Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing – Spacing pane from disparate edging
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-30
2003-09-02
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
Spacing pane from disparate edging
Reexamination Certificate
active
06612080
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fixed window of a vehicle, such as an automobile, a ship, or an airplane, and more particularly, to a window molding arranged between a window glass and a frame, which supports the window glass.
FIG. 4
shows a first example of a prior art window molding
101
. The upper side of
FIG. 4
corresponds to the outside of a vehicle and the lower side of
FIG. 4
corresponds to the inside of the vehicle. A window glass
104
is used, for example, as a front screen glass of the vehicle. The window molding
101
seals a gap
111
between the edge of the window glass
104
and a frame
109
. The window molding
101
is made of synthetic resin and elongated. Further, the window molding
101
includes a main body
102
and an arm
103
. An accommodating groove
105
extends through the main body
102
in the longitudinal direction of the window molding
101
. The accommodating groove
105
receives the edge of the window glass
104
. The window molding
101
includes a pair of clamping lips
106
a,
106
b
to clamp the window glass
104
, and a panel pressing lip
107
projecting from the rear side of the main body
102
.
A process for mounting the window glass
104
to a roof side panel
108
of the vehicle will be described. First, a window molding
101
is attached to the edge of the window glass
104
. Then, the window molding
101
and the window glass
104
are attached to the roof side panel
108
. The window glass
104
is arranged on a positioning dam
112
. In this state, the panel pressing lip
107
is pressed against a side surface of the frame
109
, and the distal end of the arm
103
is pressed against a bottom surface of the frame
109
. Adhesive
110
such as urethane sealant fills the space between a lower surface of the window glass
104
, the bottom surface of the frame
109
, and the arm
103
of the window molding
101
. Thus, the window molding
101
seals the gap
111
, and the window glass
104
and the window molding
101
are fixed to the frame
109
.
FIG. 5
shows a second example of a prior art window molding
121
. A fastener
129
having a generally U-shaped cross-section is fixed to a roof side panel
108
by a tape
128
that has adhesive applied to both sides. The fastener
129
includes a holding projection
130
that projects inward. The window molding
121
has a head
124
. A rain gutter
125
extends from the head
124
. The rain gutter
125
includes a lip
126
pressed against a window glass
104
. The window molding
121
has an arm
123
, which includes an engaging projection
127
.
In the first prior art example, however, the window glass
104
and the roof side panel
108
have dimensional tolerances that are allowed during production. Therefore, the distance (i.e., the dimensions of the gap
111
) between the edge of the window glass
104
and the roof side panel
108
varies.
In the first prior art example, if the gap
111
is large, the contact between the panel pressing lip
107
and the frame
109
is weak and the support provided by the window molding
101
is unstable. In this case, the window molding
101
may not sufficiently seal the gap
111
. Additionally, enlargement of a clamping lip
106
a
is difficult since the dam
112
must be arranged to position the window glass
104
on the frame
109
.
If the window molding
101
is moved close to the frame
109
to firmly press the panel pressing lip
107
against the roof side panel
108
, the clamping lip
106
b
may separate from the window glass
104
. This results in unstable support of the glass
104
by the window molding
101
.
When the gap
111
is small, resistance produced when he window glass
104
is mounted on the frame body
109
increases. Therefore, much time and effort are needed to mount the window glass
104
.
A process of mounting the window glass
104
of the second prior art example will now be described. First, the window glass
104
is arranged on the positioning dam
112
and then fixed to a frame
109
with the adhesive
110
. Next, the window molding
121
is fitted into the gap
111
between the edge of the window glass
104
and the frame
109
. This moves the engaging projection
127
of the window molding
121
over the holding projection
130
of the fastener
129
and engages the engaging projection
127
with the holding projection
130
. As a result, the window molding
121
is fixed to the frame
109
, and the gap
111
is sealed by the window molding
121
.
In this state, the contact between the lip
126
and the window glass
104
elastically deforms the lip
126
. The lip
126
is forced upward as viewed in
FIG. 5
, which separates the window molding
121
from the fastener
129
. Thus, the engaging projection
127
and the holding projection
130
are firmly engaged to prevent the separation of the window molding
121
.
In the second prior art example, the window molding
121
does not have a lip that is pressed against the lower side of the window glass
104
. Therefore, the influence of the manufacturing and assembling tolerances of the window glass
104
and the roof side panel
108
are relatively small. However, when a person's finger or the like gets caught in the rain gutter
125
, an angular moment is applied to the window molding
121
. This pivots the engaging projection
127
of the arm
123
away from the holding projection
130
. In other words, when a force acts in a rightward and upward direction as viewed in
FIG. 5
, the window molding
121
(arm
123
) may be separated from the fastener
129
. That is, there is a shortcoming in that the window molding
121
is unstable when forces are applied in certain directions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a window molding assembly that is stably fitted between a window glass and a frame.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a window molding assembly, which is fitted in a gap between an edge of a window glass and a frame. The assembly comprises a fastener arranged in the gap. The fastener includes a first wall fixed to the frame and a second wall arranged opposite the first wall. The fastener also includes a first engaging portion formed on the first wall, and a second engaging portion formed on the second wall. The assembly further comprises a window molding held by the fastener. The molding includes a head for sealing the gap. The molding also includes a window lip extending from the head for pressing against the window glass, and a frame lip extending from the head for pressing against the frame. The molding further includes an arm extending from the head for inserting between the first wall and the second wall of the fastener. The molding yet further includes a first projection extending from the arm for engaging the first engaging portion, and a second projection extending from the arm for engaging the second engaging portion.
In a further perspective, the present invention is a window molding assembly for sealing a gap between an edge of a window glass and a frame. The window molding assembly comprises a fastener having a U-shaped cross-section fixed to the frame. The fastener includes a first wall fixed to the frame and a second wall arranged opposite the first wall. The fastener also includes a first hook projecting inward from the first wall, and a second hook projecting inward from the second wall. The window molding assembly further comprises a window molding that cooperates with the fastener. The window molding includes a head for sealing the gap. The window molding also includes a window lip extending from the head for pressing against an outer surface of the window glass, and a frame lip extending from the head for pressing against the frame. The window molding further includes an arm for fitting between the first wall and the second wall of the fastener, the arm having a first surface that faces the first wall and a second surface that faces the second wall. The window molding yet further includes a first engaging lip extending toward the
Adachi Takao
Kobayashi Masao
Toshinaga Koichi
Braun Leslie A.
Posz & Bethards, PLC
Schulterbrandt Kofi
Toyoda Gosei Co,., Ltd.
LandOfFree
Window molding assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Window molding assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Window molding assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3006643