Abstract: A vehicular window assembly adapted to close an opening in a vehicle body includes a window panel of glass or plastic in the form of a sheet, a primer layer, and at least one polymeric gasket preferably formed from a polymer resin comprising an olefin and bonded to the panel on the primer layer which also comprises an olefin. The primer preferably has a transition temperature above which improved adhesion characteristics are exhibited, and the panel and primer are preferably preheated above the transition temperature prior to molding or other application of the gasket. Alternately, the primer can be cross-linkable and is preferably cured after application of the gasket through ambient moisture and/or post heating. The gasket may also be preformed and applied to the window panel with pressure and heat.

Abstract: A method of preparing a vehicle panel assembly for attaching the panel to a vehicle is disclosed which provides a “ready-to-install” panel assembly. The panel assembly includes first and second spaced sides, with the bead of heat activated adhesive provided on the second side of the panel. The panel and bead are heated preferably by applying shortwave and longwave infrared radiation, with the shortwave infrared radiation being applied to an adhesive free side of the panel to heat the panel and, thereby, indirectly heat the bead of the heat activated adhesive. The longwave infrared radiation is applied to the adhesive side of the panel to directly heat the bead and thereby activate the adhesive. The ready-to-install adhesive may be applied on or adjacent to a gasket, such as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) molding, a urethane molding, or the like.

Abstract: A mold assembly and method for holding a panel or sheet of material such as glass while molding a member around an attachment member and a gasket around a peripheral portion of the panel from a thermoplastic or other moldable material such as PVC. The assembly and method provides a movable, secondary pressure pad which reduces the percentage of broken panels of material. The mold assembly includes a first mold section and a second mold section, which define a mold cavity therebetween. The first mold section includes a first sheet holding surface adjacent the mold cavity, and the second mold section includes a movable, primary pressure pad having a second sheet holding surface adjacent the mold cavity. The primary pressure pad is urged toward the sheet by resilient members to hold the sheet between the first and second holding surfaces in a manner so that the peripheral portion of the sheet extends into the cavity for molding a gasket thereon.

Abstract: A vehicular window assembly adapted to close an opening in a vehicle body includes a window panel of glass or plastic in the form of a sheet, a primer layer, and at least one polymeric gasket preferably molded to the panel on the primer layer from an olefinic-styrenic copolymer such as an ethylene-styrene copolymer or ethylene-styrene interpolymer. The primer preferably has a transition temperature above which improved adhesion characteristics are exhibited, and the panel and primer are preferably preheated above the transition temperature prior to molding or other application of the gasket. Alternately, the primer can be cross-linkable and is preferably cured after application of the gasket through ambient moisture and/or post heating. The gasket may also be preformed and applied to the window panel with pressure and heat.

Abstract: A vehicular window assembly adapted to close an opening in a vehicle body includes a window panel of glass or plastic in the form of a sheet, a primer layer, and at least one polymeric gasket preferably molded to the panel on the primer layer from an olefinic-styrenic copolymer such as an ethylene-styrene copolymer or ethylene-styrene interpolymer. The primer preferably has a transition temperature above which improved adhesion characteristics are exhibited, and the panel and primer are preferably preheated above the transition temperature prior to molding or other application of the gasket. The primer may also comprise an olefinic-styrenic copolymer. Alternately, the primer can be non-cross-linkable, or cross-linkable, and is preferably cured after application of the gasket through ambient moisture and/or post heating. The gasket may also be preformed and applied to the window panel with pressure and heat, or the gasket may be extruded onto the window panel.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle panel to a vehicle is disclosed which provides a "ready-to-install" panel assembly. The panel assembly includes first and second spaced apart surfaces, with the bead of heat activated adhesive provided on the second surface of the panel. The panel and bead are heated preferably by applying shortwave and longwave infrared radiation, with the shortwave infrared radiation being applied to an adhesive free side of the panel to heat the panel and, thereby, indirectly heat the bead of the heat activated adhesive. For example, where the window panel is such as a laminated windshield or side window or backlite comprising two glass sheets laminated with a polymer inner layer, such as plasticized polyvinyl butyral, or silicone or the like, it is preferable that the heat activation temperature of the adhesive be less than or equal to about 125.degree. C., more preferably less than or equal to about 115.degree. C.

Abstract: A vehicle component assembly includes a hard coated polymeric element with a resinous polymeric molded element or gasket integrally molded to a predetermined area thereof. Preferably, the element is a polycarbonate optical lens, such as a headlight lens, which is coated with a protective coating or hard coat which provides abrasion resistance and optionally includes ultraviolet radiation absorbers to protect the resinous polymeric molded element from UV radiation degradation. Adhesion is improved by priming the area of the polycarbonate element which receives the gasket with a primer coating. Preferably, the area to be gasketed is primed with a first adhesion promoting primer followed by a second adhesion promoting primer, wherein the first adhesion promoting primer improves the adhesion of the second primer to the protective coating, while the second primer, in turn, improves the adhesion of the molded element or gasket to the first primer and the hard coated element.

Abstract: An electrical system for a wall system formed from a plurality of serially connected wall panels. Each panel has at least one electrical terminal mounted thereon, and the terminals are joined by electrical cables or flexible electrical connectors. The electrical system is a seven-conductor system employing three live and three neutral conductors for defining three separate electrical circuits each having a separate neutral. A portable power-tap unit, specifically a receptacle unit, can be plugged into the power block for selective engagement with any one of the three circuits. The power-tap unit has a connector portion which plugs into the power block, which connector portion is defined soley by three contacts. Two of the three contacts, namely the live and neutral contacts, are mounted on a carrier which is slidably supported on the power-tap housing so as to be slidably displaced between three selected positions so that the power-tap can be selectively joined to any one of the three circuits.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for mounting a visor rod to a vehicle includes a housing with a keyed aperture within a cylindrical portion for receiving a visor rod end therein. The rod end includes a keyed torque fitting having a radially extending flat with the housing including a recess holding a spring which extends radially inwardly for engaging the flat of the torque fitting when the rod is inserted into the housing for holding the rod end in the housing.

Abstract: Mounting structure for a flux-gate sensor used in electrical digital compass for a vehicle includes a cradle assembly for pivotally mounting the sensor for adjustable movement in a vertical plane aligned with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle. A housing includes an arm engaging the cradle assembly for automatically pivoting the sensor to a horizontal position when installed in different vehicles.