Vehicular Window Trim Assembly and Decorative Molding Assembly for Vehicle Door Frame

Abstract

A vehicular window trim assembly includes a decorative outer trim member having upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the trim member. The assembly also includes a channel-shaped window seal having a mouth to receive a panel-like member and upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the seal mateable in sealed relationship with the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions, respectively, of the trim member to form an outer boundary. Mating portions of the trim member and the seal are joined together to form an outer boundary.

Claims

1. A vehicular window trim assembly comprising: a decorative outer trim member having upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the trim member; and a channel-shaped window seal having a mouth to receive a panel-like member and upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the seal mateable in sealed relationship with the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions, respectively, of the trim member to form an outer boundary wherein mating portions of the trim member and the seal are joined together to form an outer boundary.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer trim member includes a polymer substrate and a metallic layer coated thereon.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer trim member is metal-plated.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metallic layer is chrome-plated.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic.

6. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metallic layer completely covers the polymer substrate.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metallic layer is an electroplated layer.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic is ABS.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions of the trim member are joined to the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions of the seal, respectively, by a complementary rib and groove sealed mating relationship to withstand vibration and extreme weather conditions.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein each rib is inserted into its groove for snap-fit engagement to retain the trim member on the window seal.

11. A decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame having a window opening for a translating window pane moveable between an open position and a closed position, the assembly comprising: a decorative outer trim member having upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the trim member; and a channel-shaped window seal having a mouth to receive a window pane and upper and lower outer boundary mating portions formed on the perimeter of the seal mateable in sealed relationship with the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions, respectively, of the trim member to form an outer boundary wherein mating portions of the trim member and the seal are joined together to form an outer boundary.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer trim member includes a polymer substrate and a metallic layer coated thereon.

13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the outer trim member is metal-plated.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the metallic layer is chrome-plated.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic.

16. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the metallic layer completely covers the polymer substrate.

17. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the metallic layer is an electroplated layer.

18. The assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the thermoplastic is ABS.

19. The assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions of the trim member are joined to the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions of the seal, respectively, by a complementary rib and groove sealed mating relationship to withstand vibration and extreme weather conditions.

20. The assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein each rib is inserted into its groove for snap-fit engagement to retain the trim member on the window seal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a passenger vehicle or automobile;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, partially broken away, of a prior art metal vehicular window trim assembly adhesively secured to vehicle door frame;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a window trim assembly constructed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention with a pane of glass indicated by phantom lines held or retained within a window seal of the assembly;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 3 wherein a decorative outer trim member of the assembly is metal-plated;

[0060] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view, partially broken away, of a trim assembly of at least one embodiment of the present invention for use in a driver's side door frame;

[0061] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the inside surface of a trim member of FIG. 6;

[0062] FIG. 7 is a exploded perspective view, partially broken away, of the trim assembly of FIG. 5 but from a different viewing angle;

[0063] FIG. 8 is an end view of a trim assembly with a pane of glass indicated by phantom lines;

[0064] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, of the trim assembly of FIG. 8;

[0065] FIG. 10 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 8 but taken from a different angle; and

[0066] FIG. 11 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 9 with the assembly of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0067] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 3-11, there are illustrated multiple embodiments of a vehicular window or molding assembly of the present invention. The embodiments of FIGS. 3-11 are provided for a driver's side door.

[0069] In all embodiments, a decorative molding assembly, generally indicated at 10, (or 12 for FIGS. 4-11) for a vehicle door frame having a window opening (see FIG. 1) for a translating window pane indicated in phantom at 16, moveable between an open position and a closed position is provided. The assembly 10 includes a decorative all plastic outer trim member, generally indicated at 18, in FIG. 3. The assembly 12 includes a chrome-plated trim member, generally indicated at 20 in FIGS. 4-11, joined to a window pane seal, generally indicated at 22.

[0070] The seal 22 may include a reinforcing carrier 23 embedded during the extrusion process used to form the seal 22. The carrier 23 can be formed of a variety of materials including plastic, thermoplastic or thermosetting materials, including but not limited to plastic, TPE, EPDM, or any combination thereof. The thermoplastic materials can include polyethylene, EVA, PVC or polypropylene. Suitable vulcanized or cross-linked (thermosetting) polymeric materials include EPDM and modified EPDM.

[0071] The carrier 23 can have a relatively rigid section and a relatively soft or resilient section. That is, the carrier 23 can exhibit one or more durometer hardness. The carrier 23 can include a reinforcing member such as a wire or metal carrier, which may be of known construction (such as knitted wire, lanced and stretched, slotted, solid (continuous) or stamped metal). It is also contemplated the carrier 23 can include a thermoplastic section and a thermoset section, wherein each section has a unique rigidity. Further, the carrier 23 can be formed at differing thicknesses to provide differing amounts of rigidity. It is contemplated the carrier 23 can have any of a variety of cross-sections, wherein typical cross-sections include U shaped, J shaped, L shaped or planar. The decorative outer trim members 10 and 12 have upper and lower outer boundary mating portions 24 and 26, respectively, formed on their perimeters.

[0072] The channel-shaped window seal 22 has a mouth 28 to receive the panel-like member 16. The seal 22 has sealing lips 29 formed about the mouth 28. The seal 22 also has upper and lower outer boundary mating portions 30 and 32, respectively, formed on the perimeter of the seal 22 mateable in sealed relationship with the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions 24 and 26, respectively, of the trim member 20 to form an outer boundary. The mating portions 24 and 26 of the trim member 20 and the mating portions 30 and 32 of the seal 22 are joined together to form the outer boundary.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer trim member 20 may include a polymer substrate 50 and a metallic layer 52 coated thereon. The outer trim member 20 of FIG. 4 maybe metal-plated. Plating on a thermoplastic such as ABS can serve to enhance the strength and structural integrity as well as to improve durability and thermal resistance resulting in metallic properties on the ABS material.

[0074] The metallic layer 52 may be chrome-plated and the plating may completely cover the polymer substrate 50. The molding or polymer substrate 50 typically is processed through numerous liquid/metal baths in order to chrome-plate the substrate 50. For example, the substrate 50 may first be dipped into an acid bath to prepare its surface to accept metal to be applied in a subsequent bath(s). After removal from the acid bath, the substrate 50 is rinsed in a bath and thereafter dipped into an electroplating bath such as a copper or nickel bath. After removal from this copper or nickel bath, rinsing may again occur in another bath, with the substrate 50 thereafter being dipped in a chrome bath for electroplating the substrate 50 with chrome. In short, a plurality of baths are utilized during the chrome plating processes, with the substrate 50 being moved from one bath to the next in serial fashion as the process progresses. The phrase(s) chrome plated and chrome plating as used herein refers to both actual chrome plating as well as any other material which may be applied that resembles chrome in appearance.

[0075] The upper and lower outer boundary portions 24 and 26 of the trim member 20 may be joined to the upper and lower outer boundary mating portions 30 and 32 of the seal 22, respectively, by a complementary rib 54 and a groove 56, in sealed mating relationship to withstand vibration and extreme weather conditions.

[0076] Each rib 54 may be inserted into its groove 56 for snap-fit engagement due to the resiliency of the seal 22 to retain the trim member 20 on the window seal 22.

[0077] The window seal 22 may include outer upper and lower lips, 60 and 62, respectively. Outwardly facing surfaces of the lips 60 and 62 are coated with a flock layer 64 and 66, respectively. The flock layers 64 and 66 can be formed as part of the extrusion process that forms the seal 22.

[0078] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.