardly-open lower
slider runway.
24. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the show surface portion
of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the
entire show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally
extending portion the window assembly above the window opening, and
a second show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded
plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window
assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window
assembly below the window opening.
25. The window assembly of claim 1 wherein the show surface portion
of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the
entire show surface of the window assembly for a portion the window
assembly extending laterally at least the full width of the window
opening.
26. The window assembly of claim 25 wherein the show surface
portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member,
above the window opening, forms the entire show surface of the
window assembly for a portion the window assembly extending
laterally at least the full width of the window opening, and a
second show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded
plastic frame member, below the window opening, forms the entire
show surface of the window assembly for a portion the window
assembly extending laterally at least the full width of the window
opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/839,083, filed Aug. 21, 2006, the
disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to multi-pane window
assemblies suitable for use, for example, in motor vehicle bodies,
and to the manufacture of such window assemblies. In particular,
the invention is directed to multi-pane window assemblies
presenting a substantially flush appearance in a window opening,
supporting both fixed and sliding panes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Window assemblies which are pre-assembled prior to
installation are widely used in motor vehicle manufacture and other
applications. Pre-assembly of the glazing unit for simple insertion
into a recessed window opening in a vehicle body during vehicle
assembly has been found to yield substantial cost and quality
advantages. Such window assemblies intended for use as rear windows
for pickup truck cabs, for example, typically include a frame
holding one or more fixed panes and a slidable pane. In the past,
windows assemblies have had an undesirably bulky appearance poorly
integrated into the exterior surface of the vehicle or other
structure. Exemplary of known window assemblies are those shown and
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,191 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,003,916,
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety
for all purposes.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide improved
multi-pane window assemblies. It is a particular object of at least
certain embodiments to provide multi-pane modular window assemblies
having fixed and slidably mounted panes and presenting a
substantially flush overall appearance. Additional objects and
advantages of the multi-pane window assemblies disclosed here will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of the disclosed inventive
subject matter, a window assembly configured for installation in a
recessed window aperture, e.g., in a motor vehicle, comprises one
or more transparent fixed position panes, one or more sliding
panes, and a mounting frame. As further described below, the
mounting frame may (and typically does) comprises more than one
component. The mounting frame comprises at least a substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement
integral with the frame member. The mounting frame at least
partially defines a window opening. The mounting frame forms a
downwardly-open upper slider runway extending laterally above the
window opening, and an upwardly-open lower slider runway extending
laterally below the window opening. In certain exemplary
embodiments the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic
frame member of the mounting frame forms such downwardly-open upper
slider runway extending laterally above the window opening and
upwardly-open lower slider runway extending laterally below the
window opening. The sliding pane is slidably positioned in the
upper and lower slider runways for sliding movement between a
closed position in which it closes the window opening and an open
position. The mounting frame mounts the fixed position pane by
adhesive surface bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior
surface of the fixed position pane, the exterior surface of the
fixed position pane being free of adhesive surface bonding to the
mounting frame. At least a laterally outboard portion of the
peripheral edge of the fixed pane is covered by a portion of the
substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member that
is flush with the adjacent exterior surface of the fixed position
pane. A surface (i.e., a portion of the surface, sometimes referred
to here as a "show surface" or a show surface portion or an
exterior surface or an exterior surface portion) of the
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire
show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally
extending portion the window assembly above or below the window
opening. As discussed further below the term "show surface" is used
here in accordance with its usual meaning in the motor vehicle
industry to mean an exterior surface of the window assembly, i.e.,
a surface or portion of the surface of the molded frame member
which is visible when the window assembly is installed. In certain
exemplary embodiments such surface portions of the molded plastic
frame member forms at least a portion of the exterior surface of
the window assembly above and below the window opening. For
example, in certain embodiments a first show surface portion of the
frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly
for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly
above the window opening, and a second show surface portion of the
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire
show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally
extending portion the window assembly below the window opening.
