Windshield Patents (Class 296/84.1)
  • Patent number: 7735897
    Abstract: A vehicle slider assembly has a frame, upon which a fixed panel and an upper and a lower track are attached, and a slider panel assembly that moves in the tracks. The frame defines a window opening that the moving slider panel assembly opens and closes. The interior surfaces of the frame provide constant sealing surfaces for seals attached to the outwardly directed slider panel surfaces. The lower horizontal portion of the frame is adjacent to the lower track and has drain holes through it. The lower track has a reservoir channel defined in it, such that, moisture that is interior to the vehicle slider assembly accumulates in the reservoir channel and flows through the drain holes to the exterior of the vehicle slider assembly. An appliqué may be disposed over the exterior of the lower frame portion so that the flow of the moisture is hidden in an unencumbered and aesthetically pleasing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Pilkington North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane C. Seiple, Charles E. Ash, H. Richard Voght
  • Patent number: 7718248
    Abstract: In a process for molding a plastic component onto a prefabricated plastic part, a first mold plate (1) and a second mold plate (105) are closed, a cavity in which the prefabricated plastic part (101) is located being formed between the closed mold plates (1, 105). One of the mold plates (105) is formed with a depressed zone (108) and a polymer feed (115) opening out into the depressed zone (108) for molding the plastic component onto a region of the prefabricated plastic part (101) that lies opposite the depressed zone (108). Subsequently, polymer melt is injected into the depressed zone (108) and, during the injection of polymer into the depressed zone (108), the mold plates (1, 105) are moved apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Franz Josef Summerer
  • Patent number: 7703830
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a window opening defined by a margin of material. The window assembly also includes a window having an adhesive member bonded on it prior to an installation operation on a vehicle. The adhesive member is further bonded to the margin of material when the window assembly is attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Earl, Shawn L. Walters
  • Patent number: 7700179
    Abstract: A self-supporting adhesive web 10 having a uniform thickness profile across at least 20% of its width as shown by areas A and B and a wedge-shaped thickness profile in areas C and D. As shown in FIG. 2, a laminate comprises sheets of glass 12 and 14 having sandwiched therebetween adhesive interlayer 16. Interlayer 16 has a uniform thickness profile extending from edge 18 to point 20 and a wedge-shaped thickness profile from point 20 to edge 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jimmy K. Travis, Randall A. Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20100064931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle front-end module having a vehicle front-end structure (100) for mounting to the front end of a rail-borne vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, wherein the vehicle front-end structure (100) is wholly composed of structural elements made from fiber composite or fiber composite sandwich material. The structural elements forming the vehicle front-end structure (100) comprise first structural elements (10, 10?, 11, 12, 12?, 14, 15, 16) which are configured and directly connected to one another so as to form a substantially deformation-resistant, self-supporting front-end structure designed to accommodate a vehicle driver's cab (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heinisch, Reiner Krause, Sascha Ende, Uwe Beika
  • Patent number: 7673923
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle windshield comprises a first holder, a second holder, and a hinge member. The first holder includes a first body and a first receptacle with a first opening and a first closed end, wherein a first axis is defined between the first closed end and the first opening, the first axis being normal to a first plane defined by the first opening. The second holder includes a second body and a second receptacle with a second opening and a second closed end, wherein a second axis is defined between the second closed end and the second opening, the second axis being normal to a second plane defined by the second opening. The hinge member is attached to the first and second holder and has first and second ends and defines a third axis. When the hinge member is in a relaxed condition, the first and second axes form oblique angles relative to the third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Augusta Coating and Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: William Victor Reese
  • Patent number: 7665792
    Abstract: A foldable windshield assembly comprises upper and lower pillar supports, upper and lower windshield members connected thereto, and a hinge disposed between the upper and lower pillar supports. The hinge comprises a first connector rigidly connected to one pillar support, a second connector slidably connected within the other pillar support, and a pivot member pivotally connected to one of the connectors by a pivot connector defining a pivot axis and rigidly connected to the other of the connectors, the pivot member received within a pillar support associated with the second connector. The pivot axis intersects one of the pillar supports to maintain the upper windshield member in a use position, and the upper windshield member is moveable between use and folded positions by separating the upper pillar from the lower pillar to reveal the pivot connector and folding the upper windshield member over the lower windshield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7661747
