Window frame with reinforced sealing strips

A window frame for surrounding a window cutout in an automotive vehicle, the frame being for one of the movable windows of the vehicle;

• the window cutout having a first edge toward and away from which the window moves as it is opened and closed, and two side edges along which the window moves and a second edge over which and through which the window moves;
• the window frame comprising:
• a first and a second sealing strip positioned for receiving the movable window between them, a body flange of the vehicle projecting in from window cutout for defining a respective support for each of the first and second sealing strips;
• each sealing strip having an approximately U-shaped cross-section, including one leg of the U closer to the window and the other leg of the U further from the window and the U having legs which are positioned for receiving between them and for mounting the respective sealing strip on the body flange;
• window engaging means on the leg of each sealing strip closer to the window for engaging the window when it is between the sealing strips;
• a connecting bridge extending across the plane of the window, behind the edge of the window supported between the sealing strips at the first and the side edges for joining together the one leg of each of the sealing strips nearer to the window;
• the bridge not being present and the legs of the sealing strips not being joined at the second edge of the window cutout past which the window moves;
• a respective reinforcement insert of generally higher tensile and compressive strength but flexurally elastic and also approximately U-shaped cross-section being disposed within each of the sealing strips and defining the respective U-shape of the sealing strips.