Abstract:
Some embodiments are directed to a seal assembly including a main door seal that extends around a vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from a door perimeter. A first seal portion extends from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter. The first seal portion forms a barrier vertically above a latch slot, is capable of intercepting substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitates the transport of the intercepted substances to the door perimeter. A second seal portion is disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and extends downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion. The second seal portion is configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The disclosed subject matter relates to a vehicle door seal apparatus, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, the disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for sealing vehicle doors, vehicle doors including the sealing apparatus, and methods of manufacturing the vehicle doors and the sealing apparatus. 
         [0002]    Many types of vehicles, such as those that travel on land, through water, by air, etc. define exterior doors to allow ingress and egress of vehicle occupants. Some such vehicles include a single exterior door, while others may include multiple exterior doors. The doors can be configured to be opened and closed so that when they are opened, an occupant, object, etc. can enter and exit the vehicle, while when they are closed, the occupant, object, etc. is confined within the vehicle. In other words, one function of some vehicle exterior doors is to enable access or ingress to the vehicle interior when open, and to confine occupants, objects, etc. within the vehicle when closed. Doors may additionally be used to perform these functions for vehicle storage areas. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Some vehicle exterior doors also perform a function of sealing or forming a barrier between the vehicle interior and the environment outside of the vehicle. For example, these vehicle doors impede the entry into the vehicle interior of various types of substances or conditions, such as gasses, liquids, solids, noises, etc., which are disposed or otherwise in existence outside of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    However, it may be challenging for doors to form an effective barrier and impede the entry into the vehicle interior of some of these substances under certain conditions. For example, it may be difficult to ensure that the water (such as in the form of rain) that is prevalent in the exterior environment remains outside of the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is in motion. It may also be difficult for vehicle doors to shield the vehicle interior from noises, including but not limited to noises created or otherwise caused by motion of the vehicle, such as wind noise. 
         [0005]    Thus, some vehicle doors include seals that facilitate or enhance the ability of the door to impede entry into the vehicle interior of the substances, conditions, etc. discussed above. Some vehicle doors include seals that extend around or adjacent a perimeter of the door, which may be beneficial by not only impeding entry of these substances, conditions, etc. into the vehicle interior, but also impeding contact with an interior surface or other interior components of the door, door frame, structural pillar (e.g., A-, B-, C-, or D-pillar), panel, vehicle components shielded by the door, etc. The effectiveness of these seals, which may be formed of a deformable material and project from an interior surface of the vehicle door around the door periphery, may be dependent on tightly contacting an opposing surface of the vehicle, e.g., panel, pillar, etc. In other words, tightly contacting the opposing surface causes the seal to deform and to become more compact. 
         [0006]    This tight contact may be effective for some types of vehicle doors, such as those that move via hinge assemblies, but not for other types of doors. For example, doors that are actuated between open and closed positions via sliding movement may ultimately cause the seal to degrade. As the door slides along its path toward the open or closed positions, the seal disposed around the door periphery may contact other surfaces along its path, which may cause the seal to abrade, wear, etc. over time. 
         [0007]    Some sliding doors (as well as other types of doors) therefore dispose seals at locations on the door interior surface that are spaced inward from the door perimeter, and thus to some extent shielded from contacting other surfaces as the door slides along its path. The inwardly disposed seals are thereby less subject to abrasion, wear, etc. as the door is slid between open and closed positions. 
         [0008]    However, disposing the seals inwardly from the door perimeter may subject other surfaces to contact with the substances, conditions, etc. discussed above. As one example, the latch assembly disposed at an approximate midpoint of the vehicle door and spaced relatively proximate the door perimeter may be exposed to these substances, conditions, etc., such as water, which may ultimately cause components of the latch assembly to corrode, etc. The latch assembly may also be exposed to dust, dirt, or water that may freeze, which may all impede operation of the latching mechanism. In addition, the latch assembly may be disposed at least in part within an aperture, which may be contiguous, or otherwise communicate, with a path into the vehicle interior, such as proximate the interior door handle. Noises, such as wind noise generated during vehicle movement, may thereby enter the vehicle interior. 
