Patents by Inventor Charles Sitterlet

Charles Sitterlet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200001829
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a polymeric interlayer provided between an inner pane of glass and an outer pane of glass. The inner pane and outer pane each have a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the outer pane and the first major surface of the inner pane face each other. The window assembly also includes a connector assembly. The connector assembly has a wire assembly. The wire assembly has a terminal connector. The terminal connector has a width and a height. The width is greater than the height. The terminal connector is attached to a busbar provided on the second major surface of either the inner pane or the outer pane. A potting layer is provided over the terminal connector. The potting layer separates the terminal connector from an electrically conductive portion of a vehicle adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 10414378
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a polymeric interlayer provided between an inner pane of glass and an outer pane of glass. The inner pane and outer pane each have a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the outer pane and the first major surface of the inner pane face each other. The window assembly also includes a connector assembly. The connector assembly has a wire assembly. The wire assembly has a terminal connector. The terminal connector has a width and a height. The width is greater than the height. The terminal connector is attached to a busbar provided on the second major surface of either the inner pane or the outer pane. A potting layer is provided over the terminal connector. The potting layer separates the terminal connector from an electrically conductive portion of a vehicle adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 10335879
    Abstract: Induction soldering via an assembly fixture is utilized to bond one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window to form a vehicle window assembly. A method of operating the assembly fixture to bond the one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window by induction soldering is also an aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Charles Sitterlet
  • Publication number: 20180050403
    Abstract: Induction soldering via an assembly fixture is utilized to bond one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window to form a vehicle window assembly. A method of operating the assembly fixture to bond the one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window by induction soldering is also an aspect of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 9894717
    Abstract: A heated vehicle sliding window assembly has a fixed glass panel with an opening formed in it and a slidably movable glass panel capable of closing the opening. Disposed on the fixed glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form two grid resistors which are connected together as a series circuit, which is connected between two electrically conductive bus bars deposited on the fixed glass panel. Disposed on the slidably movable glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form a third grid resistor, which is connected between two other electrically conductive bus bars disposed on the movable glass panel. Both sets of electrically conductive bus bars may be connected together as a parallel circuit when the opening is either opened or closed by the movable glass panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Jr., Brian J. Clark, Thomas S. Hicks, David M. Kovach, Matthew A. Rapin, Keith H. Schwaderer, Shane C. Seiple, Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160107613
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a polymeric interlayer provided between an inner pane of glass and an outer pane of glass. The inner pane and outer pane each have a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the outer pane and the first major surface of the inner pane face each other. The window assembly also includes a connector assembly. The connector assembly has a wire assembly. The wire assembly has a terminal connector. The terminal connector has a width and a height. The width is greater than the height. The terminal connector is attached to a busbar provided on the second major surface of either the inner pane or the outer pane. A potting layer is provided over the terminal connector. The potting layer separates the terminal connector from an electrically conductive portion of a vehicle adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 9304073
    Abstract: An apparatus and method tests the strength of a bond between a substrate, especially a vehicle window, and an item bonded thereto. The apparatus includes a force transfer shaft having a first end extending from a housing and a second end positioned within the housing, a ferromagnetic member connected to the end of the force transfer shaft positioned within the housing, and a permanent magnet having a predetermined pull force secured to the housing proximate the ferromagnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Publication number: 20160001744
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a polymeric interlayer provided between an inner pane of glass and an outer pane of glass. The inner pane and outer pane each have a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the outer pane and the first major surface of the inner pane face each other. The window assembly also includes a connector assembly. The connector assembly has a wire assembly. The wire assembly has a terminal connector. The terminal connector has a width and a height. The width is greater than the height. The terminal connector is attached to a busbar provided on the second major surface of either the inner pane or the outer pane. A potting layer is provided over the terminal connector. The potting layer separates the terminal connector from an electrically conductive portion of a vehicle adjacent thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 8992199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mold seal for use in a molding apparatus to mold a polymeric frame or gasket onto the periphery of a glass sheet. The molding apparatus may be used to form a vehicle window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert Ronald Frutig
