Automobile door assemblies
Improved water and/or acoustic and/or thermal barrier panels for a motor vehicle door assembly that either include an impact pusher integrally formed therewith or are formed with a pocket to receive impact pushers. The integrally formed impact pusher is made of the same material as the water and/or acoustic and/or thermal barrier panel. The water and/or acoustic and/or thermal barrier panel formed with a pocket to receive impact pushers allows for the impact pushers to be attached by an adhesive or mechanically.
1 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly which comprises:
a barrier panel having at least one of a water impermeability and an insulating characteristic; and
at least one impact pusher integrally formed with the barrier panel.
2 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel barrier panel has at least one of an acoustic and a thermal insulating characteristic.
3 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel and the at least one impact pusher are made from the same material.
4 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel and the at least one impact pusher are molded together to be integral.
5 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel and the at least one impact pusher are injection-molded.
6 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel and the at least one impact pusher are thermoformed.
7 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier panel and the at least one impact pusher are made from a polystyrene foam.
8 . The barrier liner of claim 1 in combination with a door assembly for a motor vehicle which includes a door panel attached to the barrier panel with which the at least one impact pusher is integrally formed.
9 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly comprising:
a barrier panel having at least one of a water impermeability and an insulating characteristic formed with at least one pocket to receive an impact pusher; and
an impact pusher positioned in the at least one pocket.
10 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the impact pusher is attached to the barrier panel by an adhesive.
11 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the impact pusher is made from a polystyrene foam.
12 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one pocket formed in the barrier panel is substantially complimentary to the shape of the impact pusher.
13 . A barrier liner for a vehicle door assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one pocket formed in the barrier panel is placed on the vehicle door assembly in a location where it will be in a position to push a vehicle occupant.
14 . The barrier liner of claim 9 in combination with a door assembly for a motor vehicle which includes a door panel attached to the barrier panel with the at least one pocket in which the impact pusher is positioned.
15 . A method of making vehicle door assemblies comprising:
providing a door panel;
providing a barrier liner that includes a barrier panel having at least one of a water impermeability and an insulating characteristic and at least one impact pusher;
integrally forming the at least one impact pusher and the barrier panel in one operation; and
attaching the barrier liner to the door panel.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the barrier liner is attached to the door panel using mechanical fasteners.
17 . The method of claim 15 wherein the barrier liner is attached to the door panel using an adhesive.
18 . A method of making vehicle door assemblies comprising:
providing a door panel;
providing a barrier liner that includes barrier panel having at least one of a water impermeability and an insulating characteristic with at least one pocket formed therein providing an impact pusher;
attaching the impact pusher to the at least one pocket of the barrier panel; and
attaching the barrier liner to the door panel.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the impact pusher is attached to the barrier panel using an adhesive.
21 . The method of claim 18 wherein the barrier liner is attached to the door panel using mechanical fasteners.
22 . The method of claim 18 wherein the barrier liner is attached to the door panel using an adhesive.