Flush-mounted articulated/hinged window assembly

• US 5,551,197 A
• Filed: 09/30/1993
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Repp, R. Scott, Stallman, Pamela M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COGGINS, WYNN WOOD
• Application Number:
  US08/129,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 52/208, 52/204.62, 52/204.69, 52/401, 49/394, 296/145.15, 296/145.16, 296/201, 296/96.21, 156/108, 156/314, 156/91
• US Class Current: 52/204.62
• 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. A flush-mounted panel assembly for a vehicle, comprising in combination:

a panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;

at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface, said flange including a plurality of perforations extending therethrough; and

an adhesive providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;

said perforations providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;

said bond between said flange of said mounting member and said panel being sufficiently strong such that in the event of failure of said panel assembly when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, said failure will occur in at least one failure mode in the group consisting essentially of a) cohesive failure of said adhesive, b) mechanical failure of said panel adjacent said adhesive, and c) mechanical failure of said mounting member adjacent said adhesive.

2. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said perforations in said flange of said mounting member include vanes for controlling a flow of said adhesive bonding said mounting member to said inner surface of said panel when said mounting member is located with respect to said panel.

3. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, further including an opaque coating between said inner surface of said panel and said adhesive bonding said mounting member to said panel.

4. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 3, further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said mounting member to said panel.

5. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, further including:

a fixturing adhesive in addition to said adhesive for fixturing said mounting member on said inner surface of said panel.

6. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting member includes a second portion extending from said flange to engage a fixed substrate.

7. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said assembly further includes a latch mount having a surface bonded to said inner surface of said panel with the same adhesive bonding said at least one mounting member to said panel, said latch mount having a fastening member thereon for receiving an actuating portion extending therefrom to engage a fixed substrate.

8. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said mounting member and said adhesive bonding said mounting member to said panel.

9. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said adhesive includes an activated adhesive.

10. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in 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.

12. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said bond of said mounting member to said inner surface of said panel is sufficiently strong to withstand a straight pull test of about 150 pounds at a rate greater than about 25 millimeters per minute.

13. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein said pull test was performed after soaking the panel assembly in 80°

C. water for at least 100 hours.

43. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is a glass panel.

44. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is a laminated glass panel.

45. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is a tempered glass panel.

46. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said panel is a single surface area of at least 250 square inches.

11. A flush-mounted panel assembly for a vehicle, comprising in combination:

a panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;

at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface including a plurality of spacing means for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said panel and providing a space between said flange and inner surface of said panel; and

an adhesive located in said space and providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;

said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said spacing means;

said bond between said flange of said mounting member and said panel being sufficiently strong such that in the event of failure to said panel assembly when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, said failure will occur in at least one failure mode in the group consisting essentially of a) cohesive failure of said adhesive, b) mechanical failure of said panel adjacent said adhesive, and c) mechanical failure of said mounting member adjacent said adhesive, but failure in the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and panel does not occur.

14. A flush-mounted window assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;

at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface, said flange including a plurality of perforations extending therethrough; and

an adhesive providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;

said perforations providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;

said bond being sufficiently strong such that when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, failure of said panel assembly results in other than the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and said panel.

19. The flush-mounted window assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein said adhesive includes an activated adhesive.

20. The flush-mounted panel assembly as defined in claim 14, 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.

15. A flush-mounted window assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;

at least one mounting member secured to said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member having a flange attached to said inner surface, said flange including a plurality of projections extending therefrom and disposed between said flange and said panel defining a space between said flange and said panel; and

an adhesive located in said space and providing a bond between said flange of said mounting member and said inner surface of said panel;

said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said projections;

said bond being sufficiently strong such that when a load sufficient to induce failure is imposed between said mounting member and said panel, failure of said panel assembly results in other than the adhesion of said adhesive to said mounting member and said panel.

16. The flush-mounted window assembly as defined in claim 15, further including an opaque coating between said inner surface of said panel and said adhesive providing said bond between said mounting member and said panel.

17. The flush-mounted window assembly as defined in claim 16, further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive providing a bond between said mounting member and said panel.

18. The flush-mounted window assembly as defined in claim 17, wherein said adhesion-promoting compound includes at least one of silane, titanium, and zirconium coupling agents.

21. A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

a transparent sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;

at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced from said inner surface and inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening, said at least one mounting member including at least one hinge member; and

an adhesive, between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;

said mounting member including at least one hole therethrough providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

22. The window assembly as defined by claim 21, further including an adhesion-promoting compound applied to at least one of said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member.

23. The window assembly as defined by claim 22, further including an opaque coating on said inner surface of said sheet.

24. The window assembly as defined by claim 21, further including:

a fixturing adhesive, in addition to said adhesive for bonding, between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member for fixturing said mounting member with respect to said sheet.

25. The window assembly as defined by claim 24, wherein said fixturing adhesive is selected from the group consisting essentially of thermoplastics.

26. The window assembly as defined by claim 24, wherein said adhesive includes an activated adhesive for binding.

27. The window assembly as defined in claim 21, 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.

28. The window assembly as defined by claim 24 wherein said fixturing adhesive has a first cure time and said adhesive has a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

29. The window assembly as defined by claim 21, wherein said hinge member includes:

a flange portion having a longitudinal axis and said one hole extending therethrough;

a spring member laterally offset and extending from said flange portion; and

a mounting stud extending through said spring member for attaching said hinge member to the vehicle.

30. A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

a transparent sheet having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with an exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;

at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening; and

an adhesive, between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;

said mounting member including at least one hole therethrough providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive; and

a latch mount including a circular flange having at least one standoff for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said sheet, said adhesive also being between said circular flange and said inner surface of said sheet for bonding said sheet and latch mount together, said flange also having at least one hole therein providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

31. A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;

at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, and a hinge portion to engage the window opening;

at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;

a fixturing adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a first cure time; and

a bonding adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

32. A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;

at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, a hinge portion to engage the window opening, and at least one projection extending from said flange for spacing said flange from said inner surface;

at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;

a first adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a cure time; and

a second adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

33. A hinged window assembly for a vehicle window opening, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening with said outer surface of said panel being generally flush with an outer surface of the window opening;

at least one hinge having a flange portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, and a hinge portion to engage the window opening;

at least one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge and spaced from said hinge, said latch mount having an end portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening, and at least one projection extending from said base for spacing said base from said inner surface of said window panel;

a first adhesive extending between said hinge flange and said inner surface of said panel and between said latch mount base and said inner surface of said panel for temporarily fixturing said hinge and said latch mount on said inner surface of said panel and having a first cure time; and

a second adhesive disposed between and contacting both said inner surface of said panel and said hinge flange and said latch mount base for permanently bonding said hinge and latch mount to said inner surface of said panel and having a second cure time greater than said first cure time.

34. A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;

at least one hinge having a flange adjacent the first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from the flange, said flange having a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, and a plurality of standoffs for spacing said flange from said panel and defining a space between said flange and said panel; and

an adhesive located in said space between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;

said perforations providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive;

said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said first surface of said panel defined by said standoffs.

35. The hinged vehicle window defined by claim 34, further including:

a fixturing adhesive, in addition to said adhesive for bonding for temporarily fixturing said hinge on said first surface of said panel.

36. An articulated vehicle window for use in a vehicle opening, comprising in combination:

a transparent sheet of glass having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening of the vehicle such that said outer surface of said glass is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;

an opaque frit layer deposited on, and bonded to, a predetermined portion of said inner surface of said glass;

a pair of hinges generally aligned with each other and mounted on said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge of said glass for fixing one end of said glass in the vehicle opening, each hinge having a plurality of projections extending from a hinge portion adjacent the inner surface of the glass for spacing said hinge from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, said hinge portion further having a plurality of holes for allowing air and moisture to pass therethrough;

a latch mount attached to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge and distant from said pair of hinges, for receiving a latching mechanism for moving said glass between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle opening, said latch mount having a plurality of projections extending therefrom for spacing said latch mount from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, and a plurality of holes extending through said latch mount to allow air and moisture to pass therethrough;

a first adhesive in said space between each of said hinge portions and said latch mount and said frit layer for temporarily fixturing said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and having a first cure rate; and

a second adhesive in each of said spaces and contacting each of said hinge portions and said latch mount and said frit layer for permanently bonding said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and having a second cure rate greater than said first adhesive.