Such exterior or show surface portions may both be portions of one
continuous show surface, e.g., a show surface that extends as an
uninterrupted or continuous exterior surface circumferentially
around part or all of the window assembly. In certain exemplary
embodiments the aforesaid show surface portion of the
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire
show surface of the window assembly (above or below the window
opening) extending laterally at least the full width of the window
opening. For example, a first such show surface portion of the
frame member, above the window opening, can form the entire show
surface for a portion the window assembly extending laterally at
least the full width of the window opening, and a second such show
surface portion of the frame member, below the window opening, can
form the entire show surface for a portion the window assembly
extending laterally at least the full width of the window
opening.
[0006] The reinforcement comprises an elongate reinforcing member
extending laterally above or below the window opening. In certain
exemplary embodiments the reinforcement comprises an elongate
reinforcing member extending laterally above the window opening and
laterally beyond it in one or doth directions (i.e., to the right
and/or to the left as viewed in FIG. 1), and further comprises
another elongate reinforcing member extending laterally below the
window opening and laterally beyond it in one or doth directions.
In certain exemplary embodiments one or both of such reinforcement
members is positioned in the corresponding slider runway,
optionally either forming the slider channel which contacts a
peripheral edge of the slider pane or receiving another component
(e.g., a plastic liner or the like) which forms such slider channel
that contacts the slider pane.
[0007] An advantageous aspect of at least certain exemplary
embodiments of the window assemblies disclosed here is their
strength during the post-molded handling and customer operations,
such as installation and support of the assemblies. Also, an
advantageously flush and uniform appearance can be achieved. In
certain exemplary embodiments, the elongate reinforcement member(s)
are at least partly embedded in the substantially full
circumference molded frame member and extend laterally above or
below the window opening behind a "show surface," i.e., a surface
portion of the molded frame member which forms the aforesaid
exterior surface of the assembly. Advantageously, such exterior
surface of the assembly is flush with adjacent (non-recessed)
surface of the window aperture. The reinforcement members in such
embodiments provide not only structural reinforcement, but also
help to eliminate and/or minimize the effects of sink marks and
witness lines that would otherwise occur in such exterior
surface.
[0008] In general, well-designed embodiments of the window
assemblies disclosed here provide a desirable flush and smooth look
from the exterior. Certain exemplary embodiments also provide
additional advantageous features, including, e.g., a two-sided seal
lip (a `D`-shaped or `v`-shaped lip, etc.) extending radially at
the perimeter of the window assembly. The peripheral lip seal can
provide a continuous seal surface without steps or offsets. Such
lip seal provides, in at least certain embodiments, the following
added benefits:
[0009] 1) a secondary seal to sheet metal for added water
management protection;
[0010] 2) a more arduous path for noise transmission into the cabin
area of a vehicle, thereby providing improved NVH, i.e., improved
noise prevention performance; and
[0011] 3) masking or hiding of bonding material which might squeeze
or migrate into an area otherwise viewable during installation of
the window assembly in a recessed window aperture. This provides
greater freedom and more packaging space for the bonded material.
It can reduce or eliminate rejects for exposed bonding agent, which
has been a problem experienced at assembly plants with so-called
raw-edge-of-glass designs.
[0012] 4) Window assemblies in accordance with the present
disclosure may be referred to as two-sided designs.
Correspondingly, the substantially full-circumference, molded
plastic frame member may be referred to as a two-sided frame
member. This refers to a configuration of the frame around some or
all of the otherwise raw edge of the fixed or stationary panes,
especially the edge at their outboard peripheries. As further
described below, the frame member is molded against a peripheral
portion of the inside surface of the stationery pane and, in
addition, against (at least a portion of) the peripheral edge
surface of the pane. The exterior surface of the frame member
preferably is flush with the adjacent surface of the fixed pane
along this interface. Any variation in the dimension of the glass
pane is compensated for by the frame member simply being molded to
the raw edge. Thus, a gap-less, flush result is achieved
irrespective of tolerance variations in the glass. It is a
significant advantage of at least certain embodiments of the window
assemblies disclosed here, that the 2-side molded plastic frame
provides for this improved tolerance--compared to raw-edge-of glass
designs--for inevitable variance in the precise dimensions of
stationary glass panes. The 2-sided molded plastic frame also
provides for an improved appearance between the stationary glass
and the molded plastic frame in the slide glass area. Current
products on the market have gaps or margins between the stationary
glass edge and the appearance portion of the upper and lower frame
areas. These gaps are required for assembled products due to
component tolerances. This invention reduces or eliminates these
gaps via the 2-sided molding feature, which provides for a gap-less
appearance and, in at least certain embodiments, a flush
appearance.
