METHOD FOR MAKING AN ARTICULATABLE VEHICULAR WINDOW ASSEMBLY

• US 20080156415A1
• Filed: 01/07/2008
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Repp, R. Scott, Stallman, Pamela M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,588,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/108
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/14 with pivotal or rotary movement

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

1. (canceled)

2. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in an unencapsulated peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including unencapsulated top and bottom edges and unencapsulated first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated at least on a mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said light absorbing coating comprising a dark colored frit, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing at least one mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about four square inches and an aspect ratio greater than one, said at least one mounting member comprising a hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle, wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to at least said mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

allowing said applied layer of primer to at least partially dry;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said offset distance being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm; and

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portion of said mounting member bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said joint is capable of withstanding said straight tensional load after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said offset distance is on the order of 1 mm.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said dark colored frit comprises a black ceramic frit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one layer of primer is applied by wiping.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said viscous adhesive is disposed via a robotic applicator.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises a silane coupling agent.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member has a surface area bonded to said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet no greater than about 1.6 percent of said outer surface area of said tempered glass sheet.

12. The method of claim 2 including applying said at least one layer of primer with an applicator selected from the group consisting of a dauber, a wipe and a spray.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

15. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including top and bottom edges and first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated at least on a mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said light absorbing coating comprising a dark colored ceramic frit fused to said inner surface of said glass sheet, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing at least one mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about two square inches and an aspect ratio of at least one, said at least one mounting member comprising a hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle, wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle and wherein said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member has a surface area bonded to said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet no greater than about 1.6 percent of said outer surface area of said tempered glass sheet;

applying at least one layer of primer to at least said mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

allowing said applied layer of primer to at least partially dry;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween;

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said offset distance being of the order of 1 mm;

wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive and wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent; and

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portion of said mounting member bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

16. The method of claim 15, including maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said viscous adhesive is disposed via a robotic applicator.

18. The method of claim 17 including applying said at least one layer of primer with an applicator selected from the group consisting of a dauber, a wipe and a spray.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

20. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in an unencapsulated peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including unencapsulated top and bottom edges and unencapsulated first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a first hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a second hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a third latch mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, each said light absorbing coating comprising a frit coating, said light absorbing coatings spaced apart on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing a first mounting member and a second mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, each said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about four square inches and an aspect ratio greater than one, said first mounting member comprising a first hinge member and said second mounting member comprising a second hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle;

providing a third mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said third mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange, said third mounting member comprising a latch member for a latch of said articulatable window assembly;

wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to said first, second and third mounting member attachment portions of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

allowing said respective applied layers of primer to at least partially dry;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said respective mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said respective mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said respective offset distance being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm; and

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portions of said mounting members bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said light absorbing coating comprises a dark colored ceramic frit fused to said glass sheet.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said joint is capable of withstanding said straight tensional load after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said offset distance is on the order of 1 mm and wherein said dark colored frit comprises a black ceramic frit.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive and wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises a silane coupling agent.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one of (a) said at least one layer of primer is applied by wiping, (b) said viscous adhesive is disposed via a robotic applicator, (c) said at least one layer of primer is applied with an applicator selected from the group consisting of a dauber, a wipe and a spray, and (d) said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said respective mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

28. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including top and bottom edges and first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated at least on a mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said light absorbing coating comprising a dark colored frit, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing at least one mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about two square inches and an aspect ratio of at least one, said at least one mounting member comprising a hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle, wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to at least said member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said offset distance being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm;

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portion of said mounting member bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet; and

wherein at least one of (a) said at least one layer of primer is applied by wiping, (b) said viscous adhesive is disposed via a robotic applicator, (c) said at least one layer of primer is applied with an applicator selected from the group consisting of a dauber, a wipe and a spray, and (d) said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet, and wherein said joint is capable of withstanding said straight tensional load after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said offset distance is on the order of 1 mm and wherein said dark colored frit comprises a black ceramic frit.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive and wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

33. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including top and bottom edges and first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a first hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a second hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a third latch mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, each said light absorbing coating comprising a frit coating, said light absorbing coatings spaced apart on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing a first mounting member and a second mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, each said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about four square inches and an aspect ratio greater than one, said first mounting member comprising a first hinge member and said second mounting member comprising a second hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle;

providing a third mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said third mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange, said third mounting member comprising a latch member for a latch of said articulatable window assembly;

wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to said first, second and third mounting member attachment portions of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

allowing said respective applied layers of primer to at least partially dry;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween, and wherein said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said respective mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said respective offset distance being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm; and

