Sealing systems and related methods for automotive interior trim panels and the like
First Claim
1. A method for sealing a vehicle trim panel mounted to a vehicle door panel against entry of water or dust, comprising:
- providing a trim panel;
attaching a compressible water shield adapted to be disposed between the door panel and trim panel against the trim panel;
attaching at least one compressible sealing member to the water shield;
installing the trim panel and water shield and sealing member onto the vehicle door panel; and
compressing the sealing member and water shield to form sealing interference between the trim panel and the vehicle door panel.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
43 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for sealing a vehicle trim panel mounted to a vehicle door panel against entry of water or dust, comprising:
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providing a trim panel;
attaching a compressible water shield adapted to be disposed between the door panel and trim panel against the trim panel;
attaching at least one compressible sealing member to the water shield;
installing the trim panel and water shield and sealing member onto the vehicle door panel; and
compressing the sealing member and water shield to form sealing interference between the trim panel and the vehicle door panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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11. A sealing system for application to a vehicle inner door panel for preventing water or dust from entering an interior compartment of the vehicle, comprising:
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a trim panel having a first surface configured to face an interior compartment of the vehicle and a second surface opposite the first surface;
a compressible water shield adapted to be disposed between the vehicle door panel and the trim panel and against the first surface of the trim panel; and
a sealing member engaging the water shield and the vehicle door panel and providing a sealing interference between the vehicle door panel and the trim panel when the sealing system is installed on the door panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification