Patent ID: 7823963

Claim:
A body structure for an automotive vehicle, the body structure configured to house a window, the window operable to move along a vertical plane between a closed position and an open position, the body structure comprising: a side member extending generally vertically and defining a rear pillar of the vehicle, the side member having an inner flange extending into a side member edge; an outer back panel extending generally transversely in the vehicle, the outer back panel having a connecting wall extending toward the side member and into a connecting wall edge; an inner back panel extending generally transversely in the vehicle, wherein a portion of the inner back panel is spaced apart from the outer back panel so as to define a cavity in which the window is disposed, the inner back panel having a connecting flange extending towards the side member and into a connecting flange edge; and the connecting flange edge is joined to the connecting wall edge so as to form a joined edge, the joined edge extending generally vertically, a portion of both the connecting flange and connecting wall overlap with the inner flange, and the joined edge is fixed to the side member edge to define a longitudinally extending seal, a first weld provided between the connecting flange and the side member, the longitudinally extending seal and first weld preventing liquid from passing between the cavity and an inside region of the vehicle.