[0013] Certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here comprise a 2-piece slider assembly, that is, window
assemblies having one stationary glass pane with a hole cut in the
center as a window opening and one slide glass to open and close
the opening.
[0014] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
understood from the following detailed description of certain
preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Certain preferred embodiments are described and discussed in
detail below in association with the appended drawings,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle window
assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic section view of FIG. 1,
taken through the upper run channel proximate the stationary
pane;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic section view of FIG. 1,
taken through the lower run channel proximate the stationary
pane;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic section view of FIG. 1,
taken through the lateral centerline of the window assembly at the
upper run channel;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic section view of FIG. 1,
taken through the lateral centerline of the window assembly at the
lower run channel;
[0021] FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic section view of FIG. 1,
taken through the peripheral edge of the stationary pane, showing
the flush and gap-less interface of the peripheral edge of the
stationary pane and the adjacent portion of the frame member;
[0022] FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic section view corresponding
to FIG. 6, but showing the frame member achieving a flush and
gap-less interface with the peripheral edge of a larger (in lateral
dimension) stationary pane (resulting in a correspondingly thinner
wall of molding material adjacent the peripheral edge of the glass
pane);
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic section view corresponding
to FIG. 6, but showing the frame member achieving a flush and
gap-less interface with the peripheral edge of a smaller (in
lateral dimension) stationary pane (resulting in a correspondingly
thicker wall of molding material adjacent the peripheral edge of
the glass pane);
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic section view of an
alternative embodiment, taken through the upper run channel;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic section view of an
alternative embodiment, showing a flanged U-shaped reinforcement
member embedded in the frame member at the lower slider runway and
having a seal adhesively attached along an outer periphery of the
reinforcement member (a substantially mirror image reinforcement
arrangement optionally is provided at the upper slider runway);
and
[0026] FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic section view, corresponding
to FIG. 10, of an alternative embodiment, showing a reinforcement
member embedded in the frame member at the slider runway and having
a seal adhesively attached along an outer periphery of the
reinforcement member (here, again, a substantially mirror image
reinforcement arrangement optionally is provided at the upper
slider runway).
[0027] The drawings referred to above are not drawn necessarily to
scale and should be understood to present a simplified
representation of only certain embodiments the invention selected
for purposes of discussion, illustrative of the basic principles
involved. Some features of the window assemblies depicted in the
drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to
facilitate visualization and understanding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Window assemblies of the invention will have configurations
and components determined, in part, by the intended application and
use environment. References to direction and position, unless
otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the window
assembly in the drawing under discussion. In general, "exterior"
refers to a direction or position outwardly of the space enclosed
by the wall or structure in which the window is installed, e.g.,
outside the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
Correspondingly, "inward" or "interior" refers to a direction in or
into the passenger compartment or other such space. The term
"inboard" is used here (i.e., in this description of the disclosed
window assemblies and in the appended claims) to describe a lateral
position or location, e.g., the location of the vertical edge of a
fixed or stationary pane which is proximate to the slider pane. As
viewed in FIG. 1, for example, inboard refers to the lateral
position of a feature, i.e., the position from right-to-left in the
window assembly embodiment as shown in that drawing. Thus, e.g.,
the inboard vertical edge of the left-side stationary pane is the
right edge of that pane. Likewise, the inboard vertical edge of the
right-side stationary pane is the left edge of that pane.
Correspondingly, an outboard side, edge or surface is laterally
away from the inboard side, edge or surface. Thus, e.g., the
outboard vertical edge of the left-side stationary pane is the left
edge of that pane.
[0029] An "exposed surface" means a surface which is exposed to
plain view from the exterior of the window assembly, e.g., outside
the vehicle in the case of a window assembly installed in the
recessed window aperture of a motor vehicle body panel. It should
be understood in this regard that window assemblies of the
invention can be adapted for use in any orientation and for
architectural and other applications in addition to motor vehicle
applications.