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a windshield frame constructed to support a windshield. A plurality of couplers are secured to the windshield frame, and a tower frame for a wakeboard tow rope or cable attachment, radar arch or the like is connected to the windshield frame via the couplers. In one arrangement, the couplers are connected to the wing sections of the windshield frame, and the tower frame extends between the wing sections and above an area defined between the wing sections. The integrated tower frame and windshield simplifies installation for the boat manufacturer while accommodating many varieties of tower and windshield configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Erskine, Robert R. Shearer
  • Patent number: 7641269
    Abstract: In a vehicular body structure, left and right front pillars are provided closer to the longitudinal centerline of a vehicle than left and right corner sections of a compartment of the vehicle. First corner window (26) provided adjacent to one of the left and right front pillars (13) which is more remote from a driver's seat (24) has a greater opening area than a second corner window (25) provided adjacent to the other of the left and right pillars (11) which is closer to the driver's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Yojiro Tsutsumi, Masaaki Abe, Isao Uematsu, Kazuyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7591231
    Abstract: A multi-piece bottom trim member secures a curved sheet element such as a boat windshield on a surface such as a boat hull. The trim member includes a base member securable to the surface and including a supporting leg, and an upper member including a base member receiving channel that is shaped to receive the supporting leg of the base member. The upper member is positionable relative to the base member to accommodate varying angles of the curved sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Shearer, Edward J. Erskine
  • Publication number: 20090212587
    Abstract: Multi-layer composites comprising: (a) a first scratch-resistant coating layer comprising a first coating (primer); (b) a thermoplastic layer; and (c) a second scratch-resistant coating layer comprising a second coating (primer); wherein the first scratch-resistant coating layer and the second scratch-resistant coating layer are disposed on opposing sides of the thermoplastic layer; wherein the first coating and the second coating are not the same; and wherein the first scratch-resistant coating layer and the second scratch-resistant coating layer are selected such that a multi-layer composite having the first scratch-resistant layer disposed on both sides of the thermoplastic layer has a lower critical impact speed for tough/brittle transition at ?30° C. according to DIN EN ISO 6603-1 than a multi-layer composite having the second scratch-resistant layer disposed on both sides of the thermoplastic layer; processes for producing the same; and uses therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Sven Hobeika, Olaf Zollner, Peter Capellen, Roderich Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20090127884
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a translucent screen board 25 arranged forwardly of a handle 13 which changes a direction of a front wheel according to an operation by a rider and extended obliquely upward toward a rear of a vehicle body, and a rectifier plate 30 extending along the screen board 25 in front of the screen board 25. The rectifier plate 30 prevents dust, etc., from adhering to the screen board when the motorcycle travels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kuniyuki TAKAHASHI, Katsumitsu WAKAMATSU, Yuuta KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 7521110
    Abstract: A self-supporting adhesive web (10) having a uniform thickness profile across at least 20% of its width as shown by areas A and B and a wedge-shaped thickness profile in areas C and D. As shown in FIG. 2, a laminate comprises sheets of glass (12 and 14) having sandwiched therebetween adhesive interlayer (16). Interlayer (16) has a uniform thickness profile extending from edge (18) to point (20) and a wedge-shaped thickness profile from point (20) to edge (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jimmy K. Travis, Randall A. Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20090079219
    Abstract: The current invention is a split windshield which can be stored on a vehicle or deployed into a single windshield to provide protection for a rider on the vehicle. The windshield includes an upper and lower portion and also includes an upper and lower frame attached to the upper and lower portion of the windshield. There are mounts for attaching the windshield to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Ray Caprio
  • Patent number: 7508406
    Abstract: A window including deliberate rupture zones. The window is obtained by a method whereby the glass is subjected to local overheating of the structure using a high-energy beam penetrating the glass, deliberate rupture zones are produced by sequentially guiding the beam in a predetermined path along the preferred path for the window to break along, and by sequentially focusing the beam both along the predetermined path and at various depths relative to the surface of the window. The sequential focusing at various penetration depths follows a line that is inclined and/or curved relative to the normal to the surface of the glass so that a weakened structure is created in the window to obtain rupture behavior of the window that differs according to the direction in which the influence leading to rupture acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Alexander Oehrlein
  • Patent number: 7475932
    Abstract: A glazing element (12) for an opening defined by opaque boundaries (13) has an edge region (E) shaped to divert light passing through it in a sense such as to enlarge the field of view through the opening. For this purpose the bounding surfaces (33, 34) of the element (12) diverge towards the edge thereof in the edge region (E). The same effect can be achieved by an element (25) adhered to or otherwise held in position to the surface of the element (12) in the edge region (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventors: Kirsten Milner, legal representative, Peter James Milner
