Abstract: A novel solderless connection between a bus bar and an array of electroconductive wires avoids cracks in plastic window elements, particularly the outer component of curved lightweight heated windows, particularly those used in aircraft.

Abstract: Fabricating a panel comprising a rigid mounting frame surrounding a laminated transparency having a metal reinforcing insert embedded therein in such a manner that the insert is parallel to the outer major surface of the transparency after its fabrication.

Abstract: A laminated glass-plastic glazing unit suitable for aircraft is disclosed. The unit comprises a pair of sheets of rigid transparent material such as glass and an interlayer of thermoplastic material that is susceptible to crack at low temperatures and that has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the sheets of rigid transparent material. Electrical resistance material preferably in the form of thin metal wire, is embedded within the interlayer and disposed locally in areas along a pair of opposite marginal edges of the interlayer and electrically energized to heat the interlayer portion adjacent thereto sufficiently to overcome the tendency of the interlayer to pull chips from the marginal portion of one or both of the rigid sheets when the unit is subjected to extremely low temperature conditions in a high-flying aircraft.