Abstract:
A window seal assembly having glass run channels ( 134, 210 ), outer belt seals ( 300 ) and a T-shaped trim member ( 128 ). The window seal assembly eliminates the need for joints, seems, metal fasteners and end caps resulting in an improved aesthetic appearance as well as enhanced window seating. The trim member ( 128 ) can having various finishes such as low gloss black, high gloss black and chrome.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a window seal assembly mountable to a frame of a vehicle for providing a seal between a moveable window and the frame and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved vehicle greenhouse window seal module having a die cast mold or trim member which is used in conjunction with an extruded rubber belt surrounding the greenhouse window. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the design of modern vehicles such as automobiles, it is known to mount the windows in a substantially flush manner with respect to the vehicle in order to provide an attractive and streamlined appearance. One major disadvantage of typical prior art flush mounted window seal assemblies is that they generally require multiple pieces which need to be assembled together, thus requiring additional assembly time and assembly line space. Another disadvantage to these multi-piece window assemblies is that they result in multiple joints and seams as well as requiring multiple fasteners, weatherstrips and endcaps. With respect to aesthetics, prior art window seal assemblies have the disadvantages of a reduced daylight opening and an increase in the amount of the visible weatherstrips. In addition, a separate decorative molding is typically required in order to produce a more aesthetically pleasing window module. Thus it is desired to produce a one piece window seal assembly which requires no additional assembly for installation into the door and results in elimination of joints, seams and endcaps and a reduction in fasteners while providing for an aesthetically pleasing window module. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses embodiments of a window seal assembly. One described embodiment provides a seamless daylight opening module (DLO) which includes glass run channels, outer belt seals and a full surround die cast piece. The embodiment results in the elimination of joints, seams, metal fasteners and endcaps, resulting in an improved aesthetic appearance as well as enhanced window sealing and an increase in the daylight opening. The module may be shipped and installed as a combined unit reducing assembly time and assembly line space. The unique die cast piece may comprise various finishes such as low gloss black, high gloss black and chrome. With respect to maintenance, the glass runs and outerbelts may be replaced independently of the entire assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       For a better understanding of the invention an embodiment will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of the window seal assembly in accordance with the present invention shown in use for a front door module; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the window seal assembly shown in the direction  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the window seal assembly shown in the direction  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the window seal assembly shown in the direction  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a front side door assembly of a vehicle such as an automobile which may incorporate sealing units according to the various embodiments of the invention. The front side door assembly is generally designated at  1  and includes a window  4  which is movable in a vertical direction. As is well known in the art, the window  4  is slidably received in vertical guide tracks in the door frame so as to be flush or substantially flush with the adjacent vehicle structure when the window is in its closed position. When the window is closed, its edges are adapted to be received within and engaged by the window seal assembly  10  or seamless daylight opening module of the present embodiment. The window seal assembly  10 —functions to provide a seal between the window and the adjacent vehicle door structure; to secure the window when the vehicle is traveling; and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For a front door module as shown in  FIG. 1 , the window seal assembly  10 —comprises three main sections: the door frame header section  100 , the B-Pillar section  200 , and the glass outer belt section  300 , which are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2-4 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the front door frame header section  100  comprises a first sealing member  105  and a second sealing member  140 . The first sealing member  105  includes a first U shaped channel  110 , a second U shaped channel  120 , and a glass run channel  134 . The first U shaped channel  110  has finger-like projections  112  protruding from the inner sidewalls of the channel for retaining and sealing a pinch welded door frame  114  of a vehicle (not shown). An outer arm  116  laterally extends from the sealing member  105  for sealing the outer door or roof frame  118  of the vehicle. The second U shaped channel  120  is positioned in an inverted relationship with respect to the first U shaped channel  110 , i.e., such that the openings of each channel face opposite directions. The channels  110 , 120  share a common inner wall  115  such that they cooperate to form a generally S cross-sectional shape. Positioned within the interior of the sealing member  105  is an internal S shaped reinforcement member  122 . 