         [0009]    It may therefore be beneficial to address at least one of the issues discussed above and/or other issues. For example, it may be beneficial to provide methods and apparatus that effectively seal a vehicle door, while also reducing, mitigating, or preventing damage to the seal, such as abrasion, wear, etc., that may occur during opening and closing of the door. It may be especially beneficial to configure these methods and apparatus to be effective for use with sliding vehicle doors. In particular, it may be beneficial to dispose and configure a seal for a sliding door so as to reduce or prevent abrasion, wear, etc. during sliding of the door, while at the same time impeding the substances, conditions, etc. discussed above from contacting certain interior surfaces of the vehicle door, such as the latch assembly, aperture or slot surrounding or otherwise proximate the latch assembly, etc. 
         [0010]    Some such embodiments accomplish at least one of the above benefits by disposing a main door seal inwardly from the door perimeter, and including an additional assembly to form a barrier between the substances, conditions, etc. discussed above and the latch assembly, aperture or slot surrounding or otherwise proximate the latch assembly, etc. In some embodiments, the additional assembly may include a first portion configured to intercept substances, conditions, etc. traveling vertically downward and inward of the door perimeter, and facilitate transport of the intercepted substances, conditions, etc. outwardly past the door perimeter. The additional assembly may also include a second portion disposed at the door perimeter to shield the latch assembly, aperture or slot surrounding or otherwise proximate the latch assembly from substances, conditions, etc. disposed outside the door perimeter, including the intercepted substances, conditions, etc. transported outwardly past the door perimeter. 
         [0011]    Some embodiments are therefore directed to a seal assembly for impeding travel of substances relative to a vehicle door, which defines interior and exterior surfaces, and a perimeter extending between the interior and exterior surfaces. The vehicle door can include a latch assembly disposed at least in part within a latch slot that is spaced from the vehicle door perimeter. 
         [0012]    The seal assembly can include a main door seal that extends around the vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from the perimeter. A first seal portion can extend from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter, and can be configured to form a barrier vertically above the latch slot. The first seal portion can be capable of intercepting the substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitating the transport of the intercepted substances to the vehicle door perimeter. A second seal portion can be disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and can extend downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion. The second seal portion can be configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter. 
         [0013]    Some other embodiments are directed to a vehicle door assembly for impeding travel of substances toward a vehicle interior. The vehicle door assembly can include a vehicle door that defines interior and exterior surfaces, and a perimeter extending between the interior and exterior surfaces. The vehicle door can include a latch assembly disposed at least in part within a latch slot that is spaced from the vehicle door perimeter, and a seal assembly that is configured to impede travel of the substances toward the vehicle interior. 
         [0014]    The seal assembly can include a main door seal that extends around the vehicle door interior surface and that is spaced from the perimeter. A first seal portion can extend from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter, and can be configured to form a barrier vertically above the latch slot. The first seal portion can be capable of intercepting the substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and facilitating the transport of the intercepted substances to the vehicle door perimeter. A second seal portion can be disposed between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and can extend downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion. The second seal portion can be configured to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter. 
         [0015]    Still other embodiments are directed to a method forming a seal so as to impede travel of substances relative to a vehicle door, which defines interior and exterior surfaces, and a perimeter extending between the interior and exterior surfaces. The vehicle door can include a latch assembly disposed at least in part within a latch slot that is spaced from the vehicle door perimeter. 
         [0016]    The method can include: extending a main door seal around the vehicle door interior surface and so as to be spaced from the perimeter; extending a first seal portion from an inward end disposed at the main door seal to an outward end disposed at the vehicle door perimeter; configuring the first seal portion to form a barrier vertically above the latch slot and so as to be capable of intercepting the substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot, and then facilitating the transport of the intercepted substances to the vehicle door perimeter; disposing a second seal portion between the latch slot and the vehicle door perimeter, and so as to extend downwardly from the outward end of the first seal portion; and configuring the second seal portion to impede travel toward the vehicle door interior surface of the intercepted substances that have been transported to the vehicle door perimeter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an interior side view of a vehicle slide door with a main door seal and an exemplary edge gap seal of the embodiments attached thereto. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a first portion and partial second portion of the edge gap seal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a reverse side perspective of view of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is detailed reverse side perspective of view of the first portion and the second portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3  with cross-section view line locations. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the first portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3  with a connector at a connection point. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an additional cross-section view of the first portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an additional cross-section view of the first portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is an additional cross-section view of the first portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the first portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3  with cross-section view line locations. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of a joining seal of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3  with a connector at a connection point. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the second portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is an additional cross-section view of the second portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is an additional cross-sectional view of the second portion of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3  with a connector at a connection point. 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a detailed perspective view of the first portion of the edge gap seal of  FIG. 2  at a joining point with the main door seal of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the edge gap seal of  FIG. 2  joined to the main door seal of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. 
