MXPA99011478A - Window assembly and assembly for a vent set - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for a vehicle window, comprising: a support having a first part of an interlocking assembly and having a first major surface and an opposed major surface defined as a second major surface; a receiver having a first leg element and a second leg member in front facing relationship with the first leg member, having a second part of the interlock assembly and having one of the leg elements inclined towards the other leg element. leg to provide a tilting force, and a window support secured to said support or said receiver, wherein, with said support between the first and second leg elements of said receiver, the first part of the intertrabado assembly interacts with the second part of the intertraining assembly for intertracking said receiver, and wherein said window support is spaced from and out of contact with the tilting force provided by the first and second leg elements of said receiver of said sopor

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY FOR A WINDOW ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to connecting an alternative vehicle window to a regulator and in particular to a connection device that does not require mounting holes or connection extending through the window and pro-] () provides easy connection between the window and the regulator.

Technical considerations and previous technique The automobile windows are frequently provided with edge joints or various other types of elements along selected edges of the window to connect the window to an alternative mechanism, or regulator, so that the window can move vertically in the vehicle inside a window opening channel, for example as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,776,132 to Gold; 4,835,908 to Londec et al .; 4,943,179 to Horiki et al., And 5,226,259 to Yamagata et al. These devices generally include unit mounting brackets or racks that are fixed to an edge of the window by adhesive or bolts that extend through the window. The mounting brackets are fixed directly to the window regulator. In U.S. Patent No. 5,515,651 to Hofmann et al., The window is positioned between a pair of retaining legs of a -.0 Clamping device that captures a connection element or placed on or through the window surface. It is important that the connecting elements are fixed to the window in the correct position so that they are properly aligned with the window regulator and the window assembly is properly aligned within the vehicle in which it is installed. In the case where the window set is changed, these devices require that the supports be unscrewed from the window regulator to remove the window assembly. It would be advantageous to provide a window mounting arrangement that makes it easier to disengage the window from the regulator and remove the window from the vehicle door, as well as provide a more easy way to reconnect the window to the regulator.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a mounting assembly for a vehicle window, including a support having a section with opposite first and second major surface areas, a receiver having separate first and second leg elements positioned in such a way that When the support section is positioned between the first and second leg elements, at least a portion of the first leg member contacts the first major surface of the support and a portion of the second leg member contacts the second major surface of the support --- 5 to provide a clamping force against the support section, and a locking assembly for locking the receiver and support when the support section is positioned between the leg elements. The present invention also provides a set of window including a window, a regulator, a support having at least one leg member fixed to a portion of a main surface of the window and a section extending from the leg member, the section having surfaces main opposite first and second, a receiver fixed to the regulator and having separate first and second leg elements, where the support section is placed between the first and second leg elements of the receiver in such a way that at least a portion of the first leg member of the receiver contacts the first major surface of the support section and a portion of the second leg member of the receiver contacts or the second major surface of the support section to provide a clamping force against the support section, and an interlocking assembly for interlocking the receiver and support and interconnecting the window and the regulator. r? The present invention also provides a window assembly that includes a window, a regulator, a support fixed to said regulator and having a section with opposite first and second principal surfaces extending from said leg element, a receiver fixed at 0 a portion of a main surface of said window and having elements of first and second legs separated forming a slot, wherein said section of said support is positioned within said slot of said receiver in such a way that at least a portion of said first leg member of said receiver contacts said first main surface of said section of said support and a portion of said second leg member of said receiver contact said second main surface of said support section to provide a fixing force co- "i" utra said section of said support, and a set of - Ciavamiento to lock said receiver and support and interconnect said window and regulator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a set of '> window incorporating features of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a mounting assembly illustrated in Figure 1, with portions removed for clarity. - ü Figure 3 is a plan view of the opposite side of the assembly assembly illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2, with portions removed for greater clarity. Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 2 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity. Figure 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5, with portions removed for clarity. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the assembly of the present invention, with portions removed for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates a window assembly 10 for a motor vehicle that includes a window 12 that is configured in any convenient manner to a desired curvature that generally coincides with the contours of the vehicle body (not shown) in which the window assembly 10 is installed. Although not required, the window 12 is preferably constructed of glass, polycarbonate and / or other transparent materials. In addition, the window 12 may be a laminate incorporating one or more of these materials. The window 12 is connected to an alternative window device 14, for example a window regulator of a type known to those skilled in the art, at least by a mounting assembly 16, which is an object of the present invention. The mounting assembly 16 includes interlocking elements that eliminate the need to drill holes through the window 12 to secure the window 12 to the regulator 14 and also provide for easy connection and disconnection of the regulator 1 4 of the window 12. In the sense As used herein, "interlock" and "interlock" mean that selected elements read assembly assembly 16 engage or interrelate with each other in such a manner that it is difficult to separate the elements. More specifically, the mounting assembly 16 includes a support 18, which is fixed to the window 12, and a receiver 20, which is fixed to the regulator 14 (shown only in Figure 1). Although not limiting the present invention, in the embodiment-illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the support 18 includes a pair of leg elements 22 and 24 that form a recess 26 for receiving the window 12. support 18 is fixed to window 12 by an adhesive of a type known in the art, applied within the recess 26. In this way, the need for a water tank through the window 12 to join a mounting assembly is eliminated. . As an alternative, the support 18 can be configured with only one leg element such that the support 18 is fixed only to one of the opposite major surfaces of the window 12 and the window edge 28. The receiver 20 is fixed to the regulator 14 in any convenient manner known to those skilled in the art, for example with bolts or rivets, as will be explained later in more detail .. The support 18 includes a section 30 that moves away from the legs 22 and 24 and the window 12 and is received within a slotted hole 32 in the receiver 20. More specifically and without limiting the present invention, in the -the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-4, the redeemer 20 includes a pair of elements positioned to receive and retain the section 30 of the holder 18. In particular, the receiver 20 includes a plate 34 that is folded along its length. same to form a flange 36. The plate 34 and the tab 36 form the slot 32. At least one portion 38 of the flange 36 is spaced apart from the sheet 34 a distance less than the thickness of the section 30 so that when the section 30 is positioned within the slot 32At least one portion of sheet 34 contacts at least a portion of the main surface 40 of section 30 and at least one portion of flange 36 contacts at least a portion of the opposite major surface 42 of section 30, moving away the flange 36 of the sheet 34. The receiver 20 is preferably made of an elastic material that resists This dispersion action is such that the plate 34 and the flange 36 provide a clamping force against the opposite major surfaces 40 and 42 of the section 30. The mounting assembly 16 also includes a locking assembly that engages the support 18. with the receiver ^ [? 20. While not limiting the present invention, in the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 2-4, the section 30 has at least one protrusion or tongue 44 along its surface 40 which extends at least partially through the hole 46 in the sheet 34 when the section 30 of the support 18 is inserted into the slot 32 of the receiver 20. The holes 46 in the sheet 34 are generally larger than the tabs 44 to provide for small tolerances between the relative positions of the support 18 and the receiver 20 and to be able to align the window 12 itself within the assembly assembly 16 when it is positioned within the vehicle window opening. As an alternative to the holes 46, the sheet 34 may include detents or other structure for receiving tabs 44. The combination of the clamping force provided by the sheet 34 and the flange 36 with the tabs 44 that are extendable within the holes 46 serve to lock the support 18 to the receiver 20 and prevent the accidental withdrawal of the section 30 from the slot 32 during the descent of the window 12 by the regulator 14. The holes 48 in the sheet 34 allow the connection Mechanics of any convenient type, such as although without limitation rivets or studs, to the regulator 14 and the hole 50 allow access through the flange 36 to said connector. It should be noted that in the assembly of the present invention, the window 12 is not subject to excessive stress due to the interconnection between the support 18 and the receiver 20. More specifically, the support 18 and the receiver 20 are interconnected, less in part, by receiving a support portion 18 within the slot 32 of the receiver 20, and in the particular section 30 of the support 18, instead of inserting the window 12 itself in the image Í 2. This assembly provides several advantages over the devices of the prior art. For example, as explained above, a clamping force is developed in the receiver 20 when the section 30 is placed between the sheet 34 and the flange 36. If the window 12 itself were subjected to said clamping force, it would be susceptible of breakage. In addition, unlike window 12, section 30 may be configured with interlocking elements with receiver 20, e.g. tabs 44 as explained above, and provide a more positive connection with regulator 14. In addition, the assembly 10 of the present invention allows easy disconnection between the window 12 and the regulator 14 in the event that the window 12, the regulator 14 or another part of the assembly assembly 16 has to be replaced. Also, as indicated above , the support 18 of the assembly assembly 16 is fixed to the window 12 without having to drill holes through the window 12. This not only eliminates the perforation step, but also eliminates possible weak points in the window 12 in the hole of the hole. Other configurations similar to the one described herein can be used to interconnect the window 12 with a regulator 14. For example, with reference to figures 5 and 6, the mounting connt 116 includes a receiver 120 having a sheet 134 and the flange. 136 formed from plate 134. Veneer 134 and flange 136 together form a slot 132. Receiver 120 is fixed to a window 112 in the manner explained above with respect to support 18. Assembly assembly 116 further includes a support 118 which is fixed to a window regulator (not shown in figures 5 or 6) in any convenient manner and includes a section 130 that is captured within slot 132 of receiver 120. Section 130 includes at least one tab 144 which fits into a corresponding hole 146 in the plate 134. The sheet 134 and the flange 136 provide a clamping force against selected portions of the opposite major surfaces of the sheet. 130 that, in combination with the tab 144 that extends to the hole 146, interlocks the support 118 with the receiver 120 and fixes the window 112 to the window regulator. As an alternative to extending the tab (s) 144 through the hole (s) 146 of the receiver 120 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, with reference to FIG.7, a receiver 220 similar to the receiver 120 is fixed to the window 212 in the manner explained above. The receiver 220 includes a plate 234 and flange 236 which form a slot 232. The support 218, which is fixed to a window regulator (not shown in FIG. 7), includes a J section 230 which is received inside the slot 232 and it is held in position, in part, by the clamping force applied by the sheet 234 and the flange 236 to selected portions of the opposed major surfaces of the section 230. The flange 236 includes a portion 260 that encloses at least partially inside. of a water tank 262 in the section 230 and serves to lock the support 218 and the receiver 220. If desired, the hole 262 can be replaced by a depression (not shown) in the surface 264 of the section 230 of the support 218 of such so that the portion 260 of the flange 236 is received within the depression. In such a configuration, although not necessary, it is preferred that the depression pattern on the surface 264 of the section 230 and the portion 260 of the flange 236 coincide in genet i. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the support 18 was made of Valox® 420 plastic, which is a high density polyurethane filled with glass that can be obtained from C. E. Plastics, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Support 18 is routed to window 12 with Betaseal ™ urethane obtainable from Essex Specialty Products, Inc., Auburn Hills, Michigan. The section 30 of the support 18 was approximately 5 mm thick. The receiver 20 was made from mill steel 1050 of 1.144 mm (0.047 inch) thickness and was fixed to the regulator 14 by rivets extending through the sides 48. The steel was coated with zinc to protect it against corrosion. oxidation. With the section 30 removed from the slot 32 of the receiver 20, the portion 38 of the flange 36 was placed almost in contact with the plate 34. This small gap provided the necessary fixing action by the receiver 20. against the section 30 of the support 18. The flange 36 also included a lip 52 along the portion 38 as shown in Figure 4 to guide the section 30 of the support 18 to the slot 32. The tabs 44 had 20 mm high by 20 mm wide with beveled sides and the holes 46 were 20 mm high by 30 mm wide to provide limited movement of the support 18 with respect to the receiver 20 fixed to the regulator 14 and allow the window 12 to be align in the window frame (not shown) of the vehicle. It should be appreciated that the support 18 / or the receiver 20 of the mounting assembly 16 described herein can be made of metal or a plastic material or combinations of materials. It should be appreciated that although the sections 30, 130 and 230 of the supports 18, 118 and 218 described in Figures 4, 6 and 7, respectively, are generally aligned and are ooplanar with the windows 12, 112 and 212, this ^ ca nc is necessary in the present invention. More specifically, the sections 18, 118 and 218 may be offset relative to the windows 12, 112 and 212 or may be placed at an angle relative to the window, provided that the slots 32, 132 and 232 at the receivers 20, 120 and 220 are likewise configured to the capture sections 30, 130 and 230, respectively. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other mounting assemblies can be configured according to the ideas of the present invention. More specifically, such mounting assemblies would include at least a first reliable element to at least a portion of one of the main surfaces of a window, and a second element attachable to a regulator, where the elements can be locked by extending a portion of one. of the elements within a receiving portion of the other element in the manner described herein to effect a connection between the window and the regulator. The invention described and illustrated herein represents the description of its illustrative preferred embodiments. It is understood that several changes can be made without departing from the essentials of the invention defined in the following claims.

