Abstract:
A window weatherstrip that can be clipped onto a mounting structure of a motor vehicle door frame adjacent an opening containing a window glass such that the weatherstrip can be completely hidden from view thereby avoiding the need for any decorative type finish. More specifically, the window weatherstrip is clipped onto a mounting structure having a horizontally extending mounting flange integrally connected with a downwardly projecting vertical mounting flange such that the weatherstrip can be completely hidden from view underneath a door liner.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/233,885 filed Sep. 20, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a window weatherstrip such as a bottom window weatherstrip, that can be easily clipped onto a mounting structure of a moor vehicle door frame adjacent an opening containing a window such that the mounting structure of the weatherstrip can be completely hidden from view thereby avoiding the need for any decorative type finish thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A multitude of window weatherstrips for sealing against the window of a motor vehicle have been provided over the years. Weatherstrips tend to be either extruded or roll-formed by manufacturing processes that involve numerous steps and generally are made from a combination of thermoset elastomer or thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer. Oftentimes, a metal core strip is provided and is covered with an extruded layer of elastomeric material to form a weatherstrip molding laving added strength and support. 
     The weatherstrips usually contain one or more sealing lips which bear against the inside and/or outside portion of the window to provide a seal against water, moisture, and dirt, to strip water from a reciprocating window, and to provide sound insulation. Typically, the sealing lips are made of a flexible elastomeric material while one side thereof may be flocked to provide a low friction coating for reducing friction between the lip and the movable window and to reduce squeaking. 
     Window weatherstrips are often exposed to view thereby requiring that the show surfaces of same be provided with some aesthetic or ornamental treatment. This treatment or special coating adds to the cost of part manufacture. It is accordingly desirable to provide a weatherstrip whose attachment or mounting structure is hidden from sight so that elaborate decorative treatments need not be applied to the part. 
     Additionally, in many cases, proper mounting of the weatherstrip to the door frame or other mounting structure requires the use of fasteners such as rivets, clips, and bendable tabs and the like and cooperating structures in the mounting structure. There is accordingly a need in the art for a window weatherstrip that can be easily attached to its associated mounting structure with a convenient snap fit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a window weatherstrip is provided that is readily snap fit onto the mounting structure of a motor vehicle door frame or the like. The weatherstrip comprises an inner flange and an outer flange, with the outer flange facing the window, preferably door window of the motor vehicle. 
     An intermediate portion connects the inner and outer flanges and is adapted to snap fit atop a horizontal mounting flange of the door frame member. The inner flange extends downwardly from the intermediate portion and, similarly, the outer flange extends downwardly from the intermediate portion of the weatherstrip in general parallel relation to the inner flange. The inner flange includes a terminal hooked end that extends inwardly toward the intermediate portion and is adapted to bear against a side of a vertical mounting flange of the door frame upon the snap fitting of the weatherstrip to the door frame mounting members. 
     The outer flange of the weatherstrip includes a top leg portion separated from a bottom leg portion by an intermediate offset portion. The offset portion extends laterally away from the door frame mounting members towards the window. The top leg portion of the outer flange includes an internal groove formed therein located underneath the intermediate portion of the weatherstrip. This groove faces toward the inner flange and is adapted for snug receipt of a horizontally extending mounting flange or the like therein. 
     The bottom leg portion of the outer flange includes a foot member that extends toward the inner flange and is adapted to bear against one of the vertical mounting flanges from the door on a side of the mounting flange opposite from that upon which the hooked bottom portion of the inner flange will bear. 
     At least one sealing lip extends from the offset portion of the outer flange toward the window member so as to provide for window sealing and easy reciprocation of the window. As is conventional in the art, the surfaces of the sealing lips that are to bear against the window may be flocked with textile fiber or other material having a low coefficient of friction. 
     Additionally, the bottom leg portion of the outer flange may be provided with an anchoring surface that extends obliquely relative to the foot member of the bottom leg portion. This anchoring surface is snugly received against a rail formed on the mounting structure. 
     A lock bump is formed on an underneath surface of the intermediate portion of the weatherstrip and cooperates with the groove formed on the outer flange top leg portion so as to frictionally engage or lock a horizontal mounting flange of the door frame therein. 
