U.S. patent number RE40,636 [Application Number 11/805,860] was granted by the patent office on 2009-02-17 for slider window assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Automotive Components Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas M. Cleary, Paul J. Kolokowski, Michael J. Lesle, Rick M. Weinert.
United States Patent |
RE40,636 |
Weinert , et al. |
February 17, 2009 |
Slider window assembly
Abstract
A slider window assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a
fixed glass panel adapted to be installed in a window frame defined
by a body panel. The fixed glass panel is bonded to the window
frame by an adhesive bead and defines an opening. A sliding window
opens and closes the opening and includes an edge that is received
in a guide rail that is adhesively bonded to the fixed glass panel.
The guide rail defines a channel for the edge of the sliding window
and also includes an extension that is bonded to the window frame
by the adhesive bead. In this manner, the guide rail continues to
support the sliding window in the event that the fixed glass panel
is unable to provide the primary support function.
Inventors: |
Weinert; Rick M. (Novi, MI),
Cleary; Thomas M. (Belleville, MI), Kolokowski; Paul J.
(Southgate, MI), Lesle; Michael J. (Toledo, OH) |
Assignee: |
Automotive Components Holdings,
LLC (Dearborn, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
34393992 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/805,860 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
10678700 |
Oct 3, 2003 |
06902224 |
Jun 7, 2005 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/146.16;
296/190.11; 296/201; 49/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
1/1853 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
1/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;296/146.16,201,190.11
;49/125 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pedder; Dennis H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd,
LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A slider window assembly for an automotive vehicle that includes
a body panel defining a window frame, said slider glass window
assembly comprising: a fixed glass panel having a panel border and
defining an opening; a bead directly contacting the panel border
and the window frame and adhesively bonding the panel border to the
window frame; a sliding window moveable along an axis between a
closed position wherein the sliding window covers the opening and
an open position, said sliding window comprising an axial edge; and
a guide rail adhesively bonded to the fixed glass panel and
defining a channel for slideably .[.receiving the axial edge of.].
.Iadd.supporting .Iaddend.the sliding window, said guide rail
further comprising an extension interposed between the panel border
and the window frame, the extension being adhesively bonded to the
window frame by the bead.
2. The slider window frame of claim 1 wherein the guide rail is
formed of a metal extrusion.
3. The slider window frame of claim 1 wherein the guide rail
comprises a U-shaped channel having a first arm and a second arm
spaced apart to receive said axial edge therebetween, and wherein
the second arm is adhesively bonded to the fixed glass panel.
4. The slider window frame of claim 3 wherein the extension is
juxtaposed against the fixed glass panel.
5. The slider window frame of claim 3 wherein the fixed glass panel
is formed of a single glass pane encircling the opening.
6. The slider window frame of claim 3 wherein the fixed glass panel
comprises an interior side, and wherein the guide rail is bonded to
the interior side.
7. The slider window frame of claim 3 wherein the guide rail is a
lower guide rail and defines a channel to receive a lower axial
edge of the sliding window, said slider window assembly further
comprising an insert received in the channel for slideably
supporting the sliding window therein.
8. A slider window assembly for an automotive vehicle that includes
a body panel defining a window frame, said slider glass window
assembly comprising: a fixed glass panel formed of a single
.[.grass.]. .Iadd.glass .Iaddend.pane and encircling an opening,
said fixed glass panel having an interior panel side and a panel
border; an adhesive bead directly contacting said glass panel and
the window frame bonding the interior panel side at the panel
border to the window frame; a sliding window moveable along a
horizontal axis between a closed position wherein the sliding
window covers the opening and an open position, said sliding window
comprising an upper axial edge and a lower axial edge; an upper
guide rail adhesively bonded to the interior panel side above the
opening and defining a channel for slideably .[.receiving.].
.Iadd.supporting .Iaddend.the upper axial edge of the sliding
window, said guide rail formed of a metal extrusion and further
comprising an extension juxtaposed against the interior panel side
and adhesively bonded to the window frame by the adhesive bead; and
a lower guide rail adhesively bonded to the interior panel side
below the opening and defining a channel for slideably
.[.receiving.]. .Iadd.supporting .Iaddend.the lower axial edge of
the sliding window, said guide rail being formed of a metal
extrusion and further comprising an extension juxtaposed against
the interior panel side and adhesively bonded to the window frame
by the adhesive bead.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a slider window assembly of the type used
in an automotive vehicle and comprising a sliding window that is
supported in a guide rail and slides to open and close an opening
in a fixed glass panel. More particularly, this invention relates
to such slider glass window assembly wherein the guide rail is
adhesively bonded to the fixed glass panel and includes an
extension bonded to the window frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In pickup trucks and the like, the passenger compartment may
feature a rear window assembly comprising a sliding center window.
One common assembly may include a sliding window that slides
horizontally over an opening between separate left and right fixed
panels. Alternately, the assembly may include a single fixed glass
panel that encircles an opening for the sliding window. The sliding
window is slidably supported by guide rails that are adhesively
bonded to the fixed panel above and below the opening. There is a
concern that circumstances may arise when the fixed glass panel may
crack into pieces that are unable to support the guide rails with
the weight of the sliding window, in which case the sliding window
may fall into the passenger compartment.
