Abstract:
A profile element for connecting a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber includes a U-shaped snap-in recess formed by a bearing rib and a resilient leg disposed below the bearing rib. At an entrance into the snap-in recess, the bearing rib protrudes downward towards the resilient leg and the resilient leg protrudes upward towards the bearing rib so as to define an engagement aperture into the snap-in recess between an upper-most part of the protrusion of the resilient leg and a lower-most part of the protrusion of the bearing rib. A detent element is disposed in the snap-in recess behind the engagement aperture in an insertion direction of a rib of the water draining chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/993,876, filed Dec. 17, 2010, which is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2009/003143, filed on Apr. 30, 2009, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 20 2008 006 986.6, filed on May 23, 2008. The International Application was published in German on Nov. 26, 2009 as WO 2009/141049 under PCT Article 21(2). 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a profile element connecting a motor vehicle pane to a water draining chamber. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A water draining chamber is used in motor vehicles underneath the vehicle pane for instance the windshield, said box collecting water from said pane and draining it sideways. Illustratively an extruded profile element or contoured extrusion molded element is used to affix the water draining chamber to and seal it against the lower edge of the pane and furthermore is fitted with a snap-in groove to detachably receive said box. 
         [0004]    To preclude forming an offset or an edge in the transition zone between the pane surface and the profile element, the published German patent document DE 200 08 555 U1 discloses a design for sealing vehicle panes and including a cross-sectionally hooked profile element which is bonded to the lower edge of the vehicle pane. Said profile element comprises a resilient leg which, together with a ribbed wedge, constitutes an outwardly open snap-in seat. Said snap-in seat receives the water draining chamber which is fitted on its back side with a detent rib. A sealing lip is fitted onto the ribbed wedge and may be fitted between the lower pane edge and the upper edge of the water draining chamber&#39;s lid and in its assembled position ends flush with the external surfaces of water draining chamber and vehicle pane. A buffer strip made of a softer material is configured below the snap-in groove and allows resting the seal against the vehicle body. 
         [0005]    The profile element must be supported by the vehicle body because a high resistance must be overcome when the water draining chamber is inserted perpendicularly to the pane surface into the profile element. In turn said resistance is required to always reliably affix the water draining chamber to said element, that is, in order not to accidentally coming loose when in motion on the road or on account of other mechanical or thermal loads. On the other hand maintenance frequently entails detaching the water draining chamber from the vehicle pane and reassembling it for instance when changing a filter. 
         [0006]    However relatively high forces are always encountered when installing the water draining chamber and they directly act on the adhesive bond between the profile element and the vehicle pane. In the absence of the contoured body resting on the vehicle body or absent per se from such a body, there is danger of the installation stresses detaching the profile element from the vehicle pane. 
         [0007]    The profile elements of the state of the art moreover incur the further drawback that resting on the vehicle body may entail annoying noises, especially so when the highly compliant support elements lose their elasticity with time. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Accordingly it is the objective of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art and to create a profile element which links a vehicle pane to a water draining chamber and which may be manufactured economically using simple means while also allowing simple, rapid water draining chamber installation without thereby stressing the connection between the profile element and the vehicle pane. Nevertheless the water draining chamber shall be durably affixed to the profile element and withstand even larger loads in problem-free manner. 
         [0009]    As regards a profile element which connects a vehicle pane and a water draining chamber and which comprises a first segment affixable to said pane, further a second segment subtending a snap-in recess designed to detachably affix the water draining chamber, said box being fitted with a rib affixable in frictionally locking and/or geometrically interlocking manner into said snap-in recess, moreover at least one seal which can be inserted between the vehicle pane&#39;s lower edge and the water draining chamber&#39;s upper edge and which constitutes, in the installed state of the water draining chamber, a substantially smooth transition where the adjoining surfaces are mutually flush, the present invention calls for at least one detent element that is designed to ease inserting the water draining chamber&#39;s rib into the snap-in recess in a first direction whereas extracting the rib from the snap-in recess in the opposite direction is made more difficult. 