Claims (18)

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a vehicle window, including: A support having a section with first and second opposed major surfaces; A receiver having separate first and second leg elements positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed between said first and second leg elements, at least a portion of said first leg element contacts said first surface said main support and a portion of said second leg element contact said second main surface of said support to provide a clamping force against said section of said support; and An interlocking assembly for locking said receiver and support when said section of said support is positioned between said leg elements.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one first leg member includes at least one hole extending at least partially through said first leg member, and said first major surface of said first leg section. said support includes at least one tongue placed in such a way that when said first section of said support is placed between said leg elements, said tongue extends at least partially to said hole to lock said support and receiver.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said section of said support includes at least one hole that extends at least partially through said section and positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed between said sections. Leg elements, when a portion of said portion of said first element (-) is spread at least partially to said hole to lock said support and receiver.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said section of said support includes at least one depression that 0 extends along a portion of said first main surface and positioned such that when said section of said support is positioned between said leg elements, a portion of said portion of said first leg element extends at least partially to 5 said depression for locking said support and receiver.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said portion of said portion of said first leg elements is configured so that it generally corresponds to at least a portion of said depression.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support further includes at least one leg member extending from said section and can be fixed to a portion. '5 of a main surface of a window.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said receiver further includes at least one leg member extending from said leg elements and can be fixed to ; 0 a portion of a main surface of a window.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support can be fixed to a regulator.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said receiver can be fixed to a regulator.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said receiver is made of spring steel.

11. A window set including: A window; A regulator; A support having at least one leg element fixed to a portion of a main surface of said window and a section extending from said leg member, said section having opposite major first and second surfaces; A receiver fixed to said regulator and having separate first and second leg elements forming a slot, wherein said section of said support is placed inside said slot of said receiver in such a way that at least a portion of said first leg element of said receiver contact said first main surface of said section of said support and a portion of said second leg member of said receiver contact said second main surface of said section of said support to provide a clamping force against said section of said support; and An interlocking assembly for locking said receiver and support and interconnecting said window and regulator.

12. The window assembly according to claim 11, wherein said at least said first leg member of said receiver includes at least one hole extending at least arcially through said first leg member of said receiver, and said first main surface. said section of said support includes at least one tab positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed inside said slot of said receiver, said tab extends at least partially to said hole to lock said support and receiver.

13. The window assembly according to claim 11, wherein said section of said support includes at least one hole that extends at least partially through said section and positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed inside said section. nure of said receiver, at least a portion of said portion of said first leg element of said receiver is ex- * - Lenda at least partially said aquarius to lock said support and receiver.

14. The window assembly according to claim 11, wherein said section of said support includes at least one depression extending along a portion of said first main surface and positioned in such a manner that when said section of said support is placed in a position of r. In said slot of said receiver, a portion of said portion of said first leg element of said receiver extends at least partially to said depression to lock said support and receiver.

15. A window set that includes: A window; A regulator; A support fixed to said regulator and having a section with opposite principal surfaces first and second extending from said leg Element; A receiver fixed to a portion of a main surface 5 of said window and having separate first and second leg elements forming a slot, wherein said section of said support is positioned within said slot of said receiver in such a way that at least a portion of said first leg member of said receiver 0 contacts said first main surface of said section of said support and a portion of said second leg member of said receiver contacts said second main surface of said section of said support to provide a force of fixing against said section of 15 said support; and An interlocking assembly for locking said receiver and support and interconnecting said window and regulator.

16. The window assembly according to claim 15, wherein at least said first leg member of said receiver includes at least one hole extending at least partially through said first leg member of said receiver, and said first main surface. of said section of said support includes at least one tongue 5 positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed inside said groove of said receiver, said tongue extends at least partially to said hole to lock said support and receiver. -a)

17. The window assembly according to claim 15, wherein said section of said support includes at least one hole that extends at least partially through said section and positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed. within said slot of said receiver, at least a portion of said portion of said first leg member of said receiver extends at least partially to said hole to lock said support and receiver.

18. The window assembly according to claim 15, donate said section of said support includes at least one depression extending along a portion of said first main surface and positioned in such a way that when said section of said support is placed within said slot of said receiver, a portion of said portion of said first leg element of said receiver extends at least partially to said depression to lock said support and receiver.