Dura Global Technologies, Inc.

Del Wayne Scheer

Ramakrishna Putumbaka

Kelly J Harris

Mary M Inman

Jeff Scott Wilkinson

David Anderson Webb

Daniel Edward Laughner

Murray Michael Murphy

An inline strut retention assembly includes a glass sheet having first and second surfaces and a single hole formed through the first and second surfaces. An isolator is positioned proximate the first surface of the glass sheet. The isolator includes a keyed slot formed therein. A ball stud member includes a threaded shaft extending in one direction and a post extending in an opposing direction. The threaded shaft extends through the keyed slot formed in the isolator. An attachment button is positioned proximate the second surface of the glass sheet. The attachment button includes a ferrule portion having an inner surface receiving the threaded shaft of the ball stud member and an outer surface shaped to mate with the keyed slot of the isolator preventing rotation of the attachment button relative to the isolator.

Liftglass to strut retention device with built-in locking feature

An articulating window assembly is adapted for use with a vehicle. The assembly includes a windowpane with an inner surface and a hinge adjacent to the inner surface. The hinge includes a stationary member having a pivot element with cylindrical extensions and a central portion of larger cross-sectional area than the cylindrical extensions. The hinge further includes a mounting element extending at an angle from the pivot element. A polymeric member surrounds at least a portion of the cylindrical extensions so as to permit the hinge member to articulate about the pivot axis. Optionally, the polymeric member defines a cavity adjacent the central portion on the compression side of the stationary member to provide clearance of the polymeric member when the window is opened.

Articulating window panel with hidden hinge for vehicles

Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant. The encapsulant is further bonded to an inner surface of the windowpane to retain the first hinge member, and thereby the hinge, to the windowpane. The windowpane of the window assemblies provided is therefore adapted to rotate or articulate about the hinge axis relative to the second hinge member. No portion of the hinge extends through or overlays any portion of the outer surface of the windowpane, enabling a flush, streamlined appearance. Also provided are vehicles having an articulating window assembly in accordance with those just described.

Articulating window hinges and articulating window assemblies

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Oxford, MI, United States of America

Del Wayne Scheer