  • Publication number: 20150024642
    Abstract: An electrical connector (10) is particularly suitable for bonding to a vehicle window (12), wherein the vehicle window (12) and the electrical connector (10) are disposed on/in an assembly fixture and are brought into bonding contact with one another to form a vehicle window assembly (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Charles Ash, Charles Sitterlet
  • Publication number: 20140342031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mold seal for use in a molding apparatus to mold a polymeric frame or gasket onto the periphery of a glass sheet. The molding apparatus may be used to form a vehicle window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert Ronald Frutig
  • Publication number: 20140216148
    Abstract: An apparatus and method tests the strength of a bond between a substrate, especially a vehicle window, and an item bonded thereto. The apparatus includes a force transfer shaft having a first end extending from a housing and a second end positioned within the housing, a ferromagnetic member connected to the end of the force transfer shaft positioned within the housing, and a permanent magnet having a predetermined pull force secured to the housing proximate the ferromagnetic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 8790562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mold seal for use in a method of molding apparatus to mold a polymeric frame or gasket onto the periphery of a glass sheet. The seal and method are preferably utilized to form a vehicle window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert Ronald Frutig
  • Publication number: 20140183181
    Abstract: Induction soldering via an assembly fixture is utilized to bond one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window to form a vehicle window assembly. A method of operating the assembly fixture to bond the one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window by induction soldering is also an aspect of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 8758544
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly utilizes one or more induction heating devices to adhesively bond an item of hardware to a glass substrate, which substrate is then adapted to fill an opening in a vehicle body. Preferably, the induction heating device(s) and one or more assembly aids are components of an assembly fixture which allows for automated or semi-automated production of such vehicle window assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: David Kovach, Charles Sitterlet
  • Patent number: 8720973
    Abstract: An encapsulated vehicle window assembly has, as a component thereof, a polymeric seal member surrounding at least a peripheral portion of a transparent glass substrate, the polymeric seal having interlocking portions. A method of installing the encapsulated vehicle window assembly in a vehicle body opening is also an aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Charles E. Ash, Kazuhiro Fujiwara, Tsuneaki Sakai
  • Patent number: 8516749
    Abstract: A encapsulated window assembly may be fixed or movable upon installation into an opening in a vehicle body, particularly a vehicle roof. In order to keep air, water and/or dirt from entering the passenger compartment of the vehicle, an integral seal is molded onto a dielectric substrate material. The seal, upon installation of the assembly into the vehicle body opening, effectively closes the gap between the edge of the window assembly and the sheet metal surrounding the body opening, without the need for a post-applied seal, for example, a preformed bulb seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, Scott W. Chambers, Julia B. MacLachlan, Charles Sitterlet
  • Publication number: 20130019532
    Abstract: A heated vehicle sliding window assembly has a fixed glass panel with an opening formed in it and a slidably movable glass panel capable of closing the opening. Disposed on the fixed glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form two grid resistors which are connected together as a series circuit, which is connected between two electrically conductive bus bars deposited on the fixed glass panel. Disposed on the slidably movable glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form a third grid resistor, which is connected between two other electrically conductive bus bars disposed on the movable glass panel. Both sets of electrically conductive bus bars may be connected together as a parallel circuit when the opening is either opened or closed by the movable glass panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Charles E. Ash, JR., Brian J. Clark, Thomas S. Hicks, David M. Kovach, Matthew A. Rapin, Keith H. Schwaderer, Shane C. Seiple, Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8299401
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using induction heating to solder an item of hardware to a glass substrate, wherein the glass substrate; preferably, is a vehicle window, the substrate and bonded item(s) of hardware forming a vehicle window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120205940
    Abstract: An encapsulated vehicle window assembly has, as a component thereof, a polymeric seal member surrounding at least a peripheral portion of a transparent glass substrate, the polymeric seal having interlocking portions. A method of installing the encapsulated vehicle window assembly in a vehicle body opening is also an aspect of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventors: Charles Sitterlet, Charles E. Ash, Kazuhiro Fujiwara, Tsuneaki Sakai