Abstract: An auto gripper molding having a notch in the surface of its inner crown overhang in facing relation to the windshield exterior surface which notch serves firstly to receive an end of the molding gripping leg having accordingly a desired longer length, and serves secondly to have deposited therein, after the gripper leg is moved into its windshield-gripping location, a viscous mass of urethane which cures in the notch and provides a mechanical interlock between the gripper molding and the windshield.

Abstract: For a popular dome-shaped industrial van having rear left and right doors, an added visual display strip at the top of the van rear edge to which the doors are hinged, which in the location noted are visible to an oncoming motorist when the doors are open through the clearance bounded by the outwardly diverging van rear edges and upper door edges, thus contributing to safer use during loading and unloading of the industrial van.

Abstract: A vehicle window seated in a vehicle opening bounded by a vertically oriented wall of a flange having additional respective inboard and outboard walls, the former extending beneath the vehicle window and the latter lying in the plane of the external surface of the vehicle window. Hook and loop connectors with a urethane deposit at their interface are adhesively secured in an interposed position to the vehicle window and to the inboard wall so that an unattached inboard length portion extending beyond the inboard wall is movable in an ascending direction. Before the urethane cures into a hardened condition, the vehicle window is raised, as need be, to position the external surface of the vehicle window in the same plane as the outboard wall to thereby contribute to a desired appearance in the installed vehicle window.

Abstract: A side view mirror includes a housing which surrounds and protects a rearwardly facing mirror which is pivotally adjustable therein. Specifically, the mirror attaches to a perforated mirror support which pivotally attaches to a ball-shaped end of a stem. An opposite end of the stem threadably attaches to an anchor plate which is adhesively secured to the housing. Also, disclosed is a method of repairing an adjustable side view mirror. The method includes the steps of, removing a mirror and an internal mechanism from a housing of an adjustable side view mirror, attaching a mirror assembly inside the housing with an adhesive, and positioning an edge of a mirror of the mirror assembly in spaced-apart relation from a surrounding wall of the housing while the adhesive cures. Also, disclosed is kit for replacing the internal mechanism of an adjustable side view mirror. The kit includes a mirror assembly having an anchor plate, a mirror, a mirror support, and a connecting stem.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and installing an automotive gasket includes providing a peripheral bead of urethane on the interior surface of a window glass or other hinged vehicle part, applying uncured silicone adhesive to a channel flange of the vehicle body frame, closing the hinged vehicle part so that the urethane bead displaces a portion of the silicone adhesive, and curing the adhesive in its displaced condition. Due to the non-adhesive property of the urethane relative to the silicone, the urethane bead does not stick to the silicone, but provides a mating seal with the cured silicone when the hinged vehicle part is closed. The urethane bead can be automatically applied to the window glass or other hinged vehicle part during manufacture of the glass or part. Similarly, the silicone adhesive can be applied to vehicle flanges by machine on the assembly line and the gasket can be cured in situ.

Abstract: A stationary rectangular-shaped auto window without any weather seal applied to its peripheral edge resulting in a window-enhancing gap in encircling relation about the window and, having as a substitute for the weather seal, a rectangular deposit of urethane inwardly of the rear surface of the window which seals water seepage through the gap and also holds the window firmly in place on a supporting flange.

Abstract: A cyclops light as now mandated by law on the panel above the rear doors of a van is relocated as side-by-side lights to the inside adjacent corners of the doors and each provided with a triad of lens so that, when a door is open, as when loading and unloading the van, the light now seen through the triad lens is a safety signal to a motorist approaching from the rear, and the light seen through the previously used rear lens is still in use, but as a safety signal to a motorist approaching from the front in a passing lane.

Abstract: In effectuating a urethane bond for an auto gripper molding of a type constructed of rubber a crown heretofore used to cover the gap surrounding the windshield peripheral edge is not used for a gap-covering function and instead the windshield-attached gripper molding is installed upside down and the crown is thus seated inside of the gap and in this position the cured urethane mechanically interlocks with notches providing in the surface of the crown in facing relation to the urethane. The interlocking prevents both unseating movement in the installed windshield and also gap-exposing movement in the crown as might allow undesirable water seepage into the gap.

Abstract: To promote safer use of an industrial van of a type having a body with right and left pivotally hinged doors usually opened preparatory to workmen working out of the rear of the van, there is provided an additional light display on a cooperating edge of each of the doors in facing relation to an oncoming motorist to mark the stationary van as a road obstruction.

Abstract: A variable width modification to an auto rear window peripheral edge molding achieved using a molding which is extruded with a longitudinal groove into which a knife is inserted for trimming off a portion of the outboard overhang of the molding crown so that as installed about the window the molding has a narrow trimmed width and a larger untrimmed width.

Abstract: A rearwardly facing three-light display of a parked van to inform an approaching motorist if one, both or none of the rear doors are open, using to advantage lights that are illuminated in the display and also lights, although illuminated, that are not seen by the approaching motorist because of being masked from view by an open door, resulting in three possible light displays which, as a result of driver education, will inform the approaching motorist of the open and closed condition of the rear doors of the parked or stationary van.

Abstract: A van rear window wiper that is mounted on the van spare wheel carrier in which the position of the spare wheel carrier closed against the tailgate of the van establishes contact of the wiper blade, under spring urgency, against the van rear window incident to the wiper providing window-wiping service.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing scratches and/or stains from a vehicle windshield includes a cylindrical sponge having a radial opening which is dimensioned to fit snugly over a windshield wiper blade with the windshield wiper arm connected to the blade through the radial opening in the cylindrical sponge. The methods of the invention include moistening the cylindrical sponge and applying a polishing abrasive to either the sponge, the windshield, or both, and activating the vehicle windshield wiper to wipe the abrasive on the windshield with the sponge. Other methods of the invention include impregnating the sponge with a polishing abrasive, and/or moistening the sponge with windshield washer fluid.

Abstract: A cyclops light as now mandated by law on the panel above the rear doors of a van is relocated as side-by-side lights to the inside adjacent corners of the doors. Each light is provided with a side lens so that when a door is open, as when loading and unloading the van, the light is seen through the side lens as a safety signal to a motorist approaching from the rear. The light seen through the previously used rear lens is still in use, but as a safety signal to a motorist approaching from the front in a passing lane.