Multi-Pane Window Assembly With Two-Sided Frame

Abstract

A window assembly configured for installation in a recessed window aperture comprises one or more transparent fixed position panes, one or more sliding panes, and a mounting frame. The mounting frame comprises at least a substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement integral with the frame member. The mounting frame at least partially defines a window opening. The mounting frame, e.g., the frame member, forms upper and lower slider runways extending laterally above and below the window opening. The sliding pane is slidably positioned in the upper and lower slider runways for sliding movement between open and closed positions. The mounting frame mounts the fixed position pane(s) by adhesive surface bonding to the interior surface of the fixed position pane. The exterior surface of the fixed position pane is free of adhesive. At least a laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of the fixed pane is covered by a portion of the frame member which also is flush with the adjacent exterior surface of the fixed position pane. A show-surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly above and/or below the window opening. The reinforcement comprises an elongate reinforcing member(s) extending laterally above and/or below the window opening.

1 . A window assembly configured for installation in a recessed window aperture in a motor vehicle body panel, the window assembly comprising:
 a transparent fixed position pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a peripheral edge surface,   a sliding pane, and   a mounting frame comprising a substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member and reinforcement integral with the frame member, the mounting frame at least partially defining a window opening,   
       wherein:
 the mounting frame forms
 a downwardly-open upper slider runway extending laterally above the window opening, and 
 an upwardly-open lower slider runway extending laterally below the window opening, 
 
 the sliding pane being slidably positioned in the upper and lower slider runways for substantially lateral sliding movement between a closed position in which it closes the window opening and an open position, and 
 the mounting frame mounts the fixed position pane by adhesive surface bonding to a perimeter portion of the interior surface of the fixed position pane, the exterior surface of the fixed position pane being free of adhesive surface bonding to the mounting frame, and at least a laterally outboard portion of the peripheral edge of the fixed pane being covered by a portion of the mounting frame that is flush with the adjacent exterior surface of the fixed position pane, 
 a show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly above or below the window opening, and 
 the reinforcement comprises an elongate reinforcing member extending at least laterally above or below the window opening. 
 
     
     
         2 . The window assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an upper run channel in the upper slider runway and a lower run channel in the lower slider runway. 
     
     
         3 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing member extends laterally at least partly in the upper or lower slider runway. 
     
     
         4 . The window assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a run channel in the reinforcing member, the run channel being positioned between the slider pane and the reinforcing member. 
     
     
         5 . The window assembly of  claim 3  wherein the reinforcing member forms a run channel contacting the slider pane. 
     
     
         6 . The window assembly of  claim 3  wherein the reinforcing member extends laterally at least the entire lateral dimension of the slider runway. 
     
     
         7 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing member is at least partly embedded in the full-circumference molded plastic frame member. 
     
     
         8 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcing member extends laterally beyond the window opening both to the right and to the left. 
     
     
         9 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the window assembly of  claim 1  where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member is made of a reaction injection molded (RIM) thermoset plastic material. 
     
     
         10 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the window assembly of  claim 1  where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member is made of a reaction injection molded polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the window assembly of  claim 1  where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member is made of injection moldable thermoplastic. 
     
     
         12 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the window assembly of  claim 1  where the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member is made of polyvinychloride (PVC). 
     
     
         13 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement member forms at least a generally U-shaped channel positioned at least partially in one of the U-shaped slider runways. 
     
     
         14 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement member is formed of rigid plastic, aluminum or steel. 
     
     
         15 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement comprises
 a first elongate reinforcing member extending above the window opening and laterally beyond the window opening, and   a second elongate reinforcing member extending below the window opening and laterally beyond the window opening.   
     
     
         16 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the configuration of the reinforcement member is generally a flanged U-shape, with a U-shaped portion positioned at least partially in one of the U-shaped slider runways, and a flange portion at least partially embedded in the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member. 
     
     
         17 . The window assembly of  claim 16  wherein at least a section of the flange portion of the reinforcement member extends laterally in the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member in a plane substantially parallel to an overlying section of the surface of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member which forms at least a portion of the exterior surface of the window assembly above or below the window opening. 
     
     
         18 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement member comprises at least one generally U-shaped channel made of rigid plastic, aluminum or steel, which is integrally molded with the molded plastic frame member in the upper or lower slider runway. 
     
     
         19 . The window assembly of  claim 18  wherein a slide glass seal is mounted in the U-shaped channel. 
     
     
         20 . The window assembly of  claim 19  wherein the slide glass seal is adhesively mounted to a peripheral portion of an inside surface of the U-shaped channel. 
     
     
         21 . The window assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a pull-pull cable and drum powered drive assembly operatively connected to the sliding pane and operative to move the sliding pane between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         22 . The window assembly of  claim 21  wherein the pull-pull cable-and-drum powered drive assembly comprises:
 a drive drum,   a drive cable wrapped around the drive drum and attached to the sliding pane for pulling the sliding pane open and closed by corresponding rotation of the drive drum.   
     
     
         23 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the substantially full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the downwardly-open upper slider runway and the upwardly-open lower slider runway. 
     
     
         24 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein
 the show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly above the window opening, and   a second show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for at least a laterally extending portion the window assembly below the window opening.   
     
     
         25 . The window assembly of  claim 1  wherein the show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for a portion the window assembly extending laterally at least the full width of the window opening. 
     
     
         26 . The window assembly of  claim 25  wherein
 the show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member, above the window opening, forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for a portion the window assembly extending laterally at least the full width of the window opening, and   a second show surface portion of the full-circumference, molded plastic frame member, below the window opening, forms the entire show surface of the window assembly for a portion the window assembly extending laterally at least the full width of the window opening.