Spacer for windshield bracket

• US 5,384,995 A
• Filed: 12/13/1989
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1989
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: St Gobain Vitrage International
• Inventors: Cornils, Gerd, Kunert, Heinz, Schnitter, Heinrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CANFIELD, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/450,345
• Time in Patent Office: 1,875 Days
• Field of Search: 52/208, 52/397, 52/400, 52/403, 156/108, 296/84.1, 296/93, 296/96.2, 296/96.21
• US Class Current: 52/394
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/206 by pressing the material between two preformed layers, e.g. deformable layers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/07 Flat, e.g. panels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/12 Articles with an irregular circumference when viewed in cross-section, e.g. window profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/155 Partial coating thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/21 the layers being joined at their surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/16 Straightening or flattening
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/484 Moisture curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/485 Multi-component adhesives, i.e. chemically curing as a result of the mixing of said multi-components
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0324 Reforming or reshaping the joint, e.g. folding over reshaping the burr B29C66/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5346 said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/00 Shaping techniques not covered by groups B29C39/00 - B29C65/00, B29C70/00 or B29C73/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/763 the edges being disposed in a substantial flat plane
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 99/0053 Producing sealings B29D99/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/26 Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3055 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/02 arranged at the vehicle front , e.g. structure of the glazing, mounting of the glazing on windscreen mounted antenna wire H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/10 fixedly mounted B60J1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/30 characterised by the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/34 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 : specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 25/00 : Window arrangements peculiar to rail vehicles vehicle window arrangements in general B60J; cleaning vehicle windows B60S; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B3/84
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 27/048 : consisting of an adhesive specially adapted for that purpose

Abstract

A motor vehicle glazing (1) prepared for installation according to the adhesive process is provided with a profiled spacer (8) produced by extrusion of an extrudable polymer directly onto glazing (1) and subsequent setting. During installation of glazing (1) in the window opening of the motor vehicle body, profiled spacer (8) acts as an intermediate member between glazing (1) and assembly adhesive extrudate (13). Profiled spacer (8) is provided along its outer periphery with a lip portion (10) projecting beyond peripheral area (3) of glazing (1). In the installed position of glazing (1), lip portion (10) rest against the window frame flange (4) running parallel to peripheral area (3) of glazing (1) and acts, upon insertion of the glazing during the setting process of assembly adhesive (13), as a support and centering element for glazing (1).

Claims

1. A window comprising a glazing having a periphery;

a sheet metal bracket oriented parallel to an edge of the glazing; and

a spacer attached to substantially the entire periphery of the glazing adjacent the bracket for supporting the glazing and for maintaining the periphery of the glazing at a predetermined uniform distance from said bracket, said spacer provided with means for centering the glazing upon the bracket including at least one peripheral portion having a cross sectional configuration and a lip portion which is initially oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extending beyond the edge of said glazing and a support surface for contacting said bracket to provide a force for centering said glazing thereon.

2. The window of claim 1 wherein said spacer further comprises means operatively associated with said support element for aligning said glazing upon said bracket.

3. The window of claim 2 wherein said spacer is formed of an elastomer having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to provide said spacer with sufficient rigidity required for said centering and aligning of said glazing.

4. The window of claim 2 wherein the aligning means includes a leg portion which contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning said glazing thereon.

5. The window of claim 1 wherein said lip portion is dimensioned in length and thickness so as to provide said centering said glazing on said bracket.

6. The window of claim 5 wherein said spacer lip portion has a length and thickness which is sufficient to prevent said glazing edge from contacting said bracket.

7. The window of claim 1 wherein said spacer peripheral portion includes a groove for engaging an edge of the bracket support element.

8. The window of claim 7 wherein said spacer peripheral portion is an inner peripheral portion, and said spacer further includes an outer peripheral portion and a base portion positioned adjacent said glazing, said base portion having a first end attached to said inner peripheral portion, and a second end attached to said outer peripheral portion, so as to form a recess configured to receive said adhesive bead.

9. The window of claim 8 further comprising an enamel layer mounted upon said glazing beneath said spacer base portion.

10. The window of claim 8 wherein the leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning the glazing thereon.

11. A window comprising a glazing having a periphery;

a peripheral sheet metal bracket attached to a support and oriented parallel to an edge of the glazing;

a spacer attached to substantially the periphery of the glazing adjacent the bracket for supporting the glazing, said spacer provided with means for centering and aligning the glazing upon the bracket including at least one peripheral portion having a cross-sectional configuration and a support surface for contacting said bracket to provide a force for centering said glazing thereon, said spacer peripheral portion further comprising a lip portion initially oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extending beyond the edge of the glazing, the lip portion resiliently bending and contacting the bracket when the glazing is placed thereupon to provide centering force for maintaining the glazing at a predetermined uniform distance from said bracket, said spacer and lip portion further being formed of an elastomer mounted upon an enamel layer on said glazing; and

a bead of adhesive for securing said spacer and glazing to said bracket.

