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US 5,343,662 AGranted
Auto glass moulding and dam
OwnerJack R. Nelsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extruded vinyl moulding strip for replacing the window in an automobile is provided. The strip has an "f" shaped cross section having an upper finger and a smaller finger located near the middle of the "f." The lower portion of the "F" has a foam strip adhesively adhered to the moulding strip. The foam strip allows air to contact the interior surface of a urethane bead placed on the lower portion of the "f" in order to allow the urethane to cure properly. The smaller finger operates as a guide to window replacement vis a vis the pinch weld of the window frame.
Claims26
A method for securing automobile glass to a window frame of an automobile, the window frame having a pinch weld, including the steps of:
- forming an elongated strip of moulding to have a cross-section with two fingers which are dimensioned to grasp the pinch weld therebetween and a lower portion extending from the fingers such that the cross-section of the moulding is F-shaped and has:
- a lower portion of elongate form having a first end and a second end,
- an upper finger extending substantially perpendicularly from the first end of the lower portion, and
- a lower finger extending from the lower portion at a point on the lower portion between the first end and the second end of the lower portion;
- locating the moulding adjacent the pinch weld with the fingers grasping the pinch weld therebetween and orienting the lower portion toward an exterior of the automobile;
- positioning a porous dam adjacent the lower portion and one of the two fingers on an exterior of the pinch weld, the porous dam spaced a distance away from the pinch weld similar to a desired thickness of a urethane sealant;
- placing an interior surface of the automobile glass adjacent a side of the porous dam distant from the pinch weld;
- directing uncured urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld;
- and
- curing the urethane sealant, including allowing air to pass through the porous dam and into contact with the urethane sealant.
7 more elements
A method for securing automobile glass to a window frame of an automobile, the window frame having a pinch weld, including the steps of:
- forming an elongated strip of moulding to have a cross-section with two fingers which are dimensioned to grasp the pinch weld therebetween and a lower portion extending from the fingers;
- locating the moulding adjacent the pinch weld with the fingers grasping the pinch weld therebetween and orienting the lower portion toward an exterior of the automobile;
- positioning a porous dam adjacent the lower portion and one of the two fingers on an exterior of the pinch weld, the porous dam spaced a distance away from the pinch weld similar to a desired thickness of a urethane sealant;
- placing an interior surface of the automobile glass adjacent a side of the porous dam distant from the pinch weld;
- directing uncured urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld;
- curing the urethane sealant, including allowing air to pass through the porous dam and into contact with the urethane sealant;
- connecting the glass to a surface of the porous dam opposite the pinch weld before said directing step, whereby said glass is held in place by said curing step;
- wherein said forming step includes forming a first of the two fingers on the exterior of the pinch weld shorter than a second of the two fingers oriented on an interior of the pinch weld, whereby contact area between the two fingers and the pinch weld is maximized while increasing a surface area of an exterior of the pinch weld which is exposed for deposition of the urethane sealant thereon;
- and
- forming holes in the lower portion of the moulding, whereby air can pass through the lower portion of the moulding and into contact with the porous dam, and hence into contact with the urethane sealant.
7 more elements
A kit for attaching automobile glass, such as a windshield, to a window frame of an automobile, the kit allowing urethane sealant to thoroughly cure, thereby bonding the glass to a pinch weld of the frame, while preventing urethane sealant from leaking into an interior of the automobile, the kit comprising, in combination:
- an elongate strip of moulding having a F-shaped cross-section and having:
- a lower leg of elongate form and having a first end and a second end,
- a first finger extending from a point on said lower leg between said first end and said second opposite end, and
- a second finger extending substantially perpendicularly from said first end of said lower leg,
- said first finger spaced from said second finger by a distance similar to a thickness of the pinch weld, such that said fingers can grasp the pinch weld with said first finger on an exterior of the pinch weld;
- an elongate porous dam having a thickness similar to a desired thickness of the urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld, said dam having a porous structure enabling gas to pass therethrough;
- and
- a means for attachment of said dam to said first finger of said strip.