     The sealing member  105  further comprises a T shaped trim member  128  which has a lower end or stem  126  received within the second U shaped channel  120  and which is secured by finger-like projections  124  which extend from the interior walls of the channel. The upper portion or tee end  24  has one end received within a groove  129  formed in the outer wall of the first U shaped channel, and the second end is received within a groove  129  of an arm  125  extending perpendicular from the outer wall  28  of the second U shaped channel  120 . The arm  125  together with the outer wall  28  of the second channel  120  and projection  136  which extends from the outer wall of the second channel, together form a glass run channel  134  for receiving a movable glass run  130 . 
     The sealing member  105  further comprises a glass run channel  134  for receiving a glass run  130 . Channel  134  has one channel wall formed by arm  125  which extends perpendicular from the wall of the second channel  120 , and the opposite channel wall is formed by the projection  136  which extends from the lower end of the U shaped channel  120 . Arm  125  has a lip  127  extending therefrom for being in sealing engagement with a movable glass run  130 . The second channel  120  further comprises several finger-like projections  124  for receiving and retaining the stem  126  of a T shaped die cast part  128 . The T portion  24  of the die cast part  128  is received within grooves  129  of the sealing member  105 , provides structural support to the arm  125 . The door frame header section further comprises a second-U shaped part  140  having a U shaped channel  142  for receiving a distal end  144  of the door frame with an internal U shaped reinforcement member  146  encased in extruded rubber. The second part  140  has an exterior armlike projection  148  extending from the channel for sealing the glass run  130 . 
     The sealing member  105  may comprise a flexible, durable polymeric material or suitable thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomeric material such as 
     EPDM which is a copolymer of ethylene and propylenediene. The sealing member  105  may be formed by extrusion or other suitable method. The T shaped trim member  128  is preferably a die cast part and is preferably comprised of zinc, PCABS or plastic materials. The trim member  128  may additionally be powder coated or painted to the desired color. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the window seal assembly  10  further comprises a B pillar section  200 . The B pillar section  200  as best shown in  FIG. 3 , comprises a glass run U-shaped channel  210  formed of extruded rubber and having opposed finger like projections  212 A,  212 B for sealing the glass run  130 . The B pillar section  200  is secured to the door frame  114 . The B pillar section  200  further comprises a trim channel  216  located perpendicular to the glass run channel  210  and having opposed finger-like projections  218  for receiving and retaining the leg  222  of a trim member  220  within the channel  216 . The trim channel  216  preferably has a U shaped reinforcement member  225  embedded therein. The trim member  220  has an elongated T shaped portion  224  having ends  226 , 228  which curve about the door frame  114  and the B pillar section  200 , respectively. The trim member  220  may be further fastened to the door frame  114  via fasteners  229 . The trim member  220  preferably is die cast metal which may be finished a number of aesthetically pleasing ways such as low gloss black, high gloss black, and chrome. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the window seal assembly  10  further comprises a glass outer belt section  300 . As shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 , the glass outer belt section  300  of the window assembly comprises an inverted J-shaped reinforcement member  310  with extruded rubber  311  molded thereto, and further comprises projections  312 , 314  forming the outer belt seal attached thereto. The curved portion of the reinforcement member  310  forms a U shaped channel  316  which has an extruded rubber inner layer with finger-like projections  318  extending therefrom for receiving the leg  322  of a trim member  320 . The leg  322  of the trim member is connected to an integrally formed curved piece  324  which forms the decorative trim. 
     The above three sections  100 , 200 , 300  are connected together to form the window seal assembly for front door module as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The above described window seal assembly is an improved design over the prior art resulting in a module shipped as a combined molding-glassrun-weatherstrip which allows for reduced installation labor and improved sealing. The trim member is a single piece die casting which is made with no exposed joints on the molding. The appearance of the seal has been improved since the die cast part may comprise various attractive finishes as well as reducing the amount of visible rubber. 
     While what has been described constitutes presently preferred embodiments, the invention could take numerous other forms. For example, although the preferred embodiments are described in connection with a movable window of a front automobile door, it may be utilized in connection with any movable window of any vehicle in other applications. Also the particular crosssectional shape and configuration of the sealing member can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. Because the invention can take on numerous other forms, it should be recognized that the invention should only be limited insofar as is required by the scope of the following claims.