Decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame
AssigneeDecoma Exterior Trim Inc.
InventorPeter J. Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame having a window opening for a transitional window pane moveable between open and closed positions. The molding assembly includes a window door seal mounted to the door frame and having a channel for selective sealing engagement with the window pane. A molding strip has an arm mating with the window door seal and faces outward to provide an appealing appearance. A retaining member engages the arm of the molding strip and the window door seal to secure the molding strip and the window door seal within the window opening of the door frame such that the window pane is securely sealed within the window opening when the window pane is in the closed position.
Claims16
A decorative molding assembly for a vehicle door frame having a window opening for a translating window pane moveable between an open position and a closed position, said assembly comprising;
- a window seal having a retaining portion for engagement with the door frame and having a channel for selective sealing engagement with the window pane, a portion of said channel resiliently extending from said retaining portion,
- a molding strip having an exterior facing surface for creating an outer peripheral border for the window opening of the door frame and an inwardly projecting arm mating with said window seal, and
- a retaining member engaging said arm of said molding strip and said seal for securing each of said molding strip and said window seal about a portion of the window opening of the door frame, said portion of said channel concealing said retaining member, said portion being movable thereby enabling access to said retaining member for insertion or removal of said retaining member.
A method of installing a molding assembly comprising a window seal and a molding strip into a window opening of a vehicle door frame, said method comprising the steps of;
- mounting the window seal around a portion of the molding strip;
- positioning a lower section of the molding strip within the window opening;
- moving the molding strip and window seal toward the window opening to abut the window seal against the door frame;
- fastening a retaining portion of the window seal to the door frame to secure the window seal to the door frame;
- and
- engaging a retaining member against the molding strip and through the window seal to secure both the molding strip and the window seal to the door frame moving a flap, which extends from the retaining portion, over the retaining member thereby concealing the retaining member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.