This invention relates generally to flush-mounted window assemblies for vehicles and more particularly, to flush-mounted vehicular window assemblies, which articulate about a hinge, attached to one side of the window.
Articulated or hinged windows are conventionally fixed to a vehicle body by a mounting assembly that includes a stud passing through a hole drilled in the windowpane. A low profile nut is then threaded onto the stud extending through the windowpane. A major disadvantage is that a significant number of glass panes are broken as a result of drilling the holes through the pane. Panes are also broken during or after mounting the assembly to a vehicle. To avoid breakage of glass panes, sophisticated techniques have been adapted to drill the holes, and the mounting hardware has been adapted to reduce breakage. As a result, the price of such panel assemblies is high. Moreover, the resulting panel is not truly flush since the mounting hardware has a positive relief with respect to the panel exterior surface.
A disadvantage associated with certain known vehicular hinged windows is exposure of a hinge member fastener or cover piece on the exterior surface of the windowpane. The exterior profiles of these window assemblies are not truly flush.
Certain attempts to solve the above problems with a bonded hinge, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,860, employ a bonded requiring a substantial offset between a first latch portion bonded to the windowpane and a second latch portion attached to the window opening frame. Thus, such designs have not been widely commercially adapted for thin window recess applications.
It is an object of the present invention to provide articulating window assemblies that reduce or wholly overcome some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.
In accordance with a first aspect, articulating window assemblies are provided that are adapted for use with a support structure, for example, in a window opening of a vehicle wall, e.g., a body panel, support column and the like. The articulating window assemblies comprise a windowpane having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge. The inner surface of the windowpane has an attachment portion to which a hinge is mounted or attached. The hinge comprises a stationary member and a polymeric member. The stationary member has a pivot element that extends along a pivot axis, that is, the axis about which the window articulates, and a mounting element extending at an angle from the pivot element. It will be understood that the mounting element extends at an angle greater than zero; for example, the angle in certain embodiments would be substantially a right angle to the pivot axis, and typically perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the windowpane when the window is in a closed position. Where the configuration of the support structure and/or windowpane so dictates, the mounting element can extend at an angle other than perpendicular to the windowpane when the window is in the closed position. The pivot element comprises a central portion, from which the mounting element extends, and a cylindrical extension extending along the pivot axis from the central portion. The central portion has a larger cross section, taken normal to the pivot axis, than the cylindrical extension. The polymeric member surrounds or encases at least a portion of the cylindrical extension and is attached to the attachment portion of the windowpane to retain the hinge to the windowpane. The polymeric member does not bond to the hinge, but instead surrounds the cylindrical extensions and retains the extensions mechanically such that the polymeric member, and thereby the windowpane, can pivot about the pivot axis along which the cylindrical extension lies.
In certain embodiments, the pivot element comprises two cylindrical extensions extending along the pivot axis from opposite sides of the central portion. The polymeric member in such embodiments optionally surrounds at least a portion of both cylindrical extensions to better retain the windowpane against the pivot element.
In accordance with a second aspect, articulating window assemblies are provided that are adapted to for use with a support structure, for example, in a window opening of a vehicle wall, e.g., a body panel, support column and the like. The articulating window assemblies comprise a windowpane having an inner surface, an outer surface and a peripheral edge. The inner surface of the windowpane has an attachment portion to which a hinge is mounted or attached. The hinge comprises a stationary member and a polymeric member. The stationary member has a pivot element that extends along a pivot axis, that is, the axis about which the window articulates, and a mounting element extending at an angle from the pivot element. It will be understood that the mounting element extends at an angle greater than zero; for example, the angle in certain embodiments would be substantially a right angle to the pivot axis, and typically perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the windowpane when the window is in a closed position. Where the configuration of the support structure and/or windowpane so dictates, the mounting element can extend at an angle other than perpendicular to the windowpane when the window is in the closed position. The pivot element comprises a central portion, from which the mounting element extends, and a cylindrical extension extending along the pivot axis from the central portion. The polymeric member surrounds or encases at least a portion of the cylindrical extension and is attached to the attachment portion of the windowpane to retain the hinge to the windowpane. The polymeric member surrounds the cylindrical extensions and retains the extensions mechanically such that the polymeric member, and thereby the windowpane, can pivot about the pivot axis along which the cylindrical extension lies.