[0030] It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that
various different embodiments of the modular window assemblies
disclosed here have numerous uses and applications. For purposes of
illustration and not limitation, the following detailed description
focuses on a window assembly intended for use as a rear window in a
pickup truck or the like. As is well known in the motor vehicle
industry, rear window assemblies for pickup trucks frequently
comprise one or more fixed panes, together with a centrally mounted
slider pane. In the embodiment herein described, there is a
right-hand fixed position pane and a left-hand fixed position pane,
along with a centrally mounted slider pane. The fixed positions
panes are not openable. In contrast, the slidably mounted center
pane can be locked in a closed position, in which the window fully
seals the window opening, or can be slid horizontally to an open or
partially open position.
[0031] It should be understood that reference here to a plane,
e.g., the plane of travel of the slider pane, is intended to
broadly cover true planes, i.e., simple flat surfaces or imaginary
spaces, as well as curvo-planar surfaces and shapes (e.g., similar
to the surface of a typical motor vehicle's roof or other
complex-curved surface) and multi-planar surfaces and shapes where
the multiple planes are fairly viewed as all being parts of a
larger, generally planar or curvo-planar surface or shape. In
certain exemplary embodiments of the modular window assemblies
disclosed here, for example, the stationary pane(s) may be
curvo-planar, perhaps having an exterior surface which is a complex
curve, but which nevertheless is fairly seen to be generally
planar. Similarly, the pair of laterally spaced, curvo-planar
stationary panes flanking the slider pane in FIG. 1 are in the same
plane as that term is used here. Similarly, the slider pane may be
curved, i.e., curvo-planar, and yet can be referred to here as
being planar and traveling in a vertical plane.
[0032] Various different embodiments of the motor vehicle modular
window assemblies disclosed here are manually operated, power
operated or both. Suitable power drives include, for example,
cable-drum window regulators attached to a bottom edge of the
sliding pane. Optionally, such power mechanism may employ a smart
motor with anti-pinch and one-touch operation features. The
applicability of alternative power drive designs for the design and
manufacture of the window modules disclosed here will be apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art given the benefit of this
disclosure. Window latches, locks and the like can be used with the
motor vehicle modular window assemblies disclosed here. In certain
exemplary power-driven embodiments, the glass is held in position
(closed, full open or in between) by the power drive mechanism.
[0033] In certain exemplary embodiments, the window assemblies
disclosed here comprise an upper run channel in the upper slider
runway and a lower run channel in the lower slider runway.
[0034] In certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here, the reinforcing member extends laterally at least
partly in the upper or lower slider runway. In certain exemplary
embodiments, the window assemblies disclosed here comprise a run
channel in the reinforcing member, the run channel being positioned
between the slider pane and the reinforcing member. In certain
exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies disclosed here the
reinforcing member forms a run channel contacting the slider
pane.
[0035] In certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here the reinforcing member extends laterally at least
the entire lateral dimension of the slider runway. In certain
exemplary embodiments the reinforcing member is at least partly
embedded in the full-circumference molded plastic frame member. In
certain exemplary embodiments, the reinforcing member extends
laterally beyond the window opening both to the right and to the
left.
[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here the reinforcement member forms at least a generally
U-shaped channel positioned at least partially in one of the
U-shaped slider runways. In certain exemplary embodiments the
reinforcement member is formed of rigid plastic, aluminum or steel.
In certain exemplary embodiments the reinforcement comprises a
first elongate reinforcing member extending above the window
opening and laterally beyond the window opening, and a second
elongate reinforcing member extending below the window opening and
laterally beyond the window opening. In certain exemplary
embodiments the configuration of the reinforcement member is
generally a flanged U-shape, with a U-shaped portion positioned at
least partially in one of the U-shaped slider runways, and a flange
portion at least partially embedded in the substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member. The flange portion
may be an elongate flat plate comprising a bent-over portion of the
same material forming the U-shaped portion. Alternatively, the
flange portion can be welded or otherwise integrated with the
U-shaped portion. In certain exemplary embodiments of the window
assemblies disclosed here at least a section of the flange portion
of the reinforcement member extends laterally in the substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member in a plane
substantially parallel to an overlying section of the surface of
the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member which forms at
least a portion of the exterior surface of the window assembly. As
previously mentioned, such exterior surface of the window assembly
may be above and/or below the window opening. In certain exemplary
embodiments the reinforcement member comprises at least one
generally U-shaped channel made of rigid plastic, aluminum or
steel, which is integrally molded with the molded plastic frame
member in the upper and/or lower slider runway.
