# US 5,704,173 A · Hinged window assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,173 A - Document ID: US5704173A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/659,269 - Filed: 1996-06-06 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1993-09-30 - Assignees: Donnelly Corporation - Inventors: R. Scott Repp; Pamela M. Stallman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704173A ## CPC - B60J 1/14: with pivotal or rotary movement - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) ## Abstract A flush-mounted articulated window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening such that, when closed, it is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle. The window assembly includes a transparent sheet with at least one window-mounting member bonded by two separate adhesives to an inner surface of the sheet. The mounting member includes projections which space the mounting member from the inner sheet surface, and/or perforations which allow air and moisture to reach the space provided between the mounting member and the inner sheet surface. A first adhesive temporarily fixtures the mounting member to the sheet. A second adhesive permanently bonds the mounting member to the inner sheet surface. The bond created is sufficiently strong such that application of a load sufficient to cause a failure results in a failure other than in the adhesion of the adhesive to the mounting member and the panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening in a vehicle body, said assembly comprising: a glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening, said sheet also including top and bottom edges and first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge; a first substantially opaque coating on a predetermined portion of said inner sheet surface, said first opaque coating extending inwardly generally from said peripheral edge along at least portions thereof; a hinge mounting area adjacent one edge portion of said peripheral edge, said first opaque coating being included on said hinge mounting area, said hinge mounting area adapted to receive a hinge member on said first opaque coating for hingedly securing said glass sheet in the window opening for movement between open and closed positions; a latch mounting area at a location spaced from said hinge mounting area, and a second substantially opaque coating included on said inner sheet surface on said latch mounting area; a latch mount bonded to said second opaque coating on said latch mounting area, said latch mount being of the type adapted to receive a mechanism for moving said glass sheet between said open and closed positions; an adhesive between said second opaque coating and said latch mount, said adhesive bonding said latch mount to said second opaque coating such that there is no exposure of said latch mount on said outer surface of said sheet; said latch mount, when mounted on said latch mounting area, being substantially hidden from view from the outer surface of said glass sheet by said second opaque coating. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said glass sheet is transparent; said first opaque coating being a frit layer bonded to portions of said inner glass sheet surface adjacent to said peripheral edge of said sheet such that a central viewing area is defined by said peripheral frit layer, and wherein at least a portion of said second opaque coating is located within said central viewing area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said adhesive is selected from the group consisting essentially of: moisture-activated adhesives, thermally-activated adhesives, chemically-activated adhesives, aerobically-cured adhesives, anaerobically-cured adhesives, and radiation-cured adhesives. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said second opaque coating is a frit layer bonded to said inner glass sheet surface at a location spaced from said hinge mounting area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The hinged window assembly of claim 4 further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said second opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said latch mount to said sheet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The hinged window assembly of claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a moisture activated adhesive. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The hinged window assembly of claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a thermally activated adhesive. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The hinged window assembly of claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a chemically activated adhesive. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The hinged window assembly of claim 4 wherein said bonding of said latch mount to said inner surface of said sheet is sufficiently strong to withstand a straight pull test of about 150 pounds at a rate of about 25 millimeters per minute. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hinged window assembly of claim 9 wherein said pull test is performed after soaking the panel assembly in 80.degree. C. water for at least 100 hours. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 including an adhesion promoting compound between said second opaque coating and said adhesive; said adhesive comprising an activated adhesive. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said latch mount has at least one projection for spacing said latch mount from said second opaque coating, said adhesive between said second opaque coating and said latch mount having a thickness defined by said projection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The hinged window assembly of claim 12 wherein said bonding of said latch mount to said sheet forms a joint, said joint being sufficiently strong to withstand a straight pull test of about 150 pounds at a rate of about 25 millimeters per minute. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hinged window assembly of claim 13 wherein said joint withstands said pull test after soaking said panel assembly in 80.degree. C. water for at least 100 hours. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The hinged window assembly of claim 14 including an adhesion-promoting compound between said second opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said latch mount to said sheet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The hinged window assembly of claim 14 wherein said adhesive is a moisture activated adhesive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The hinged window assembly of claim 14 wherein said adhesive is a thermally activated adhesive. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The hinged window assembly of claim 14 wherein said adhesive is a chemically activated adhesive. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The hinged window assembly of claim 14 wherein said latch mount is formed from one of a metal, plastic and composite material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said latch mount includes at least one perforation therethrough for access to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said glass sheet outer surface has a surface area of at least 250 square inches; said hinge mounting area having at least one hinge member mounted on said first opaque coating; said hinge member having a surface area contacting said first opaque coating on said inner surface of said glass sheet no greater than about 1.6% of said outer surface area of said sheet. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The hinged window assembly of claim 21 wherein said hinge member is formed from one of metal, plastic and composite material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The hinged window assembly of claim 1 wherein said glass sheet outer surface has a surface area of at least 250 square inches. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The hinged window assembly of claim 23 wherein said latch mount is formed from at least one of a metal, plastic and composite material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The hinged window assembly of claim 24 wherein said vehicle is one of a van, a station wagon, a utility vehicle and a truck.