VEHICLE ACCESSORY SYSTEM

• US 20100213736A1
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David E. Nestell, Loren B. Renkema, Niall R. Lynam, Peter J. Whitehead
• Original Assignee: David E. Nestell, Loren B. Renkema, Niall R. Lynam, Peter J. Whitehead
• Inventors: Whitehead, Peter J., Lynam, Niall R., Renkema, Loren B., Nestell, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,186,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/146.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/76 for window sashes; for glass run channels
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/78 adjacent to corner pieces, mirror supports or quarter windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0404 Outside rear view mirror support
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0405 Inboard or outboard side of window frame formed integrally with the lower door structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0406 window frame formed separately as module
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0411 Beltline
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0416 Assembly panels to be installed in doors as a module with components, e.g. lock or window lifter, attached thereto

Abstract

A mirror assembly includes a reflective element portion and a molded portion formed of a multi-void, lightweight structure. The multi-void, lightweight structure may be formed by injecting a gas into an injection mold while the molded portion is being molded, resulting in a multi-void aerated molded structure having multiple-voids introduced during the molding step. A window assembly for a vehicle may include an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion hingedly attached to the outer frame portion, and at least one sealing element established along a sealing portion of the outer and/or inner frame portions. The outer frame portion may be pivoted relative to the inner frame portion and about the hinge portions to a closed position. The outer frame portion may be connected to the inner frame portion when in the closed position to secure the at least one sealing element therebetween.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising:

a reflective element portion;

a molded portion; and

wherein said molded portion is formed of a multi-void, lightweight structure, said multi-void, lightweight structure being formed by injecting a gas into an injection mold while said molded portion is being molded, resulting in a multi-void aerated molded structure having multiple-voids introduced during the molding step.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said molded portion comprises at least one of (a) a housing portion of said mirror assembly, (b) a reflective element backplate portion of said mirror assembly and (c) a mounting portion of said mirror assembly.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said molded portion is decorated via an in-mold film established at an outer surface of said molded portion during a molding process of said molded portion.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein said in-mold film provides a Class A decorative finish to be achieved on said outer surface of said molded portion.

5. A window assembly for a vehicle, said window assembly comprising:

an outer frame portion;

an inner frame portion, said inner frame portion being hingedly attached to said outer frame portion;

at least one sealing element established along a sealing portion of at least one of said outer frame portion and said inner frame portion; and

wherein said outer frame portion is pivoted relative to said inner frame portion and about said hinge portions to a closed position, said outer frame portion being connected to said inner frame portion when in said closed position to secure said at least one sealing element therebetween.

6. The window assembly of claim 5 further comprising a window panel at said sealing portion of said at least one of said outer frame portion and said inner frame portion, said outer frame portion and said inner frame portion cooperating to fixedly retain said window panel relative to said outer and inner frame portions when in said closed position.

7. The window assembly of claim 5, wherein said outer and inner frame portions comprise polymeric frame portions and wherein said hinge portion comprises a living hinge integrally molded with said outer and inner frame portions.

8. The window assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one sealing element is molded with at least one of said outer and inner fame portions.

9. The window assembly of claim 5, wherein said outer frame portion is connected to said inner frame portion when in said closed position via a snap connection.

10. The window assembly of claim 5, wherein each of said outer frame portion and said inner frame portion comprises an upper frame portion, a forward frame portion and a rearward frame portion that cooperate to define at least one window opening when said outer and inner frame portions are in said closed position.

11. The window assembly of claim 10, wherein said window opening receives one of a fixed window panel and a movable window panel.

12. The window assembly of claim 10 further comprising a divider frame portion extending from said upper frame portion and extending between said forward and rearward frame portions, and wherein said upper frame portion, said divider frame portion and said rearward frame portion cooperate to define a fixed window opening for receiving a fixed window panel therein when said outer and inner frame portions are in said closed position, and wherein said upper frame portion, said divider frame portion and said forward frame portion cooperate to define a movable window opening for movably receiving a movable window panel therein when said outer and inner frame portions are in said closed position.