[0037] The fall circumference frame member can be formed of any
suitably strong and resilient, curable polymeric material. The
frame member can be formed, for example, by reaction injection
molding (RIM). In certain exemplary embodiments of the window
assemblies disclosed here the full-circumference, molded plastic
frame member is made of a reaction injection molded (RIM) thermoset
plastic material. In certain exemplary embodiments of the window
assemblies disclosed here the frame member is made of a reaction
injection molded polyurethane, RIM polyurethane. The frame member
also can be formed of any suitably strong and resilient curable
thermoplastic material, such as for example, any thermoplastic
elastomer suitable to the intended use, e.g., polyvinylchloride
(PVC), TPO, TPU, and other materials which will be apparent to
those who are skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.
In certain exemplary embodiments the frame member is made of
injection moldable thermoplastic. Standard primers can be used for
PVC and other materials.
[0038] The exposed surface of the frame member may have any
appearance suitable to the intended use and within the ability of
those skilled in the art to produce. For example, the surface may
be a medium gloss black in the slide glass area. In the window
assemblies of the present disclosure, the various stationary and
sliding panes may be glass, plastic, etc. Certain embodiments, for
example, employ high gloss glass merged with medium gloss PVC and
achieve a fully flush window to sheet metal result, including the
aforesaid two-sided encapsulation of the stationary glass and the
flexible V-lip seal. In at least certain exemplary embodiments
manufacturing achieves good slide glass serviceability, good wind,
water and whether sealing, etc.
[0039] In certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here, a slide glass seal is mounted in the U-shaped
channel. The slide glass seal optionally is adhesively mounted to a
peripheral portion of an inside surface of the U-shaped channel,
e.g. as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0040] In accordance with certain method aspects of the disclosure,
locating pins can be utilized for an improved interface with the
sheet metal or other material forming the recessed window aperture
into which the window assembly is to be installed. Retention clips
may be used at the roof line for an installation in a motor
vehicle. Molded-in-place locating pins can be used to aid final
assembly and minimize margin variation.
[0041] Certain exemplary embodiments of the window assemblies
disclosed here further comprise a pull-pull cable-and-drum powered
drive assembly operatively connected to the sliding pane and
operative to move the sliding pane between the open and closed
positions. The pull-pull cable-and-drum powered drive assembly in
accordance with certain embodiments comprises a drive drum and a
drive cable wrapped around the drive drum and attached to the
sliding pane for pulling the sliding pane open and closed by
corresponding rotation of the drive drum. Suitable alternative
drive assemblies, including both manual and power drive assemblies,
will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of
this disclosure.
[0042] Optionally, embodiments of the window assemblies disclosed
here may further comprise heating elements, such as electrical
resistance lines applied to or embedded in the material of the
stationary and/or slider panes.
[0043] Referring now to the drawings, the window assembly 10 is
seen to comprise a fall-circumference one-piece molded plastic
single-sided frame member 12. The frame is full-circumference in
the sense that it forms an unbroken ring of molded plastic material
about the outer perimeter of the assembly. In various alternative
embodiments the frame member may be substantially continuous, in
that some minor gap or separation occurs in a manner which does not
(in assembly, and installed) materially adversely diminish the
structural integrity or performance characteristics of the window
assembly. The continuous one piece frame is advantageous in
facilitating mounting and sealing within a window recess provided
by the sheet metal of a surrounding vehicle body panel or the like.
Such mounting can be accomplished, for example, by adhesive,
mounting screws or other mechanical fasteners, or, preferably,
both. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting adhesive 16 is shown
schematically at the surface-to-surface interface of the frame 12
and sheet metal 14.