         [0010]    This design allows installing the water draining chamber easily and quickly because its rib—compared to conventional profile elements—can be inserted at substantially less resistance respectively with much less force into the associated snap-in recess. Accordingly much smaller forces will act on the profile element and on its bond to the vehicle pane, and consequently said profile element cannot unintentionally detach from said pane, not even after installing and dismantling the water draining chamber repeatedly. Furthermore a complex support of the profile element by the vehicle body is not required, this feature advantageously affecting manufacturing and installation costs. Clatter and the like no longer may arise when there is relative displacement between the profile element and the vehicle body. 
         [0011]    On the other hand, extracting the rib requires a much larger force in the design of the present invention of said detent element, and as a result, following its installation, the water draining chamber shall always be firmly affixed to said profile element. The water draining chamber even when subjected to considerable mechanical and thermal stresses is unable to detach off the profile element or even from the vehicle, so that high operational reliability is assured. The system as a whole offers a simple design and is unusually dimensionally stable. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, when controlling the forces of insertion and extraction, the respectively each detent element is configured at an angle to the direction of mating. Illustratively, a slight sideways bending or pressure may be applied when inserting the water draining chamber&#39;s rib into the snap-in recess, whereas, when removing said box, the rib first must ram the detent element before latter will release it. 
         [0013]    On account of the angular position of the detent element relative to the direction of installation, the, respectively each, detent element constitutes a barb for the rib inserted into the water draining chamber&#39;s snap-in recess, as a result of which said box can be detached off the profile element only after overcoming the barb&#39;s resistance by applying a predetermined force, illustratively for the purpose of maintaining or replacing components situated underneath. On the other hand, the resistance presented by the barb encountered when inserting the rib into the snap-in recess is relatively easily overcome and as a result the profile element and its bond to the vehicle pane are hardly stressed. 
         [0014]    Advantageously too the, respectively each, detent element shall be at least partly elastically deformable. Such a detent element will yield relatively easily when inserting the rib into the snap-in recess, whereas making it quite difficult for the detent element to move out of the way when extracting the rib from the profile element in spite of said elasticity, for instance because the detent element perforce being rammed before releasing the rib. The barb operation may be enhanced by fitting the, respectively each, snap-in recess at its free lengthwise edge with a convex or beaked edge which, depending on design, rests on the water draining chamber&#39;s rib and/or on the profile element. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the, respectively each, detent element is configured within the snap-in recess and can be made to engage frictionally and/or in a geometrically interlocking manner with the water draining chamber&#39;s rib. This design allows very different embodiment modes. Illustratively the detent element may be mounted, at an angle to the direction of installation, on a bearing rib of the profile element and/or to a resilient leg of the snap-in leg of the snap-in recess. 
         [0016]    Further advantages are attained when the snap-in recess is fitted with or subtends an engagement aperture which is entered at least in part by the, respectively each, detent element. In this manner, when being inserted into the snap-in recess, the water draining chamber&#39;s rib at once engages the detent element which initially is thereby forced inward away from the rib, as a result of which the water draining chamber is installed easily, namely not requiring a large force. However, following snapping the rib into the snap-in recess, the detent element will engage the rib. Furthermore said detent element constitutes a barb and, on account of its angular position, may only be forced to the side after overcoming a substantial resistance. In spite of having been easily installed, the water draining chamber no longer may be unintentionally detached from the profile element. 
         [0017]    Additional dimensional stability is assured by a design, whereby the convex, resp. beaked edge, of the, resp. each, detent element rests against the water draining chamber when this chamber is in its installed position. Said rib may be appropriately fitted with an indentation, an offset or the like. 