12. The window of claim 11 wherein the spacer has a recessed portion which is configured to receive said adhesive bead.

13. The window of claim 12 wherein said spacer includes a pair of leg portions which define the sides of said recessed portion.

14. The window of claim 13 wherein one leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning said glazing thereon and the other leg portion is connected to said lip portion.

15. A window comprising a glazing having a periphery;

a peripheral sheet metal bracket oriented parallel to a lower edge of the glazing; and

a spacer attached to substantially the entire periphery of the glazing adjacent the bracket for supporting the glazing and for maintaining the glazing at a predetermined uniform distance from and centered upon said bracket, said spacer being provided with means for centering and aligning the glazing upon the bracket including at least one peripheral portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the edge of the glazing and having a cross sectional configuration and a support surface for contacting said bracket, said peripheral portion including a longitudinal groove for engaging a longitudinal edge of said bracket for centering said glazing on said bracket and a lip portion which is initially oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extending beyond the edge of said glazing.

16. The window of claim 15 wherein said spacer is formed of an elastomer, and is mounted upon an enamel layer on said glazing.

17. The window of claim 16 which further comprises a bead of adhesive for securing said spacer and glazing to said bracket.

18. The window of claim 17 wherein said spacer peripheral portion is an inner peripheral portion, and said spacer further includes an outer peripheral portion and a base portion positioned adjacent said glazing, said base portion having a first end attached to said inner peripheral portion, and a second end attached to said outer peripheral portion, so to form a recess configured to receive said adhesive bead.

19. The window of claim 18 wherein the leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning the glazing thereon.

20. A window comprising a glazing having a periphery;

a peripheral sheet metal bracket oriented parallel to the lower edge of the glazing; and

a spacer attached to substantially the entire periphery of the glazing and for maintaining the glazing at a predetermined uniform distance away from said bracket, said spacer provided with means for centering and aligning the glazing upon the bracket including at least one peripheral portion having a cross sectional configuration and a support surface for contacting said bracket and a lip portion which is initially oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extending beyond the edge of said glazing, wherein said lip portion is dimensioned in length and thickness and has a rigidity sufficient for resiliently bending while contacting the bracket to provide a force for centering said glazing on said bracket.

21. The window of claim 20 wherein said spacer lip portion has a length which is sufficient to prevent said glazing lower edge from contacting said bracket, and further, wherein said spacer is formed of an elastomer, said elastomer having a high modulus of elasticity so as to provide said lip portion with said rigidity and wherein said spacer is mounted upon an enamel layer on said glazing.

22. The window of claim 21 which further comprises a bead of adhesive for securing said spacer and glazing to said bracket, and wherein the spacer includes a pair of leg portions forming a recessed portion which is configured to receive said adhesive bead.

23. The window of claim 22 wherein one leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning said glazing thereon and the other leg portion is connected to said lip portion.

24. A window, comprising:

a glazing having a periphery;

a peripheral sheet metal bracket oriented parallel to at least one edge of the glazing;

a spacer attached to substantially the entire periphery of the glazing adjacent the bracket for supporting the weight of the glazing and for maintaining the glazing at a predetermined uniform distance away and centered upon the bracket, the spacer provided with means for centering and aligning the glazing upon the bracket including at least one peripheral portion having a cross-sectional configurations, a lip portion which is initially oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extending beyond the edge of said glazing and a support surface for contacting the bracket;

said centering and aligning means comprising first and second leg portions; and

a bead of adhesive between said spacer first and second leg portions and positioned adjacent said glazing edge periphery for securing the glazing to the bracket.

25. The window of claim 24 wherein one leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning said glazing thereon and the other leg portion is connected to said lip portion.

26. The window of claim 24 wherein the second leg portion contacts and is operatively associated with the bracket for aligning said glazing upon said bracket.

27. The window of claim 24 wherein the first leg portion comprises a lip portion which is oriented essentially parallel to the glazing surface and extends beyond the edge of the glazing, said lip portion dimensioned in length and thickness and having a rigidity sufficient for said centering of said glazing on said bracket.

28. The window of claim 27 wherein the spacer lip portion has a length which is sufficient to prevent the glazing edge from contacting the bracket.

29. The window of claim 27 wherein the spacer is formed of an elastomer, said elastomer having a high modulus of elasticity so as to provide said spacer with said rigidity and wherein said spacer is mounted upon an enamel layer on the glazing.

30. The window of claim 29 wherein the first and second leg members are connected by a base portion extending along the enamel layer on the glazing.

31. The window of claim 30 wherein the adhesive is mounted upon said base portion of said spacer.