37. An articulated window assembly for use in a vehicle, comprising:

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge;

at least one articulated mounting member disposed on said inner surface and spaced from said peripheral edge, said mounting member including a flange having at least one projection extending therefrom for spacing said flange from said inner surface of said window panel and providing a space therebetween; and

an adhesive in said space interconnecting said flange of said mounting member to said inner surface of said window panel, a bond between said flange and said inner surface of said window panel produced by said adhesive being able to withstand a load up to at least 150 pounds;

said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said inner surface defined by said projection.

39. The window assembly as defined by claim 37, further including a latch mount spaced from said mounting member on said inner surface of said panel, said latch mount also bonded to said inner surface of said panel by said adhesive.

38. A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening and generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle, comprising in combination:

a transparent sheet having an inner and outer surface terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening such that said outer surface of said sheet is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;

at least one window-mounting member bonded to said inner surface of said sheet at a position spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge for fixing said sheet in the window opening, said mounting member having a plurality of projections extending therefrom for spacing said mounting member from said inner surface of said sheet and providing a space therebetween; and

an adhesive, in said space between said inner surface of said sheet and said mounting member, for bonding said sheet and mounting member together in such a manner so as to withstand a straight pull test of more than about 150 pounds;

said adhesive having a thickness between said mounting member and said inner surface defined by said projections.

40. A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;

at least one hinge having a flange adjacent said first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from said flange, said flange having at least one perforation extending therethrough; and

an adhesive between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;

said perforation providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

41. A hinged vehicle window, comprising:

a sheet-like window panel having first and second opposing surfaces and a peripheral edge;

at least one hinge having a flange adjacent said first surface of said panel and a hinge portion extending from said flange, said flange having at least one standoff for spacing said flange from said panel and providing a space therebetween; and

an adhesive in said space between said flange and said first surface of said panel for bonding said flange to said panel so that said panel is supported by said hinge;

said adhesive having a thickness between said flange and said first surface defined by said standoff.

42. An articulated vehicle window for use in a vehicle opening, comprising in combination:

a transparent sheet of glass having inner and outer surfaces terminating in a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening of the vehicle such that said outer surface of said glass is generally flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle adjacent the opening;

an opaque frit layer deposited on, and bonded to, a predetermined portion of said inner surface of said glass;

a pair of hinges generally aligned with each other and mounted on said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge of said glass for fixing one end of said glass in the vehicle opening, each hinge having at least one projection extending from a hinge portion adjacent the inner surface of the glass for spacing said hinge from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, said hinge portion further having a plurality of holes for allowing air and moisture to pass therethrough;

a latch mount attached to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge and distant from said pair of hinges, for receiving a latching mechanism for moving said glass between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle opening, said latch mount having at least one projection extending therefrom for spacing said latch mount from said inner surface of said glass and providing a space therebetween, and at least one hole extending through said latch mount to allow air and moisture to pass therethrough; and

an adhesive in each of said spaces for permanently bonding said pair of hinges and said latch mount to said inner surface of said glass on said frit layer, said adhesive having a thickness between each of said hinge portions and said frit layer and between said latch mount and said frit layer defined by said respective projections on said hinge portions and said latch mount.

47. A window assembly adapted for securement in a vehicle window opening by a latch, comprising:

at least one latch mount;

a window panel having inner and outer surfaces and a peripheral edge defining a shape to fit within the window opening without any latch mount structure exposed on said outer surface of said window panel;

said one latch mount having a base portion located on said inner surface of said panel inwardly from said peripheral edge, said latch mount having a fastening member thereon for receiving an actuating portion to be attached to an inside of the window opening;

an adhesive between said base portion of said latch mount and said inner surface of said window panel for bonding said latch mount to said inner surface;

said latch mount base including at least one aperture providing access therethrough to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive, and at least one projection on said latch mount base for spacing said base portion from said inner surface and providing a space therebetween;

said adhesive located in space having a thickness between said base portion and said inner surface of said panel defined by said projection.

48. A hinged window assembly for use in a vehicle selected from the group including a van, a truck and a utility vehicle, the window assembly adapted to be mounted in a window opening in a vehicle body, said assembly comprising:

at least one window mounting hinge member for securing said assembly in the window opening;

at least one latch mount defining a shape to fit within the window opening without any hinge mounting or a latch mounting structure exposed on said outer surface of said sheet, said outer surface having a surface area of at least about 250 square inches;

said hinge member and latch mount bonded to said inner surface of said sheet such that there is no exposure of said hinge member or latch mount on said outer surface of said sheet, said hinge member having a surface area bonded to said inner surface of said sheet no greater than about 1.6% of said outer surface area of said sheet; and

an adhesive between said inner surface of said sheet and said hinge member and latch mount bonding said hinge member and latch mount to said sheet.

49. The hinged window of claim 48 further including an opaque coating between said inner surface of said sheet and said adhesive bonding said hinge member to said sheet.

50. The hinged window of claim 49, 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.

51. The hinged window of claim 50 further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said hinge member to said sheet.

52. The hinged window of claim 51 wherein said adhesive is a moisture activated adhesive.

53. The hinged window of claim 51 wherein said adhesive is a thermally activated adhesive.

54. The hinged window of claim 51 wherein said adhesive is a chemically activated adhesive.

55. The hinged window of claim 51 wherein said hinge member is formed from one of metal, plastic and composite material.

56. The hinged window of claim 50 wherein said bonding of said hinge member 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.

57. The hinged window of claim 56 wherein said pull test is performed after soaking the panel assembly in 80°

C. water for at least 100 hours.

58. The hinged window of claim 49 including an adhesion promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive which bonds said hinge member to said inner surface of said sheet;

said adhesive comprising an activated adhesive.

59. The hinged window of claim 58 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.

60. The hinged window of claim 49 further including an adhesion-promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said hinge member to said sheet.

61. The hinged window of claim 60 wherein said hinge member is formed from one of metal, plastic and composite material.

62. The hinged window of claim 48 wherein said hinge member includes at least one projection for spacing said hinge member from said inner surface of said sheet, said adhesive having a thickness between said hinge member and said inner surface of said sheet defined by said projection.

63. The hinged window of claim 51 wherein said hinge member includes at least one perforation therethrough for access to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

64. The hinged window of claim 48 wherein said hinge member includes at least one perforation therethrough for access to said adhesive and a mechanical bonding surface for said adhesive.

65. The hinged window of claim 48 wherein said bonding of said hinge member to said sheet forms a joint which is sufficiently strong to withstand a straight pull test of about 150 pounds at a rate of about 25 millimeters per minute.

66. The hinged window of claim 65 wherein each of said joints withstands said pull test after soaking said panel assembly in 80°

C. water for at least 100 hours.

67. The hinged window of claim 66 including an opaque coating between said inner surface of said sheet and said adhesive bonding said hinge member to said sheet;

and an adhesion-promoting compound between said opaque coating and said adhesive bonding said hinge member to said sheet.

68. The hinged window of claim 67 wherein said adhesive is a moisture activated adhesive.

69. The hinged window of claim 67 wherein said adhesive is a thermally activated adhesive.

70. The hinged window of claim 67 wherein said adhesive is a chemically activated adhesive.

71. The hinged window of claim 67 wherein said hinge member is formed from one of metal, plastic and composite material.