       I. Vehicle Door Seal System 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  is an interior side view of a vehicle slide door  12  with a main door seal  46  and an exemplary edge gap seal  10  of the embodiments attached thereto. A vehicle slide door  12  can include an outside door panel  14 , an inside door panel  18 , and a window pane mounting cutout  22  defined by a window pane mounting cutout edge  24 . Embodiments of the edge gap seal  10 , however, are intended to include or otherwise cover one or more seals attached to a vehicle side door, a rear door, a front door, a back door, a roof opening, or any door apparatus that provides an opening to a vehicle&#39;s interior cabin from an exterior of a vehicle. Materials of manufacture for the edge gap seal  10  of the embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover EDPM rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer mix of rubber and plastic, a thermoplastic olefin polymer/filler blend, or any material appropriate for a seal or weather-stripping around openings on a vehicle. The inside door panel  18  can be defined by an inside door panel edge  20  that can be defined as a perimeter around a door portion that faces inwardly to a vehicle cabin, the perimeter including an area around top end of the window pane cutout  22 , a first cutout  26  that is defined by a first cutout edge  28 , a second cutout  30  that is defined by a second cutout edge  32 , and a third cutout  34  that is defined by a third cutout edge  36 . 
         [0035]    The outside door panel  14  can be defined by the area between the perimeter of the inside door panel  18  (e.g., the inside door panel edge  20 ) and the perimeter of the slide door  12  (e.g, the outside door panel edge  16 ). The outside door panel  14  can include various stamped, sloped, and/or flanged structural portions that are arranged on different relative geographic planes. For example, a thin surround portion  48  defines a flanged perimeter of the slide door  12 . A slope  52  of the thin surround portion  48  slopes upwardly toward a flat surround portion  50  to meet the inside door panel edge  20 . Around the periphery of the window pane mounting cutout  22  the inside door panel  18  structure can include a flat window surround portion  54  that forms into a rising slope  56  of the flat window surround portion  54  that slopes upwardly towards a raised portion  58  above the flat window surround portion  54 . 
         [0036]    The slide door  12  can include a dry region  42  that is sealed from external moisture, dust, dirt, wind, etc., which can be defined as the inside door panel, i.e., an area of the slide door  12  inward from the inside door panel edge  20 . The slide door  12  can also include a wet region  44  that is unsealed from external environmental conditions that include but are not limited to moisture, dust, wind, noise, etc., which can be defined by an area between the inside door panel edge  20  and the outside door panel edge  16 . A latch slot  40  is disposed within the defined area of the outside door panel  14 . Thus, the wet region  44  includes the latch slot  40 , which can be exposed to external environmental conditions. 
         [0037]    To ensure reliable moisture protection from external environmental conditions, the main door seal  46  is disposed around a periphery of the inside door panel  18 , creating the dry region  42 . The wet region  44  side of the slide door  12  is disposed outwardly from the main door seal  46  in all directions. The main door seal  46  is also disposed between the latch slot  40  and the inside door panel  18 . In addition to protecting vehicle occupants from external environmental conditions, certain vehicle components may be mounted upon or attached to the vehicle slide door  12  in the dry region  42 , such as but not limited to electrical drive units and switches for automatic window and mirror adjustments, sound system speaker(s), and interior door latch release handles. 
         [0038]    The edge gap seal  10  can be defined as a seal including a first portion  60 . The first portion  60  of the edge gap seal  10  can be disposed along the outside door panel  14  between the latch slot  40  and a top edge  69  of the vehicle slide door  12 . In one embodiment, the first portion  60  is disposed at a point between the top edge  69  of the vehicle slide door  12  and the latch slot  40 . In an embodiment, the first portion  60  can extend from the inside door panel edge  20  to a point on the outside door panel  14 . In another embodiment, the first portion  60  can extend between the inside door panel edge  20  to a point on the outside door panel edge  16 . In other embodiments, the first portion  60  can extend between any two points on the outside door panel  14  between the inside door panel  18  and the outside door panel  14 . In an embodiment, the first portion  60  can extend along the outside door panel  14  between the main door seal  46  and the outside door panel edge  16 . 
