Reinforced vehicle window
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Kingman, Donald R. Monroe, Steven H. Klotz, Derek C. Scott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A window assembly for a vehicle includes a laminated panel and a reinforcement structure. The laminated panel includes a glass layer and a polymer layer that is laminated with the glass layer. The reinforcement structure extends along and is coupled to an upper perimeter of the polymer layer. When the polymer layer is in tension, the reinforcement structure hinders inward movement of the polymer layer relative to an upper edge of the window assembly. The window assembly is a retractable side window assembly.
Claims20
A window assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a laminated panel having a first thickness and having a glass layer and a polymer layer that is laminated with the glass layer;
- and
- a reinforcement structure extending along and coupled to an upper perimeter of the polymer layer, the reinforcement structure comprising:
- a first section positioned outward of the laminated panel, forming an upper edge of the window assembly, and having the first thickness;
- and
- a second section positioned inward of the first section,
- wherein the reinforcement structure is configured to hold the polymer layer in tension to hinder inward movement of the polymer layer relative to the upper edge of the window assembly when the laminated panel experiences an outboard force,
- wherein the window assembly is a retractable side window assembly, and
- wherein only the first section of the reinforcement structure is receivable in a channel of a seal of the vehicle.
A vehicle system comprising:
- a frame defining a window opening and having a seal that defines a channel extending along an upper perimeter of the frame;
- and
- a window assembly movable between a raised position and a lowered position, the window assembly comprising:
- a glass and polymer layer having a first thickness;
- and
- a reinforcement structure coupled to and extending along an upper perimeter of the glass and polymer layer, the reinforcement structure comprising:
- a first section positioned outward of the upper perimeter and having the first thickness;
- and
- a second section positioned inward of the upper perimeter and having a second thickness greater than the first thickness,
- wherein in the raised position, only the first section of the reinforcement structure is positioned in the channel of the seal.
A method comprising:
- installing into a vehicle a retractable side window assembly within a window frame, the retractable side window assembly having:
- a glass and polymer layer, and
- a reinforcement structure coupled to the glass and polymer layer and forming an upper edge of the retractable side window assembly,
- an inner portion of the reinforcement structure extending along opposing surfaces of the glass and polymer layer,
- an outer portion of the reinforcement structure extending outward from the glass and polymer layer to form the upper edge,
- the upper edge having a thickness approximately equal to a thickness of the glass and polymer layer, and
- only the outer portion being engageable within a channel of a seal in the window frame of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.