[0044] Window assembly 10 comprises a slider pane 18, a left side
stationary pane 20 and a right-side stationary pane 22. The surface
portion 24 of frame member 12 above upper edge 26 of slider pane 18
is an exposed surface of the window assembly. Similarly, lower
surface portion 28 of frame member 12 below the lower edge 30 of
slider pane 18 is an exposed surface of the window assembly. In
certain preferred embodiments, each of these exposed surface
portions is flush with the adjacent surface portions of the
stationary panes. In the area above window opening 29, frame member
12 forms a downwardly-open, upper slider runway 36 extending
laterally above the window opening 29. In the area below window
opening 29, frame member 12 forms an upwardly-open lower slider
runway 38 extending laterally below the window opening 29. In
addition to any other reinforcement items, the reinforcement of the
window assembly includes at least upper reinforcement member 32
embedded in the frame member 12 above the window opening and lower
reinforcement member 34 embedded in the frame member 12 below the
window opening. Each of the two reinforcement members 32, 34 has a
flanged U-shaped configuration. More specifically, reinforcement
member 32 has U-shaped portion 40 and flange portion 42. Similarly,
reinforcement member 34 as U-shaped member 44 and flange portion
46. As best seen in FIG. 4, flange portion 42 is substantially
coplanar with exterior surface 24 of the frame member 12 and is
embedded in the frame member immediately behind that surface.
Advantageously, this aids in reducing sink marks and otherwise in
providing a good show surface. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 5,
flange portion 46 is substantially coplanar with exterior surface
28 of the frame member 12 and is embedded in the frame member
immediately behind that surface. Again, this aids in providing a
good show surface in that area. An upper run channel 52 is seen to
be seated in the upper slider runway. A lower run channel 54 is
seated in the lower slider runway. Alternatively, the reinforcement
members could serve as the run channels. U-shaped portion 40 of the
upper reinforcement member 32 has a rolled edge 56 for strength and
to provide a snap fit with lip 57 of upper run channel 52. U-shaped
portion 44 of the lower reinforcement member 34 has a rolled edge
58 for strength and to provide a snap fit for lower run channel 54.
A weather seal 48 is provided for the slider pane 18 at the upper
run channel. Weather seal 50 is provided at the lower run channel.
Frame member 12 further provides V-shaped seal 60 extending
radially outwardly to engage sheet metal 14. Referring to FIG. 2,
it can be seen that v-seal 60 provides a sight shield to hide any
of adhesive 16 which may migrate to a location otherwise visible
from the exterior of the window assembly.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, it can be seen that portion 64 of
frame member 12 covers peripheral edge 66 of stationary pane 20. At
their surface contact, peripheral edge surface 66 and wall portion
64 may be merely in contact or closely adjacent, or may be
adhesively bonded during the molding process. Further, exterior
surface 65 of wall portion 64 is flush with the adjacent exterior
surface 21 of stationary pane 20. Corresponding configuration
exists for stationary pane 22. If peripheral edge 66 of stationary
pane 20 were farther to the right (as seen in FIG. 6) wall portion
64 of frame member 12 would fill in the additional space during the
molding process and, so, be thicker. Such an embodiment 10'' is
seen in FIG. 8. If, on the other hand, peripheral edge 66 of
stationary pane 20 were further to the left, wall portion 64 on
frame member 12 would be thinner. Such an embodiment 10' is seen in
FIG. 7. Thus, window assemblies in accordance with at least certain
embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gap-less, flush
configuration between the stationary pane(s) and the molded plastic
frame member along the peripheral edge of the stationary pane at
its exterior surface.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 9, window assembly 100 in accordance
with an alternative embodiment is seen to comprise a substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member 112. Frame member
112 forms slider runway 114 in which is received reinforcement
member 116 which serves as a slider channel for slider pane 118.
Frame member 112 provides radially outwardly extending D-lip 120 to
sealingly press against sheet-metal 140 when the window assembly is
installed in window recess 141 with adhesive 160. Extension 122
provides a seal against slider pane 118. Surface 124 is an exterior
show surface for the window assembly.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment is seen
to comprise a substantially full-circumference, molded plastic
frame member 212 having exterior show surface 214. Flanged U-shaped
reinforcement member 216 has longitudinally extending bends 218,
219 to provide improved rigidity or strength and optionally to
provide a snap fit configuration for a run channel to be received
into the U-shaped portion of the reinforcement member. Weather seal
220 is adhered along an outer peripheral portion 223 of the surface
of the reinforcement member. In the alternative embodiment of FIG.
11, reinforcement member 302 is seen to be substantially planar in
configuration. It is partially embedded in a substantially
full-circumference, molded plastic frame member 312 at U-shaped
slider runway 303, behind exterior show surface 314. Elongate
weather seal 306 is adhered to a peripheral surface portion 308 of
reinforcement member 302.