         [0039]    The first portion  60  is further disposed such that a first end  59 , located closest to the inside door panel  18 , is elevated above a vertical plane that is generally parallel to a bottom edge  68  of the vehicle slide door  12  and defines a position of a second end  61 , closest to the outside door panel edge  16 . Thus, the first seal portion  60  can extend from the inward first end  59  disposed at the main door seal  46  to the outward second end  61  disposed at the vehicle door perimeter (outside door panel edge  16 ), and that is configured to form a barrier vertically above the latch slot  40  capable of intercepting the substances disposed above and traveling downward toward the latch slot  40 , and facilitating the transport of the intercepted substances to the vehicle door perimeter. 
         [0040]    The edge gap seal  10  can be further defined by the first portion  60  and a second portion  62 . The first portion  60  can be joined to the second portion  62  at a seal joint  64 . In an embodiment, the first portion  60  is a separate member from the second portion  62 , and the first portion  60  and the second portion  62  cooperate to accomplish the advantages and functionality of the edge gap seal  10  described herein. In another embodiment, the first portion  60  and the second portion  62  are joined together at a point of contact, such as at the seal joint  64 . In an embodiment, the second portion  62  is disposed between the first portion  60  and the bottom edge  68  of slide door  12  and is disposed between the latch slot  40  and the outside door panel edge  16  of slide door  12 . In an embodiment, the second portion  62  can be disposed along a perimeter of the slide door  12  (outside door panel edge  16 ). In other embodiments, the second portion  62  can be disposed between the first portion second end  61 , which is disposed closest to the outside door panel edge  16 , to any point between the latch slot  40  and the bottom edge  68  of the slide door  12 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of the first portion  60  and the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 1 . The first portion  60  of the edge gap seal  10  can be further defined as an extended member disposed from the outside door panel edge  16 , across an edge panel  71  that is disposed generally parallel to the vehicle slide door  12 , a first panel  70  that is disposed generally perpendicular to the vehicle slide door  12 , a second panel  72  of the outside door panel  14  that is generally parallel to the vehicle slide door  12 , and a third panel  74  that is disposed generally perpendicular to the vehicle slide door  12 . The first portion  60  can be defined as including a wall  76  of a substantially similar, or alternatively varying, height that parallels and attaches at certain points of the edge panel  71 , the first panel  70 , the second panel  72 , and the third panel  74  of the outside door panel  14 , described above. The wall  76  is disposed between a head protrusion  78  and an extended portion  84  that define a channel  82 . The channel  82  may be formed by a base extending away from the wall  76  at similar or varying distances along the length of the first portion  60  (as described more fully below). The channel  82  may be further defined by the extended portion  84  that can extend a certain distance outwardly from the wall to a point above the base, as described more fully below. 
         [0042]    The second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  can be joined to the first portion  60  at a joining location that can be defined as the seal joint  64  that joins the first portion  60  to the second portion  62 . 
         [0043]    The second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as disposed in a downwardly direction along perimeter of the slide door  12 , e.g., a periphery of the first panel  70 , following the curves of a curvilinear panel  86  of the first panel  70 , generally between the outside door panel edge  16  and the second panel  72 . The latch slot  40  is disposed on both the second panel  72  and the third panel  74 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a reverse side perspective of view of the exemplary edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , the exemplary edge gap seal  10  is illustrated from a perspective of a reverse side  88  of the first portion  60  and a reverse side  90  of the second portion  62  that can connect or otherwise secure to the outside door panel  14 . In the embodiments, the reverse side  88  of the first portion  60  and the reverse side  90  of the second portion  62  can be connected or secured to the outside door panel  14  in any appropriate manner, such as but not limited to mechanical fasteners, glue, epoxy, welding, interference fitting, etc. In an embodiment first portion connection points  92  can be disposed at any appropriate location along the first portion  60 . Similarly, one or more second portion connection points  94  can be disposed at any appropriate location along the second portion  62 . In an embodiment, the second portion connection points  94  can be disposed on a side of the second portion  62  distal to the outside door panel edge  16 . This can be advantageous so that the second portion connection points  94  do not interfere with the sealing function of the second portion  62  along the outside door panel edge  16  when the vehicle slide door  12  is placed into a closed position. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is detailed reverse side perspective of view of the first portion  60  and the second portion  62  of the exemplary edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 3  illustrating cross-section view line locations. In  FIG. 4 , cross-section lines  5  through  8  are distributed along the first portion  60  and cross-section lines  10  through  12  are distributed along the second portion  62 . The cross-section line  5  corresponds to an isometric cross-section view in  FIG. 5 . The cross-section line  5  represents a perpendicular cut through the first portion  60  and one of the connection points  92  at a point on the first portion  60  disposed along the edge panel  71  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  5  further represents a perpendicular cut through a first fastener  96  (see  FIG. 5 ) that is disposed at one of the connection points  92 . The cross-section line  6  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 6 . The cross-section line  6  represents a perpendicular cut through the first portion  60  at a point disposed along the first panel  70  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  7  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 7 . The cross-section line  7  represents a perpendicular cut through the first portion  60  at a point disposed along the second panel  72  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  8  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 8 . The cross-section line  8  represents a perpendicular cut through the first portion  60  at a point disposed along the third panel  74  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  10  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 10 . The cross-section line  10  represents a perpendicular cut through the second portion  62  at a point disposed through the seal joint  64 . The cross-section line  10  further represents a perpendicular cut through the first fastener  96  that is disposed at a seal joint connection point  98 . 