         [0018]    In addition or alternatively to the above design, the, respectively each, detent element may be mounted at the water draining chamber&#39;s rib, the detent element being able to engage the profile element frictionally and/or in geometrically interlocking manner. This approach as well assures both easily and quickly installing the water draining chamber without thereby stressing the connection between the profile element and the vehicle pane during said installation. At the same time the water draining chamber installed on the profile element is affixed so firmly that the entire system easily withstands even larger loads while simultaneously allowing water draining chamber disassembly, without damage to the profile element. 
         [0019]    In this embodiment, the detent element acts as a barb for the profile element, this barb significantly reducing the forces required for connection but nevertheless firmly affixing the installed water draining chamber. In this design the convex or beaked edge of the, respectively each, detent element rests on the bearing rib or the resilient leg that for that purpose may be fitted with an indentation, an offset or the like. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a bearing rib is subtended between the first and second segments of the profile element and bears the minimum of one seal. Said seal assures sealing the surface transitions between the water draining chamber and the vehicle pane, the bearing rib per se constituting an elastic clamping and/or rest element between the lower windshield edge and the water draining chamber&#39;s rib. 
         [0021]    The profile element&#39;s snap-in recess is subtended by a resilient leg and the bearing rib, the free end of said leg together with said rib bounding an engagement aperture. The resilient leg in principle may be L, U shaped or hook-like. The free end of the resilient leg moreover may be fitted with an indentation within the snap-in recess to be engaged by the water draining chamber&#39;s rib or the detent element. 
         [0022]    Accordingly the water draining chamber&#39;s rib when in the locked position always is firmly enclosed by the outwardly projecting resilient leg, the bearing rib for the rib constituting a wedge. Simultaneously the bearing rib supports the seal, as a result of which the profile element not only seals the water draining chamber and the vehicle pane from each other but also connects them frictionally and in geometrically interlocking manner Additional snap-in designs may be provided by an indentation at the bearing rib within the snap-in recess, for instance for the water draining chamber&#39;s rib or the detent element. 
         [0023]    The resp. each seal and/or the, resp. each, detent element preferably are firmly bonded to the bearing rib. However all components also may be integral. In this manner many designs are possible, namely by making the particular components in one or more parts. 
         [0024]    Preferably the seal and the detent element are made of a highly resilient material whereas the segments of the profile element and the bearing rib are made of a stiffer but still elastic material. The particular components of the profile element as a whole however may be made of a compound material, for instance in the form of a composite of soft and hard resilient materials. Illustratively the sealing lip may be externally highly compliant outside while of low compliance inside; in particular it may be hollow-hard inside and soft on the outside. Other variations also apply. The detent element may be externally soft and harder but still flexible on the inside. Again its cross-section may vary in shape, for instance being square/rectangular, oval or concave. The detent element&#39;s shape also may be individual, namely matching the water draining chamber&#39;s rib, or being at least segment-wise tubular. The profile element&#39;s bearing rib may be substantially wedge-shaped, stepped, T-like or U-shaped. Other shapes also are conceivable and applicable. 
         [0025]    The first segment, the second segment and/or the bearing rib are fitted at least in part with a resilient stiffening insert. As a result the profile element as a whole can withstand high loads and is permanently dimensionally stable. 
         [0026]    Manufacturing-wise, the first segment, the second segment and/or the bearing rib advantageously shall be extruded as a section. This feature is economical. 
         [0027]    The entire sealing system is intended for vehicle panes, in particular for the lower portion of a motor vehicle windshield. It consists of the vehicle pane, the profile element affixed to it, and the water draining chamber to be affixed therein. 
         [0028]    The profile element enables quickly and simply installing the water draining chamber without requiring applying a large force, as a result of which the connection between the profile element and the vehicle pane shall not be stressed even when repeatedly installing the water draining chamber. At the same time the water draining chamber when in its installed position is kept in frictionally and geometrically interlocking manner in the profile element, resulting in a durable firm connection which also permanently withstands substantial mechanical and thermal loads. Nevertheless the water draining chamber may be repeatedly removed for instance to replace a pollen filter, even though the removal force is larger than that of installation. 