The hinge has a window opening side, that is, a side that is designed to face the window opening when the window assembly is installed in a window opening, and a second side opposite the window opening side. The polymeric member has a cavity, cut-out or rabbet at the second side of the stationary member, typically at the central portion of the stationary member. Such a configuration clears polymeric material that, when the windowpane is pivoted to an open position, might otherwise be compressed against or into the stationary member, the body panel or other support structure to which the window assembly was attached, or both.
In accordance with yet another aspect, vehicles are provided having one or more articulating window assemblies in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments presented herein. In these embodiments, the hinge is attached or mounted, typically rigidly attached or mounted, to the vehicle, typically via the mounting element of the stationary member of the hinge. In this fashion, the windowpane is capable of articulating relative to the vehicle, for example, from a closed position to an open position. In certain embodiments the polymeric member is bonded to the inner surface of the windowpane such that the polymeric member does not contact the outer surface or the peripheral edges of the windowpane, improving the streamlining and outward appearance of the window assembly. In certain embodiments, the window assembly is flush-mounted, that is, is mounted so that the outer surface of the windowpane is flush with an outer surface of the vehicle with no part of the polymeric member or other mounting structure or material extending beyond a plane defined by the outer surface of the windowpane. This enables a smooth, streamlined appearance that is desirable in modern vehicles.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is currently understood that in at least certain embodiments of the window assemblies disclosed here, the stresses on the hinge are substantially reduced at the attachment area since the window rotates, pivots or articulates about a mechanical joint, thereby not requiring that a substantial portion of the pivoting stresses be accommodated by a single component. Further, in at least certain embodiments the cavity in the polymeric member on the second side of the central portion permits the window to be opened or articulated without the polymeric member to contact the body panel of the stationary member itself, thus reducing stresses the hinge components, the windowpane and the body panel and reducing the force required to open the window. Additionally, certain embodiments of the window assemblies provided herein are advantageous because a more compact hinged joint is possible, requiring less protrusion into the interior of the structure, for example, the vehicle, to which it may be mounted.
From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of articulated window assemblies. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.
It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of an articulated window assembly as disclosed here, including, for example, specific dimensions of the hinge member and the latch mount, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicate, refer to the orientation of the articulated window assemblies illustrated in the drawings.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the articulated window assemblies disclosed here. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred features and embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a flush mounted window assembly for use as a side window on a minivan type motor vehicle. Other embodiments suitable for other applications, such as three-sided flip windows and articulating windows for pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, cross-over vehicles, or van conversions, will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
Referring now to the drawings,
Articulated window assembly 10 is attached to body panel 40 by hinge 18. Hinge 18 includes stationary member 20 and polymeric member 35. As shown in
Mounting element 30, as shown in
In certain embodiments, the polymeric member is comprised of polymer, plastic, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or plastomer. The polymer may be comprised of thermoplastic polymer, thermosetting polymer or a mixture of both. Suitable thermoplastic polymers include, for example, acrylics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrenes (ABS), high-impact polystyrene (PS, HIPS), ionomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyarylates (PAR), polyaryletherketone (PAEK, PEK, PEEK, PEKK), polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), polyether sulfones (PES, PESV), polyethylenes, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyimides (TPI), styrene-acrylonitriles (SAN, OSA, ASA), and styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA). Suitable thermosetting polymers include, for example, allyls (DAP, DAIP), alkyd, amino's, cyanates, epoxy, phenolics, polyurethanes (PUR), and urethane hybrids. Combinations of any of the above may also be employed. Other suitable polymeric member materials will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
Optionally, reinforcing materials, such as, for example, fibers may be added to increase the strength of the polymeric member, for example, to increase load-carrying capacity. The reinforcing materials may be embedded into the polymeric material, typically spaced away from the windowpane. Other suitable reinforcing materials will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, polymeric member 35 is composed of a reaction injection molded polyurethane (RIM material), formed by injection molding a polyol and an isocyanate together into a mold cavity of a heated mold. The shape of the mold cavity, in combination with the action of an optional canister, described below, that fits around the hinge to restrict or exclude the polymeric material from settling over certain areas, determines the shape or configuration as well as the location relative to the remaining hinge structures and to the windowpane of polymeric member 35. The polyurethane system may in the alternative comprise structural reaction injection molding (SRIM) or composite reaction injection molding (RRIM). Other suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
