Glass run surround cap

• US 6,409,251 B1
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlegel Corporation (GKN PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlegel Corporation (GKN PLC)
• Inventors: Milani, Adolfo Enrico, Kaye, Randy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US09/320,993
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 296/146.9, 525/02, 525/03, 493/77, 495/001, 500/440, 500/495.1, 500/490.1
• US Class Current: 296/146.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/265 the surface being primarily decorative
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/30 characterised by the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/34 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/74 for sliding window panes, e.g. sash guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/75 for sealing the lower part of the panes

Abstract

A decorative window surround sealing system includes a plurality of seals adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body for sealing a movable window panel in a window opening, each of the seals having an exterior surface, at least one fitting on at least one of the plurality of seals, a one piece surround cap having at least one cooperative fitting compatible with at least one fitting on the at least one of the plurality of seals for attaching the surround cap to the at least one fitting, the decorative surround cap covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each of the plurality of seals.

Claims

1. A decorative vehicle window surround sealing system comprising:

a plurality of window seals attached directly to a vehicle body for sealing a window panel and each said seal having an exterior surface;

a one piece decorative surround cap substantially covering the exterior surface of each of the seals; and

a fitting on the surround cap and a cooperative fitting on at least one of the plurality of seals for attaching to the surround cap wherein the cooperative fitting consists of a t-shaped lug attached to the fitting on the surround cap.

2. The window surround sealing system of claim 1 in which the one piece decorative surround cap comprises a molded thermoplastic cap.

3. The window surround sealing system of claim 1 in which the decorative surround cap comprises an undercut slot engaging the t-shaped lug.

4. The window surround sealing system of claim 3 in which the one piece decorative surround cap comprises a projecting lip extending into contact with a portion of a surface of the vehicle body.

5. The window surround sealing system of claim 3 in which the one piece decorative surround cap comprises a projecting lip extending into contact with a portion of a surface of the at least one of the plurality of seals.

6. The window surround sealing system of claim 3 in which the one piece decorative surround cap comprises a closed annular profile.

7. A vehicle window surround sealing system comprising:

a plurality of discrete seal members which together completely surround a window opening in a vehicle body to provide a window seal, each said seal member presenting a sealing profile and each said seal member having a mounting element for separately mounting the corresponding seal member directly to the vehicle body for sealing about a window panel, and the window seal having an exterior surface;

a fitting on at least one of the seal members;

a one piece decorative surround cap for covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the window seal; and

a cooperating fitting on the surround cap for attaching the surround cap directly to the fitting on the at least one of the seal members, whereby the at least one seal member provides means for attaching the one piece surround cap relative to the vehicle body.

8. The window surround sealing system of claim 7 in which the one piece surround cap comprises a molded thermoplastic cap.

9. The window surround sealing system of claim 7 in which the one piece surround cap comprises a projecting lip extending into contact with a portion of a surface of the vehicle body.

10. The window surround sealing system of claim 7 in which the one piece surround cap comprises a projecting lip extending into contact with a portion of a surface of the at least one of the members of seal.

11. The window surround sealing system of claim 7 in which the one piece surround cap comprises a closed annular profile.

12. The window surround sealing system of claim 7 in which the cooperating fitting and the fitting on the at least one of the seal members comprise respectively a fastener extending from the one piece surround cap and a corresponding opening in the at least one the of seal members for receiving the fastener and attaching the surround cap to the at least one of the seal members.

13. The window surround sealing system of claim 12 in which the fastener comprises a barbed fastener.

14. The window surround sealing system of claim 12 in which the fastener comprises a projecting fastener having an enlarged head and the corresponding opening comprises an enlarged open portion engaging the enlarged head.

15. A vehicle window surround sealing system comprising:

a plurality of seals adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body for sealing a window panel, each of the seals having an exterior surface;

a one piece surround cap for covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface of each of the plurality of seals;

a t-shaped lug on the exterior surface of at least one of the seals; and

a compatible fitting on the surround cap for attaching to the t-shaped lug and for attaching the surround cap to the at least one seal.

16. The window surround sealing system of claim 15 in which the surround cap comprises an undercut slot engaging the t-shaped lug.