Patents by Inventor Michael J. Hulst
Michael J. Hulst 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).
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Publication number: 20230094469Abstract: A vehicular window assembly includes a window panel having an inner side and an outer side separated from the inner side by a thickness of the window panel. The window panel has a perimeter edge that spans between the inner side and the outer side. A perimeter frame includes a plastic inner frame portion and a polymeric outer frame portion disposed at an outer surface of the inner frame portion. The inner frame portion has an attaching element that is adhesively bonded at the inner side of the window panel to attach the perimeter frame to the window panel. With the attaching element adhesively bonded at the inner side of the window panel, the outer frame portion receives and seals against the perimeter edge of the window panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Darin J. Snider, David L. Guillozet, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 11425798Abstract: A vehicular rear slider window assembly includes a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails of a fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at a first fixed panel, a second heater grid is disposed at a second fixed panel, and a third heater grid disposed at the movable window panel. A jumper electrical connector electrically connects between the first and second fixed panels, and a flexible electrical connector electrically connects between the first or second fixed panel and the movable window panel. The first fixed panel has positive and negative terminals configured to electrically connect to at least one electrical connector of a vehicle wire harness when the vehicular rear slider window assembly is installed at a vehicle. When the positive and negative terminals are electrically powered, electrical current may flow in a single direction across the first and second heater grids.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20210068207Abstract: A vehicular rear slider window assembly includes a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails of a fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at a first fixed panel, a second heater grid is disposed at a second fixed panel, and a third heater grid disposed at the movable window panel. A jumper electrical connector electrically connects between the first and second fixed panels, and a flexible electrical connector electrically connects between the first or second fixed panel and the movable window panel. The first fixed panel has positive and negative terminals configured to electrically connect to at least one electrical connector of a vehicle wire harness when the vehicular rear slider window assembly is installed at a vehicle. When the positive and negative terminals are electrically powered, electrical current may flow in a single direction across the first and second heater grids.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 10841983Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails of a fixed window panel. The lower rail includes a water drainage element having (i) a hole established through the lower rail and (ii) a drainage receiving conduit attached at the fixed window panel beneath the hole of the lower rail and spaced from the lower rail. The drainage receiving conduit includes a receiving portion disposed below the opening to receive water from the opening and a guiding portion to guide received water toward an exit of the drainage receiving conduit. The drainage receiving conduit provides a passageway for water to flow from the lower rail, through the hole of the lower rail, and into the drainage receiving conduit, which drains the water exterior the rear slider window assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 10711508Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed frame having a pair of opposite side frame members, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. A fixed window panel is disposed at a lower portion of the side frame members and at the lower frame member. A movable window panel is movable relative to the fixed window panel and the frame between an opened position and a closed position. Each of the side frame members includes a lower channel for receiving a side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and an end region of the lower frame member. An elastomeric seal is overmolded along the lower channel of the side frame member and is configured to receive and seal against (i) the side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and (ii) the end region of the lower frame member.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Drew C. Pretzer, Michael J. Hulst, Linh H. Pham
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Publication number: 20200079186Abstract: A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes at least one fixed window panel and a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails at the fixed window panel(s). The lower rail includes a U-shaped channel and an attaching side for attaching the lower rail at the fixed window panel(s). The lower rail includes a water drainage channel established at the attaching side and having an upper water drainage channel and a lower water drainage channel. The upper water drainage channel has an inlet at an upper edge of the lower rail at the fixed window panel. Water flowing along the upper edge of the lower rail flows into the upper water drainage channel and down the upper water drainage channel and into and along the lower water drainage channel and out of the slider window assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst, David L. Guillozet
