Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Spacing pane from disparate edging
Patent
1999-02-01
2000-10-24
Stephan, Beth A.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Spacing pane from disparate edging
5220467, 52208, 296 841, 296 90, 296 93, 296 85, E06B 700
Patent
active
061348511
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a window, in particular a fixed side window of a transportation vehicle.
Fixed side windows of motor vehicles, in particular those installed to the rear of the vehicle, such as the rear quarter lights, are generally provided, before fitting onto the bodywork, with a trim masking the edge of the window pane.
For a window of given shape, it is possible to fit a prefabricated trim having a frame shape matching the outline of the window and capable, at the expense of slight deformations, of receiving the window pane which is set into housing provided for this purpose. This technique entails quite a number of drawbacks.
In the first place, the clearance inevitably present between the window pane and the prefabricated frame, which is due to their respective manufacturing tolerances, is a source of vibrations when the vehicle is travelling; it is therefore essential to fasten the two components together by adhesive bonding.
Even after adhesive bonding, this clearance results in a variable relative positioning of the frame with respect to the window pane which causes problems when fitting the window into the bodywork, the operator having the choice of favouring either the position of the window pane or the position of the frame with respect to the bodywork opening.
Fitting the window pane using this technique therefore requires a large number of sometimes complicated operations and consequently has a significant labour requirement.
Window panes provided with peripheral frames overmoulded by the injection moulding of a plastic onto the window pane, in particular rear windows of motor vehicles, are also known. Conventionally, the frame consists of an elastomer material, which is either thermoplastic or polymerized in situ using the technique of reaction injection moulding (RIM), in order to fulfil, in addition to its function of protecting the edges of a window pane, a sealing function. In order to remedy the poor adhesion of the usual elastomers to a glass substrate, it is customary, prior to the injection moulding, to deposit around the peripheral region of the window pane a primer coating intended to form an adhesive bond with the elastomer. This additional priming operation entails a non-negligible additional cost in the manufacture of the window pane. Implementation of this expensive overmoulding or encapsulation technique proves not to be competitive for lower-functionality frames, in particular those essentially having a protective or aesthetic function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is to provide a window pane with a peripheral frame without any problem in their relative positioning, in a manner which is simple, reproducible, requires little labour and is relatively inexpensive.
This objective, as well as others which will appear below, is achieved according to the invention by the technique of overmoulding, using, instead of conventional elastomers, a rigid plastic material in order to form a frame which grips the edge of the window pane. Unexpectedly, it has appeared to be quite possible to overmould a rigid plastic onto a window pane without damaging the latter. According to the invention, an adhesive bond is no longer produced between the frame and the window pane, rather a mechanical gripping bond is produced due to the rigidity of the material of which the frame is composed.
In this regard, the subject of the invention is an encapsulated window comprising a monolithic or laminated class and/or plastic substrate provided with a frame made of a plastic material which is overmoulded around the periphery of the substrate, characterized in that the frame includes, along at least part of its periphery, an essentially U-shaped groove which grips the border of the substrate and in that the plastic material consists of a thermoplastic polymer or of a blend of thermoplastic polymers having a flexural modulus of at least 1200 MPa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages and features of the invention will appea
REFERENCES:
patent: 3705470 (1972-12-01), Kent
patent: 3759004 (1973-09-01), Kent
patent: 4765673 (1988-08-01), Frabotta et al.
patent: 4787187 (1988-11-01), Feldmann
patent: 4839122 (1989-06-01), Weaver
patent: 4858988 (1989-08-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 4905432 (1990-03-01), Romie
patent: 5001876 (1991-03-01), Harper et al.
patent: 5009462 (1991-04-01), Katcherian
patent: 5032444 (1991-07-01), Desir, Sr.
patent: 5118157 (1992-06-01), Tamura
patent: 5248179 (1993-09-01), Biermacher et al.
patent: 5264270 (1993-11-01), Agrawal
patent: 5311711 (1994-05-01), Desir, Sr.
patent: 5358764 (1994-10-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 5437131 (1995-08-01), Tamura
patent: 5655341 (1997-08-01), Jaffiol et al.
patent: 6017038 (2000-01-01), Wato et al.
Huchet Gerard
Lefevre Pascal
Roze Jean-Pierre
Dorsey Dennis L.
Saint-Gobain Vitrage
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
Encapsulated window and manufacturing process does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Encapsulated window and manufacturing process, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Encapsulated window and manufacturing process will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1952076