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portions of said mounting members bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said respective offset distance is on the order of 1 mm and wherein said respective frit coating comprises a black ceramic frit and wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive and wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein establishing said offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said respective mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

36. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in an unencapsulated peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including unencapsulated top and bottom edges and unencapsulated first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated at least on a mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing at least one mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet, wherein said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprises a flange having an area of at least about 2 square inches;

wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to at least said mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said offset distance being greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm;

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portion of said mounting member bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet; and

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said respective mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said at least one mounting member comprises at least one hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle, and wherein said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprises a flange having an area of at least about four square inches and an aspect ratio greater than one.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said at least one mounting member comprises a latch member for a latch of said articulatable window assembly.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said attachment portion for mounting said mounting member on said glass sheet comprises a disk-shaped flange.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said light absorbing coating comprises a black ceramic frit and wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said offset distance is on the order of 1 mm.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

43. The method of claim 36 further comprising allowing said at least one layer of primer to at least partially dry before positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member offset from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive being disposed therebetween.

44. The method of claim 36, wherein at least one of (a) said at least one layer of primer is applied by wiping, (b) said viscous adhesive is disposed via a robotic applicator, (c) said at least one layer of primer is applied with an applicator selected from the group consisting of a dauber, a wipe and a spray, and (d) said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member has a surface area bonded to said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet no greater than about 1.6 percent of said outer surface area of said tempered glass sheet.

46. The method of claim 36, wherein establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member and said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said mounting member from said primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

47. A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as one of a side window and a rear lift gate window of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a curved tempered glass sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in an unencapsulated peripheral edge defining a shape adapted to fit within an opening of the vehicle, said sheet also including unencapsulated top and bottom edges and unencapsulated first and second end edges, said edges together defining said peripheral edge, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a first hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a second hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said tempered glass sheet comprising a light absorbing coating coated on a third latch mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, each said light absorbing coating comprising a frit coating, said light absorbing coatings spaced apart on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, said outer surface of said curved tempered glass sheet being generally convex curved and said inner surface being generally concave curved;

providing a first mounting member and a second mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, each said mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said respective mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange having an area of at least about four square inches and an aspect ratio greater than one, said first mounting member comprising a first hinge member and said second mounting member comprising a second hinge member for hingedly securing said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet in an opening of a vehicle;

providing a third mounting member for attachment to said glass sheet, said third mounting member having an attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet, said attachment portion for mounting said third mounting member on said glass sheet comprising a flange, said third mounting member comprising a latch member for a latch of said articulatable window assembly;

wherein said articulatable window assembly comprising said glass sheet is configured to be oriented generally vertically when mounted in the opening in the vehicle;

applying at least one layer of primer to said first, second and third mounting member attachment portions of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet;

allowing said respective applied layers of primer to at least partially dry;

providing a viscous adhesive having a viscosity at 25 degrees Celsius of greater than 5 Poise;

positioning said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet and with said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween, and wherein said viscous adhesive is disposed via at least one of a glue gun, a caulking gun, a robotic applicator and a conveyor applicator;

maintaining said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet for at least a time period sufficient for said viscous adhesive disposed therebetween to achieve an at least partial cure;

wherein said adhesive, when cured, forms a joint bonding said respective mounting member to said tempered glass sheet that is capable of withstanding a straight tensional load of 250 pounds applied to said mounting member joined to said tempered glass sheet after immersion of said joint in water at 80 degrees Celsius for 240 hours;

wherein said positioning of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member offset from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises establishing an offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet, wherein said offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of at least one of said mounting members and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet is on the order of 1 mm; and

wherein there is no exposure on said outer surface of said tempered glass sheet of said attachment portions of said mounting members bonded on said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said respective frit coating comprises a black ceramic frit and wherein said adhesive comprises a urethane adhesive and wherein said at least one layer of primer comprises at least one of a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent and a zirconium coupling agent.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said third mounting member and said primed third latch mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet is on the order of 1 mm.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective hinge member and said respective primed hinge mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet is on the order of 1 mm.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein establishing said offset distance between said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member and said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet comprises providing at least one projection extending from said attachment portion of said respective mounting member for spacing a bonding surface of said flange of said attachment portion of said respective mounting member from said respective primed mounting member attachment portion of said inner surface of said tempered glass sheet.