Abstract: An automotive rear window glazing for installation in a car, comprises at least two plies of glazing material and at least one ply of plastics interlayer material extending between the plies of glazing material, the ply of plastics interlayer material being substantially co-extensive with the plies of glazing material and bonding the plies of glazing material to each other, wherein the ply of plastics interlayer material contains draw lines extending in substantially one direction, the automotive rear window glazing has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein the automotive rear window glazing is installed with the draw lines in the plastics interlayer material extending from the top to the bottom edges.

Abstract: A process for preparing a laminated glazing comprises providing a first glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a first thickness by a first procedure and providing a second glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a second thickness by a second procedure with an interlayer located therebetween, and laminating together the first and second glass sheets and the interlayer at a temperature and pressure sufficient to adhere the interlayer material to the glass sheets and in which the process further comprises applying a mould which is shaped substantially the same as the first glass sheet, against the second glass sheet, during laminating to adhere the interlayer material to the two glass sheets such that after lamination, the shape of the second glass sheet is substantially the same as the shape of the first glass sheet.

Abstract: A process for preparing a laminated glazing comprises providing a first glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a first thickness by a first procedure and providing a second glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a second thickness by a second procedure with an interlayer located therebetween, and laminating together the first and second glass sheets and the interlayer at a temperature and pressure sufficient to adhere the interlayer material to the glass sheets and in which the process further comprises applying a mould which is shaped substantially the same as the first glass sheet, against the second glass sheet, during laminating to adhere the interlayer material to the two glass sheets such that after lamination, the shape of the second glass sheet is substantially the same as the shape of the first glass sheet.

Abstract: A laminated glazing for a vehicle windscreen comprising first and second sheets of glazing material joined by a sheet of adhesive interlayer material is described. The laminated glazing has an outer facing surface and an inner facing surface comprising a first treated region that has been subjected to a roughening process such that before the roughening process the first treated region has a first surface roughness and after the roughening process the first treated region has a second surface roughness. The first treated region having the second surface roughness helps the laminated glazing break when subject to an impact on the outer facing surface. Use of a roughened region to reduce the time taken for a laminated glazing to break upon being impacted by an impactor is also described.

Abstract: Methods of making a laminated glazing having reduced optical distortion when installed in a vehicle are described. The laminated glazing has first and second sheets of glazing material each separately shaped between a pair of shaping members that are then laminated together. The position for bending the first sheet of glazing material may be deliberately offset from the position for bending the second sheet of glazing material. During the lamination step, the first sheet of glazing material may be displaced relative to the second sheet of glazing material by a lateral and/or longitudinal positional displacement. The first and/or second sheet of glazing material may have been cut such that after lamination at least a portion of the peripheral edges thereof are aligned. Apparatus for shaping a sheet of glazing material for carrying out the aforementioned methods is also described, as is a resulting laminated glazing.

Abstract: A process for preparing a laminated glazing involves providing a first glass sheet having a desired shape with a first thickness, providing a second glass sheet having a desired shape with a second thickness; providing an interlayer between the first and second glass sheet; applying a mould shaped substantially the same as the first glass sheet against the second glass sheet; aligning the two glass sheets and misaligning the mould with respect to the two glass sheets so the mould is offset relative to the two glass sheets; and laminating together the first and second glass sheets and the interlayer at a temperature and pressure sufficient to adhere the interlayer to the glass sheets, such that after lamination, the second glass sheet is offset relative to the first glass sheet whilst the shape of the second glass sheet is substantially the same as the shape of the first glass sheet.

Abstract: A process for preparing a laminated glazing comprises providing a first glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a first thickness by a first procedure and providing a second glass sheet formed into a desired shape with a second thickness by a second procedure with an interlayer located therebetween, and laminating together the first and second glass sheets and the interlayer at a temperature and pressure sufficient to adhere the interlayer material to the glass sheets and in which the process further comprises applying a mould which is shaped substantially the same as the first glass sheet, against the second glass sheet, during laminating to adhere the interlayer material to the two glass sheets such that after lamination, the shape of the second glass sheet is substantially the same as the shape of the first glass sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heatable glazing comprising an electrically conductive coating and a data transmission window. The data transmission window comprises a plurality of grids made by ablations in the electrically conductive coating and at least one break line between adjacent grids. At least one of a width “a” of the grids and a distance “b” between adjacent grids is selected to maximise transmission of a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic radiation and to reduce the formation of hot spots. Preferred embodiments conform to a standard size of an ERTICO window and a frequency range from 5 GHz to 6 GHz.