Polymeric member 35 surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrical extensions 26 to cooperatively form a pivotable attachment. In certain embodiments, polymeric member surrounds or encases the full circumference of the cylindrical extensions, but complete encasement is not required. Rather, the cylindrical extensions must be surrounded sufficiently that the polymeric member cannot be removed from the extensions. For example, where more than 50% of the circumference of the cylindrical extension is encased, such as 60% or more, e.g. 75% or more, including embodiments in which as much as 100% of the cylindrical extension is surrounded, the polymeric member will be retained against the cylindrical extensions. The above percentages refer to the percent of the circumference of the cylindrical extension surrounded, and those of skill in the art will of course realize that these numbers do not refer to the percent coverage in terms of the longitudinal direction of the extensions, that is to say, in the direction of the hinge axis. The polymeric member is not bonded or adhered to the cylindrical extensions, and instead is retained by the stationary member mechanically, that is, by surrounding the cylindrical extensions, the solid polymeric member body retains itself against the extensions. In this fashion, the polymeric member is free to rotate about the cylindrical extensions. In certain embodiments, such as those illustrated in
In certain embodiments, for example those illustrated in
Polymeric member 35 secures the stationary member 20 to windowpane 11 by bonding to a bonding portion 16 of the windowpane 11, which is typically located along the inner surface 13, generally at or near a peripheral edge 14 of the windowpane 11. In this fashion, hinge 18 permits windowpane 11 to articulate or pivot with respect to the motor vehicle 40. In certain embodiments, for example certain of those utilizing a polyurethane system as the polymeric member material, the material is injected directly against the windowpane. Optionally, a coating layer or layers of primer, adhesive promoter, adhesive or the like is applied to inner surface 13 of windowpane 11 prior to application of the polymeric material to windowpane 11. In other embodiments, a frit layer, paint layer or the like is located between the windowpane and the polymeric member, while in yet other embodiments, a combination of two or more layers comprising frit, primer, and/or adhesive are employed. It will be understood that the polymeric member is bonded to the inner surface of the windowpane where the polymeric member is bonded to a portion of the inner surface of the windowpane or is injected directly against the windowpane, where one or more layers of frit, primer, adhesive, paint or the like, or combinations of such, is interposed between the polymeric member and the inner surface of the windowpane. The primer may be a silane primer, such as, for example, when the polymeric member is composed of RIM material and windowpane 11 has a surface comprised of soda-lime-silica glass. Examples of silane primers include Chemlok® 144 and Chemlok® AP-134, manufactured by Lord Corporation of Erie, Pa. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it currently is believed that the primer contains silane groups that bond with hydroxyl groups of the surface of such a windowpane and bond with the isocyanates of the polyurethane, thereby forming an excellent bond between the windowpane and the RIM material. Other combinations of windowpane surface treatments and polymeric member materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.
Optionally, as shown in
Stationary member 20 may be made of any suitable material, including metals such as, for example, aluminum, steel, zinc, magnesium and the like. Alternatively, stationary member 20 may be made of a suitable polymer, such as, for example, thermoplastic or thermoset plastic. Combinations of the above may also be employed. Stationary member 20 may be formed using any suitable process, including, e.g., a cast process, injection process, die casting process, forging process and/or machining. In certain embodiments, the cylindrical extensions, central portion, and mounting element are each comprised of the same material, while in other embodiments, differing materials may be used for one or more different components of the stationary member. Part or all of the stationary member may be optionally electro plated to resist corrosion. Other suitable materials or combination of materials will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In certain embodiments, manufacturing of the articulating window assembly is accomplished by inspecting, preparing and cleaning a windowpane. Then primer 70 is applied to inner surface 13 of the windowpane 11, and the windowpane is placed into the mold. Optionally, canister 80, seen in
Where a polymeric material is chosen that is not injection moldable, this method is suitably altered to accommodate such material. Further, the stationary member can be encased by the polymeric member and then removed from the mold for attachment to the windowpane at a later time. Other suitable methods for manufacturing the articulating window assemblies disclosed herein will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.
In operation, when an operator or passenger in the motor vehicle wishes to open window assembly 10, latch 58 is released, thereby permitting windowpane 11 to articulate outboard of the motor vehicle about hinge 18. Hinge 18 permits windowpane 11 to pivot about pivot axis 90 from a closed position to an open position and back.
From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
I/We claim: