Abstract:
A laminated automobile side glass includes an insert for engaging the window opening mechanism. The insert is molded for integration into the lamination layers, with a mechanism interface section, having a maximum thickness equal to the overall thickness of the glass. This mechanism interface section is arranged in a cutout of the window, so that the window presents a substantially continuous sheet without protrusions. The insert is formed to constitute substantially the entire engagement of the window with the opening mechanism, and to absorb the stresses imposed by vibration, opening and closing of the window, and the slamming of the automobile door.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an automobile window and a system for mounting the window to an opening mechanism. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Automobile windows that are capable of being opened are well known. It is common for the window glass to be attached to an opening mechanism operable by a hand crank or an electric motor. This attachment has generally been accomplished by a clamping of the lower edge of the glass by a mechanical clamp comprising part of the opening mechanism. In another method, a mounting plate is adhered to the surface of the window glass and the opening mechanism engages the mounting plate. 
     These methods have disadvantages which include unmanageable stresses imposed on the window glass, and inefficient shipment, handling and installation of the glass. The mounting point adhered to the surface of the glass requires bulky packaging, and spacing of window panes from one another to avoid contact with a protruding adjacent mounting point. 
     It would be advantageous to develop a mounting system for a moveable window glass that reduces or sufficiently distributes the stress on the window glass, and that provides for the window glass to be efficiently packed, transported to a vehicle assembly point, and incorporated in the vehicle assembly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A laminated window for a window opening mechanism comprises a first glass layer, a second glass layer bonded to the first glass layer by an adhesive, the adhesive defining a spacing between the first and second glass layers, and an engagement module having a portion adapted for bonding in the spacing between the first and second glass layers, the engagement module adapted to connect the window to the window opening mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a laminated side glass attachment plate according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an edge view of the laminated side glass attachment plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken through line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  illustrating a further embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a laminated side glass attachment plate according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portion of a window  100  is illustrated, having a cut-out  101 . The window  100  is formed from first and second glass layers  102 ,  104 , and an internal adhesive layer  106  (see  FIG. 2 ). First and second glass layers  102 ,  104  have first and second glass surfaces  110 ,  112  respectively. The adhesive layer  106  performs the function of binding the glass layers  102 ,  104  together and of reinforcing the window  100 . An example of a material for the adhesive layer  106  is polyvinyl butyral (PVB). 
     The cut-out  101  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as semi-circular and positioned at an edge  108  of the window  100 . The cut-out  101  comprises a portion of the window  100  void of glass  102 ,  104  and adhesive  106 . An air gap  138  surrounds cut-out  101  between the first and second glass layers. This air gap  138  is also devoid of adhesive  106 . 
     A semi-circular engagement module or attachment plate  120  is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The plate  120  is generally configured to reside closely within cut-out  101  to positively engage window  100 , and includes a border  126  having a thickness approximately equal to that of the adhesive layer  106 . In this manner, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , border  126  can be inserted into the air gap  138  between the first and second glass layers  102 ,  104  while maintaining a uniform thickness of the window  100 . A portion of air gap  138  surrounds the border  126  between plate  120  and adhesive  106 . A second adhesive (not shown) compatible with the material of plate  120  secures the border  126  of plate  120  between glass layers  102 ,  104 . 
     Plate  120  further includes a main body  122  and a central hub  124  inwardly from border  126 . Main body  122  is substantially of the same thickness as window  100  and includes a perimetric series of abutments  130  separated by indentations  128 . The abutments  130  are generally of the same thickness as the window  100 , while the indentations  128  are generally the same thickness as border  126 , or are cut-outs, to provide relief between plate  120  and window  100 . The abutments  130  are configured about main body  122  to bear against cut-out  101  of window  100 . 
     The central hub  124  is generally thinner than the main body  122 , and is joined to the main body  122  by chamfered edge  132 . Central hub  124  further includes an aperture  136  through plate  120 , generally perpendicular to the plane of window  100  and plate  120 . The construction of plate  120  is anticipated to be of one of a number of plastic or composite materials. 
     Generally, the material selected should have good cold temperature (−30 to −40° C.) performance for shock and impact loads as well as good strength for heat stability (80-90° C.). In a vehicle door window, for example, the plate  120  may need to absorb the energy of a door slamming shut at ten feet per second, in order that this energy is not imparted on the window  100 , thus breaking it. 
     Possible materials for the plate  120  include nylon (glass/mineral filled 30-60%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, glass/mineral filled 30-60%), Acetal®, Delrin®, Grivory® or other materials with similar properties. The insert material and adhesive used must be compatible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , it is anticipated that plate  120  might require more strength than is available from the composite material alone. A metallic insert  150 , formed of steel or aluminum, is integrally molded into plate  120 . In one example, the metallic insert  150  is on the order of 0.5 mm thick, and the plastic is injection molded onto the insert  150  to obtain the needed strength and maintain compatibility with the window  100 . 
     The plate  120  is bonded to the window  100  by the adhesive (not shown) applied between border  126  and glass layers  162 ,  104 . The adhesive bears any loads in tension between plate  120  and window  100 . In compression, the load between plate  120  and window  100  is spread across abutments  130 . 
     Window  100  is installed in a window opening mechanism (not shown) by sliding the plate  120  into a receiving clamp, sleeve or slot of the window opening mechanism. Proper insertion is aided by the reduced thickness of the central hub  124  relative to the surrounding main body  122 . As lower edge  134  of plate  120  is directed into the opening mechanism, the wedge shape of the central hub  124  will align with a corresponding portion of the opening mechanism. This corresponding portion of the opening mechanism has a narrower slot configured for positive alignment with the thinner central hub  124  for insertion of the plate  120 . For example, the slot could be configured with a wedge to match the illustrated central hub  124 . 
     The opening mechanism further includes a detent or catch (not shown) in the slot for positively engaging aperture  136 . For the purpose of engagement by the detent or catch, a recess in the plate  120  may be substituted for aperture  136  without adversely affecting its function. As the window  100  is mounted into the opening mechanism, the corresponding portion of the opening mechanism guides the detent to positively engage aperture  136  to lock the window  100  onto the opening mechanism. The window opening mechanism may be further provided with a clamping feature for compressing onto the central hub  124  or onto a portion of main body  122  adjacent to or surrounding central hub  124 . All forces from the opening mechanism for opening and closing the window  100  are thus routed through the plate  120 . Any shock energy, including lateral shock caused by slamming a door or vertical shock encountered while driving, is also absorbed by the plate  120 . 
     A further embodiment of a plate  220  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The window  200  includes a straight lower edge  208 , and plate  220  includes a border section  226  inserted into the gap  238  between the laminations of the window  200  proximate the lower edge  208 . The plate  220  includes at least one hub  224  for the window opening mechanism, similar to the first embodiment. The plate  220  further includes a number of abutting regions  230  for asserting a force against the lower edge  208  of the window  200 . 
     While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.