Flush-mounted articulated/hinged window assembly

A flush-mounted panel assembly for a vehicle, comprising in combination:

• a panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;
• at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface including a plurality of spacing means for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said panel and providing a space between said flange and inner surface of said panel;
• and
• an adhesive located in said space and providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said spacing means;
• said bond between said flange of said mounting member and said panel being sufficiently strong such that in the event of failure to said panel assembly when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, said failure will occur in at least one failure mode in the group consisting essentially of a) cohesive failure of said adhesive, b) mechanical failure of said panel adjacent said adhesive, and c) mechanical failure of said mounting member adjacent said adhesive, but failure in the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and panel does not occur.

A flush-mounted window assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;
• at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface, said flange including a plurality of perforations extending therethrough;
• and
• an adhesive providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;
• said perforations providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;
• said bond being sufficiently strong such that when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, failure of said panel assembly results in other than the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and said panel.

A flush-mounted window assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;
• at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface, said flange including a plurality of projections extending therefrom and disposed between said flange and said panel defining a space between said flange and said panel;
• and
• an adhesive located in said space and providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said projections;
• said bond being sufficiently strong such that when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, failure of said panel assembly results in other than the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and said panel.

A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

• a transparent sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;
• at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced from said inner surface and inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening, said at least one mounting member including at least one hinge member;
• and
• an adhesive, between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;
• said mounting member including at least one hole therethrough providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

• a transparent sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;
• at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening;
• and
• an adhesive, between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;
• said mounting member including at least one hole therethrough providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;
• and
• a latch mount including a circular flange having at least one standoff for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said sheet, said adhesive also being between said circular flange and said inner surface of said sheet for bonding said sheet and latch mount together, said flange also having at least one hole therein providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;
• at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, and a hinge portion to engage the window opening;
• at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;
• a fixturing adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a first cure time;
• and
• a bonding adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;
• at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, a hinge portion to engage the window opening, and at least one projection extending from said flange for spacing said flange from said inner surface;
• at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;
• a first adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a cure time;
• and
• a second adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;
• at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, and a hinge portion to engage the window opening;
• at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening, and at least one projection extending from said base for spacing said base from said inner surface of said window panel;
• a first adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a first cure time;
• and
• a second adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

• a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;
• at least one hinge having a flange adjacent the first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from the flange, said flange having a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, and a plurality of standoffs for spacing said flange from said panel and defining a space between said flange and said panel;
• and
• an adhesive located in said space between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;
• said perforations providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said first surface of said panel defined by said standoffs.

An articulated vehicle window for use in a vehicle opening, comprising in combination:

• a transparent sheet of glass having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening of the vehicle such that said outer surface of said glass is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;
• an opaque frit layer deposited on, and bonded to, a predetermined portion of said inner surface of said glass;
• a pair of hinges generally aligned with each other and mounted on said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge of said glass for fixing one end of said glass in the vehicle opening, each hinge having a plurality of projections extending from a hinge portion adjacent the inner surface of the glass for spacing said hinge from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, said hinge portion further having a plurality of holes for allowing air and moisture to pass therethrough;
• a latch mount attached to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge and distant from said pair of hinges, for receiving a latching mechanism for moving said glass between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle opening, said latch mount having a plurality of projections extending therefrom for spacing said latch mount from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, and a plurality of holes extending through said latch mount to allow air and moisture to pass therethrough;
• a first adhesive in said space between each of said hinge portions and said latch mount and said frit layer for temporarily fixturing said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and having a first cure rate;
• and
• a second adhesive in each of said spaces and contacting each of said hinge portions and said latch mount and said frit layer for permanently bonding said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and having a second cure rate greater than said first adhesive.

An articulated window assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising:

• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;
• at least one articulated mounting member disposed on said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member including a flange having at least one projection extending therefrom for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said window panel and providing a space therebetween;
• and
• an adhesive in said space interconnecting said flange of said mounting member to said inner surface of said window panel, a bond between said flange and said inner surface of said window panel produced by said adhesive being able to withstand a load up to at least 150 pounds;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said projection.

A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

• a transparent sheet having an inner and outer surface terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;
• at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening, said mounting member having a plurality of projections extending therefrom for spacing said mounting member from said inner surface of said sheet and providing a space therebetween:
• and
• an adhesive, in said space between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said mounting member and said inner surface defined by said projections.

A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

• a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;
• at least one hinge having a flange adjacent said first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from said flange, said flange having at least one perforation extending therethrough;
• and
• an adhesive between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;
• said perforation providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

• a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;
• at least one hinge having a flange adjacent said first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from said flange, said flange having at least one standoff for spacing said flange from said panel and providing a space therebetween;
• and
• an adhesive in said space between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;
• said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said first surface defined by said standoff.

An articulated vehicle window for use in a vehicle opening, comprising in combination:

• a transparent sheet of glass having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening of the vehicle such that said outer surface of said glass is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;
• an opaque frit layer deposited on, and bonded to, a predetermined portion of said inner surface of said glass;
• a pair of hinges generally aligned with each other and mounted on said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge of said glass for fixing one end of said glass in the vehicle opening, each hinge having at least one projection extending from a hinge portion adjacent the inner surface of the glass for spacing said hinge from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, said hinge portion further having a plurality of holes for allowing air and moisture to pass therethrough;
• a latch mount attached to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge and distant from said pair of hinges, for receiving a latching mechanism for moving said glass between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle opening, said latch mount having at least one projection extending therefrom for spacing said latch mount from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, and at least one hole extending through said latch mount to allow air and moisture to pass therethrough;
• and
• an adhesive in each of said spaces for permanently bonding said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, said adhesive having a thickness between each of said hinge portions and said frit layer and between said latch mount and said frit layer defined by said respective projections on said hinge portions and said latch mount.

A window assembly adapted for securement in a vehicle window opening by a latch, comprising:

• at least one latch mount:
• a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening without any latch mount structure exposed on said outer surface of said window panel;
• said one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, said latch mount having a fastening member thereon for receiving an actuating portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;
• an adhesive between said base portion of said latch mount and said inner surface of said window panel for bonding said latch mount to said inner surface;
• said latch mount base including at least one aperture providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive, and at least one projection on said latch mount base for spacing said base portion from said inner surface and providing a space therebetween;
• said adhesive located in space having a thickness between said base portion and said inner surface of said panel defined by said projection.

A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle selected from the group including a van, a truck and a utility vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening in a vehicle body, said assembly comprising:

• at least one window mounting hinge member for securing said assembly in the window opening;
• at least one latch mount defining a shape to fit within the window opening without any hinge mounting or a latch mounting structure exposed on said outer surface of said sheet, said outer surface having a surface area of at least about 250 square inches;
• said hinge member and latch mount bonded to said inner surface of said sheet such that there is no exposure of said hinge member or latch mount on said outer surface of said sheet, said hinge member having a surface area bonded to said inner surface of said sheet no greater than about 1.6% of said outer surface area of said sheet;
• and
• an adhesive between said inner surface of said sheet and said hinge member and latch mount bonding said hinge member and latch mount to said sheet.