  • Patent number: 7464952
    Abstract: A windshield for bicycles and scooters. The windshield includes a media player, such as a compact disc player, that may be operated while riding a bicycle or scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Hal Stigger
  • Patent number: 7452023
    Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. A first pair of retaining members are arranged on the window frame in an installed position and movable between a retaining position wherein the retaining members retain the first window pane in an upright position and a release position wherein the retaining members are disengaged from the first window pane. Each of the first pair of retaining members are defined by a rigid frame having an integrally molded elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Richard Krall
  • Patent number: 7425369
    Abstract: A base sheet of transparent polycarbonate material has a formed shape including a center portion and a peripheral portion. The center portion is formed by a non-contact forming operation occurring at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melt temperature of the transparent polycarbonate material, thereby resulting in the center portion of the base sheet being free of visual distortion. A top coat layer is disposed over the base sheet. The top coat layer has a greater resistance to abrasion than the polycarbonate material and provides UV protection to the base sheet. A primer coating is disposed between the base sheet and the top coat layer to facilitate bonding therebetween. The peripheral portion can have a shape created by a contact forming operation occurring at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melt temperature of the polycarbonate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventors: Edwin J Oakey, Rodney M Tinney
  • Patent number: 7418917
    Abstract: A hidden marine windshield mounting system and method, utilizing a cooperative pair of elongated base members, longitudinally extending around the front of and fastened to a marine vessel deck. The two elongated base members cooperatively interlock with one another to form a single windshield mounting base unit, having a substantially vertically erect windshield receiving area for adhesion of most usually, curved windshield tempered glass. Mounted onto the top of the curved windshield glass is an elongated trim member, which may come into contact at its ends, with the ends of the base member pair. The base member pair can be forcibly separable from one another after stretch forming for assembly, installation and for glass replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Darren Ashley Bach
  • Publication number: 20080197656
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle having a simple and inexpensive structure that assists the driving sense. A front window shield 1 of a vehicle 100 is provided with a pair of marks 2 and 3 substantially horizontally aligned. The marks 2 and 3 are formed at the same height at the left and right sides of the front window shield 1. A driver perceives a virtual line L by the marks 2 and 3 on the front window shield 1, and trackings the line of sight W1 are induced to move such as to gather between the bottom end line (herein, a line of an instrument panel 6) and a virtual line L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotoshi Fujimoto, Seiji Yoshimoto, Haruko Okuyama, Katsuaki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20080174140
    Abstract: Protective laminate films protect an underlying windshield from damage due to impacting rocks or other debris. The laminate films generally include a substrate having a scratch resistant coating adhered to one side and an adhesive layer adhered to an opposite side. Adhesion promoter and primer layers may be provided to enhance adhesion of the scratch-resistant coating to the substrate. Each layer is transparent such that, when applied to a windshield, the laminate film does not impact a driver's visibility. Each layer may also be flexible so that the laminate films can be molded to a curved windshield. Generally, the scratch resistant coating protects the laminate films from scratching or other damage from impacting debris or from windshield wipers. The substrate provides structural integrity to the laminate films and may provide some impact dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Clearplex Corporation
    Inventors: Chris McCormick, A. Brent Strong, Mike D. Ridges, Kevin A. Plumb, Jeff Smith
  • Publication number: 20080136209
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for mounting a windshield onto small vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles or other similar vehicles. The mounting system generally comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them being adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and comprising a receiving cavity. The mounting system also comprises a windshield support frame which is adapted to support a windshield panel and which also comprises a pair of mounting elements or protuberances receivable in the receiving cavities of the receiving elements. Once the mounting elements are received in the receiving cavities, the frame is fixedly retained on the receiving elements by a pair of locking means. By a simple actuation of the locking means, the windshield panel and its support frame can easily be installed or removed from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Vincent Morin
  • Publication number: 20080129073
    Abstract: In automotive front windshields used for head-up display, there is provided an automotive front windshield characterized in that two plate glasses of an interior side and an exterior side are bonded to each other by using two interlayer films, that an optical functional film prepared by laminating an optical rotatory member in the form of film is inserted into the two interlayer films, and that the optical functional film has a thickness of 12 ?m to 22 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Central Glass company, Limited
