Channel Assembly for a Vehicle Window
A channel assembly for a vehicle window comprises an upper channel, a lower channel, and a retention member connected to the upper channel. The retention member detachably connects the lower channel to the upper channel.
1 . A channel assembly for a vehicle window, comprising:
an upper channel;
a lower channel; and
a retention member connected to the upper channel;
wherein the retention member detachably connects the lower channel to the upper channel.
2 . The channel assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcement bracket connected to the upper channel.
3 . The channel assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the retention member is connected to the reinforcement bracket.
4 . The channel assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the retention member is integrally formed with the reinforcement bracket.
5 . The channel assembly according to claim 2 , wherein:
the retention member includes a clip; and
a portion of the lower channel is engaged between the clip and the upper channel.
6 . The channel assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the upper channel includes an aperture proximate the clip.
7 . The channel assembly according to claim 2 , wherein:
the lower channel comprises an expanded region at an end of the lower channel proximate the upper channel; and
the expanded region is positioned over an outside portion of the upper channel.
8 . The channel assembly according to claim 7 , wherein:
the upper channel comprises at least two upper channel opposing walls; and
the expanded region comprises at least two expanded region opposing walls positioned outside the upper channel opposing walls.
9 . The channel assembly according to claim 8 , wherein:
each of the two expanded region opposing walls comprises at least two detents; and
the two detents of each of the expanded region opposing walls engage a respective one of the upper channel opposing walls.
10 . The channel assembly according to claim 9 , wherein:
the two detents of each of the expanded region opposing walls are positioned substantially opposite to the two detents of another of the upper channel opposing walls.
11 . The channel assembly according to claim 2 , further comprising a window seal supported by the upper channel and the lower channel.
12 . The channel assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the window seal extends substantially continuously from the lower channel to the upper channel.
13 . A vehicle door, comprising:
a channel assembly comprising:
an upper channel;
a lower channel; and
a retention member connected to the upper channel;
wherein the retention member detachably connects the lower channel to the upper channel.
14 . The vehicle door according to claim 13 , further comprising a reinforcement bracket connected to the upper channel.
15 . The vehicle door according to claim 14 , wherein:
the retention member is a clip; and
a portion of the lower channel is frictionally engaged between the clip and the upper channel.
16 . The vehicle door according to claim 15 , further comprising a window seal supported by the upper channel and the lower channel.
17 . The vehicle door according to claim 16 , wherein the window seal extends continuously from the lower channel to the upper channel.
18 . A method for assembling a lower channel and an upper channel of a door, comprising:
providing the upper channel, wherein the upper channel includes a retention member; and
inserting the lower channel into the upper channel such that the retention member detachably connects the lower channel to the upper channel.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , further comprising a reinforcement bracket connected to the upper channel.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein:
the retention member includes a clip; and
a portion of the lower channel is engaged between the clip and the upper channel.