         [0029]    Further features, particulars and advantages are defined in the claims and are discussed in the illustrative embodiment modes below and with respect to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic section of an installed sealing system with a profile element of the invention, 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a schematic sideview of the sealing system prior to water draining chamber installation, and 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic sideview of the sealing system of  FIG. 1  during the joining procedure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    The profile element denoted by the overall reference  10  in  FIG. 1  connects a vehicle pane  40  and a water draining chamber  50 . Illustratively the vehicle pane  40  is motor vehicle windshield made of a composite glass and integrated in an omitted vehicle body of car (also omitted). The water draining chamber  50  is usually made of plastic and by its upper edge  53  abuts the mostly curved lower edge  42  of the windshield  40 , and guides water running down said windshield to the outside. Preferably the outer surface G of the water draining chamber  50  is situated flush with the outer surface A of the windshield  40 . 
         [0034]    Preferably the profile element  10  is an extruded element of which the length corresponds to the width of the windshield  40  respectively to the width of the water draining chamber. It consists of one or more plastics (thermoplastic or thermosetting) each of a suitable hardness, for instance polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) or the like and combinations thereof. However elastomers and rubber materials such as EPDM are also applicable. A first segment  20  of the profile element  10  is fitted with a surface  22  for affixation to the vehicle pane  40 . A double-sided adhesive tape  24  is deposited as the adhesive layer  24  on said surface  22  and illustratively is heat activated. The profile element  10  together with the adhesive tape  24  is pressed along the pane edge  42  against the back side  44  of the vehicle pane  40  and bonds to it. 
         [0035]    The profile element  10  further comprises a second segment  30  fitted with a snap-in recess  60  to allow detachably affixing the water draining chamber  50  which is fitted on its back side with a snap-in, respectively protruding rib  51  that can be affixed in frictional and/or geometrically interlocking manner in said snap-in recess  60 .  FIG. 1  shows that the water draining chamber&#39;s rib  51  runs in a direction R 1  which is approximately perpendicular to the outer surface G of the water draining chamber  50  respectively to the outer surface A of the front pane  40 . The configuration of the vehicle pane  40 , profile element  10  and water draining chamber  50  is moreover selected in a manner that the resilient rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  can be inserted in the direction R 1  into the snap-in recess  60  of the profile element  10  and also be extracted in the opposite direction R 2  from said profile element  10 . 
         [0036]    The snap-in recess  60  is bounded by a substantially L, U-shaped or hook-like resilient leg  62  and by a bearing rib  80 , the latter being subtended by the first segment  20  and the second segment  30  of the profile element  10 . The free end  64  of the resilient leg  62  and the bearing rib  80  subtend an engagement aperture  61  for the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 . 
         [0037]    The cross-section of the bearing rib  80  is approximately wedge-shaped and/or T-shaped. Between the pane&#39;s lower edge  42  and the inwardly protruding rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 , said bearing rib  80  constitutes a clamping, respectively a support element supporting on its face  91  the seal  90 . Said seal  90  preferably is made of a soft-resilient material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), foam rubber or another suitable material such as an elastomer or rubber. It rests in sealing manner by means of a beaked edge  92  against the lower edge  42  of the vehicle pane  40  and—following installation of the water draining chamber  50 —it will be compressed between said pane&#39;s lower edge  42  and the top edge  53  of the water draining chamber  50  in a way that the (unreferenced) outer surface of the seal  90  ends flush with the outer surface A of the pane  40  and with the outer surface G of the water draining chamber  50 . As a result a smooth transition flush with the surfaces of the vehicle pane  40  and the water draining chamber  50  is attained. 
         [0038]    Preferably the seal  90  shall be firmly bonded to the bearing rib  80 . However it may also be integral with it. 