Therefore, a need exists for a slider window assembly that includes
a guide rail that is adhesively bonded to a fixed glass panel and
is also secured to support the sliding window in the event that the
fixed glass panel becomes cracked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a slider glass window assembly
is provided for an automotive vehicle that includes a body panel
that forms a window frame. The slider glass window assembly
comprises a fixed glass panel that defines an opening. The border
of the fixed glass panel is adhesively bonded to the window frame
by a bead. A sliding window is mounted in a guide rail and movable
along an axis between a closed position wherein the sliding window
covers the opening and an open position wherein the sliding window
is displaced relative to the opening. The guide rail is adhesively
bonded to the fixed glass panel and defines a channel for slidably
receiving an edge of the sliding window. In accordance with this
invention, the guide rail also includes an extension that is
interposed between the border of the fixed glass panel and the
window frame and is bonded to the window frame also by the bead. In
the event that the fixed panel cracks, the extension holds the
guide rail in position to prevent the sliding window from
falling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention will be further described with reference to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a slider window assembly in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention; and
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the slider window assembly in
FIG. 1, taken along lines 2--2 in the direction of the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention,
referring to the Figs., a slider window assembly 10 is provided for
an automotive vehicle, preferably for a rear window in a pickup
truck. The vehicle includes one or more body panels 12 that define
a window frame 14, as particularly shown in FIG. 2. Assembly 10
includes a fixed glass panel 16 having a border that is attached to
frame 14 by a bead 18 composed of urethane adhesive material. Panel
16 includes an interior side 20 and an exterior side 22. More
particularly, in the preferred embodiment, bead 18 is bonded to the
interior side 20 adjacent the border of panel 16 and to a facing
surface of frame 14. Bead 18 affixes panel 16 to body panel 12 and
also forms a hermetic and water-tight seal for window assembly
10.
Panel 16 is formed of a single glass pane and defines an opening 24
such that the pane entirely encircles the opening and includes
strips above and below the opening. Assembly 10 also includes a
sliding window 30 that slides along a horizontal axis 32 between a
closed position, shown in FIG. 1, wherein window 30 covers opening
24 and an open position wherein window 30 is axially displaced
relative to opening 24. Window 30 is supported by an upper guide
rail 34 and a lower guide rail 36. Guide rails 34 and 36 are
preferably formed of a metal extrusion, in particular an aluminum
extrusion, but may be suitably formed of polymeric material.
Referring to FIG. 2, guide rail 36 comprises a first arm 37 and a
second arm 38 that are spaced apart to define a U-shaped channel
for receiving a lower edge 40 of window 30. A guide rail insert 42
is received in the channel and includes a support 44 upon which
edge 40 slidably rests. Insert 42 is formed of an extruded
polymeric material and has low surface friction to facilitate
sliding. Insert 42 includes a flange 48 that seals against the
inner face of window 30 and wraps around the end of arm 37, with a
tip 49 received in a slot in arm 37 to secure insert 42. Also,
insert 42 includes a flange 50 that seals against the outer face of
window 30. A seal 52 is adhesively bonded to the inner face 20 of
fixed glass panel 16 and engages window 30 to provide a hermetic
and water-tight seal between window 30 and panel 16.
Guide rail 36 is attached to panel 16 by double-sided adhesive tape
54. Adhesive tape 54 is affixed to arm 38 of rail 36 and to
interior side 20. In accordance with this invention, rail 36
further comprises an extension 56 that extends from arm 38
juxtaposed against the interior side 20 of panel 16 and has a lower
end 58 embedded in bead 18. It is pointed out that bead 18 is
adhesively bonded to both glass panel 16 and extension 56, and so
directly bonds rail 36 to body panel 12. In the event that fixed
glass panel 16 cracks so as not to provide support through adhesive
tape 54, the guide rail 36 remains supported by bead 18 to prevent
sliding window 30 from falling.
Upper guide rail 34 is substantially similar to lower guide rail 36
and includes an insert 60 that is substantially similar to insert
42 except that the insert for upper guide rail 34 does not include
a support 44, but rather provides clearance between about the upper
edge of window 30. In accordance with this invention, rail 34
includes an extension 62 that is bonded to window frame 14 by bead
18, it being noted that the bead is continuous about the border of
glass panel 16 between the frame.
When slider window assembly 10 is installed in frame 14, fixed
panel 16 is bonded to and supported within the frame by bead 18.
Guide rail 36 is adhesively bonded to fixed panel 16 by adhesive
tape 54 to support the weight of sliding window 30. In the event
that panel 16 shatters or becomes cracked in a manner that is no
longer able to support the guide rail, the guide rail remains
bonded to window frame 14 by bead 18. As a result, the guide rail
continues to support sliding window 30 and prevents the sliding
window from falling, even when glass panel 16 is unable to perform
the primary support function.
In the described embodiment, the guide rail comprises arms that
form a U-shaped channel to receive the edge of the sliding window,
with one channel arm being directly bonded to the fixed glass
panel. In an alternate embodiment, the arm adjacent the glass panel
is eliminated, whereupon the arm that is spaced apart cooperates
with the fixed glass panel to form a channel for receiving the edge
of the sliding window. This allows the guide rail to be formed of a
metal strip that is bent in a zig-zag cross-section. The extension
is bonded to the fixed glass panel to attach the guide rail, and
also bonded to the frame in accordance with this invention.
While this invention has been disclosed in terms of certain
embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but
rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.
* * * * *