IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,205,389
Granted Patent B1
US 8,205,389 · App. 10/130,088 · Granted Jun 26, 2012

Window seal assembly having a T-shaped trim member

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,205,389
App. No.
10/130,088
Granted
Jun 26, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

A window seal assembly having glass run channels ( 134, 210 ), outer belt seals ( 300 ) and a T-shaped trim member ( 128 ). The window seal assembly eliminates the need for joints, seems, metal fasteners and end caps resulting in an improved aesthetic appearance as well as enhanced window seating. The trim member ( 128 ) can having various finishes such as low gloss black, high gloss black and chrome.

Claims (43)

1. A window seal assembly mountable to a frame of a vehicle for providing a seal between a moveable window and the frame, said assembly comprising:

an elongated sealing member formed of a flexible material and having an exterior surface;

said sealing member having a first channel defining a first base and two sidewalls extending from said first base presenting a first opening for mounting the assembly to the frame;

said sealing member having a second channel defining a second base and two sidewalls extending from said second base presenting a second opening facing said exterior surface with said second channel positioned in an inverted relationship with respect to said first channel so that said openings of said channels face in substantially opposite directions;

one of said sidewalls of said first channel corresponding to one of said sidewalls of said second channel;

said sealing member having a glass run channel positioned in an orthogonal relationship with respect to said first and second channels with said glass run channel defining a third base, a first channel wall, and a second channel wall spaced from said first channel wall with said first and second channel walls extending from said third base in a substantially parallel relationship and generally orthogonal to at least one of said sidewalls for receiving a portion of the moveable window between said first and second channel walls;

a sealing lip extending from at least one of said first and second channel walls for selectively engaging the portion of the moveable window;

an internal reinforcement member embedded within said first base and at least a portion of said sidewalls extending from said first base of said sealing member for extending at least partially about said frame; and

a trim member having an exterior end abutting at least a portion of said exterior surface of said sealing member and covering said second opening for creating a substantially flush appearance;

said trim member having only a single stem extending generally perpendicularly from said end with said single stem received in said second channel of said sealing member and extending generally parallel to at least one of said sidewalls extending from said second base of said second channel, at least one of said sidewalls extending from said first base of said first channel, and said third base of said glass run channel.

2. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said trim member has a T-shaped cross-section with a stem of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member defining said single stem and an upper portion of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member defining said exterior end.

3. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes at least one groove and said upper portion of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member engages said groove for creating the substantially flush appearance.

4. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said trim member comprises a material selected from zinc, plastic and polychlorinated azobenzenes.

5. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said internal reinforcement member is further defined as a first internal reinforcement member and said window seal assembly further includes a second internal reinforcement member embedded within said second base and at least a portion of said sidewalls extending from said second base of said sealing member to at least partially capture said single stem of said trim member.

6. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said first and second internal reinforcement members form a substantially S-shaped configuration.

7. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said first and second internal reinforcement members are integrally formed as a single unit.

8. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second channels are each substantially U-shaped.

9. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes grooves flanking said second opening and said exterior end of said trim member includes opposing edges each engaging a respective one of said grooves for creating the substantially flush appearance.

10. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes at least one groove and said exterior end of said trim member engages said groove for creating the substantially flush appearance.

11. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said trim member is removable from said second channel of said sealing member.

12. A window seal assembly mountable to a frame of a vehicle for providing a seal between a moveable window and the frame, said assembly comprising:

an elongated sealing member formed of a flexible material and having a first channel defining a first base and two sidewalls extending from said first base presenting a first opening for mounting the assembly to the frame;

said sealing member having a second channel defining a second base and two sidewalls extending from said second base presenting a second opening with said second channel positioned in an inverted relationship with respect to said first channel so that said openings of said channels face in substantially opposite directions;

one of said sidewalls of said first channel corresponding to one of said sidewalls of said second channel;

said sealing member having a glass run channel positioned in an orthogonal relationship with respect to said first and second channels with said glass run channel defining a third base, a first channel wall, and a second channel wall spaced from said first channel wall with said first and second channel walls extending from said third base in a substantially parallel relationship and generally orthogonal to at least one of said sidewalls for receiving a portion of the moveable window between said first and second channel walls;

a sealing lip extending from at least one of said first and second channel walls for selectively engaging the portion of the moveable window; and

a trim member having an exterior end abutting at least a portion of an exterior surface of said sealing member;

said trim member having only a single stem extending generally perpendicularly from said end with said single stem received in said second channel of said sealing member and extending generally parallel to at least one of said sidewalls extending from said second base of said second channel, at least one of said sidewalls extending from said first base of said first channel, and said third base of said glass run channel.

13. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said first and second channels are each substantially U-shaped.

14. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said glass run channel is generally U-shaped.

15. A window seal assembly mountable to a frame of a vehicle for providing a seal between a moveable window and the frame, said assembly comprising:

an elongated sealing member formed of a flexible material and having an exterior surface;

said sealing member having a first channel defining a first base and two sidewalls extending from said first base presenting a first opening for mounting the assembly to the frame;

said sealing member having a second channel defining a second base and two sidewalls extending from said second base presenting a second opening facing said exterior surface with said second channel positioned in an inverted relationship with respect to said first channel so that said openings of said channels face in substantially opposite directions;

one of said sidewalls of said first channel corresponding to one of said sidewalls of said second channel;

said sealing member having a glass run channel positioned in an orthogonal relationship with respect to said first and second channels with said glass run channel defining a third base, a first channel wall, and a second channel wall spaced from said first channel wall with said first and second channel walls extending from said third base in a substantially parallel relationship and generally orthogonal to at least one of said sidewalls for receiving a portion of the moveable window; and

a sealing lip extending from at least one of said first and second channel walls for selectively engaging the portion of the moveable window;

a trim member having an exterior end defining a first distal end and a second distal end spaced from each other with said exterior end being generally transverse to at least one of said sidewalls of at least one of said first and second channels and only a single stem extending generally perpendicularly from said exterior end between said first and second distal ends with said single stem received in said second channel of said sealing member and extending generally parallel to at least one of said sidewalls extending from said second base of said second channel, at least one of said sidewalls extending from said first base of said first channel, and said third base of said glass run channel.

16. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said first and second channels are substantially U-shaped.

17. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes at least one groove and one of said first and second distal ends of said exterior end of said trim member engages said groove for creating a substantially flush appearance.

18. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes grooves flanking said second opening and said first and second distal ends of said exterior end of said trim member each engage said grooves for creating a substantially flush appearance.

19. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said trim member has a T-shaped cross-section with a stem of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member defining said single stem and an upper portion of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member defining said exterior end.

20. The window seal assembly as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said exterior surface of said sealing member includes at least one groove and said upper portion of said T-shaped cross-section of said trim member engages said groove for creating a substantially flush appearance.

Assignments (18)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2019
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS HOLDINGS, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE PENN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION; LJ/HAH HOLDINGS CORPORATION; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE IOWA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE NORTH CAROLINA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE NORTH AMERICA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE OKLAHOMA, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 049616/0858 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2019
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, IN ITS CAPACITY AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 049398/0446 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2015
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036593/0368 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2014
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.; GDX HOLDINGS LLC; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS HOLDINGS, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE PENN INTERNATIONAL, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS CANADA, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS HOLDINGS, LTD.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.
To: GDX NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 033417/0558 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2014
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033185/0148 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2014
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033181/0749 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Jun 13, 2014
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 033161/0923 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT, TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 24, 2012
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 027755/0337 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2010
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.; SCHLEGEL CORPORATION; HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 025494/0130 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2010
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 025464/0317 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 22, 2008
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 022015/0801 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2008
From: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 021731/0533 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 9, 2008
From: GDX NORTH AMERICA INC.
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE SEALING SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 021651/0352 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 30, 2008
From: MAPS HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HENNIGES AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021603/0275 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2008
From: KOMAGATA HOLDING B.V.
To: MAPS HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021590/0580 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 1, 2007
From: GDX NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: KOMAGATA HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 018837/0277 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2004
From: GENCORP, INC.
To: GDX NORTH AMERICA INC.
Reel/Frame 015139/0772 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 26, 2002
From: KESH, CHRISTOPHER L.
To: GENCORP, INC.
Reel/Frame 013361/0572 →