         [0046]    The cross-section line  11  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 11 . The cross-section line  11  represents a perpendicular cut through the second portion  62  at a point disposed adjacent to the first panel  70  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  12  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 12 . The cross-section line  12  represents a perpendicular cut through the second portion  62  at a point disposed adjacent to the curvilinear panel  86  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  13  corresponds to a cross-section view in  FIG. 13 . The cross-section line  13  represents a perpendicular cut through the second portion  62  at a point disposed adjacent to the curvilinear panel  86  of the outside door panel  14 . The cross-section line  13  further represents a perpendicular cut through a second fastener  100  that is disposed at one of the second portion connection points  94 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  is a reverse isometric view of the first portion  60  of the exemplary edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 4  with cross-section view line locations. First fasteners  96  can be installed through connection points  92 , which are disposed each near end  59  and end  61 . In  FIG. 9 , the first fasteners  96  are exemplary and illustrated merely for purposes of clarity of the disclosure. In an implementation in the slide door  12 , the first fasteners  96  would be installed through connection points in the outside door panel  14  that align to the connection points  92 . The fasteners can be any type of fastener including but not limited to mechanical fasteners, glue, epoxy, welding, pressure fitting, etc. In a certain embodiment, the first fastener  96  is formed as push-through connector with one of the expanding prong  95  that inserts through a hole in one of the connection points  92  and prevents the first fastener  96  from backing out of one of the connection points  92 . 
         [0048]    The isometric view in  FIG. 9  of the first portion  60  provides an additional disclosure for the cross-section lines  5  through  8  locations disposed along the first portion  60  in relation to various panel portions (e.g., the edge panel  71 , first panel  70 , second panel  72 , and third panel  74 ) of the outside door panel  14 . In summary, cross-section line  5  is adjacent to the edge panel  71 , cross-section line  6  is adjacent to the first panel  70 , cross-section line  7  is adjacent to the second panel  72 , and cross-section line  8  is adjacent to the third panel  74 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 through 8  illustrate cross-section views from respective points along an embodiment of the first portion  60  of the edge gap seal  10 , initiating near the slide door  12  perimeter at  FIG. 5 , and traversing inwardly towards the main door seal  46  at  FIG. 8 , as described above. The first portion  60  can include a back face  102 , that forms the wall  76  on an opposing side, the head protrusion  78  disposed at a top end of the wall  76 , and curved extension portion  84 , along with a base  80  that can vary in disposition, which cooperate to define the channel  82 . The channel  82  may be formed by the extended portion  84  extending away at an inflection point  106  in a generally C-shaped, or trough-like configuration from the wall  76  at similar or varying distances along the length of the first portion  60 . The channel  82  may vary in width, as described below, but can be advantageously disposed to channel moisture or any fluid substance by gravity in an outwardly direction towards a slide door  12  perimeter and outside of a vehicle due to the downward slope of the first portion  60 . The base  80  of the channel  82  can vary according to varying locations along the first portion  60  but continue to provide an adequate path for moisture to drain through the channel  82 . The width of the channel  82  can vary for fitting to the different edge panel portions  70  to  74  of the outside door panel  14 . For example, base  80  in  FIG. 5  is disposed from the wall  76  to the inflection point  106  with width D 1 , a base  110  in  FIG. 6  is disposed from the wall  76  to an inflection point  108  with width D 2 , a channel base  112  in  FIG. 7  is disposed from the wall  76  to an inflection point  114  with width D 3 , and a base  118  is disposed from the wall  76  to an inflection point  116  with width D 4  to form varying widths of the channel  82 . In an additional example, the channel base  112  can be a greater width than other points of measure for channel widths in the first portion  60  in order to fill a wider gap between the second panel  72  of the outside door panel  14  a vehicle body panel disposed opposite the slide door  12  when the slide door  12  is in a closed position. 
