Excel Industries, Inc.

Virginia C Vanark

Michael D Kobrehel

An encapsulated plastic glazing window module for a motor vehicle has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate, an encapsulation frame encapsulating the glazing assembly and attachment means such as mounting studs and/or adhesives for securing the glazing assembly to the motor vehicle. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent polycarbonate carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat such as an organically modified ceramic is preferably to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. The encapsulation material is preferably a PVC or similar thermoplastic. In certain preferred embodiments a peripheral integrity insert is insert molded around a peripheral edge of the glazing assembly, facilitating embedding mounting studs in the encapsulation frame. In certain preferred embodiments the plastic substrate has a series of radially extending projections and a perimeter ring defining a series of vents and the encapsulation material forms a mechanical bond with the plastic substrate. The encapsulated plastic glazing window modules may optionally be positioned flush with an exterior surface of the motor vehicle.

Encapsulated plastic glazing window module

A plastic glazing window module has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat, such as an organically modified ceramic, is preferably applied to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. In certain preferred embodiments structural ribs may be positioned circumferentially around the substrate. The glazing substrate also may form a lip to cover a ledge formed by the motor vehicle body at the periphery of the window opening. In certain preferred embodiments complex curvo-planar shapes may be formed, enhancing exterior styling options. The plastic glazing window modules may optionally be positioned flush with an exterior surface of the motor vehicle.

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Mishawaka, IN, United States of America

Virginia C Vanark