    Inventor: Shinji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7380860
    Abstract: A windshield system according to particular embodiments of the invention comprises: (1) a first windshield portion defining a windshield fastener receiving opening; (2) a second windshield portion connected to rotate between: (A) a closed position, in which the second windshield portion is substantially coplanar with the first windshield portion, and (B) an open position, in which the first and second windshield portions are spaced apart from, and co-facing, each other; and (3) a windshield fastener that is adapted for maintaining the second windshield portion in an open or a closed position. In particular embodiments, at least a portion of the windshield fastener is disposed within the windshield fastener receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Frank Dolan
  • Patent number: 7311347
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light weight windshield attachment adapted for easy attachment and detachment from a vehicular supportive frame. The attachment includes a circumscribing frame and a tautly stretched film possessing a high order of elastic memory so as to elastically stretch and absorb an impacting projectile while returning to an innate stretched film structure after the impacting force. A bi-folding attachment attached to a golf cart canopy provides a golf cart windshield superior in function and performance over current golf cart windshields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: David Bruce Aller
  • Patent number: 7309096
    Abstract: According to a visibility adjusting apparatus of a vehicle, an apex T is disposed at a position deviated from a driver and between a position opposed to the driver and a vehicle center position, left and right ridgelines uniformly downwardly inclined from the apex T to the vehicle-width direction are set, and a visibility adjusting section is formed as a parting line which adjusts a lower end visibility of the windshield. The visibility adjusting section is formed of the apex and the left and right ridgelines. With this, a sense of balance of the driver can be stabilized by the inclined parting line, and the sway of a head inclination angle can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keijiro Iwao, Mitsuhito Ito, Kenya Uenuma
  • Publication number: 20070278815
    Abstract: A window assembly having photochromatic properties is described. The window assembly includes a substrate being adjacent to a coating. A photochromatic film is located between the substrate and the coating, whereby the photochromatic film darkens when the window assembly is exposed to ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Wilfried Hedderich, Christophe Lefaux, Keith D. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7284782
    Abstract: A view adjustment portion includes a vertex at a position offset from a driver between a position opposed to the driver and a center position of the vehicle and includes right and left edges uniformly sloped down from the vertex toward each side in the vehicle width direction. On the interior surface of the view adjustment portion, textures densest and smallest in the vicinity of the vertex are provided. This can prevent the driver's visual focus to be directed to the vicinity of the vertex T and guide the driver's visual focus in the travel direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling disturbance by a portion of the view adjustment portion around the vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Uenuma, Keijiro Iwao
  • Patent number: 7267388
    Abstract: A window assembly cooperating with a window frame on a golf car includes a first window pane selectively coupled to the window frame. A second window pane is selectively coupled to the window frame and offset from the first window pane. A first pair of retaining members are arranged on the window frame in an installed position and movable between a retaining position wherein the retaining members retain the first window pane in an upright position and a release position wherein the retaining members are disengaged from the first window pane. Each of the first pair of retaining members are defined by a rigid frame having an integrally molded elastomeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hanson, Jr., Richard Krall
  • Patent number: 7261359
    Abstract: A lightweight apparatus for driving windscreen of vehicles with having high rigidity is provided. An apparatus provided with front and rear guide rails 22, 23 that are mounted right and left in one pair on a vehicle body such as motorcycles etc., guide members 43, 44 moving in the front and rear guide rails, one pair of the right and left carrier plates 24 supported by guide members 43, 44 and fixed to the windscreen W, and the driving mechanism synchronously reciprocates the carrier plates 24. The driving mechanism comprises the control cables 14, 15, 16 which are wired like figure of 8, and the cable driving mechanism 17 that reciprocates the inner cable of the control cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Cable System, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Furuhashi, Tamiya Takeuchi, Tomoyuki Takahashi, Akitsugu Kimura
  • Patent number: 7237819
    Abstract: A windshield assembly for a motorcycle. The windshield assembly includes a flyscreen having one of a grommet and a coupling member and a windscreen having the other of a grommet and a coupling member. The coupling member defines a projection that engages the grommet to couple the windscreen to the flyscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: John W. Fox, Anthony D. Stefanelli, Michael R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7237836
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof plate which has a transparent plastic area to which a peripheral plastic edge is molded which is used especially as a cover visor and which extends downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Miriam Schoenauer, Joachim Birkner, Michael Koelbl, Alexander Lang, Rudi Muttenhammer, Martin Pollak, Ralf Schwaighofer, Friedhelm Wulf, Jean-Guy Cocaign
