Glass fitting method and arrangement

Abstract: A glass mounting arrangement for mounting a window glass (84) in a window frame (90) comprises a channel-shaped flexible strip (10) which has apertures (34) at intervals therealong. Each aperture (34) sealingly receives an arm (60) of a respective mounting clip (50). Each mounting clip (50) has a U-shaped portion (52) which seats in a recess (22) in the channel (12) of the strip (10). The strip (10) with the clips (50) mounted therein is placed on and along the peripheral edge of the window glass (84) before the latter is offered up to the window frame (90). As the window glass is moved bodily towards the window frame (90), surfaces (67) of the arms (60) contact the window frame (90) and correctly position the window glass with respect to the window frame (90). The arms (60) elastically deform to allow locking shoulders (66) to pass over the edge of the frame (90), the arms (60) thereafter resiling to secure the window glass in position. Lips (10,18,20,36,42 and 76) provide additional sealing. The mounting arrangement is particularly suitable for use with a robot.

Description: The invention relates to a glass mounting arrangement comprising a flexible strip for providing a seal between an edge of the window glass and the frame; where the strip defines a longitudinally extending channel; a plurality of substantially rigid clips each having a first portion for gripping the edge of the glass, a second portion for lockingly engaging with the window frame; and attaching means for attaching the clips relative to the strip. The invention also relates to a glass mounting method for mounting a window glass in a window frame, comprising the steps of fitting a plurality of mounting clips spaced apart along the edge of the window glass, each clip having a first portion for embracing an edge of the window glass and a locking portion for lockingly engaging the frame. Such a glass mounting arrangement and method are known from EP-A-0 268 815. In this known method and arrangement, a clip (or a plurality of clips) of Z-shape in cross-section and made of rigid material embraces the edge of the window glass and extending therefrom to engage the window frame mechanically. A sealing profile, of flexible material, is attached to the outside of the Z-shaped clip and forms a seal between the outside of the clip and the window frame. A problem which arises with this known arrangement and method is that the clip or clips prevent the sealing profile from making sealing contact with the actual window glass. Furthermore, the clip or clips are not positively located with respect to the sealing strip. A further glass mounting arrangement and method is known from FR-A-2 340 217. In this known method and arrangement a clip (or a plurality of clips), made from a rigid material, grippingly engage the edge of a window glass and extend therefrom towards the exterior of the vehicle to engage a sealing means mechanically. The sealing means is held in sealing contact with the window glass by the clips. A problem which arises with this known arrangement and method is that the sealing arrangement is held in position on the frame of the vehicle by adhesive means and not by the clips. Only one side of the window glass is directly sealed with respect to the frame, the other side being merely adhesively joined to the frame. The invention aims to deal with these problems. According to the invention, a glass mounting arrangement for securing a pane of glass in a frame, comprising: a flexible strip for providing a seal between an edge of the window glass and the frame, where the strip defines a longitudinally extending channel; a plurality of substantially rigid clips each having a first portion for gripping the edge of the glass and a second portion for lockingly engaging with the window frame; and attaching means for attaching the clip relative to the strip (Glass mounting arrangement of the type disclosed e.g. in EP-A-0 268 615), characterised in that the channel is provided with a plurality of recesses defined within the internal surface of the channel for receiving and locating the first portions of the clips and enabling the material of the internal surface of the channel of the strip adjacent the recesses to maintain sealing contact with at least one face of the window glass when the latter's edge is gripped by the clips. Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the glass mounting method comprises the steps of fitting a plurality of mounting clips spaced apart along the edge of the window glass, each clip having a first portion for embracing an edge of the window glass and a locking portion for lockingly engaging the frame, receiving and locating the clips relative to each other in respective recesses defined within an internal surface of a channel in a flexible channel-shaped sealing strip before the clips are placed on the edge of the window glass; placing the strip with the clips received and located therein on the edge of the window glass so that the edge of the glass is embraced by the first portion of each clip, and so that the material of the strip against the recesses in the channel provides a seal with the window glass, and moving the window glass with the clips thereon towards the window frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window glass so that the locking portions interact with the window frame to position the window glass with respect thereto and then lockingly engage the window frame to hold the window glass in position in the frame. Further developments in line with the glass mounting arrangement and the glass mounting method according to the invention claimed in claims 1 and 10 are referred to in the dependent claims 2 to 9 and 11 and 12. Glass mounting methods and arrangements according to the invention, for mounting a window glass in a frame in a motor vehicle body, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section through a flexible sealing strip forming part of one of the arrangements, taken on the line I-I of Figure 2; Figure 2 is a section of the strip of Figure 1 taken on the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a mounting clip forming part of the mounting arrangement; Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing the mounting clip of Figures 3 and 4 fitted in position in the strip of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the strip of Figure 1, incorporating the clips of Figures 3 and 4, mounted on a window glass before the latter is mounted in the window frame; Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 but showing the window glass mounted in position on the window frame; and Figure 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the strip of Figure 6, showing the positions where clips of the type shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be fitted to it. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting arrangement comprises a longitudinally extending strip 10 made of flexible material such as moulded plastics or rubber material. In use, in a manner to be explained, it extends around the entire periphery of the window glass. The strip is formed to define a channel 12 which in use (in a manner to be described) receives the periphery of the window glass. The channel 12 is defined by walls 14 and 16. In use, the wall 14 is on the outside of the window glass (that is, on the outside of the vehicle body), while the wall 16 is on the inside of the window glass. Along the lower part of the wall 14, it is formed to provide a lip 18. Along its upper part, it is curved partly over the mouth of the channel 12 to form another lip 20. The wall 14 is formed with a plurality of recesses 22, each and in communication with the channel 12. One such recess is visible in Figure 1. Each recess has a lower face 24, side faces 28 and 29 and an upper face 30. The inner wall 16 defines a lip 32 running along its lower part. Its upper part is formed with a series of through apertures 34 (see Fig. 2). Above these apertures, the wall 16 is formed with a lip 36 extending partway across the mouth of the channel 12. Each aperture 34 is positioned in alignment, along the length of the strip, with a respective one of the recesses 22. Each aperture 34 is formed with two internal enlargements 38 and 40 for a purpose to be described. On its outer face, the wall 16 is provided with a further lip 42. The inner face 44 of the wall 16 is provided with a series of integrally moulded lips 46 which extend part-way across the width of the channel 12. The lips 46 together extend along the length of the strip but with gaps between them, each gap being positioned in alignment with a respective one of the recesses 22 and apertures 34. The mounting arrangement includes a plurality of clips 50 (see Figs. 3 and 4), each of the same form and made of resilient material. Each clip has a U-shaped portion 52 comprising a first side limb 54, a base 56 and a second side limb 58. The latter limb is extended upwardly and then at right angles to form an arm 60. The arm 60 is provided with grooves 62 and 64, shoulders 66 and 68 and a head 70. Before mounting of the window glass takes place, the clips 50 are fitted in position in the strip 10. A respective clip 50 is fitted in each aperture 34. The head 70 of each clip is pushed through the respective aperture 34 in the direction of the arrow A shown in Figure 1, the plastics or rubber material deforming to allow the head 70 and the shoulder 66 to pass through. During this process, the clip is positioned so that the U-shaped portion 52 lies approximately at right angles to the channel 12. The clip is pushed through the aperture 34 until its face 72 engages the inner face 74 of the channel wall 16. During this process, the lip 20 is forced outwardly to provide clearance for the clip. Each of the clips is then pivoted so that its U-shaped portion 52 moves downwardly into the corresponding recess 22 in the channel 12. Each clip thus assumes the position shown in Figure 5. During this process, the grooves 62 and 64 in the arm 60 of each clip engage the enlargements 38 and 40. Figure 5 shows the final position of each clip 50 within the strip. It will be seen that the limb 54 of the U-shaped portion 52 of the clip lies almost wholly within the recess 22 within the outer wall 14, but the side limb 54 extends slightly into the channel 12. The next stage in the fitting process comprises the fitting of the strip 10 (carrying the clips 50) onto the periphery of the window glass 84 (Figure 6). During this process, the peripheral edge of the window glass enters the channel 12 of the strip and engages the U-shaped portions 52 of all the clips 50. The resilience of the material of the clips 50 facilitates this process and ensures that the clips firmly grip the edge of the glass. The faces of the glass also sealingly make contact with the lips 20,36 and 46. Each of the clips is formed with a radiussed corner at 86 and an inclined face at 88 to ease this assembly process. The process of fitting the window glass on the window frame 90 (Figure 7) can now be completed. The window glass, with the strip 10 and the clips 50 in position around its periphery, is then moved bodily towards the window frame 90 in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 7. During this process, the arms 60 of the clips provide respective locating means which help automatically to centre the window glass in the window opening. The strip 10, the positions of the apertures 34 therein, and the clips 50 are dimensioned so that the arms 60 of the clips are just clear of the edge of the frame 90. As the window glass moves in the direction of the arrow B, the inclined faces 67 of the shoulders 66 of the clips slide on the frame 90, elastically bending the arms 60 so that the shoulders 66 pass over the frame 90 into the position shown in Figure 7 into which they resile. The window glass, with the strip 10 in position on it, is now securely held in position in the window frame 90 by engagement between the latter and the shoulders 66. The strip 10 is held in position with the lips 18 and 32 sealingly engaging the bodywork panel 92 adjacent the window frame, and with the lip 42 sealingly engaging the outer face of the window frame 90 itself. The head 70 of each clip 50 may also engage behind another bodywork element (not shown) on the interior of the vehicle. The inclined surface of the head 70 enables the head to be elastically deformed to pass over this element so as then to resile until the shoulder 68 engages behind it. In this way, the window glass is securely locked in position in the window frame 90. In addition, the assembly process is simple and automatically positions the window glass correctly with respect to the window opening, and can thus be carried out relatively easily by means of a robot. Furthermore, the lips 20,36 and 46 provide good sealing between the glass 80 and the strip 10, and the lips 18,32 and 42 provide good sealing between the strip 10 and the bodywork. Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the strip 10 extending around the periphery of the window opening, and shows positions at which the clips 50 may be placed. However, they can of course be placed in different positions and there can be a greater or lesser number of them. Various modifications may be made to the mounting arrangement described. For example, a sealing mastic may be placed between the lip 32 and the adjacent bodywork member and/or between the lip 18 and that bodywork member and/or between the lip 42 and the window frame 90. Instead, or in addition, a sealing mastic may be placed within the channel 12, around the peripheral edge of the window glass. Supplementary adhesive may be used between the strip 10 and the window frame 90. A supplementary sealing strip may be placed between the lip 32 and the bodywork. The distal end of the arm 60 of each of the clips 50 may be shaped differently from the shape illustrated in the figures. For example, it may be divided at its end so as to carry out two separate functions - helping to hold the seal 10 and the glass in position and helping to secure the internal trim of the vehicle body. Many other modifications may be made, provided the invention remains defined by the claims.