         [0039]    Preferably, in region of the lower pane edge  42 , the bearing rib  80  and the first segment  20  of the profile element  10  subtend a space  84 , as a result of which, when in the installed configuration, the bearing rib may yield elastically when resting against the pane  40 . This feature offers more than durably good and reliable sealing. The bearing rib  80  and the sealing lip  90  also may compensate tolerances between the pane  40  and the water draining chamber  50 . 
         [0040]    At its free end  64  within the snap-in recess  60 , the resilient leg  62  is fitted with an indentation  63 . In the installed state of the water draining chamber  50 , said indentation engages from behind a beaked edge  52  at the rib  51  which thereby is always affixed in frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner in the snap-in recess  60  of the profile element  10 . To improve the insertion of rib  51  into said snap-in recess a beaked edge  52  and the free end  64  of the resilient leg  62  are fitted within (unreferenced) bevels. The bearing rib  80  also is fitted with the snap-in recess  60  with an indentation  83  which shall be discussed further below. 
         [0041]    To assure installing the water draining chamber  50  both quickly and simply—without thereby stressing the adhesive bond between the profile element  10  and the vehicle pane  40 —a rib-shaped detent element  70  is provided within the snap-in recess  60  and runs in the longitudinal direction of the profile element  10 . Said detent element is at least partly elastically deforming, being made of a highly compliant material such as a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a foam rubber, or another appropriate material, and being designed in a manner that only a slight force is required to insert the detent element  51  of the water draining chamber  50  in the direction of assembly R 1 , whereas its extraction from said snap-in recess in the opposite direction R 2  requires a comparatively substantially larger force. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the detent element  70  is configured within the snap-in recess  60  at an angle α relative to the directions R 1 , R 2  and hence subtends an acute angle with the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 . Said detent element furthermore enters at least in part the engagement aperture  61  of said recess and may engage, within this recess, the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  in frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner, as a result of which, in the installed mode, said rib  51  is locked durably but detachably. 
         [0043]    To reinforce the above feature, the detent element  70  is fitted at its free longitudinal edge  72  with a convex or a beaked edge  71  whereas the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  is fitted with an associated beaked edge  52  respectively indentation. In this manner, when the water draining chamber  50  is installed, the free end of the detent element  70  respectively its convex or beaked edge  71  can rest on said chamber&#39;s rib  51  which also runs in the longitudinal direction of the profile element  10 , and consequently permanent firm locking has been achieved. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  further shows that the detent element  70  as well as the seal  90  are affixed to the bearing rib  80 , namely in the region of the indentation  83 . Further said detent element comprises a tapered zone  74  between the connecting zone  73  at the bearing rib  80  on one hand and on the other the terminal convex or beaked edge  71 , resulting in an approximately concave cross-sectional surface. Said surface allows the detent element  70  to get out of the way laterally or transversely to its longitudinal direction as soon as the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  has been inserted into the snap-in recess. To enhance this effect, the rib  51  is fitted with a bevel or flank  55  which is able to press the detent element  70  to the side. Depending on the designed magnitude of the applied force used to insert the rib  51  into the snap-in recess  60 , the detent element  70  also may be cross-sectionally a wedge or a rectangle/parallelepiped. 
         [0045]    Both the detent element  70  and the seal  90  are preferably firmly bonded to the bearing rib  80 . However they also may be integral with it. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  illustrates the sealing system constituted by the vehicle pane  40 , the profile element  10  affixed to said pane and the water draining chamber  50  as yet uninstalled. Accordingly the water draining chamber&#39;s rib  50  has not yet entered and engaged said profile element&#39;s snap-in recess  60 . 
