Patents by Inventor Robert John Cicala

Robert John Cicala 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).

  • Patent number: 9126474
    Abstract: A window assembly includes fixed panes, a sliding pane, and a vehicle mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a unitary, substantially full-circumference frame member. The frame member includes a show surface that may extend above or below a window opening opened and closed by the sliding pane. A reinforcement is at least partially embedded in the frame member and has a portion located behind the show surface. Interior surfaces of the fixed panes may be molded to the frame member, and the exterior surface of the fixed panes may free of the frame. A laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of each fixed pane may be covered by the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: DURA GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Patent number: 8250812
    Abstract: A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a fixed panel formed of a single pane encircling an opening formed therein, a slider panel movable along a horizontal axis between closed and open positions, an injection-molded plastic slider frame adhesively bonded to the fixed panel, and at least one seal member forming a seal between the slider frame and the slider panel. The slider frame includes a sealing frame extending entirely about the opening, an upper run located above the opening and receiving the slider panel, and a lower run located below the opening and receiving the slider panel. There is preferably a substantially continuous adhesive bond between the slider frame and the fixed panel that entirely encircles the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Emile Hebert, Robert John Cicala, Kenneth E. Keck, II
  • Patent number: 8246101
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a stationary glazing panel, a moving glazing panel, and a drive mechanism to selectively move the moving glazing panel. A window frame supports the stationary glazing panel. A mounting frame is located at least partially below the moving glazing panel and is configured to capture any water entering the vehicle at the moving glazing panel and to direct the water to a drain. Outer surfaces of the glazing panels are flush to each other. In one disclosed embodiment, tops of the stationary glazing panel and the moving glazing panel are exposed. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel are flush mounted. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel is flush mounted and a trim member visually covers the top of the moving glazing panel when the moving glazing panel is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Publication number: 20120137593
    Abstract: A window assembly includes fixed panes, a sliding pane, and a vehicle mounting frame. The mounting frame includes a single, unitary, substantially full-circumference frame member and reinforcement at least partly embedded in the frame member. Interior surfaces of the fixed panes are bonded to the frame member, and the exterior surface of the fixed panes are free of the frame. At least a laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of each fixed pane is covered by the frame member. A surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally extending portion of the window assembly above or below the window opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Publication number: 20090113802
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a stationary glazing panel, a moving glazing panel, and a drive mechanism to selectively move the moving glazing panel. A window frame supports the stationary glazing panel. A mounting frame is located at least partially below the moving glazing panel and is configured to capture any water entering the vehicle at the moving glazing panel and to direct the water to a drain. Outer surfaces of the glazing panels are flush to each other. In one disclosed embodiment, tops of the stationary glazing panel and the moving glazing panel are exposed. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel are flush mounted. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel is flush mounted and a trim member visually covers the top of the moving glazing panel when the moving glazing panel is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Publication number: 20090038229
    Abstract: Modular drop-glass window assemblies include a vertically slidable pane, at least one stationary pane having an inboard vertical edge proximate to the exterior surface of the slidable pane and framing holding the stationary pane(s) and at least partially defining a window opening that is opened and closed by movement of the slidable pane. The framing includes vertical frame portions defining run channels for guiding the slidable pane between its open and closed positions. No portion of the vertical frame portions extends exteriorly beyond the plane of the exterior surface of a stationary pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Cicala, Jeffrey Scott Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080122262
    Abstract: A window assembly configured for installation in a recessed window aperture comprises one or more transparent fixed position panes, one or more sliding panes, and a mounting frame. The mounting frame comprises at least a substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement integral with the frame member. The mounting frame at least partially defines a window opening. The mounting frame, e.g., the frame member, forms upper and lower slider runways extending laterally above and below the window opening. The sliding pane is slidably positioned in the upper and lower slider runways for sliding movement between open and closed positions. The mounting frame mounts the fixed position pane(s) by adhesive surface bonding to the interior surface of the fixed position pane. The exterior surface of the fixed position pane is free of adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala