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US 5,846,463 AGranted
Encapsulated fixed window module for a motor vehicle
AssigneeThe Kingston-Warren Corporation
InventorsJohn D. Keeney, David S. Todd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window module has a fixed-pane window which is encapsulated by a molded trim piece having an integral portion which extends around an adjacent movable window opening. The integral trim is formed of EPDM. The window module is constructed by placing a window pane, a division post and the end of an extruded EPDM trim strip into a mold into which EPDM is injected to integrate and encapsulate the inserts.
Claims20
A method of fabricating a fixed-pane motor vehicle window assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing a window pane;
- providing a division post having a channel adapted to receive a movable window pane;
- providing a header trim strip adapted to contact said movable window pane;
- providing a mold having a mold cavity, said mold cavity having a space for receiving said window pane, a space for receiving said division post and a space for receiving an end portion of said header trim strip;
- placing said window pane in said window pane-receiving space of said mold cavity;
- placing said division post in said division post-receiving space of said mold cavity;
- placing one end of said header trim strip into said header trim strip end portion-receiving space of said mold cavity;
- closing said mold;
- injecting a resin into said mold to encapsulate a portion of said window pane and a portion of said division post with said resin and to form a radial trim region integrally bonding said end portion of said header trim strip with said resin, said radial trim region adapted to seal a portion of said movable window pane;
- allowing said resin to cure to form an encapsulated fixed window pane assembly having an integral header strip;
- and
- removing said encapsulated fixed window pane assembly having an integral header strip from said mold.
9 more elements
A method of making a fixed window module for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of
- providing a glass window pane;
- providing a post having a channel adapted to receive a movable window pane, said post having a resilient trim portion;
- providing an extruded elongated header trim strip adapted to contact said movable window pane;
- providing a mold having a mold cavity, said mold cavity having a space for receiving said glass window pane, a space for receiving said post and a space for receiving an end portion of said extruded elongated header trim strip;
- placing said glass window pane in said window pane-receiving space of said mold cavity;
- placing said post in said post-receiving space of said mold cavity such that one edge of said post contacts one edge of said glass window pane and such that a portion of said post extends out of said mold;
- placing one end of said extruded elongated header trim strip into said header trim strip end portion-receiving space of said mold cavity such that a portion of said extruded elongated header strip extends out of said mold;
- closing said mold;
- injecting a polymeric material into said mold to encapsulate a portion of said glass window pane and a portion of said post with said polymeric material and to form a radial trim region integrally linking said end portion of said extruded elongated header trim strip to said resilient trim portion of said post with said polymeric material, said radial trim region adapted to seal a portion of said movable window pane;
- allowing said injected polymeric material to cure to form an injection molded trim which encapsulates the edges of said glass window pane, a portion of said post and said end of said extruded elongated header strip to form an encapsulated fixed window pane assembly having an integral header strip;
- and
- removing said encapsulated fixed window pane assembly having an integral header strip from said mold.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.