         [0047]    On the other hand  FIG. 3  makes it plain that, when being inserted into the snap-in recess  60 , the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  displaces the detent element  70  entering said snap-in recess&#39; engagement aperture  61  at an angle α to the direction of assembly R 1 . In the process the rib  51  by means of its bevel  55  laterally forces the detent element  70  into the indentation  83  of the bearing rib  80 , such displacement being implemented relatively easily on account of the said detent element&#39;s selected cross-section as well as its selected material. The water draining chamber&#39;s rib  51  therefore is inserted at relatively little effort into the profile element  10  of which the adhesive bond to the vehicle pane  40  is stressed very little. Additional support of the profile element  10  relative to the vehicle body is unnecessary. 
         [0048]    As soon as the water draining chamber  50  has reached its final position, the detent element  70  engages the indentation  54  at the rib  51 , the convex or beaked edge  71  of the detent element  70  resting in frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner on the rib  51 . Accordingly the detent element  70  acts as a barb which affixes the water draining chamber  50  respectively its rib  51  against the profile element  10  in frictionally and geometrically interlocking manner in the snap-in recess  60  respectively at the profile element  10 . 
         [0049]    When the water draining chamber  50  must be released from its position locked to the profile element  10 , the rib  51  must overcome the resistance of the barb  70  configured transversely to it within the snap-in recess  60 , however this time against a substantially larger resistance than encountered in the assembly procedure. Accordingly, the water draining chamber  50  is always anchored securely in the profile element  10 , though, when necessary, and as described above, it may also be extracted and, as also described above, it may be reinstalled without resort to a substantial force. 
         [0050]    A reinforcing insert  26 , for instance a strip of aluminum or steel, is preferably fitted into the first segment  20  of the profile element  10  and into the resilient leg  62  of the second segment  30 . This reinforcing insert  26  may run as far as an inflection point  27  between the first segment  20  and the second segment  30  of the profile element, or, as shown, as far as into the resilient leg  62 . Said insert by-and-large follows the shape of the profile element  10 , though it may be shorter or longer than indicated. A reinforcing insert  81  within the bearing rib  80  increases both the dimensional stability of the profile element  10  and the bearing capacity of the rib  80 . 
         [0051]    An omitted row of perforations/holes furthermore may be fitted into the central region of the partial surfaces of the first segment  20 . Two or more rows of holes in the central surface portion of the first segment  20  may also be used. In this manner a cement or the like in addition to an omitted bead of glue deposited on the first segment  20  of the profile element  10  may advance as far as the back side  44  of the pane  40 . 
         [0052]    The present invention is not restricted to the above discussed embodiment modes and may be modified in many ways. Illustratively the detent element may be configured at the bearing rib  80  instead of at the resilient leg  62 . In that design the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  would be in mirror-image form. However two detent elements  70  also might be used, that would be mounted on the two sides of the rib  51 . In another variation, at least one detent element  70  is fitted on the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 . The convex or beaked edge  71  of the, respectively each, detent element  70  then would rest against the profile element  10  in the case of the installed position of the water draining chamber  50 , as a result of which the detent element engages frictionally and/or in geometrically interlocking manner the profile element. Furthermore, one detent element  70  each may be constituted at the profile element  10  and at the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 . 
         [0053]    In an embodiment, the detent element  70  in the form of a barb allows inserting the rib  51  into the snap-in recess  60  without requiring a considerable force. On the other hand extracting the rib  51  out of the snap-in direction  60  is more arduous, so that the water draining chamber  50  is easily installed and firmly affixed and can be detached if needed. 
         [0054]    In summary, the present invention relates to a profile element  10  serving to connect a vehicle pane  40  to a water draining case  50 , said structure  10  comprising a first segment  20  for connection to a vehicle pane  40  and a second segment  30  to detachably affix a water draining chamber  50 . The water draining chamber  50  is fitted with rib  51  which can be affixed in frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner in the snap-in recess  60 . At least one seal  90  may be inserted between the lower edge  42  of the vehicle pane  40  and the upper edge  53  of the water draining chamber  50 . Said seal constitutes a substantially smooth and flush transition between the surfaces of the vehicle pane  40  and the water draining chamber  50 . 
