Invisible division bar modular assembly
View Patent ↗A surround molding module incorporates an invisible division bar assembly. The invisible division bar assembly includes a support or glass encapsulation that does not extend outwardly beyond the plane of the exterior surface of fixed and movable windows of the vehicle. It provides a butt joint between these window edges. The support also carries a guide member that guides a guide leg extending outwardly from the movable window. An effective window guide tracking system is provided that has reduced wind noise and a flush window appearance with no off-set.
1. A division bar assembly disposed in a vehicle between an associated fixed window and an associated movable window, wherein the fixed and movable windows are generally located in a single plane, the division bar assembly comprising:
a support including an elastomeric material having a rigid metal support member being generally Z-shaped in cross section generally encapsulated therein, the support member including a first support leg that extends generally parallel to an interior surface of the associated fixed window, a second support leg extending generally perpendicular to the first support leg, and a third support leg extending generally parallel to, and in spaced relation from an interior surface of the associated movable window, the support mounted to the associated fixed window;
a guide situated adjacent to a rear edge of the associated moveable window, the guide affixed to and extending from only the interior surface of the associated moveable window;
a guide member extending from the support and including a generally U-shaped cavity that opens in a direction that is parallel to the interior surface of the associated moveable window, wherein the guide is fixedly secured to the interior surface of the associated movable window and includes a first guide leg spaced from the interior surface of the associated movable window;
a low friction material over at least a portion of the cavity; and
at least one seal lip extending outwardly from the guide member and engaging with the interior surface of the associated moveable window.
2. The division bar assembly of claim 1 further comprising an inner garnish operatively secured to the guide member and disposed in covering relation thereto.
3. The division bar assembly of claim 1 wherein the cavity is dimensioned to receive the first guide leg of the guide therein.
4. The division bar assembly of claim 3 wherein the first support leg is fixedly secured to the interior surface of the associated fixed window.
5. The division bar assembly of claim 4 wherein the second support leg perpendicularly extends from the interior surface of the associated fixed window to an interior of the vehicle .
6. The division bar assembly of claim 1 wherein the low friction material includes flock.
7. A division bar assembly disposed in a vehicle between an associated fixed window and an associated movable window, wherein the fixed and movable windows are generally located in a single plane, the division bar assembly comprising:
a support including an elastomeric material having a rigid metal support member being generally Z-shaped in cross section generally encapsulated therein, the support member including a first support leg that extends generally parallel to an interior surface of the associated fixed window, a second support leg extending generally perpendicular to the first support leg from the interior surface of the associated fixed window to an interior of the vehicle, and a third support leg extending generally parallel to, and in spaced relation from an interior surface of the associated movable window, the support mounted to the associated fixed window;
a guide situated adjacent to a rear edge of the associated moveable window, the guide affixed to and extending from only the interior surface of the associated moveable window;
a guide member extending from the support and including a generally U-shaped cavity that opens in a direction that is parallel to the interior surface of the associated moveable window, wherein the guide is fixedly secured to the interior surface of the associated movable window and includes a first guide leg spaced from the interior surface of the associated movable window;
a low friction material over at least a portion of the cavity;
at least one seal lip extending outwardly from the guide member and engaging with the interior surface of the associated moveable window; and
an inner garnish operatively secured to the guide member and disposed in covering relation thereto.
8. The division bar assembly of claim 7 wherein the inner garnish has a first garnish leg that overlies the first support leg of the support member and a second garnish leg that overlies the cavity.