ONE-PIECE PLASTIC RETAINER WITH INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT FEATURE

Cross Reference to Related Applications [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/560,930 filed April 9, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Background of the Invention [0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a weatherstrip mounting structure and, more particularly, is concerned with a one-piece seal plastic retainer for a vehicle. [0003] It is known to provide a weatherstrip mounting structure for an automotive vehicle that secures a glass edge seal, and also seals against the body. This mounting structure is typically a multiple component assembly in which the A pillar and header forms one piece, and abuts against a second piece that extends generally along the B pillar. For example, a first metal retainer piece joins up with a second metal retainer piece which, when joined, receive a plastic retainer first piece and a plastic retainer second piece, respectively. Thus, four separate components are joined together to function as a combined metal/plastic retainer that receives a glass edge seal along the A pillar, header, and B pillar portions of the glass. The four-piece retainer functionally retains the glass edge seal, and itself seals against the body. [0004] Unfortunately, the conventional retainer results in a distinctive joint line where the four individual components are brought together. The retainer also requires separate assembly of these four individual components to obtain a glass edge seal that functionally secures the glass edge seal to the vehicle body. [0005] Where possible, it is always desirable to remove cost and assembly from the vehicle. Here, four individual components are separately manufactured and assembled together. Tolerance stack-up issues are always a potential problem where individual components are joined together, and subsequently joined to the vehicle. Likewise, the associated cost of assembly is a burden that the OEM would like to reduce, particularly assembly of the individual retainer components to the vehicle. Still further, the retainer still results in an undesirable joint line that is evident on the show surface where the individual components of the retainer assembly are joined. The joint line is usually formed along the header portion adjacent the B pillar of the vehicle. [0006] In light of the foregoing, it becomes evident that there is a need for an improved seal retainer that would provide a solution to one or more of the deficiencies from which the prior art and/or conventional weatherstrip mounting structures have suffered.

Summary of the Invention [0007] An exemplary embodiment of a one-piece plastic retainer is provided. The one-piece plastic retainer is molded to provide a retainer with a show surface free of a joint line at the typical B pillar/header transition . [0008] A two-shot molded arrangement is provided such that a first portion of the retainer is formed in the first shot, and the second portion of the retainer is formed in the second shot. [0009] The first and second portions have overlapping regions which are spot welded together at space locations along the length of the retainer as it proceeds from the A pillar, along the header, and continuous ly along the B pillar. Also periodically spaced along this length of the retainer are individual fasteners that extend through the overlap regions and secure the retainer to the vehicle. [0010] A foam tape is secured to a surface of the retainer that faces the body and includes slots or openings at desired locations to allow the fasteners to extend therethrough. [0011] A primary benefit resides in the reduced costs associated with the retainer. [0012] Another benefit is the improved aesthetics of the show surface by eliminating the joint line associated with prior arrangements. [0013] Yet another benefit of a one-piece molded show surface is the ability to transition from a constant environment for sealing to the glass to a non-constant environment for styling purposes, i.e., the appearance against the sheet metal which varies relative to the glass edge. [0014] A further benefit relates to the substantial decrease in weight as a result of using lighter weight, plastic components instead of metal as used in conventional arrangements. [0015] Still other features and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description. Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embod iments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of the invention. [0017] FIGURE 1 is an image illustrating the one-piece plastic retainer of the subject invention shown adjacent to the four-piece retainer assembly of the prior art; [0018] FIGURES 2-4 are images showing the joint line associated with the prior arrangement; [0019] FIGURE 5 is an image illustrating the header to B pillar transition region of the one-piece retainer of the subject invention; [0020] FIGURES 6 and 7 are isometric views of the one-piece retainer assembly; [0021] FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of the retainer; [0022] FIGURES 9-28 are sectional views taken generally along the lines 9-9, 10-10 . . . 28-28, etc. of FIGURE 8; [0023] FIGURE 29 is an enlarged cross-section through a B pillar portion of the retainer; [0024] FIGURE 30 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the retainer with a weather seal shown in dotted line along the A pillar/header portion of the retainer; and [0025] FIGURE 31 is a plan view of the foam.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0026] The description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and various modifications and changes can be made to the components and arrangement(s) of components without departing from the spirit of the invention. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. [0027] With reference to FIGURE 1 , first and second metal retainer pieces 100, 102 are shown in a separated condition (it being understood that only portions of each retainer piece are illustrated in this view) and first and second plastic retainer pieces 104, 106 are similarly illustrated in unassembled relation. As noted in the Background, this is a typical or conventional four-piece retainer assembly, in which the metal retainer pieces 100, 102 are joined together, and likewise the plastic retainer pieces 104, 106 are assembled together. The metal retainer assembly 100, 102 and the plastic retainer assembly 104, 106, are ultimately joined to the vehicle. For example, the metal retainer 100 extends along the so called "A" pillar and header portion of the vehicle, while metal retainer piece extends along the so called "B" pillar. When assembled, and as shown in FIGURES 2-4, a discrete joint line 108 is evident in the region of transition between the header and the B pillar of the vehicle. Thus, components 102, 106 are typically secured along the B pillar portion of the vehicle as shown in FIGURES 2-4, while A pillar/header portions are comprised of components 100, 104. [0028] With continued reference to FIGURE 1 , a one-piece plastic retainer 120 of the present application is shown in part. It includes trie one-piece A pillar/header portion 122 and B pillar portion 124. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGURE 5, the one-piece retainer 120 is installed on a vehicle V with header portion 122 and B pillar portion 124 retaining weatherseal WS that seals along two edg es of the window or glass GL. As is evident in FIGURE 5, the one-piece retainer does not include a seam along the show surface thereof. [0029] FIGURES 6-8 illustrate the one-piece retainer in greater detail. As will be described in greater detail below, the one-piece retainer is an all-plastic construction, and preferably injection molded. The retainer includes an outer show surface portion 130 that overlies the perimeter of the metal body side of the vehicle. In other words, it provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance or show surface. As exemplified in the various cross-sections of FIGURES 9-28, and also illustrated in FIGURES 29 and 30, the show surface transitions smoothly along and contours or blends into the vehicle surface surrounding the window. The show surface covers a cavity 132 that can also serve as a channel for water management and drainage of water from around the periphery of the window opening. A first retaining flange 140 is located inwardly from the show surface. The retaining flange extends outwardly from the cross-section of the plastic material toward an interior weatherseal receiving cavity 142 and is adapted to mechanically engage a recess 144 of the weatherseal WS shown in dotted line. The remainder of the first leg 146 recedes away from the retaining flange 140 at an acute angle and further merges in at an obtuse angle with generally planar base portion 148, which defines a fastening portion of the retainer to secure the retainer to the vehicle. [0030] As will be appreciated, the second portion of the two-shot retainer is similar to the first portion, although it does not necessarily define a mirror image of the first portion. Where possible, similar components are identified by similar reference numerals with a prime suffix, i.e., retaining flange 140 and 140". The weatherseal WS is mechanically engaged by the retaining flanges which together define a generally C- shaped cavity to hold the seal in place and engage the edge of the glass GL. Thus, as best illustrated in FIGURE 29, the show surface 130 extends along the B pillar portion. When compared with the cross-sectional conformati on in FIGURE 30, which is along the A pillar and header portions of the retainer, the show surface extends generally parallel to leg 150 that is disposed adjacent the body side outer panel. It will also be appreciated that the weatherseal has a slightly different conformation as it extends along the header portion and engages the upper edge of the glass. [0031] With continued reference to FIGURES 29 and 30, and renewed reference to FIGURE 8, it will be appreciated that fasteners such as screws 160 extend through mating openings 162, 162" formed in the planar portions 148, 148', respectively, of the first and second portions of the retainer. The fastener extends through the aligned openings and secures the retainer to the vehicle body. [0032] The openings 162, 1621 are spaced apart as shown in FIGURE 8, and interspersed between each of the fasteners in alternating arrangement are securing regions such as fusion bond regions or ultrasonic spo»t welds 170 to secure the first and second mold shot portions of the retainer. This affixes the first and second portions together, along with the fastener extending through the aligned openings to define a one-piece retainer prior to assembly to the vehicle. [0033] A foam tape (FIGURE 31 ) includes a seri es of elongated openings 174 at spaced locations that correspond to the longitudinally spaced, aligned openings in the retainer that receive the fasteners. Preferably, the foam tape is adhesively secured to a rear face of the aligned leg portions 148, 148' of the retainer. If desired, a tape guide 180 may also extend from the rear face of at least one of the rear faces of the leg portions. [0034] The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alteration s will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example, various other manufacturing steps may be employed or in a different sequence. Likewise, different materials may be used or alternative processes without departing from the present invention. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is: