Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a window panel comprising inner and outer surfaces terminating at a peripheral edge, An attachment member is adhesively bonded to the window panel at a mounting area of the inner surface by a layer of cured adhesive. The attachment member is a generally S-shaped metallic attachment member having a panel attachment flange, a vehicle attachment flange, and a leg disposed between the flanges and spacing the panel attachment flange from the vehicle attachment flange. The panel attachment flange is configured to conform to the inner surface of the window panel at the mounting area. A fastener at the vehicle attachment flange attaches the vehicle attachment flange to the vehicle to mount the window assembly at the vehicle. The fastener protrudes from the vehicle attachment flange and generally away from the panel attachment flange and the window panel.

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.

Abstract: A method for making an articulatable window assembly suitable for use as a side window or a rear lift gate window of a vehicle includes providing a curved tempered glass sheet and at least one mounting member for attachment to the glass sheet. At least one layer of primer is applied to a portion of the inner surface of the glass sheet. A flange of an attachment portion of the mounting member is maintained positioned offset from the primed portion of the inner surface of the tempered glass sheet and with a viscous adhesive disposed therebetween for at least a time period sufficient for the viscous adhesive to achieve an at least partial cure. The offset distance between the flange of the attachment portion of the mounting member and the primed portion of the inner surface of the glass sheet is greater than 0.1 mm and less than 3 mm.

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.

Abstract: A window assembly suitable for use in an articulated side window of a vehicle comprises a glass panel and one or more hinge mounting members adhesively bonded to an inner surface of the glass panel such that there is no exposure on the outer surface of the glass panel. Each mounting member comprises a generally U-shaped portion comprising a mounting flange and a tab portion, with an arcuate leg portion interconnecting the mounting flange and the tab portion, and with the tab portion spaced from and overlying generally parallel to the mounting flange. A latch mounting member is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the glass panel such that there is no exposure on the outer surface, and preferably comprises a disk-shaped flange with a stud configured for fitting with a latching mechanism which is used to move the glass panel between window open and window closed positions.

Abstract: An articulated window assembly for mounting in a window opening of a vehicle includes a glass sheet, and a first mounting member for hingedly securing the glass sheet to a first area adjacent one edge of the sheet on the inner surface of the sheet for movement between open and closed positions. The mounting member is attached with no exposure on the outer surface. The glass sheet may have an outer surface area of at least 250 square inches. A second mounting member may also be attached to the inner sheet surface at a position spaced from the first mounting member, and may comprise a latch mechanism. Preferably, the mounting members are hidden from view from the outer sheet surface by opaque coatings, such as frit layers, included on the inner sheet surface. The window assembly may be flush mounted in the window opening, and may be a rear side window assembly, a rear window assembly, or a tailgate window assembly.

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.

Abstract: A method for making a window assembly for vehicles includes applying a layer of adhesion promoting primer to at least one of an opaque frit layer on a window panel or a mounting member to be bonded to the window panel, applying an adhesive to at least one of the frit layer or mounting member, and forming a joint which bonds the mounting member to the window panel by engaging the mounting member with the frit layer such that the primer and adhesive are disposed therebetween. The joint is capable of withstanding a straight pull load of greater than at least 150 pounds applied at a rate of 25 millimeters per minute without failure.

Abstract: An articulated window panel for vehicles includes a glass sheet, a hinge or a latch mounting area on the inner surface of the sheet, and a hinge or a latch bonded to the hinge or latch mounting area by an adhesive such that there is no exposure of the hinge or latch on the outer surface of the glass sheet. The panel is preferably fitted in a generally vertical window opening of the vehicle such that the panel forms one of a side window, rear window, or lift gate window. The bonded hinge or latch resists failure due to severe vibration and extreme climatic conditions. A substantially opaque coating may be used between the hinge or latch and the glass sheet to aid in hiding those items from view from the outer sheet surface.

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.

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.

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.