Abstract: A retaining socket for mounting a vehicle glazing accessory is disclosed. The retaining socket comprises a base portion for mounting on the surface of a glazing; a retaining portion for retaining a vehicle glazing accessory; and a retaining portion for retaining a communication device. The base portion comprises an electrically conductive coupling portion, connected to the communication device. A glazing having such a socket mounted thereon is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive glazing having a mounting strip for mounting a glazing component attached adjacent at least one edge thereof is disclosed. The mounting strip comprises at least one ridge positioned in contact with the glazing such that the majority of the mounting strip is spaced apart from the glazing, forming a cavity. The mounting strip is bonded to a major face of the glazing by an adhesive material in contact with at least a portion of the mounting strip, and positioned such that it does not overlap the edge of the glazing. The ridge, the mounting strip end and the major face of the glazing to which the strip is bonded form a cavity having an open end facing the edge of the glazing, the cavity being dimensioned to receive a portion of said glazing component.

Abstract: A press bending station includes an annular mold (5) and a full-face mold (6). Holes (10), selectively connected to a negative pressure source, are placed in portions of the full-face mold (6) that are determined by the configuration of the annular mold when the annular mold comes into contact with a heated glass sheet (2) during the press bending process. The sheet (2) is drawn by negative pressure through the holes (10) towards the full-face mold (6) and thus acquires its shape. Positive pressure may be selectively applied to the holes (10) to release the sheet (2). According to the invention, at least some of the holes (10) are arranged in at least one groove (11) formed in the mold face of the full-face mold. The grooves (11) according to the invention accelerate considerably the removal by negative pressure of the air between the molding face of the full-face mold (6) and the glass sheet (2) to be bent and thus improve the press bending process.

Abstract: The gas cushion serves to support a preheated glass sheet and is produced by a chamber, which is connected to a source (21) of compressed gas. The upper wall (10) of the chamber is adapted to the shape of the glass sheet and has a plurality of apertures for the passage of gas in the form of nozzles (14), which comprise an entry bore (22) and, following thereupon, a progressively widening exit hole (16) with a nozzle exit area (15). The upper wall (10) of the chamber has a greater degree of perforation (sum of the nozzle exit areas (15) in relation to the total area of the respective zone) in its edge zone (12, 13) than in its central zone (11). The nozzles ensure that no jet marks can arise. The gas of the gas cushion can also flow out undisturbed at the side, so that no cooling edges are present and the occurrence of cooling shadows is accordingly avoided.

Abstract: A vehicle glazing having a centring pin bonded thereto, and a centring pin suitable for a vehicle glazing are disclosed. The centring pin comprises a base portion bonded to the vehicle glazing and a centring portion adapted to be inserted into a hole in the bodywork of a vehicle. The centring portion is joined to the base portion, and moveable between a lowered position, in which the glazing may be stored, and a raised position, in which the glazing may be fitted into an aperture in a vehicle.

Abstract: A laminated glazing (e.g. a vehicle windscreen) comprising two panes of glazing material (e.g. glass) having a ply of laminating interlayer extending between them, and one or more wires between the panes of glazing material, each having a conductive central core and an outer dark-coloured (e.g. black) sheath, which is substantially resistant to colour- and substance-degradation by ultraviolet light. The wires may be in the form of a capacitive sensing plate, an inductive coupling loop, a heating element, an antenna and/or an RFID tag.

Abstract: A vehicular glazing comprising two panes of glazing material spaced apart from one another, an electrically conductive coating provided on a surface of the glazing, and an electrical device mounted with respect to the electrically conductive coating, and having a solar control function. The solar control function may result from the presence of a solar control coating or at least one pane of glazing material being body-tinted. The glazing may be a laminate or a double glazing unit and it may also include a functional layer, such as a liquid crystal film.

Abstract: A laminated glazing (e.g. a vehicle windscreen) comprising two panes of glazing material (e.g. glass) having a ply of laminating interlayer extending between them, one or more wires between the panes of glazing material, arranged so as to form a sensing area of a capacitive rain sensor and/or an inductive coupling coil, and an infrared reflective coating provided on a surface of the glazing, wherein in the region of the sensing area and/or the inductive coupling coil, the coating is at most only partially provided.

Abstract: Methods of determining the divergence angle between a primary image and a secondary image generated by a glazing are disclosed. In a first method, a glazing is illuminated with a light source and a primary and a secondary image of the light source, generated by the glazing, are captured using an image capture device. The distance between the primary and the secondary image is determined, and the divergence angle determined from this distance. In a second method, the primary and secondary images are viewed on a target marked with a scale indicating the divergence angle. The divergence angle is read from the scale and the positions the primary and secondary image. In this second method, the light source is located at the center of the target. In both methods, the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode. Preferably, the method is used to examine the edge region of a glazing.