  • Patent number: 7165802
    Abstract: A foldable windshield assembly includes a windshield support having opposing pairs of upper and lower pillar supports, an upper windshield member connected to the upper pillar supports, and a lower windshield member connected to the lower pillar supports. A hinge is disposed between the opposing pairs of upper and lower pillar supports. The hinge includes a first connector adapted to be rigidly connected to one of the upper or lower pillar supports, a second connector adapted to be slidably connected within the other of the upper or lower pillar supports, and a knuckle having ends pivotally connected to the first connector and the second connector and adapted to be received within one of the upper or lower pillar supports associated with the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Daniel J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7147274
    Abstract: A windshield spacer basically has a mounting portion and a windshield supporting portion. The mounting portion has a fastening structure configured and arranged to be fixedly coupled to a vehicle body part. The windshield supporting portion is integrally formed with the mounting portion, and configured and arranged relative to the mounting portion to restrict a movement of a windshield in a direction substantially parallel to a main surface of the windshield and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface of the windshield. The windshield spacer preferably further includes a molding retaining portion integrally formed with the mounting portion, and configured and arranged relative to the mounting portion to rigidly retain a windshield molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America
    Inventor: Yoichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7144061
    Abstract: A retractable windshield and collapsible console apparatus can be raised and the windshield extended when needed to afford additional protection to persons from conditions due to environment, and to allow for convenient and safe stowing of the apparatus in the same location without causing an obstruction. The console can be collapsed and stowed into a position which is substantially parallel relative to a base on the floor or other surface of a boat, other vehicle or other structure when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Vanco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Behm, Patricia Strutz
  • Patent number: 7100960
    Abstract: According to a visibility adjusting apparatus of a vehicle, an apex T is disposed at a position deviated from a driver and between a position opposed to the driver and a vehicle center position, left and right ridgelines uniformly downwardly inclined from the apex T to the vehicle-width direction are set, and a visibility adjusting section is formed as a parting line which adjusts a lower end visibility of the windshield. The visibility adjusting section is formed of the apex and the left and right ridgelines. With this, a sense of balance of the driver can be stabilized by the inclined parting line, and the sway of a head inclination angle can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keijiro Iwao, Mitsuhito Ito, Kenya Uenuma
  • Patent number: 7049003
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a laminated window such as a vehicle windshield. At least one of the two glass substrates of the window is ion beam milled prior to heat treatment and lamination. As a result, defects in the resulting window and/or haze may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Scott V. Thomsen, Rudolph Hugo Petrmichl, Anthony V. Longobardo, Vijayen S. Veerasamy, David R. Hall, Jr., Henry Luten
  • Patent number: 7040063
    Abstract: A window glass, particularly for installation by adhesive bonding in an opening of a vehicle bodywork, comprises a sheet of glass with a profiled bead that is fixed at least to the main surface of the sheet of glass facing toward the interior in the installed state and that rests against at least part of the opening. The use of such a window glass makes it possible, once the window glass has been installed in the bodywork opening, to obtain a visible space less than 5 mm between the opening and the edge face of the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Jean-Gérard Leconte
  • Patent number: 6983973
    Abstract: A windscreen attaching/detaching device includes a mount bracket including a stopper and a hook, with the mount bracket secured to a windscreen and a mount stay including a damper member and a lock mechanism, with the mount stay secured to a vehicle body. The lock mechanism urges the hook to a locked position. The lock mechanism includes an arm disengaging with the hook and a lever linking to the arm and turnable between the locked position and an unlocked position. The windscreen engages the damper member with the stopper as well as engages the arm with the hook to turn the lever to the locked position that allows the windscreen to be secured to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6983974
    Abstract: A windscreen attaching/detaching device includes a mount bracket including a stopper and a hook, with the mount bracket secured to a windscreen and a mount stay including a damper member and a lock mechanism, with the mount stay secured to a vehicle body. The lock mechanism urges the hook to a locked position. The lock mechanism includes an arm disengaging with the hook and a lever linking to the arm and turnable between the locked position and an unlocked position. The windscreen engages the damper member with the stopper as well as engages the arm with the hook to turn the lever to the locked position that allows the windscreen to be secured to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6973754
