Sealing systems and related methods for automotive interior trim panels and the like
First Claim
1. A combined trim panel and water shield assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a trim panel configured for covering a vehicle door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a generally flat water shield having opposite first and second surfaces and having a size and shape to generally conform to a surface of said trim panel and a surface of said door panel;
a first adhesive layer engaging the first surface of the flat sheet and the second surface of the trim panel, the first adhesive layer applied in a first predetermined pattern; and
a second adhesive layer engaging the second surface of the flat sheet and applied in a second predetermined pattern.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined trim panel and water shield includes a water shield having opposite first and second surfaces, and is of a size and shape to generally conform to a door panel and a trim panel to be protected. The trim panel is configured to cover a vehicle door panel and has a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first sealing layer, applied in a predetermined pattern, engages the first surface of the water shield and the second surface of the trim panel. A second sealing layer, applied in a predetermined pattern, engages the second surface of the water shield. In a further aspect, a sealing system is provided for application to a vehicle interior trim panel to prevent the entry of water or dust into an interior compartment of the vehicle. The system includes a trim panel configured for covering a vehicle door panel wherein the trim panel has a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least one compressible sealing member engages the trim panel and provides a sealing interference between the vehicle door panel and the trim panel when the trim panel is installed on the door panel.
52 Citations
58 Claims
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1. A combined trim panel and water shield assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a trim panel configured for covering a vehicle door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a generally flat water shield having opposite first and second surfaces and having a size and shape to generally conform to a surface of said trim panel and a surface of said door panel;
a first adhesive layer engaging the first surface of the flat sheet and the second surface of the trim panel, the first adhesive layer applied in a first predetermined pattern; and
a second adhesive layer engaging the second surface of the flat sheet and applied in a second predetermined pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for the production of a combined water shield and trim panel structure, comprising:
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providing a trim panel configured to cover a door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of a vehicle;
providing a generally flat sheet of material having opposite first and second surfaces and having a size and shape to generally conform to the trim panel and the door panel;
applying a first adhesive material to the first surface of the flat sheet in a first predetermined pattern;
applying a second adhesive material to the second surface of the flat sheet in a second predetermined pattern;
aligning the flat sheet and the trim panel so that the first surface of the flat sheet is in facing relation with a second surface of the trim panel, the second surface of the trim panel opposite the first surface thereof; and
contacting the trim panel with the first adhesive to attach the trim panel to the water shield. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A sealing system for application to a vehicle inner door panel for preventing the entry of water or dust from entering an interior compartment of the vehicle, comprising:
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a trim panel configured for covering the vehicle door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface; and
a sealing member engaging at least one of the trim panel and the vehicle door panel and providing a sealing interference between the vehicle door panel and the trim panel when the trim panel is installed on the door panel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for sealing a vehicle door interior trim panel against entry of water or dust, comprising:
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attaching at least one compressible sealing member to a trim panel such that the at least one sealing member is positioned to provide a sealing interference between the door panel and the trim panel when the trim panel is installed on the door panel; and
installing the trim panel retaining the at least one compressible sealing member onto the door panel. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A stacked plurality of sealing systems, each adapted for application to a vehicle door panel, comprising:
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a first sealing system including (i) a first trim panel adapted to cover a vehicle door panel, said first trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite said first surface, and (ii) a first sealing member engaging said first trim panel and providing a sealing interference between said vehicle door panel and said first trim panel when the first trim panel is installed on the vehicle door panel;
a second sealing system positioned adjacent said first sealing system, said second sealing system including (i) a second trim panel adapted to cover a vehicle door panel, said second trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite said first surface, and (ii) a second sealing member engaging said second trim panel and providing a sealing interference between said vehicle door is panel and said second trim panel when the second trim panel is installed on the vehicle door panel; and
a releasable protective liner disposed between said first and said second sealing systems. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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57. A combined trim panel and water shield assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a trim panel adapted for covering a vehicle door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a generally flat non-compressible water shield having opposite first and second surfaces and having a size and shape to generally conform to a surface of said trim panel and a surface of said vehicle door panel; and
an adhesive layer engaging the first surface of the flat sheet and the second surface of the trim panel, the first adhesive layer applied in a first predetermined pattern.
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58. A combined trim panel and water shield assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a trim panel configured for covering a vehicle door panel, the trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a generally flat non-compressible water shield having opposite first and second surfaces and having a size and shape to generally conform to a surface of said trim panel and a surface of said vehicle door panel, said first surface of said flat sheet engaging said trim panel; and
an adhesive layer engaging the second surface of the flat sheet and applied in a predetermined pattern adapted to engage said vehicle door panel.
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Specification