Abstract: A retaining socket which allows detachable fixing of built-in parts of various kinds with various directions of movement during the fitting to glass panes comprises a base part, optionally serving to glue or otherwise fix the retaining socket to the glass pane, at least one first accommodation space for accommodating a retaining portion of a built-in part introduceable in the direction of movement perpendicular to the base part, and at least one second accommodation space for accommodating a retaining portion of a built-in part introduceable in the direction of movement parallel to the base part.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a connector body having first and second connection portions and two or more electrical pathways provided within the connector body between the first and second connection portions, the first connection portion having a functional surface on which at least two exposed areas of conductive material are provided, each of which is in contact with a corresponding electrical pathway, for connection to an electrical element on a substrate, wherein adhesive is provided on the functional surface such that, at a minimum, a peripheral band is formed around each of the areas of conductive material for adhesion to the substrate. Also a glazing comprising at least one pane of glazing material provided with an electrical element, and an electrical connector as described above electrically connected to the electrical element and adhered to a surface of the glazing.

Abstract: An antenna pane for use, for example, as a vehicle window, comprises a glass pane (1) carrying an electrically conductive coating (3). The coating (3) includes a strip-like portion (5) divided into electrically isolated segments by barrier lines (4) spaced so the coating transmits HF radiation in a specified frequency range and constructed, by contacting in contact areas (7) at its two longitudinal sides (6) and by its outer dimensions, as a slot antenna for frequencies in said range.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having an aperture in the vehicle body in which a glazing, comprising a switchable film laminated between at least two plies of an interlayer material is fitted is disclosed. The plies of interlayer material are laminated between a first ply of glazing material, preferably glass,facing out of the vehicle and a second ply of glazing material, preferably glass, facing into the vehicle. The switchable film comprises first and second electrodes, both in electrical connection with a power supply. The first electrode is capacitively connected to electrical ground on the vehicle body.

Abstract: An automotive glazing, comprising an antenna connector is disclosed. The glazing comprises at least a first ply of a transparent glazing material, and a ply of a plastics material extending across the ply of glazing material and having a line-like electrical conductor in contact therewith, a portion of the electrical conductor line being configured to form an antenna conductor and a portion being configured to form a coupling region. In addition, a surface contact is provided on the surface of the first ply of glazing material situated away from the plastics material, in registration with the coupling region. The coupling region and the surface contact form a transmission line acting as a bandpass filter for a frequency band f, the portion of the electrical conductor forming the coupling region having a length approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter of a first effective wavelength ?eff in the glazing corresponding to f.

Abstract: An automotive glazing having a non-galvanic contact for an electrical device associated with the glazing is disclosed. The glazing comprises a first ply and a second ply of transparent glazing material having a ply of interlayer material extending between the plies of glazing material. The glazing also comprises an electric circuit, having a first connector portion, situated adjacent the ply of interlayer material, the first connector portion being configured to form a coupling region such that electrical signals in the circuit are can be coupled between the coupling region and an electrical device placed on the glazing. A second connector portion is included on the surface of the second ply of glazing material situated away from the interlayer material, and connectable to an electrical device. The second connector portion is adapted to receive a ferromagnetic core.

Abstract: Frameless window which comprises a transparent pane, the lower edge of which is fixed in the slot of one or more holders by at least one layer of adhesive and is joined to the walls of the slot of the holders by one or more layers of a first adhesive applied close to the lateral ends of the slot, wherein at least one layer of a second adhesive is applied in the slot between the layers of the first adhesive. A process for manufacturing the window is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicular glazing comprising two panes of glazing material spaced apart from one another, an electrically conductive coating provided on a surface of the glazing, and an electrical device mounted with respect to the electrically conductive coating, and having a solar control function. The solar control function may result from the presence of a solar control coating or at least one pane of glazing material being body-tinted. The glazing may be a laminate or a double glazing unit and it may also include a functional layer, such as a liquid crystal film.

Abstract: A lighting array comprising a plurality of lighting modules, each lighting module comprising a substrate having at least one light emitting diode mounted thereon is disclosed. The modules are arranged to radiate light in a substantially parallel manner. At least some of the modules in the array are arranged in a stepwise manner to adapt to the curvature of an automotive glazing. The modules are preferably arranged to form a centre high mount stop lamp.

Abstract: A motor vehicle glass pane has an electrical arrangement (3) with conductor junction areas (2) arranged one beside the other an one surface of the pane (1). A connecting element is provided which is connected to the conductor junction areas (2) and which is intended to connect the electrical arrangement (3) to a device an the motor vehicle for processing signals or voltage supply. The connecting element comprises a plug or clamping connector (10) for a flat Gable (30) which comprises a number of conductors insulated from one another. The plug or clamping connector (10) comprises an insulating flat body (11) incorporating a slot-shaped Gable fixture (12) arranged basically parallel to the surface of the pane. A flat Gable (30) with one free end (31,32) may be datachably inserted into the Gable fixture.

Abstract: The gas cushion serves to support a preheated glass sheet and is produced by a chamber, which is connected to a source (21) of compressed gas. The upper wall (10) of the chamber is adapted to the shape of the glass sheet and has a plurality of apertures for the passage of gas in the form of nozzles (14), which comprise an entry bore (22) and, following thereupon, a progressively widening exit hole (16) with a nozzle exit area (15). The upper wall (10) of the chamber has a greater degree of perforation (sum of the nozzle exit areas (15) in relation to the total area of the respective zone) in its edge zone (12, 13) than in its central zone (11). The nozzles ensure that no jet marks can arise. The gas of the gas cushion can also low out undisturbed at the side, so that no cooling edges are present and the occurrence of cooling shadows is accordingly avoided.