         [0050]    In the cross section of  FIG. 5 , the first fastener  96  fastened at one of the connection points  92  can include one or more of the expanding prongs  95  that can fit through one of the connection points  92  and subsequently extend outwardly against the back face  102 . A head  104  of the first fastener  96  can be secured against the wall  76 . In an embodiment, the first fastener can be provided as a bolt, screw, pin, etc. If additional fasteners are desired in a certain implementation, the head  104  of the first fastener  96  is disposed against the wall  76  in  FIGS. 6 to 8  to illustrate those implementations. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of a joining seal to join the first portion  60  with the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 1  at a connection point. In  FIG. 10 , the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  is illustrated attached to the seal joint  64 . The seal joint  64  attaches the second portion  62  to the end  61  of the first portion  60  at the seal joint connection point  98  via the first fastener  96 . The structure of the second portion  62  at cross section  10  can include a back face  120  and a curved extension portion  124  that joins to the back face  120  near a protrusion  122  of the back face  120 . An opposite side of the back face  120  forms a wall  128 , and together the wall  128  and the curved extension portion  124  cooperate to form a channel  127  that is open to the outside door panel  14 . The second portion  62  is joined to the seal joint  64  at an end portion  126 , thereby forming a contiguous member at cross-section point  10 . The seal joint  64  is attached to the first portion  60  near first portion end  61  via the first fastener  96 , which also fastens the attached portions  60  and  62  to an aligned connection point on the outside door panel  14 . The first fastener  96  can include one or more of the expanding prongs  95  that can fit through the seal joint connection point  98  and subsequently extend away from a central core  97  while remaining attached to a top end of the central core  97 . A head  99  of the central core can be secured against a back face  65  of the seal joint  64 . In an embodiment, the head  99  and central core  97  can be provided as a bolt, screw, pin, etc. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the second portion  62  of the exemplary edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 3 . The structure of the second portion  62  at cross section  11  can include the back face  120  that extends to the end portion  126  and the curved extension portion  124  that joins to the back face  120  near the protrusion  122  of the back face  120 . An opposite side of the back face  120  forms the wall  128 , and together the wall  128  and the curved extension portion  124  cooperate to form the channel  127  that is open to the outside door panel  14 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is an additional cross-section view of the second portion  62  of the exemplary edge gap seal of  FIG. 3 . The structure of the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  at cross section  12  can include the back face  120  and the curved extension portion  124  that join to the back face  120  near the protrusion  122  of the back face  120 . An opposite side of the back face  120  forms the wall  128  that extends to end portion  126 , and together the wall  128  and the curved extension portion  124  cooperate to form the channel  127 . In contrast to the second portion  62  at cross section points  10  and  11 , the structure at cross section  12  can include a support member  130  that can attach at distal ends to the curved extended portion  124  and the back face  120 . The support member  130  thereby encloses the channel  127  such that the channel  127  is not open to the outside door panel  14 . 
         [0054]    In an alternative embodiment, the structure of the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  at cross section  12  can be secured to a hook fastener  132  (shown in ghost lines) that extends around the back face  120  near protrusion  122 . The hook fastener  132  can include a first extension  134  and a second extension  136  that can fasten to the outside door panel  14  at different connection points. The first extension  134  follows a path parallel to the support member  130  before securing to the outside door panel  14 , and the second extension  136  can secure directly to a connection point on the outside door panel  14 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 13  is an additional cross-sectional view of the second portion  62  of the exemplary edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 3  with a connector at a connection point. The structure of the second portion  62  of the edge gap seal  10  at cross section  13  can include the back face  120  and the curved extension portion  124  that join to the back face  120  near the protrusion  122  of the back face  120 . An opposite side of the back face  120  forms the wall  128 , and together the wall  128  and the curved extension portion  124  cooperate to form the channel  127 . Similar to the second portion  62  at cross section point  12 , the structure at cross section  13  can include the support member  130  that can attach at distal ends to the curved extended portion  124  and the back face  120 . The support member  130  thereby encloses the channel  127  such that the channel  127  is not open to the outside door panel  14 . 
