Window surround

• US 20060156632A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ellis, Peter J., Ruppert, Gerald Y., Dubay, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US11/037,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20060156632A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/502
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14377 using an additional insert, e.g. a fastening element
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14434 Coating brittle material, e.g. glass B29C45/14377, B29C45/14418 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14467 Joining articles or parts of a single article B29C45/14377, B29C45/14385, B29C45/14581, B29C45/14614 and B29C45/006 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3052 Windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/778 Windows profiled elements for making window frames B29L2031/005, windscreens B29L2031/3052
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/18 provided with reinforcements or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/78 adjacent to corner pieces, mirror supports or quarter windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/88 mounted on, or integral with, the glass-run seals

Abstract

A fixed window assembly is adapted to be fixedly secured to a door of a motor vehicle having a retractable window pane. The fixed window assembly includes a fixed window pane having an outer periphery. A division post extends along a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed window pane. A glass run is fixedly secured to the division post opposite of the fixed window pane for receiving the retractable window pane. The glass run is formed from a first moldable material. An encapsulation is molded to the fixed window pane to secure the division post thereto. The encapsulation is formed from a second moldable material that is different from the first moldable material.

Claims

1. A fixed window assembly adapted to be fixedly secured to a door of a motor vehicle having a retractable window pane, said fixed window assembly comprising:

a fixed window pane having an outer periphery;

a division post extending along a portion of said outer periphery of said fixed window pane;

a glass run fixedly secured to said division post opposite said fixed window pane for receiving the retractable window pane, said glass run is formed from a first moldable material; and

an encapsulation molded along said outer periphery of said fixed window pane for securing said division post thereto, said encapsulation is formed from a second moldable material different from said first moldable material.

2. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an upper reveal having a fixed window segment secured to a portion of said outer periphery of said fixed window pane by said encapsulation.

3. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 2 including an outer belt having a fixed window segment secured to a portion of said outer periphery of said fixed window pane by said encapsulation.

4. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a B-pillar appliqué

fixedly secured to and extending between said upper reveal and said outer belt remote from said fixed window segments thereof.

5. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said division post defines a channel for receiving a portion of said glass run.

6. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said glass run includes a pair of sealing lips for sealingly engaging the retractable window pane.

7. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper reveal includes a retractable window segment extending forward from said fixed window segment and defining an inner channel for receiving a portion of said glass run.

8. A fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said B-pillar appliqué

includes a vertical channel for receiving a portion of said glass run.

9. A method of manufacturing a fixed window assembly, having a fixed window pane, a division post, an upper reveal having a fixed window segment, an outer belt having a fixed window segment, and an encapsulation, for a door of a motor vehicle utilizing a mold assembly including an upper mold and a lower mold having a plurality of receiving areas, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the fixed window pane in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold;

placing a portion of the division post in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the fixed window pane;

placing the fixed window segment of the upper reveal in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the fixed window pane;

placing the fixed window segment of the outer belt in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the fixed window pane;

injecting plastic material into the mold assembly;

curing the plastic material to form the encapsulation securing the division post, the upper reveal, and the outer belt to the fixed window pane; and

removing the fixed window assembly, including the division post, the upper reveal, and the outer belt secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 including the step of securing a glass run to a portion of the division post subsequent to the step of removing the fixed window assembly, including the division post, the upper reveal, and the outer belt secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 including the step of closing the upper mold against the lower mold prior to the step of injecting plastic material into the mold assembly.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 including the step of opening the mold assembly prior to the step of removing the fixed window assembly, including the division post, the upper reveal, and the outer belt secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly.

13. A method of manufacturing a fixed window assembly, having a fixed window pane having an outer periphery, an upper reveal having a fixed window segment, a division post, and an encapsulation, for a door of a motor vehicle utilizing a mold assembly including an upper mold and a lower mold having a plurality of receiving areas, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the fixed window pane in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold;

placing the fixed window segment of the upper reveal in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed window pane;

injecting plastic material into the mold assembly;

curing the plastic material to form the encapsulation along the entire outer periphery of the fixed window pane;

removing the fixed window assembly, including the upper reveal secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly; and

securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane occurs subsequent to the step of removing the fixed window assembly, including the upper reveal secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 including the step of closing the upper mold against the lower mold prior to the step of injecting plastic material into the mold assembly.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of opening the mold assembly prior to the step of removing the fixed window assembly, including the upper reveal secured to the fixed window pane by the encapsulation, from the mold assembly.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of forming a plurality of slots along the encapsulation prior to the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of forming a plurality of outwardly extending tabs along the division post prior to the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane includes the step of inserting the plurality of tabs through the respective plurality of slots to couple the division post to the encapsulation.

20. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane includes the step of welding the division post to the encapsulation.

21. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the step of securing the division post to the encapsulation forward of the fixed window pane includes the step of taping the division post to the encapsulation.