Patent ID: 8322075

Claim:
A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, said sliding window assembly comprising: a first fixed panel configured for coupling with the vehicle; a second fixed panel configured for coupling with the vehicle and spaced from said first fixed panel defining an opening therebetween; a track connected to said first fixed panel and to said second fixed panel and including an elongated member defining a U-shaped channel and a rail disposed in said channel and partially encompassed by said elongated member to expose a portion of said rail with said portion extending beyond said elongated member and toward said opening; a sliding panel disposed within said channel and moveable relative to said first and second fixed panels along said track for covering and uncovering said opening; a channel seal having a finger contacting said sliding panel and a base extending from said finger with an attachment element disposed on said base and an inner surface of said base mounted directly to said portion of said rail by said attachment element to establish a mounting point between said rail and said channel seal for securing said channel seal to said rail an applique covering and spaced apart from an outer surface of said base of said channel seal and an outer surface of said elongated member; and wherein said mounting point of said channel seal is isolated from environmental elements.