Windshield frame

A windshield frame comprising:

• a single piece compression molded plastic upper frame section having a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface spaced apart from said first bonding surface, said first and second bonding surfaces including a tongue and groove structure formed thereon;
• a single piece compression molded plastic lower frame section having a third bonding surface and a fourth bonding surface spaced apart from said third bonding surface, said third and fourth bonding surfaces including a tongue and groove structure formed thereon engaging said tongue and groove structure formed on said upper frame section such that said frame sections cooperate to form a U-shaped structure having an upper windshield receiving portion and side windshield receiving portions and a channel formed therethrough;
• and
• a mounting structure on said side windshield receiving portions for connecting said frame to a vehicle.

A windshield frame for a convertible automotive vehicle having a windshield, cowling, and side body panels said windshield frame comprising:

• a single piece upper frame member made of fiber-reinforced material bonded to a single piece lower frame member made of fiber-reinforced material, said frame members cooperating to form a generally U-shaped structure having an upper windshield receiving portion and side windshield receiving portions with ends of the side windshield receiving portions terminating where attachment to said side body panels occurs;
• the upper frame member and the upper windshield receiving portion having a base and an up-turned edge defining a mating surface, the lower frame member and the upper windshield receiving portion having an upturned flange supporting said base of said upper frame member;
• the upper frame member and the side windshield receiving portions having a base and an upturned edge defining a mating surface, the lower frame member and the side windshield receiving portions having an upturned flange supporting said base of said upper frame member;
• and
• the lower frame member terminating in end portions having a mounting structure for connecting said frame to said vehicle.

A method of making a windshield frame comprising:

• compression molding sheet molding compound into an upper frame having a first bonding surface and a second bonding surface spaced apart from said first bonding surface, said first and second bonding surfaces including a tongue and groove structure formed thereon;
• compression molding sheet molding compound into a lower frame having a third bonding surface and a fourth bonding surface spaced apart from said third bonding surface, said third and fourth bonding surfaces including a tongue and groove structure formed thereon;
• and
• bonding said lower frame to said upper frame by engaging said tongue and groove structure formed on said upper frame with said tongue and groove structure formed on said lower frame with a layer of adhesive such that said upper and lower frames cooperate to form a U-shaped structure having an upper windshield receiving portion and side windshield receiving portions and a channel formed therethrough.

A frame comprising:

• a compression molded fiber reinforced plastic upper frame section having a first bonding surface and a cross-sectional configuration which varies along the length thereof;
• at least one tongue formed on said first bonding surface;
• a compression molded fiber reinforced plastic lower frame section having a second bonding surface and a cross-sectional configuration which varies along the length thereof;
• at least one groove formed in said second bonding surface engaging said tongue;
• and
• said upper frame section being bonded to the lower frame section with adhesive on the first and second bonding surfaces.

A method of making a windshield frame comprising:

• compression molding sheet molding compound into an upper frame having reinforcing fibers therein;
• compression molding sheet molding compound into a lower frame having reinforcing fibers therein;
• and
• bonding said lower frame to said upper frame with an adhesive.