         [0055]    A detent element  70  for the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  is designed in a manner that it facilitates inserting the rib  51  into the snap-in recess  60  of the profile element  10  while raising the resistance to extracting the rib  51  out of said snap-in recess. 
         [0056]    The detent element  70  is at least partly elastically deforming and subtends an angle α with the direction of assembly, and as a result acts as a barb on the locked rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50 . The detent element  70  enters at least segment-wise the engagement aperture  61  of the snap-in recess  60  and rests by its convex or beaked edge  71  in its engaged state against the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  or against the profile element  10  which for that purposes are fitted with indentations  52 ,  54 ,  63 ,  83 . 
         [0057]    A bearing rib  80  is configured between the first and second segments  20  and  30  respectively of the profile element  10  and may be cross-sectionally wedge-shaped, L or U shaped. The minimum of one seal  90  projects outward from said bearing rib  80 . 
         [0058]    The snap-in recess  60  is subtended by the bearing rib  80  and a resilient leg  62  which is cross-sectionally L, U or hook-shaped. The detent element  70  and the seal  90  may be integral with the bearing rib  80  or be firmly bonded to it and in particular may include a high-compliance, deforming convex element. 
         [0059]    The profile element  10  and/or the detent element  70  and/or the resilient leg  90  may be made of a combination of materials, for instance in the form of a composite component which is soft externally and hard internally. The elasticity is enhanced by reinforcing inserts  26 ,  81 . Appropriately the said contour structure&#39;s rest face  22  comprises contact zones that are mutually offset in height. An adhesive layer may be enclosed in between at the optionally perforated first segment  20 , for instance a double-sided adhesive tape, rests in contact with its opposite walls and also is optionally perforated. 
         [0060]    A profile element  10  to connect a vehicle  40  with a water draining chamber  50  comprises a first segment  20  which can be affixed to said vehicle pane, and a second segment  30  which is fitted with a snap-in recess  60  to allow detachably affixing said box. This water draining chamber  50  is fitted with a rib  51  which is affixable in frictionally and/or geometrically interlocking manner in the snap-in recess  60 , further with at least one seal  60  subtending—in the installed position of the water draining chamber—a substantially smooth and flush transition zone between the vehicle pane  40  and the water draining chamber  50 . To assure both simple and rapid installation of the water draining chamber—without thereby stressing the connection between said profile element and vehicle pane, the invention provides at least one detent element  70  designed in a manner that insertion of the rib  51  of the water draining chamber  50  into the snap-in recess  60  in a first direction R 1  shall be facilitated but extraction of the rib  51  from the snap-in recess  60  in the opposite direction R 2  shall meet a larger resistance. 
         [0061]    All features and advantages, including design details, spatial configurations and procedural steps, implicit in and explicit from the claims, the specification and the appended drawings, may be construed being inventive per se or in arbitrary combinations. 
       LIST OF REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
         A outer surface (of  40 ) 
         G outer surface (of  50 ) 
         R 1  direction 
         R 2  direction 
         K vehicle body 
         α angle 
           10  profile element 
           20  first segment 
           22  surface 
           24  adhesive layer/tape 
           26  reinforcing insert 
           27  inflection point 
           28  adhesive bead 
           30  second segment 
           40  vehicle pane 
           42  lower pane edge 
           44  back side 
           50  water draining chamber 
           51  rib 
           52  beaked-edge/indentation 
           53  upper edge 
           54  beak-edge/indentation 
           55  bevel/flank 
           60  snap-in recess 
           61  aperture 
           62  resilient leg 
           63  indentation 
           64  free end 
           70  detent element 
           71  beaked edge 
           72  free longitudinal edge 
           73  connecting zone 
           74  tapered zone 
           80  bearing rib 
           81  reinforcing insert 
           82  hard/soft boundary 
           83  indentation 
           84  space 
           90  sealing lip 
           91  bevel 
           92  beaked edge