         [0056]    To secure the second portion  62  at cross section point  13 , the second fastener  100  can attach the second portion  62  to an aligned connection point on the outside door panel  14 . The second fastener  100  can include a head  138  and a base  140  that can be connected via a central core  142 . The second fastener  100  inserted through a connection point  131  formed as an opening in the support member  130 . The head  138  of the second fastener  100  can be centrally flanged such that a top portion and bottom portion of the head  138  sandwich the support member  130 . In an embodiment, the head  138  and the central core  142  can be provided as a single bolt, screw, pin, etc. 
         [0057]      FIG. 14  is a detailed perspective view of the first portion of the edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 2  at a joining point with the main door seal  46  of  FIG. 1 . In order to provide a sealed path to collect moisture draining on the outside door panel  14  into the first portion  60 , a mold joint  148  between the first portion  60  and the main door seal  46  can be provided. The main door seal  46  can include a main door seal first portion  144  and a main door seal second portion  146  disposed around a periphery of the inside door panel  18  and can utilize a mold joint between both ends to create a closed structural loop. It can be beneficial to change a location of the mold joint  148  to coincide with a location where the first portion  60  contacts the main door seal  46 . In an embodiment, the mold joint  148  can advantageously close a structural loop of the main body seal as well as connect the main body seal  46  to first end  59  of the first portion  60  of the edge gap seal  10 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 15  is a detailed perspective view an embodiment of the edge gap seal  10  of  FIG. 2  joined to the main door seal  46  of  FIG. 1 . As described above, the main door seal  46  can include the main door seal first portion  144  and the main door seal second portion  146  disposed around a periphery of the inside door panel  18  beginning at a main door seal first end  149  and ending at a main door seal second end  150 . The main door seal first end  149  and the main door seal second end  150  can be joined utilizing a butt mold  152  to create a closed structural loop of the main door seal  46 . In the embodiment, a closed end portion  154  of the edge gap seal  10  abuts, at a perpendicular disposition, the main door seal first portion  144  of the main door seal  46  at the location of the butt mold  152 . 
         [0059]    In order to provide a sealed path to collect moisture draining on the outside door panel  14  into the edge gap seal  10 , the closed end portion  154  can be molded to the butt mold  152  at butt mold portion  156 , thereby forming a molded joint that connects the edge gap seal  10  to the main door seal  46 . It can be beneficial to locate the butt mold  152  of the main door seal  46  to coincide with a location where the edge gap seal  10  contacts the main door seal  46  for at least to accomplish joining the main door seal first end  149  to the main door seal second end  150  of the main door seal  46  and joining the main door seal  46  to the edge gap seal  10  at the butt mold portion  156 . 
       II. Alternative Embodiments 
       [0060]    While certain embodiments of the invention are described above, and  FIGS. 1-15  disclose the best mode for practicing the various inventive aspects, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied and configured in many different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0061]    Exemplary embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of manufacturing of the seals, members, portions, and structures of the embodiments. 
         [0062]    While certain embodiments for a seal are intended for use in a vehicle door seal, the embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover uses as roof rail seals, quarter window seals, window sweeps, window channel seals, windshield seals, rear window seals, side window seals, door window seals quarter window lock pillar seals, U-jamb seals, header seals, A-pillar seals, B-pillar seals, C-pillar seals, convertible top seals, T-top seals, trunk seals, or seals for any location on a vehicle. 
         [0063]    Exemplary embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover materials of manufacture for the edge gap seal  10  such as felt, vinyl, rubber, poly foam, vinyl tubing, and metals such as brass, steel, and aluminum. 
         [0064]    While certain embodiments for a seal are intended for use to direct moisture away from a latch slot in a vehicle door panel, the embodiments are intended to include or otherwise cover uses to direct water away from any vehicle mechanism, attachment, electrical device, body panel cutout, etc. that could be damaged or degraded from contact with moisture from an exterior environment of a vehicle, especially when the vehicle is in motion. 
         [0065]    While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. All related art references discussed in the above Background section are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.