US 4,358,151 A · Hinged rear window

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for modifying a permanently mounted rear window of a vehicle to convert a conventional vehicle into a hatch-back vehicle. The apparatus comprises a first frame securable to the original window opening of the vehicle. A second frame receives the original window of the vehicle. A hinge pivotably mounts the second frame relative to the first frame enabling the original window to be pivoted between a closed and an open position. The hinge may be a telescoping type which telescopes upon pivoting the original window into an open position. Such telescoping creates a space between the edge of a window and the body of the vehicle. Air flow coming over the top of the vehicle may then be directed through said space and into an area beneath the open window. A latch is provided for locking the second frame to the first frame in the closed position.

Claims8

Dependent claims

In a rear window construction for an automotive vehicle, wherein a body portion having an opening with a first frame and weather seal encompassing the perimeter of the opening, and a window with a second frame and weather seal encompassing the perimeter of the window, together seal off the body opening by said first and second frame and the weather seal being complimentary and capable of fitting together to form a weather tight closure for said body opening;

the provision of a novel hinge construction for positioning the window when open in a stand-off relationship to the body for establishing a clear slip stream air movement through the hinge area and under the window, comprising;
at least one hinge interconnecting the tops of the first and second frames, the hinge construction having means to extend a part thereof for separating the frames in the hinge area when the frames are separated to open the window;
and
said hinge means comprising a telescopic hinge for providing a telescopic relationship between said first and second frames.

1 more element

An apparatus for modifying the downwardly sloping rear panel window fixed in a body opening of an automotive vehicle, comprising in combination:

a first trim frame for encompassing the perimeter edge of the body opening of the vehicle after removal of the original window pane;
said first trim frame including an inner and an outer frame portion for positioning on the inner and outer surfaces of the vehicle body perimeter of the window opening;
a weather seal gasket;
fastening means for securing said inner frame portion to said outer frame portion with the vehicle body and gasket therebetween;
a second frame for receiving the original window pane of the vehicle said second frame encasing the perimeter surfaces of the original vehicle window pane;
hinge means including a rod pivotably mounting only the top of said second frame relative to the top of said first frame for enabling said original window pane disposed in said second frame to be pivoted between a closed and an open position, the open position being more nearly horizontal than the former downwardly sloping condition;
whereby a space is created between the top of said first frame and the top of said second frame when said window is in an open position for establishing a clear slip stream air movement through the hinge area and under the window;
latch means for locking said second frame in the closed position;
and
a pneumatic arm for maintaining said second frame in an open position, and a support bar for keeping said hinge means in an extended position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hinged rear window

Life of this patent

Hinged rear window

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8