Method and a device for removing vehicle windows

Abstract

A method for the non-destructive removal of very small fixed window elements (40) from vehicles uses a cutting wire that is threaded through the adhesive bonding a window element to a vehicle, that is placed in a loop around the perimeter of the window element and that is pulled by wire wind-up elements (3) of a window element removal device. The device (1) is fitted to a window element frame (41), is expanded into firm clamping engagement with the window element frame (41) and is locked in the position firmly engaging the window element frame (41). The wire wind-up elements (3) are then operated until the wire cuts through the adhesive at the edge of the side window element around the entire perimeter thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates in general to fixed window elements of vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for removing a fixed side window from a vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The removal of fixed vehicle glazing in one piece for replacement or salvage purposes involves penetrating and cutting through the adhesive seal bonding a window element to an associated frame of a vehicle. Throughout the years, various methods for the removal of mainly vehicle windshields and rear windows have been suggested and practiced. Among such known methods are those where a knife or similar tool is used to cut through the adhesive bond and an outward pressure is simultaneously applied to the windshield, see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,702. Other methods make use of a wire that is threaded through the adhesive bond and that is moved back and forth to cut through the seal all around the perimeter of the windshield, see e.g. U.S. Pat. N...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is a basic object of the invention to provide an improved method for the effective non-destructive removal of very small fixed side window elements from a vehicle.

[0009] Briefly, the invention provides a method for removing very small fixed vehicle side windows using a cutting wire that is threaded through the window element adhesive, that is placed in a loop around the perimeter of the window element and that is forced to cut through the adhesive around the entire window element by being pulled by means of wire wind-up means of a window element removal device that is fixed relative to the window. According to the invention said device is fitted to a window element frame, is expanded into firm clamping engagement with the window element frame and is locked in said position firmly engaging the window element frame. The wire wind-up means are then operated until the wire cuts through the adhesive at the edge of the side window element around the entire perimeter thereof. The suggested method permits the use of a very compact device, both with regard to the actual space occupied thereby and with regard to the operation thereof. Therefore, said method provides a unique possibility for secure and effective non-destructive removal of very small fixed side window elements from vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

All of the described methods are comparatively time-consuming and cumbersome and involve an apparent risk of damaging both the actual window element and interior or exterior parts of the vehicle.

In such situations, it has up to the present day been common practice to crush the window element, with the resulting cleaning and additional cost of a new window element.

The only remaining options are to use one of the above described time-consuming, cumbersome and possibly damaging methods employing a knife or a manually operated wire.

Additionally, such methods often cause damages also to the actual window element, so that the window element will have to be replaced anyway.

A specific problem in this respect arises for the very small and at present, mostly generally triangular, fixed side windows (sometimes referred to as “quarter lights”) that are becoming more and more frequent on modern automobiles.

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