Abstract: Methods of making a laminated glazing having reduced optical distortion when installed in a vehicle are described. The laminated glazing has first and second sheets of glazing material each separately shaped between a pair of shaping members that are then laminated together. The position for bending the first sheet of glazing material may be deliberately offset from the position for bending the second sheet of glazing material. During the lamination step, the first sheet of glazing material may be displaced relative to the second sheet of glazing material by a lateral and/or longitudinal positional displacement. The first and/or second sheet of glazing material may have been cut such that after lamination at least a portion of the peripheral edges thereof are aligned. Apparatus for shaping a sheet of glazing material for carrying out the aforementioned methods is also described, as is a resulting laminated glazing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glazing having a frequency selective surface comprising the steps of: a) depositing a coating on a substrate, said coating being non-transmitting to radio frequency (RF) radiation; b) providing a laser beam and c) removing a portion of the coating by laser ablation to form one or more curves and/or lines having a spacing selected to provide transparency of the coating to RF radiation of a desired wavelength; characterized by d) directing the laser beam and/or moving the substrate such that the relative motion of the intersection of the laser beam and the coating, with respect to the substrate, comprises motion in a first dimension, wherein said motion is simultaneously superimposed with a reciprocating motion in a second dimension; e) translating said intersection in the second dimension; and f) repeating at least step d) out of steps d) to f).

Abstract: The invention relates to a heatable glazing comprising an electrically conductive coating and a data transmission window. The data transmission window comprises a plurality of grids made by ablations in the electrically conductive coating and at least one break line between adjacent grids. At least one of a width “a” of the grids and a distance “b” between adjacent grids is selected to maximise transmission of a predetermined frequency of electromagnetic radiation and to reduce the formation of hot spots. Preferred embodiments conform to a standard size of an ERTICO window and a frequency range from 5 GHz to 6 GHz.

Abstract: A device for guiding a seat belt on a seat having an integrated seat belt. In order to provide a device that can be economically and easily installed, that ensures reliable guidance of the seat belt inside the backrest (1) of a seat having an integrated seat belt in a simple manner, and that prevents pinching of the seat belt (2) during adjustment inside the backrest (1), the seat belt guide has at least one upper seat belt guiding element (6). The guiding element (6) is above a pivot axis (5) of a multi-piece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt. At least one lower seat belt guiding element (7) is also provided below the pivot axis (5) of the multipiece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt.

Abstract: A device for guiding a seat belt on a seat having an integrated seat belt. In order to provide a device that can be economically and easily installed, that ensures reliable guidance of the seat belt inside the backrest (1) of a seat having an integrated seat belt in a simple manner, and that prevents pinching of the seat belt (2) during adjustment inside the backrest (1), the seat belt guide has at least one upper seat belt guiding element (6). The guiding element (6) is above a pivot axis (5) of a multi-piece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt. At least one lower seat belt guiding element (7) is also provided below the pivot axis (5) of the multipiece backrest (3, 4) of the seat having an integrated seat belt.

Abstract: Laminated vehicle glazing with a conductive panel defining slot antennas between the conductive panel and the metal surround of the vehicle with connecting leads, and a camera or other device in an area where the device and the antenna do not overlap. Locating the device in a different position to the slot antenna reduces the electromagnetic interference that the slot antenna experiences and prevents malfunction of the device where the slot antenna is used to transmit radio signals.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glazing having a frequency selective surface comprising the steps of: a) depositing a coating on a substrate, said coating being non-transmitting to radio frequency (RF) radiation; b) providing a laser beam and c) removing a portion of the coating by laser ablation to form one or more curves and/or lines having a spacing selected to provide transparency of the coating to RF radiation of a desired wavelength; characterized by d) directing the laser beam and/or moving the substrate such that the relative motion of the intersection of the laser beam and the coating, with respect to the substrate, comprises motion in a first dimension, wherein said motion is simultaneously superimposed with a reciprocating motion in a second dimension; e) translating said intersection in the second dimension; and f) repeating at least step d) out of steps d) to f).

Abstract: A laminated glazing comprising: a thick ply of glass having a thickness in the range 1.9 to 2.4 mm; a polymer interlayer; and a thin ply of glass having a thickness in the range 0.8 to 1.4 mm, wherein the relative optical power of the glazing is less than would be predicted from the single glass reflected optical power of the plies before lamination.

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: Laminated vehicle glazing with a conductive panel defining slot antennas between the conductive panel and the metal surround of the vehicle with connecting leads, and a camera or other device in an area where the device and the antenna do not overlap. Locating the device in a different position to the slot antenna reduces the electromagnetic interference that the slot antenna experiences and prevents malfunction of the device where the slot antenna is used to transmit radio signals.

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 impact resistant tool or tool bit holder has an active end for driving a fastener and a shanking end for securing to a power tool. The active end includes a body with a bore to receive the shank and a pocket to receive a damping mechanism. The shank includes an end to engage the bore in the body, and a pocket to receive the damping mechanism. The shank is received in the bore in the body for limited rotation with respect to the body. A damping mechanism is positioned in the pockets to provide damping between the body and the shank during torque loading.