[0048] In a vehicle assembly plant assembling vehicles having body
panels defining a recessed window aperture into which is installed
a modular window assembly in accordance with the present
disclosure, adhesive or sealant can be placed on the inside of the
window assembly (or onto the surface of the sheet metal of the body
panel(s) forming the recessed aperture) as a continuous bead. This
aids in preventing air or moisture leakage into the vehicle. One
assembly method is to place the window, with adhesive, into the
vehicle opening with a robot and have the robot press on the
stationary glass to force the window to a flush position. To
achieve this flush condition, the adhesive must be forced to flow
and take on a different shape. This requires pressure on the
adhesive. Most of the window is structurally supported by the
relatively stiff fixed glass panes. Pressing on the centers of the
fixed glass panes will achieve flushness in that area. In the area
of the window opening, the reinforcement (in well designed
embodiment of the invention) provides enough stiffness to overcome
the resistance of the adhesive and force the adhesive to flow in a
uniform manner in the entire area between the fixed glass panes
such that this area also becomes flush with the sheet metal without
any noticeable waviness.
[0049] In an alternative assembly method, the window is manually
installed by one or more operators. Here the operators place the
window, with adhesive, into the vehicle opening and push the window
to a flush condition. "Toy tabs" are provided on the window to
assist the operators with window installation. These "toy tabs" are
usually made of a thin metal strip securely attached to the window
that can be bent over the edge of the sheet metal and both draw the
window in and hold it in place till the adhesive at least partially
cures. Usually there are three "toy tabs" on the top of the window
and three more on the bottom. "Toy tabs" can be located at the four
corners and at the top and bottom centers of the window. When the
center tab is bent over the sheet metal, that immediate area of the
window will be drawn to a flush condition. The reinforcement in
this area must be sufficiently stiff such that the entire area
between the fixed panes is drawn to the same flush position without
any noticeable waviness.
[0050] Also, during the assembly of the window, there is an
opportunity to damage the window when removing it from the mold and
during subsequent assembly operations. If the stiffness of the
portion of the window not supported by the fixed glass is not
sufficient, then normal handling of the window could produce
bending of the frame that could result in cosmetic or structural
damage of the assembly.
[0051] The polymeric material of the full circumference, one-piece
molded plastic frame member is at least partially cured in the
molding cavity to form a sufficiently self-supporting sub-assembly
comprising the fixed position pane(s) and the above described
reinforcement member(s) integrated therewith. The molding cavity
can then be opened and the sub-assembly removed for further
assembly steps, e.g., addition of upper and lower run channels
inserts, weather seals, etc.
[0052] It will be appreciated by those who are skilled in this area
of technology that the numerous structural advantages discussed
above can be achieved in the aforesaid manufacturing process,
wherein a full-circumference one-piece molded plastic single-sided
frame is formed in a single molding step in which it is
simultaneously integrated with reinforcement and substantially the
entire exterior flush surface of the final window assembly.
Furthermore, variation in the dimensions of the fixed pane(s) is
easily accommodated while retaining a flush and uniform appearance.
In adding structural integrity to the assembly, as well as an
exterior show surface, at least certain embodiments of the frame
member can be lighter weight, with resultant material cost savings.
These and additional advantages will be readily apparent in view of
the foregoing disclosure.
[0053] Given the benefit of the above disclosure and description of
exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that numerous alternative arrangements and different
embodiments are possible in keeping with the general principles of
the invention. For example, the stationary panes and or the slider
pane may be larger or smaller or have different shapes than those
illustrated in the drawings. Various seals, latches and other
components may be used. The panes may be wholly or partly opaque
and may be formed of glass, plastic or other suitable material(s).
Multiple sliding panes may be used. Those who are skilled in this
area will recognize that all such various modifications and
alternative embodiments are within the true scope and spirit of the
invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and alternative embodiments. It should be understood
that the use of a singular indefinite or definite article (e.g.,
"a," "an," "the," etc.) in this disclosure and in the following
claims follows the traditional approach in patents of meaning "at
least one" unless in a particular instance it is clear from context
that the term is intended in that particular instance to mean
specifically one and only one. Likewise, the term "comprising" is
open ended, not excluding additional items, features, components,
etc.
* * * * *