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United States Patent | 5,853,857 |
Mahmood , et al. | December 29, 1998 |
The present invention provides a windshield frame utilizing composite technology. More particularly, the windshield frame preferably comprises a fiber reinforced plastic molded upper frame section bonded with a structural grade adhesive to a fiber reinforced plastic molded lower frame section. According to the invention, steel reinforcements and tapping plates are bonded on or molded into the frame sections to stabilize the structure and provide hardware attachment points. Continuous carbon fibers may also be molded in the frame sections in critical high stress areas. The strength of the bonding between the frame sections is enhanced by a tongue and groove geometry along the interface. In addition, dowel pins and bushings are used to mechanically tie the frame sections together near body side attachment points. The frame sections also define a hollow section therebetween to maximize structural efficiency, provide a conduit for electrical wires and offer a platform for visors, mirrors, seals, and other hardware.
Inventors: | Mahmood; Mohammed (Troy, MI), Shinedling; Michael M. (Lake Orion, MI), Abouzahr; Saad M. (Highland, MI), Ehrhardt; Stuart A. (Davisburg, MI), Karolski; Dennis G. (Rochester Hills, MI) |
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Assignee: |
The Budd Company
(Troy,
MI)
Chrysler Corporation (Auburn Hills, MI) |
Family ID: | 25185942 |
Appl. No.: | 08/803,223 |
Filed: | February 20, 1997 |
Current U.S. Class: | 428/178; 156/242; 156/244.22; 156/304.2; 264/241; 264/319; 296/201; 296/96.21; 428/122; 428/166; 428/172; 428/188; 428/58 |
Current CPC Class: | B60J 10/02 (20130101); B29C 70/46 (20130101); B29C 65/48 (20130101); B29C 66/721 (20130101); B62D 29/043 (20130101); B60J 1/02 (20130101); B29C 70/86 (20130101); B62D 25/04 (20130101); B29C 65/483 (20130101); Y10T 428/24562 (20150115); Y10T 428/24661 (20150115); Y10T 428/24744 (20150115); Y10T 428/192 (20150115); B29C 65/485 (20130101); Y10T 428/24612 (20150115); Y10T 428/24198 (20150115) |
Current International Class: | B29C 65/00 (20060101); B60J 1/02 (20060101); B29C 70/04 (20060101); B29C 70/00 (20060101); B29C 70/46 (20060101); B29C 70/86 (20060101); B60J 10/02 (20060101); B29C 65/48 (20060101); B32B 001/00 (); B29L 047/00 (); B28B 005/00 () |
Field of Search: | ;428/172,167,156,178,166,122,188,58 ;156/244.11,244.22,242,292,304.2 ;264/241,319 ;296/96.21,210 |
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