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Publication number: 20190191494Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable along upper and lower rails of a fixed window panel. The lower rail includes a water drainage element having (i) a hole established through the lower rail and (ii) a drainage receiving conduit attached at the fixed window panel beneath the hole of the lower rail and spaced from the lower rail. The drainage receiving conduit includes a receiving portion disposed below the opening to receive water from the opening and a guiding portion to guide received water toward an exit of the drainage receiving conduit. The drainage receiving conduit provides a passageway for water to flow from the lower rail, through the hole of the lower rail, and into the drainage receiving conduit, which drains the water exterior the rear slider window assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20190128049Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed frame having a pair of opposite side frame members, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. A fixed window panel is disposed at a lower portion of the side frame members and at the lower frame member. A movable window panel is movable relative to the fixed window panel and the frame between an opened position and a closed position. Each of the side frame members includes a lower channel for receiving a side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and an end region of the lower frame member. An elastomeric seal is overmolded along the lower channel of the side frame member and is configured to receive and seal against (i) the side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and (ii) the end region of the lower frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Drew C. Pretzer, Michael J. Hulst, Linh H. Pham
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Patent number: 10266037Abstract: A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable at a fixed window panel between closed and opened positions. A lower end region of the movable window panel moves along a channel portion of a lower rail and an end stop is disposed at an end of the channel portion. The end stop includes a rigid base portion attached at the lower rail and a resilient elastomeric stop portion attached at the base portion and configured to engage an end portion of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is moved to its fully opened or fully closed position. The base portion and the stop portion are separately formed in separate forming processes. When the base portion of the end stop is attached at the lower rail, the stop portion is fixedly attached at the base portion and is not removable therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Hulst, Peggy L. Gustafson
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Patent number: 10219324Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable along channels of a fixed window panel via guide pins. A first guide pin moves along a first channel, which as a slot established therealong and therethrough. An electrical connector electrically connects electrical terminals at the fixed window panel to electrical terminals at the movable window panel, and includes a pin follower that extends through the slot of the first channel to electrically connect to a flexible cable connected to terminals at the fixed window panel and to electrical terminals at the movable window panel. The lower rail may include a water drainage element including (i) a hole established through the lower rail and (ii) a drainage receiving conduit attached at the fixed window panel beneath the hole of the lower rail and spaced from the lower rail.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 10167664Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed frame having a pair of opposite side frame members, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. A fixed window panel is disposed at a lower portion of the side frame members and at the lower frame member. A movable window panel is movable relative to the fixed window panel and the frame between an opened position and a closed position. Each of the side frame members includes a lower channel for receiving a side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and an end region of the lower frame member. An elastomeric seal is overmolded along the lower channel of the side frame member and is configured to receive and seal against (i) the side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and (ii) the end region of the lower frame member.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Drew C. Pretzer, Michael J. Hulst, Linh H. Pham
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Patent number: 10011158Abstract: A method of forming a unitary perimeter seal for attachment at a fixed window panel of a slider window assembly of a vehicle includes forming upper, lower and side sealing portions each having elongated body portions and sealing lips extending substantially therealong. The upper and lower sealing portion are arranged with first ends adjacent a respective end of a first side sealing portion and second ends adjacent a respective end of a second side sealing portion. The sealing portions are arranged so as to result in a perimeter frame that circumscribes an opening for the slider window assembly. Corner regions are molded at and partially over adjacent ends of the elongated body portions of the sealing portions, such that the corner regions include a curved sealing lip that provides a transition between the sealing lips of the adjacent ends of the sealing portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Troy F. Tooker, David K. Johnson, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20170238372Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable along channels of a fixed window panel via guide pins. A first guide pin moves along a first channel, which as a slot established therealong and therethrough. An electrical connector electrically connects electrical terminals at the fixed window panel to electrical terminals at the movable window panel, and includes a pin follower that extends through the slot of the first channel to electrically connect to a flexible cable connected to terminals at the fixed window panel and to electrical terminals at the movable window panel. The lower rail may include a water drainage element including (i) a hole established through the lower rail and (ii) a drainage receiving conduit attached at the fixed window panel beneath the hole of the lower rail and spaced from the lower rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20170144512Abstract: A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a movable window panel that is movable at a fixed window panel between closed and opened positions. A lower end region of the movable window panel moves along a channel portion of a lower rail and an end stop is disposed at an end of the channel portion. The end stop includes a rigid base portion attached at the lower rail and a resilient elastomeric stop portion attached at the base portion and configured to engage an end portion of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is moved to its fully opened or fully closed position. The base portion and the stop portion are separately formed in separate forming processes. When the base portion of the end stop is attached at the lower rail, the stop portion is fixedly attached at the base portion and is not removable therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Michael J. Hulst, Peggy L. Gustafson
