Pilkington Group Limited

Pilkington North America, Inc.

Thomas S Hicks

Charles E Ash

Charles Sitterlet

Robert Matt Thomas

Thomas M Lingle

Shane C Seiple

David M Kovach

Matthew A Rapin

Brian J Clark

Keith H Schwaderer

A window assembly includes a first pane of glass and a first terminal connector in mechanical communication with the first pane of glass. The first terminal connector has a first base portion which includes a first surface. The first surface is separated from the first pane of glass by solder. The first surface includes a center portion. The center portion includes a curved portion which is nearer the major surface of the first pane of glass than a remaining portion of the center portion. The solder separating the curved portion from the major surface of the first pane of glass is of a thickness which is less than a thickness of the solder separating the remaining portion of the center portion.

Window assembly having a terminal connector

A heated vehicle sliding window assembly has a fixed glass panel with an opening formed in it and a slidably movable glass panel capable of closing the opening. Disposed on the fixed glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form two grid resistors which are connected together as a series circuit, which is connected between two electrically conductive bus bars deposited on the fixed glass panel. Disposed on the slidably movable glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form a third grid resistor, which is connected between two other electrically conductive bus bars disposed on the movable glass panel. Both sets of electrically conductive bus bars may be connected together as a parallel circuit when the opening is either opened or closed by the movable glass panel.

Heated vehicle sliding window assembly

An assembly fixture allows for the incorporation of a decorative trim piece into an encapsulated window assembly. A method of utilizing the assembly fixture to incorporate the decorative trim piece into the vehicle window assembly is also provided.

Decorative trim assembly fixture and method of using same

A method of affixing a gasket to a transparent substrate utilizing a fixture having a channel formed therein, into which the gasket is inserted and held in place by, for example, a vacuum. Alternatively, a removable form may be inserted into the channel, and the elastomeric member/gasket is inserted into the removable form. A suitable substrate is precisely positioned on the fixture in a predetermined position relative to the elastomeric member. An adhesion promoting primer may be applied to the substrate, and an adhesive may be applied to the gasket, or to the substrate. The elastomeric member is then bonded to the transparent substrate. Finally, the completed assembly is removed from the fixture.

Method of affixing a pre-formed gasket and gasket used therefor

A method of affixing a specialized dual durometer gasket to a substrate is disclosed. The method utilizes a fixture having a channel formed therein, into which the dual durometer gasket is inserted and held in place by, for example, a vacuum. Alternatively, a removable form may be inserted into the channel, and the elastomeric member/gasket is inserted into the removable form. A suitable substrate is precisely positioned on the fixture above the channel containing the gasket. An adhesion promoting primer may be applied to the substrate, and an adhesive is applied to the gasket, or to the substrate, so that upon application of a lifting force, the gasket is raised from the channel into bonding contact with the substrate.

A seal attachment fixture and method are provided for attaching a seal to an encapsulated gasket disposed on a work piece, for example, an automotive window assembly. The seal attachment fixture includes fixture members, which slidably move into contact with openable lip portions on the gasket, thus exposing a retention slot defined therein. With the gasket retention slot open, a seal is then inserted within the slot.

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Allen, MI, United States of America

Thomas S Hicks