IP Library Granted Patent US 11,364,715
Granted Patent B2
US 11,364,715 · App. 16/819,526 · Granted Jun 21, 2022

Polymer safety glazing for vehicles

Inventors: Stephen S. Wilson (Las Vegas, NV); Bart E. Wilson (Las Vegas, NV)
Assignee: Racing Optics, Inc.
B32B27/365B32B7/06B32B7/12B32B27/36B32B2255/10B32B2255/26B32B2307/536B32B2307/71B32B2605/006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,364,715
App. No.
16/819,526
Granted
Jun 21, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A laminate includes a polycarbonate substrate and an ultraviolet hard coat film disposed on the polycarbonate substrate. The ultraviolet hard coat film may include a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, an adhesive interposed between the PET layer and the polycarbonate substrate, and an exterior hard coat disposed on the PET layer opposite the polycarbonate substrate. The exterior hard coat may include UV stabilizers. The laminate may include additional ultraviolet hard coat films stacked on the ultraviolet hard coat film. The laminate may be thermoformed into the shape of a curved vehicle windshield.

Claims (32)

1. A laminate comprising:

a polycarbonate substrate;

an ultraviolet hard coat film disposed on the polycarbonate substrate, the ultraviolet hard coat film including a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer, an adhesive interposed between the PET layer and the polycarbonate substrate, and an exterior hard coat disposed on the PET layer opposite the polycarbonate substrate, the exterior hard coat including UV stabilizers and having a gouge pencil hardness of greater than 8H; and

an interior hard coat disposed on the polycarbonate substrate opposite the PET layer, the interior hard coat having a gouge pencil hardness of 6H to 8H.

2. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the polycarbonate substrate is 3-8 mm thick.

3. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the PET layer is 2-6 mil thick.

4. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the exterior hard coat is 2-10 microns thick.

5. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

6. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet hard coat film is a first of a plurality of ultraviolet hard coat films stacked on the polycarbonate substrate, the plurality of ultraviolet hard coat films including a second ultraviolet hard coat film disposed on the first ultraviolet hard coat film, the second ultraviolet hard coat film including a second PET layer, a second adhesive interposed between the second PET layer and the first ultraviolet hard coat film, and a second exterior hard coat disposed on the second PET layer opposite the first ultraviolet hard coat film, the second exterior hard coat including UV stabilizers.

7. The laminate of claim 6 , wherein the adhesive of the first ultraviolet hard coat film is stronger than the second adhesive.

8. The laminate of claim 1 , wherein the laminate is thermoformed into the shape of a curved vehicle windshield.

9. A method comprising:

depositing a UV stabilized hard coat on a first side of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) carrier, the UV stabilized hard coat having a gouge pencil hardness of greater than 8H;

coating a second side of the PET carrier, opposite the first side, with an adhesive;

adhering the second side of the PET carrier to a polycarbonate substrate using the adhesive; and

disposing an interior hard coat on the polycarbonate substrate opposite the PET carrier, the interior hard coat having a gouge pencil hardness of 6H to 8H.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the PET carrier, the UV stabilized hard coat, and the adhesive define an ultraviolet hard coat film, the method further comprising winding the ultraviolet hard coat film on a roll prior to the adhering.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

applying a removable liner to the second side of the PET carrier after the coating; and

removing the removable liner from the second side of the PET carrier prior to the adhering.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the PET carrier, the UV stabilized hard coat, and the adhesive define an ultraviolet hard coat film, the method further comprising thermoforming the polycarbonate substrate with the adhered ultraviolet hard coat film to the shape of a curved vehicle windshield.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the PET carrier, the UV stabilized hard coat, and the adhesive define a first ultraviolet hard coat film, the method further comprising:

depositing a second UV stabilized hard coat on a first side of a second PET carrier;

coating a second side of the second PET carrier, opposite the first side, with a second adhesive; and

adhering the second side of the second PET carrier to the first ultraviolet hard coat film using the second adhesive.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the adhesive of the first ultraviolet hard coat film is stronger than the second adhesive.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the second PET carrier, the second UV stabilized hard coat, and the second adhesive define a second ultraviolet hard coat film, the method further comprising thermoforming the polycarbonate substrate with the adhered first and second ultraviolet hard coat films to the shape of a vehicle windshield.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising peeling off the second ultraviolet hard coat film to reveal the first ultraviolet hard coat film.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

depositing a new second UV stabilized hard coat on a first side of a new second PET carrier;

coating a second side of the new second PET carrier, opposite the first side, with a new second adhesive; and

adhering the second side of the new second PET carrier to the first ultraviolet hard coat film using the new second adhesive.

Assignments (6)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 1, 2024
From: 100 MILE ROAD, INC
To: RO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 067286/0649 →
CONVERSION Recorded May 1, 2024
From: RACING OPTICS, INC.
To: RACING OPTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 067289/0032 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 1, 2024
From: RACING OPTICS, LLC
To: 100 MILE ROAD, INC
Reel/Frame 067289/0338 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2023
From: RACING OPTICS, LLC
To: RO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 065977/0126 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Dec 28, 2023
From: RACING OPTICS, INC.
To: RACING OPTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 066158/0729 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2020
From: WILSON, STEPHEN S.; WILSON, BART E.
To: RACING OPTICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 052127/0455 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62850966 · May 21, 2019
Related Publication 20200369015A1 · Nov 26, 2020