Claims: A glass mounting arrangement for securing a pane of glass (84) in a frame (90), comprising: a flexible strip (10) for providing a seal between an edge of the window glass (84) and the frame (90), where the strip (10) defines a longitudinally extending channel (12); a plurality of substantially rigid clips (50) each having a first portion (52) for gripping the edge of the glass (84) and a second portion (60) for lockingly engaging with the window frame (90); and attaching means (22,24) for attaching the clip (50) relative to the strip (10); characterised in that the channel (12) is provided with a plurality of recesses (22) defined within the internal surface of the channel (12) for receiving and locating the first portions (52) of the clips (50) and enabling the material of the internal surface of the channel of the strip (10) adjacent the recesses (22) to maintain sealing contact with at least one face of the window glass (84) when the latter's edge is gripped by the clips (50). An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the attaching means includes an aperture (34) in the strip (10) through which the second portion (60) of each clip (50) can protrudingly pass from within the channel of the strip (10). An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised by sealing means (38,40) for sealing between the strip (10) and the clips (50) where the clips (50) pass through the aperture (34). An arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first portion of each clip (50) comprises a U-shaped portion (56) for embracing the edge of the window glass (84) and the second portion of each clip (50) comprises a locking portion (60) extending from the U-shaped portion (56). An arrangement according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking portion (60) defines a locking formation (66,68) for lockingly engaging the window frame (90). An arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the locking portion (60) is elastically deformable to enable the window glass (84) with the strip (10) and the clips (50) fitted thereto to be moved into position on the window frame (90), the locking portion (60) deforming during such movement upon contact with the frame (90) and thereafter resiling to enable the locking formation (66,68) to move into locking relationship with the frame (90). An arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the locking portion (60) includes locating means (67) for engaging the window frame (90) as the glass (84) carrying the strip (10) and the clips (50) is moved into position in the window frame (90), the locating means (67) serving to position the window glass (84) correctly with respect to the window frame (90), the locking portion (60) being elastically deformable on engagement with the window frame (90) to allow the locking formation (66) to pass the edge of the window frame (90) so as to lock against the window frame (90) upon resiling of the locking portion (60). An arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the strip (10) includes at least one flexible lip (46) extending inwardly of the channel (12) from an internal wall thereof for sealingly engaging a face of the window glass (84). An arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterised by at least one lip (18,32) integrally extending from an external wall portion of the strip (10) for sealingly engaging against the window frame (90). A glass mounting method for mounting a window glass (84) in a window frame (90), comprising the steps of: fitting a plurality of mounting clips (50) spaced apart along the edge of the window glass (84), each clip having a first portion (56) for embracing an edge of the window glass (84) and a locking portion (60) for lockingly engaging the frame (90); receiving and locating the clips (50) relative to each other in respective recesses (22) defined within an internal surface of a channel (12) in a flexible channel-shaped sealing strip (10) before the clips (50) are placed on the edge of the window glass (84); placing the strip (10) with the clips (50) received and located therein on the edge of the window glass (84) so that the edge of the glass (84) is embraced by the first portion (56) of each clip (50), and so that the material of the strip (10) against the recesses (22) in the channel (12) provides a seal with the window glass (84); and moving the window glass (84) with the clips (50) thereon towards the window frame (90) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the window glass (84) so that the locking portions (60) interact with the window frame (90) to position the window glass (84) with respect thereto and then lockingly engage the window frame (90) to hold the window glass (84) in position in the frame (90). A method according to claim 10, characterised in that the step of placing the clips (50) in the strip (10) includes the step of passing the locking portion (60) of each clip (50) through an aperture (34) in the strip (10) to secure it with respect to the strip (10). A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the step of moving the window glass (84) towards the frame (90) includes the step of elastically deforming the locking portions (60) of the clips (50) to enable locking formations (66,68) thereon to pass over the window frame (90), the locking portions (66,68) thereafter resiling so that the locking formations (66,68) secure the clips (50) and thus the window glass (84) in position in the frame (90).

Inventors: CORREIA JACQUES, CORREIA, JACQUES
Applicants: DRAFTEX IND LTD, DRAFTEX INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B60J10
IPC codes: E06B3, B60J10, B60J1