     The invention will be further described in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the window weatherstrip in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the weatherstrip in accordance with the invention taken along the plane represented by the lines and arrows  2 — 2  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an motor vehicle employing the window weatherstrip in accordance with the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the plane represented by the lines and arrows  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning first to FIG. 3 of the invention, there is shown an automobile  2  of the type which may employ the window weatherstrip  10  in accordance with the invention. Turning now to FIG. 4, the weatherstrip  10  is mounted atop the door frame  12 . Door frame  12  includes a mounting structure including horizontally extending mounting flange  14  which, at its terminal end, extends toward the window  40  of the motor vehicle  2 . The horizontally extending mounting flange  14  is connected to the vertical mounting flange  16 . Vertical mounting flange  16  comprises vertical section members  18 ,  20 , which are welded, brazed, or suitably joined together. A vertically extending rail member  22  may be provided along the length of the weatherstrip  10  or, it can be provided intermittently along the length of the vertical mounting flange  16 . As shown, the rail member  22  comprises a surface upon which a portion of the weatherstrip will bear so as to aid in the snap fitting of the weatherstrip over the horizontal mounting flange  14 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is noted that the mounting structure of the weatherstrip is all located below the door liner  30 . This is important in helping to reduce noise in the door panel. Also, since the mounting structure of the weatherstrip is provided underneath the door liner  30 , there is no need to provide a special decorative show or ornamental surface on same. 
     The weatherstrip  10  comprises an outer flange  42  and inner flange  200 . Both the outer flange  42  and inner flange  200  depend from the intermediate portion  150  of the weatherstrip  10  and extend downwardly therefrom. As shown, the inner flange  200  is shorter than the outer flange  42 . The inner flange  200  terminates in a hooked portion  202  which extends inwardly toward the underneath portion of the intermediate member  150 . The hooked portion  202  is adapted to bear against the vertical mounting flange  16 . 
     Outer flange  42  comprises a top leg portion  44  separated from a bottom leg portion  46  by means of an intermediate offset section  48 . The offset section  48  extends laterally from the top and bottom leg portions  44 ,  46  respectively, and extends obliquely toward the window member  40 . The offset portion includes first and second sealing lips  52 ,  54 , which are, in accordance with conventional technology, provided with flocking  64 ,  66  thereon to provide a low friction surface beating upon the window member  40 . 
     As shown, tile bottom leg portion  46  of the outer flange  42  includes an inwardly facing foot member  62  which bears along the side of the vertical mounting flange  16  opposite from that upon which the hooked bottom  202  will impinge. Bottom leg portion  46  comprises a terminal anchoring surface  56  and a generally planar surface  47  extending at an obtuse angle relative to foot member  62 . This surface  47  may be pivotally and securely locked against the inside portion of rail member  22  that is formed in the vertical section member  18 . The intermediate portion  150  of the weatherstrip  10  is provided on its underneath side with a locking bump  152  proximate the groove  50  which groove  50  is formed in the top leg portion  44  of the outer flange  42 . In combination the groove  50  and locking bump  152  serve to snappingly and fixedly lock the horizontally extending mounting flange  14  to the weatherstrip  10  assembly. As is conventional in the art, a metallic core  100  may be provided to increase the stability of the structure. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the weatherstrip  10  may be provided in accordance with conventional extrusion techniques. For example, such techniques are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,650 (of common assignment herewith). The disclosure of this &#39;650 patent application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The core member  100  may for example comprise stainless or aluminum. The remainder of the weatherstrip, save for the flocking  64 ,  66 , may be composed of a myriad of different plastic and rubber types such as those disclosed in column 4 of the aforementioned &#39;650 patent. At present, it is preferred to form the core member  100  from a flexible polyvinyl chloride material. 
     Turning again to FIG. 4, to assemble the weatherstrip  10  over the door frame  12 , the anchoring surface  56  of the outer flange is first placed alongside vertically extending rail member  22  of the frame  12 . Then, the weatherstrip  10  is pivoted inwardly toward the frame  12  so that the groove  50  and locking bump  152  snap over the horizontally extending mounting flange  14 . At this time, the assembly is further supported by means of the interposition of the vertical member  16  between the foot member  62  and hooked portion  202  of the weatherstrip  10 . The assembly is easily snap fit into place, and does not require the use of complex fastening mechanisms. Also, the provision of lateral portion  48  of the outer flange  42  which extends toward the window  40 , means that the actual mounting structure of the weatherstrip  10  can be placed away from the window  40  with the sealing lips  52 ,  54  and intermediate offset section  48  bridging the gap between the window  40  and mounting structure. Stated differently, the top portion of the intermediate member  150  is completely hidden from sight. 
     Although this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that other modifications of the invention may be made, including the substitution of equivalent components or method steps in substitution for those described.