Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Spacing pane from disparate edging
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-11
2002-06-18
Safavi, Michael (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Spacing pane from disparate edging
C052S204620
Reexamination Certificate
active
06405499
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure for supporting a panel such as a panel of a vehicle sunroof.
Some vehicles, particularly some automobiles, have a sunroof located in the ceiling to light the passenger compartment and to create a sense of openness. As shown in
FIG. 9
, a sunroof
100
includes a panel
20
made of glass or synthetic resin.
As shown in
FIG. 10
, the panel
20
is attached to a metal panel frame
10
by adhesive
40
. The adhesive
40
permits the panel
20
to move relative to the panel frame
10
. A weather strip
30
is located between the panel frame
10
and the panel
20
. The weather strip
30
includes an upper lip
32
. The upper lip
32
contacts a relatively large area of the upper surface
20
a
to seal the periphery of the panel
20
.
If the panel
20
is made of resin, the difference of coefficient of linear expansion between the panel
20
and the panel frame
10
, which is made of metal, is greater than the difference of coefficient of linear expansion between the metal panel frame
10
and a panel made of glass, which causes the following drawbacks. When the temperature is high, a heat expansion of the panel
20
presses the end face
20
c
of the panel
20
against the inner wall
30
a
of the adjacent weather strip
30
. This damages the weather strip
30
.
When the temperature is low, the panel
20
contacts, which causes the end face
20
c
of the panel
20
to separate from the inner wall
30
a
of the weather strip
30
and creates a cavity. The upper lip
32
of the weather strip
30
merely contacts the upper surface
20
a
of the panel
20
. Therefore, when washing or cleaning the vehicle body, water or chemical liquid such as detergent and wax may enter the cavity between the upper lip
32
and the upper surface
20
a.
Water or other liquids in the cavity reaches the frame
10
and corrodes the surface of the frame
10
.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
62-199525
discloses a structure shown in FIG.
11
. The structure of
FIG. 11
has a cavity Sb between the panel end face
20
c
and the inner wall
30
a
of the weather strip
30
. The cavity Sb prevents the end face
20
c
from interfering with the inner wall
30
a
due to thermal expansion of the panel
20
. However, this structure cannot prevent liquids from entering the cavity Sb between the upper lip
32
and the upper surface
20
a.
The publication No.
62-199525
also discloses a structure shown in FIG.
12
. The structure of
FIG. 12
includes an elastic and cohesive sealant
70
filling the cavity between the panel end face
20
c
and the inner wall
30
a
of the weather strip
30
. The sealant
70
prevents water or chemical liquid from reaching the frame
10
.
The panel end face
20
c
is parallel to the inner wall
30
a
of the weather strip
30
. Therefore, when the panel
20
thermally expands, the panel
20
pushes the sealant
70
, which may bulge the sealant
70
as shown by broken line
70
a,
and, in some cases, may shear the sealant
70
. When the panel
20
thermally contracts, tension is applied to the sealant
70
, which fractures the sealant
70
or separates the sealant
70
from the panel end face
20
c.
This lowers the effectiveness of the sealant
70
. As a result, liquid can reach the frame
10
. In other words, the sealant
70
cannot completely prevent corrosion of the frame
10
. When the panel
20
thermally expands, the bulge
70
a
of the sealant
70
raises the upper lip
32
as shown by a broken line
32
a,
which spoils the appearance of the weather strip
30
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a panel attaching structure that prevents the panel end face from interfering with a member facing the end face and has an improved sealing effectiveness.
To achieve the foregoing and other objective and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a panel attaching structure is provided. The structure includes a generally horizontal frame, a panel supported on the frame. The panel includes an upper surface, a lower surface and an end surface. The structure also a weather strip and an opposing surface facing the end surface. The weather strip contacts the upper surface to seal the periphery of the panel. A gap is defined between the opposing surface and the end surface. The gap becomes wider in a downward direction. A cohesive elastic material located in the gap.
The present invention may be embodied in another panel attaching structure. The structure includes a generally horizontal frame and a panel supported on the frame to move relative to the frame. The panel includes an upper surface, a lower surface and an end surface. The structure also includes a weather strip attached to the frame, an opposing surface facing the end surface and a diverting mechanism. The weather strip includes an upper lip, which contacts the upper surface to seal the periphery of the panel. A gap is defined between the opposing surface and the end surface. A cohesive elastic material is located in the gap. When the elastic material is compressed and deformed between the end surface and the opposing surface, the diverting mechanism pushes the elastic material in a downward direction.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4165119 (1979-08-01), Hedeen et al.
patent: 4787187 (1988-11-01), Feldmann
patent: 5480207 (1996-01-01), Gold
patent: 62-84521 (1987-05-01), None
patent: 62-199525 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 05-213072 (1993-08-01), None
Iimori Yasushi
Kose Akira
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
Woodcock & Washburn LLP
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