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Patent number: 9642187Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed window panel, a frame portion and a movable window panel that is movable along the frame between a closed position and an opened position relative to an opening of the fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at the first panel portion, a second heater grid is disposed at the second panel portion, and a third heater grid is disposed at the movable window panel. A first busbar is disposed at the fixed window panel and extends at least partially across an upper or lower panel portion of the fixed window panel. The rear slider window assembly includes an electrical connector for electrically conductively connecting the third heater grid to one of (i) the first heater grid, (ii) the second heater grid and (iii) the first busbar.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20170067281Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed frame having a pair of opposite side frame members, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. A fixed window panel is disposed at a lower portion of the side frame members and at the lower frame member. A movable window panel is movable relative to the fixed window panel and the frame between an opened position and a closed position. Each of the side frame members includes a lower channel for receiving a side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and an end region of the lower frame member. An elastomeric seal is overmolded along the lower channel of the side frame member and is configured to receive and seal against (i) the side perimeter edge region of the fixed window panel and (ii) the end region of the lower frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Drew C. Pretzer, Michael J. Hulst, Linh H. Pham
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Publication number: 20170036523Abstract: A method of forming a unitary perimeter seal for attachment at a fixed window panel of a slider window assembly of a vehicle includes forming upper, lower and side sealing portions each having elongated body portions and sealing lips extending substantially therealong. The upper and lower sealing portion are arranged with first ends adjacent a respective end of a first side sealing portion and second ends adjacent a respective end of a second side sealing portion. The sealing portions are arranged so as to result in a perimeter frame that circumscribes an opening for the slider window assembly. Corner regions are molded at and partially over adjacent ends of the elongated body portions of the sealing portions, such that the corner regions include a curved sealing lip that provides a transition between the sealing lips of the adjacent ends of the sealing portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Troy F. Tooker, David K. Johnson, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 9475364Abstract: A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame portion having an upper rail and a lower rail, with at least one fixed window panel fixed relative to the frame portion and defining an opening. A movable window panel is movable along the upper and lower rails between a closed position and an opened position. A perimeter seal is disposed at the at least one fixed window panel. The perimeter seal includes a single continuous sealing element that circumscribes the opening and that is configured to substantially seal against a surface of the movable window panel about a periphery of the movable window panel when the movable window panel is in its closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Troy F. Tooker, David K. Johnson, Michael J. Hulst
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Publication number: 20160135250Abstract: A rear slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed window panel, a frame portion and a movable window panel that is movable along the frame between a closed position and an opened position relative to an opening of the fixed window panel. A first heater grid is disposed at the first panel portion, a second heater grid is disposed at the second panel portion, and a third heater grid is disposed at the movable window panel. A first busbar is disposed at the fixed window panel and extends at least partially across an upper or lower panel portion of the fixed window panel. The rear slider window assembly includes an electrical connector for electrically conductively connecting the third heater grid to one of (i) the first heater grid, (ii) the second heater grid and (iii) the first busbar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst
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Patent number: 9242533Abstract: A slider window assembly for a vehicle includes a frame portion having an upper rail and a lower rail, at least one fixed window panel that is fixed relative to the frame portion, and a movable window panel that is movable along the upper and lower rails. The movable window panel is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The movable window panel may include a panel portion and a carrier element integrally formed with the panel portion, with the carrier portion slidably received in the lower rail and movable along the lower rail as the movable window panel is moved between its closed and opened positions. The window assembly may include conductive heater grids that are electrically powered without use of jumper wires that electrically connect between heater grids of the fixed window panel at opposite sides of the movable window panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Michael J. Hulst