Device and method for positioning windshield glass

• US 6,099,063 A
• Filed: 03/18/1999
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Navistar Canada Incorporated (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp. (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Rohagti, Dipak X.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US09/272,662
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 296/84.1, 296/96.21, 296/201, 296/196.15, 52/764, 52/763, 52/762, 52/204.84
• US Class Current: 296/84.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/005 using positioning means during mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/45 Assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts

Abstract

The invention relates to positioning and installing a windshield within a vehicle frame. An installer places a windshield within the vehicle frame and aligns the windshield using a dart to position and engage the windshield within the windshield opening. The dart nay engage a dart-receiving slot located in the windshield'"'"'s trim piece. The installer aligns the dart-receiving slot with the dart, then adjusts the position of the windshield as needed.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame comprising:

(a) a windshield opening bounded by the frame;

(b) a dart for positioning and engaging a windshield within the windshield opening, the dart being located on a frame edge along a bottom portion of the windshield opening and extending upwardly into the windshield opening;

(c) the windshield comprising a trim piece and glass; and

;

(d) means for engaging the dart being located in the trim piece.

2. A vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the means for engaging the dart comprises a dart-receiving slot shaped to conform to the shape of the dart.

3. A vehicle frame of claim 2, wherein the dart-receiving slot is defined by spaced apart legs extending from the trim piece.

4. A vehicle frame of claim 1, wherein the means for engaging the dart comprises a trim dart.

5. The vehicle frame of claim 1 wherein the dart has a peak and sloping sides.

6. The vehicle frame of claim 5, wherein the cross-section of the dart is U-shaped or V-shaped.

7. A vehicle frame comprising:

(a) a windshield opening bounded by the frame;

(b) a vertically aligned dart for positioning and engaging a windshield within the windshield opening, the vertically aligned dart being located on a frame edge along a bottom portion of the windshield opening;

(c) the windshield comprising a trim piece and glass; and

(d) means for engaging the vertically aligned dart located in the trim piece.

8. A vehicle frame of claim 7, wherein the dart has a peak and sloping sides.

9. A vehicle frame of claim 8, wherein the cross-section of the dart is U-shaped or V-shaped.

10. A vehicle frame of claim 7, wherein the means for engaging the vertically aligned dart comprises a trim dart.

11. A vehicle of frame of claim 10, further comprising:

(a) a trim dart-receiving slot; and

(b) a second vertically aligned dart located close to the first vertically aligned dart on the frame edge to form the trim dart-receiving slot.

12. A method of installing a windshield within a vehicle frame comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a vertically aligned dart for positioning and engaging a windshield within the windshield opening, the vertically aligned dart being located on a frame edge along the windshield opening;

(b) matingly engaging dart-engaging means located in a trim piece of the windshield with the vertically aligned dart;

(c) aligning the windshield within the windshield frame;

(d) making any adjustments to alignment;

(e) bonding the windshield to the frame.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the dart extends upwardly into the windshield opening.

14. A method of claim 13, wherein the dart has a peak and sloping sides.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein the cross-section of the dart is U-shaped or V-shaped.

16. A method of claim 13, wherein the dart-engaging means comprises a dart-receiving slot shaped to conform to the shape of the dart.

17. A method of claim 16, wherein the dart-receiving slot is defined by spaced apart legs extending from the trim piece.

18. A method of claim 12, wherein the dart-engaging means comprises a trim dart.

19. A vehicle frame of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

(a) providing a second vertically aligned dart located close to the first vertically aligned dart on the frame edge in order to matingly engage the trim dart between the two vertically aligned darts.