    Abstract: A windowpane is supported in a gasket by a support member so that a space for allowing the windowpane to shift therein is ensured between an end surface of the windowpane and a surface in a channel of the gasket facing the end surface, the gasket having the channel for receiving a peripheral edge of the windowpane, and the support member being removable from the gasket. The windowpane can be easily removed from a body panel by removing the support member and shifting the windowpane into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigehiko Iguchi, Nobuyuki Tamai, Nobutaka Kojima
  • Patent number: 6933051
    Abstract: An electrically conductive film contains electrically connected first and second visible light-transmissive metal or metal alloy layers separated by a visible light-transmissive crosslinked polymeric layer. The film can be joined or laminated into glazing (especially non-planar vehicular safety glazing) with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will be damaged or distorted. The film also can transparently shield a device that can cause or is sensitive to electromagnetic interference with reduced likelihood that the metal or metal alloy layers will fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert James Fleming, Christopher Stewart Lyons, Clark Ivan Bright, Edward John Anderson, Brian Leroy Koster, Maria Lenni Zelinsky
  • Patent number: 6919536
    Abstract: A window includes an ice removal structure thereon for weakening the adhesion strength of ice to the window upon an application of voltage. The ice removal structure is at least partially covered and/or coated with a layer of diamond-like carbon (DLC) in certain embodiments. In certain embodiments, the DLC may be of a type known as ta-C which can be very dense and have a large number of sp3 carbon-carbon bonds. The DLC protects the ice removal structure, and in certain instances can act as a semiconductor in order to aid ice removal. In other embodiments, the ice removal structure may include first and second substantially transparent electrodes sandwiching an anodized layer with columnar structure therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Vijayen S. Veerasamy, Scott V. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6877786
    Abstract: A thermally energy efficient vehicle includes a vehicle structure having generally interconnected structural members that form a frame for the vehicle and generally planar interconnected panels that define a shape of the vehicle. The thermally energy efficient vehicle also includes a low transmittance glass window positioned within the vehicle structure which increases a thermal resistance of the vehicle and an energy efficient thermal management system that provides exterior thermal management and interior thermal management for the vehicle, such that the energy efficient thermal management system consumes less thermal energy as a result of the increased thermal resistance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Paul Gielda
  • Patent number: 6866918
    Abstract: A laminated safety glass windscreen, which can also be used as a reflector in a HUD system, comprises at least first and second panes and a thermoplastic intermediate layer which joins these panes together. The cross-section of the intermediate layer is in the shape of a wedge, decreasing in thickness from top to bottom. The thermoplastic intermediate layer may be composed of two sheets, one of which is provided with a colored filtering strip and has a wedged cross-section conditioned by the appearance of this filtering strip. The other sheet has a wedged cross-section such that the two sheets together have the prescribed convergence angle for using the windscreen as a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Gerd Sauer
  • Patent number: 6851737
    Abstract: A windshield mounting structure includes A-pillars for mounting a windshield and cracking inducers provided at the A-pillars. The cracking inducers cause cracking in the windshield when an external force greater than a given force acts on the windshield from the vehicle outside. The cracking in the windshield allows the windshield to move in its entirety or in part toward a passenger compartment, absorbing impact in collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Okamoto, Yuji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6834905
    Abstract: A windshield of a laminated glass curved to protrude toward the vehicle outside. An interlayer of the laminated glass is tensioned so that the windshield has a force acting to cause the entire laminated glass to flex toward a passenger compartment. The windshield is configured in its entirety to be flexible toward the inside of the passenger compartment, so that the impact of an object colliding with the windshield from the vehicle outside can be absorbed and impact received by the colliding object can be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Okamoto, Yuji Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20040239141
    Abstract: According to a visibility adjusting apparatus of a vehicle, an apex T is disposed at a position deviated from a driver and between a position opposed to the driver and a vehicle center position, left and right ridgelines uniformly downwardly inclined from the apex T to the vehicle-width direction are set, and a visibility adjusting section is formed as a parting line which adjusts a lower end visibility of the windshield. The visibility adjusting section is formed of the apex and the left and right ridgelines. With this, a sense of balance of the driver can be stabilized by the inclined parting line, and the sway of a head inclination angle can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keijiro Iwao, Mitsuhito Ito, Kenya Uenuma
  • Patent number: RE41502
    Abstract: A device for closing an opening formed through the bodywork of a vehicle, the device comprising a fixed panel and a panel that constitutes a moving panel relative to the fixed panel, the moving panel being connected to the fixed panel by functional elements providing the required mobility, the functional elements being fitted to the face of the fixed panel that is directed towards the inside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Comfort Systems France SAS-ACS
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Neaux