Protective flange for a window opening

The present invention is directed to a flange attached to a window panel with an opening. The flange prevents an object from contacting the bottom edge of the opening as the object is passed through the opening. Moreover, the cargo rests on the flange rather than the bottom edge to prevent the cargo from damaging the window panel.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates a window assembly for vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a flange for protecting an edge of an opening in the window assembly.

The edges of openings in a vehicle body structure, such as a window, are subject to damage (e.g. chips, scratches, and dings) as an object passes through the opening or rests on the edge of the opening. While the primary functional purpose of a sliding window assembly in a vehicle is for ventilation, it is not uncommon for a user to take advantage of the window as a pass-through opening for supporting lengthy cargo. For example, damage of an exposed edge of glass in a vehicle opening may result from the pass-through of an object or resting of an object on the edge of the glass in a slider backlight assembly commonly found on pick-up truck vehicles.

The downward force exerted by resting such cargo on the expose edge of the window opening should, in most cases, not be of major concern by itself, since the compressive strength of most window panels is quite good. However, lateral forces (fore and aft), abrasion, and/or impact forces resulting from such cargo resting on the edge of the opening may damage the panel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In overcoming the above mentioned and other drawbacks, the present invention is directed to a flange attached to a window panel with an opening. The flange prevents an object from contacting the bottom edge of the opening as the object is passed through the opening. Moreover, the cargo rests on the flange rather than the bottom edge to prevent the cargo from damaging the window panel.

The flange may be attached either to the inside or outside of the window panel. The upper surface of the flange may be at the same elevation as the bottom edge of the opening, or it may be higher or lower than the bottom edge. The flange may be attached to the window panel with screws, bolts, adhesives, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. The window panel may be made of glass or plastic, and the flange may be made of metal, plastic, or any suitable material that can withstand the loads from the cargo. The flange may have a contour which biases the object away from the sides of the opening.

Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An opening in a vehicle body structure is subject to damage (e.g., chips, scratches, and dings) when an object is passed through the opening or rests on an edge of the opening. For example, damage can occur to a sliding glass panel assembly used in the rear window or backlight assembly of pickup trucks. It is not uncommon for users to open the sliding glass panel and pass cargo through the opening. As the cargo rests on the edge of the opening, the force exerted by the cargo can damage the exposed edge. Embodiments of the invention discussed herein are directed to an apparatus that prevents damage to the window panel by incorporating a protective flange in the window assembly.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bdepict a side view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a window assembly10. The window assembly10includes a fixed panel12made of glass or plastic with an opening14. A sliding panel mounted to the panel12with hinges may be used to cover the opening14. A flange18is affixed to the fixed glass panel12and is positioned parallel to a lower edge16of the opening14. As such, cargo extending through the opening14rests on top of the flange18and not the lower edge16. The flange18, therefore, protects the exposed edge16of the panel12from direct contact with cargo that might otherwise come to rest on the edge of the panel.

In one example, the panel12is part of the backlight assembly of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. Accordingly, cargo can be placed in the bed of the truck with some of the cargo extending through the opening14. As shown, the flange18is attached to the inside of the panel12and is about the same length or longer than bottom edge16of the opening14to ensure the cargo is entirely supported by the flange18if the cargo moves towards either side of the opening14. A top surface22of the flange18is shown elevated above the edge lower16. Thus, the cargo rests on the flange18rather than the lower edge20of the opening14, such that the cargo exerts a downward force on the flange18and not on the edge20. Moreover, lateral forces (fore and aft), abrasion, and/or impact forces that typical result from resting the cargo directly on the edge16are eliminated.

Another embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2Bas a window assembly30includes a fixed glass panel32with an opening34having a bottom edge36. A flange38is affixed to the glass panel32. In this embodiment the flange38has a generally L-shaped cross section throughout its length, but is contoured, as can be seen inFIG. 2A, so that the flange is lower in a central region42. This contour helps guide an object passing through the opening34towards the central region42and away from the side edges44of the opening34to prevent or at least minimize the potential for contact between the object extending through the opening34and the side edges44.

As shown, the outer regions46of a top surface48of the flange38may have an arcuate shape. Alternatively, these regions may be straight, that is, the outer regions may angle upwards from the central region42.

Similar to the flange18discussed above, the flange38is parallel to the bottom edge40and is longer than the opening34. Further, the top surface48of the flange38is elevated above the bottom edge30. Therefore, like the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, cargo extending through the opening34rests on the flange38rather than on the bottom edge36of the opening, thereby minimizing or eliminating wear and tear on the panel32.

Implementations of the flange are not limited to those shown inFIGS. 1A through 2B. For example, in other implementations, the top surface of the flange can be positioned at the same level as the bottom edge of the opening. The flange can be affixed to the outside of the glass panel. In such a configuration, the top surface of the flange may be at a slightly lower elevation than the bottom edge. The flange can be made from glass, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material that is able to withstand the loads the imparted by the cargo.

As shown in the illustrated embodiments, the vertical extending portion of the flanges are spaced apart from the window panel. Although the flange as depicted has a generally L-shaped cross section, other cross sections and non-uniform shapes are possible. In some configurations, the flange is a rectangular block mounted flush against the window panel. The flange can be attached to the window by any suitable attachment mechanism, such as bolts, screws or adhesives.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the flange can be made from a plastic or from a metal.