5 more elements
A kit for attaching automobile glass, such as a windshield, to a window frame of an automobile, the kit allowing urethane sealant to thoroughly cure, thereby bonding the glass to a pinch weld of the frame, while preventing urethane sealant from leaking into an interior of the automobile, the kit comprising, in combination:
- an elongate strip of moulding having a cross-section including a first finger and a second finger, said first finger spaced from said second finger by a distance similar to a thickness of the pinch weld, such that the fingers can grasp the pinch weld with said first finger on an exterior of the pinch weld;
- an elongate porous dam having a thickness similar to a desired thickness of the urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld, said dam having a porous structure enabling gas to pass therethrough;
- a means for attachment of said dam to said first finger of said strip;
- wherein said strip includes a lower portion extending away from said fingers and from an interior of the automobile;
- wherein an attachment means is provided between said dam and said glass attaching said dam to said glass, whereby said glass is fixed with relationship to said dam during curing of the urethane sealant;
- wherein said lower portion extends to a point substantially adjacent to an interior surface of the glass;
- wherein said first finger is shorter than said second finger, allowing the urethane sealant to have a maximized surface contact with the pinch weld while still allowing the moulding to securely grasp the pinch weld;
- wherein said lower portion of said moulding extends substantially perpendicularly away from said second finger and toward the glass;
- wherein both said attachment means between the glass and said dam and said attachment means between said dam and said first finger include an adhesive;
- and
- wherein said lower portion includes holes therein which pass entirely therethrough allowing gas to pass therethrough, whereby the urethane sealant is provided with air for effective curing through said holes of said lower portion and through said porous dam.
8 more elements
An apparatus for fastening a glass panel to an opening defining a window frame in an automobile, the frame having a shape similar to the periphery of the glass, comprising, in combination:
- a border of the frame including a pinch weld projecting inwardly toward a center of the frame,
- an elongate flexible moulding having an F-shaped cross-section and having:
- a lower leg of elongate form having a first end and a second opposite end,
- a first finger extending from a point on said lower leg between said first end and said second opposite end, and
- a second finger extending substantially perpendicularly from said first end of said lower leg,
- said fingers spaced apart a distance similar to a thickness of said pinch weld and straddling said pinch weld with said first finger outside said frame and said second finger inside said frame,
- a foam dam adjacent to a side of said first finger opposite said pinch weld, said foam dam having a porous structure allowing gas to pass therethrough,
- said foam dam extending from said first finger to a location chosen for the glass panel, and
- urethane sealant interposed between the glass panel and said pinch weld and adjacent to said foam dam;
- whereby said urethane sealant receives additional air for curing through the porous structure of said foam dam, allowing more effective curing thereof.
7 more elements
An apparatus for fastening a glass panel to an opening defining a window frame in an automobile, the frame having a shape similar to the periphery of the glass, comprising, in combination:
- a border of the frame including a pinch weld projecting inwardly toward a center of the frame,
- an elongate flexible moulding having a cross-section including a first finger and a second finger spaced apart a distance similar to a thickness of said pinch weld and straddling said pinch weld with said first finger outside said frame and said second finger inside said frame,
- a foam dam adjacent to a side of said first finger opposite said pinch weld, said foam dam having a porous structure allowing gas to pass therethrough, said foam dam extending from said first finger to a location chosen for the glass panel,
- urethane sealant interposed between the glass panel and said pinch weld and adjacent to said foam dam;
- whereby said urethane sealant receives additional air for curing through the porous structure of said foam dam, allowing more effective curing thereof;
- wherein an attachment means is interposed between said foam dam and said first finger and between said foam dam and the glass, whereby said foam dam supports the glass without motion relative to said pinch weld during curing of said urethane sealant;
- wherein said moulding includes a lower portion extending away from an interior of the automobile, said lower portion adjacent to a side of said dam opposite aside adjacent said urethane sealant;
- wherein said dam is formed from polyurethane foam having a porous structure which allows gas to pass therethrough, and
- wherein said lower portion has holes therein allowing gas to pass through said holes, through said dam, and into contact with said urethane sealant.
6 more elements
A method for securing automobile glass to a window frame of an automobile, the window frame having a pinch weld, including the steps of:
- forming an elongated strip of moulding to have a cross-section with two fingers which are dimensioned to grasp the pinch weld therebetween and an F-shaped lower portion extending from the fingers;
- locating the moulding adjacent the pinch weld with the fingers grasping the pinch weld therebetween and orienting the lower portion toward an exterior of the automobile;
- positioning a porous dam adjacent the lower portion and one of the two fingers on an exterior of the pinch weld, the porous dam spaced a distance away from the pinch weld similar to a desired thickness of a urethane sealant;
- placing an interior surface of the automobile glass adjacent a side of the porous dam distant from the pinch weld;
- directing uncured urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld;
- curing the urethane sealant, including allowing air to pass through the porous dam and into contact with the urethane sealant;
- and
- forming holes in the lower portion of the moulding, whereby air can pass through the lower portion of the moulding and into contact with the porous dam, and hence into contact with the urethane sealant.
5 more elements
A kit for attaching automobile glass, such as a windshield, to a window frame of an automobile, the kit allowing urethane sealant to thoroughly cure, thereby bonding the glass to a pinch weld of the frame, while preventing urethane sealant from leaking into an interior of the automobile, the kit comprising, in combination:
- an elongate strip of moulding having an F-shaped cross-section including a first finger and a second finger, said first finger spaced from said second finger by a distance similar to a thickness of the pinch weld, such that the fingers can grasp the pinch weld with said first finger on an exterior of the pinch weld in said F-shaped cross-section including a lower portion extending from said fingers;
- an elongate porous dam having a thickness similar to a desired thickness of the urethane sealant between the glass and the pinch weld, said dam having a porous structure enabling gas to pass therethrough;
- a means for attachment of said dam to said first finger of said strip;
- and
- wherein said elongate strip of moulding includes holes therein which pass entirely therethrough allowing gas to pass therethrough, whereby the urethane sealant is provided with air for effective curing through said holes of said lower portion and through said porous dam.
2 more elements
An apparatus for fastening a glass panel to an opening defining a window frame in an automobile, the frame having a shape similar to the periphery of the glass, comprising, in combination:
- a border of the frame including a pinch weld projecting inwardly toward a center of the frame,
- an elongate flexible moulding having an F-shaped cross-section including a first finger and a second finger spaced apart a distance similar to a thickness of said pinch weld and straddling said pinch weld with said first finger outside said frame and said second finger inside said frame, said F-shaped cross-section also including a lower portion extending from said fingers,
- a foam dam adjacent to a side of said first finger opposite said pinch weld, said foam dam having a porous structure allowing gas to pass therethrough,
- said foam dam extending from said first finger to a location chosen for the glass panel, and
- urethane sealant interposed between the glass panel and said pinch weld and adjacent to said foam dam;
- whereby said urethane sealant receives additional air for curing through the porous structure of said foam dam, allowing more effective curing thereof;
- and
- wherein said lower portion of said F-shaped cross-section of said elongate flexible moulding has holes therein allowing gas to pass through said holes, through said dam, and into contact with said urethane sealant.
5 more elements
A moulding for circumscribing a pinch weld which defines a border of an area that receives an automobile windshield thereon, said moulding consisting of:
- an elongate strand of material having a substantially F-shaped cross-section defined by one lower leg of elongate form and having first and second opposite ends,
- a pair of fingers projecting from said elongate form, one said finger located adjacent one said opposite end and another said finger located intermediate said opposite ends,
- said fingers spaced to frictionally engage the pinch weld with a free end of said lower leg of elongate form cantilevered from the pinch weld.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.