GB2037859A

GB2037859A - Vehicle Window Assembly and Clip

Info

Publication number: GB2037859A
Application number: GB7944267A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ford Motor Co Ltd; Ford Motor Co
Current assignee: Ford Motor Co Ltd; Ford Motor Co
Priority date: 1978-12-21
Filing date: 1979-12-21
Publication date: 1980-07-16
Also published as: DE7933956U1; JPS5587618A

Abstract

A vehicle window assembly 12 having a window glass 14 bonded to a window frame 15, resilient clip devices 23 interposed between the glass and frame, and a reveal moulding 16 retained by the clip devices. The clip devices 23 locate and support the glass in the frame during the setting and curing of the bonding material 22 and hold the reveal moulding 16 against a marginal portion of the glass. The reveal moulding conceals the gap between the periphery of the glass and the frame and the clip devices located in the gap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle Window Assembly and Clip Therefor This invention relates to motor vehicle window assemblies, and especially to resilient clip devices used to position a window glass in a window frame and to retain a reveal moulding around the peripheral margin of the glass.

As noted in U.S. Patent No. 3,611,663, when a window glass is adhesively mounted in a window opening in a vehicle body, there is created a gap between the peripheral edge of the glass and the peripheral wall of the body structure framing the window opening. This cap is usually covered by an ornamental moulding, known as a reveal moulding. It has been conventional practice to retain this moulding in place by means of small metal or plastic clip devices that have snap fit engagement with headed studs welded to the body sheet metal.

U.S. Patent No. 3,611,663 discloses a plastics clip device that in one embodiment is constructed and arranged so that a part of the clip device must be forced through the gap between the glass and frame wall edges after the glass is set into the window frame, the clip device then being engageable by the reveal moulding flanges or lip portions to retain the reveal moulding in place. In a second embodiment, the plastic clip devices are pre-positioned and then self-retained on the edge of the glass prior to the installation of the glass in the window opening. When the glass is set into the window opening, the clip devices are permanently retained in place and ready to receive the coacting portions of the reveal moulding.The use of either of these clip devices eliminates the operation for welding the studs to the body, an operation that frequently results in improperly placed or seated studs, and a further operation for placing the clip devices on the studs.

It is believed readily apparent, however, that in case of the first embodiment the operation of forcing the clip device under the glass edge could present some difficulties if the glass is not properly set in the window opening so that there is a sufficient gap to receive the clip device or if there is any delay in the insertion of the clip device so that the bonding adhesive will firmly set, thus restricting any freedom of movement of the glass to enable the clip device to be properly positioned at the edge of the glass. In the case of the second embodiment, the pre-positioning and self-retention of the clip devices before the glass is placed in the window opening could result in the clip devices becoming dislodged during the handling of the glass as it is moved into position relative to the window frame.Replacement of the dislodged clip devices could result in a loss of time in the assembly operation, and the failure to replace the dislodged clip devices could result in improper retention of the reveal moulding at final assembly.

According to the present invention, there is provided a clip for securing a vehicle window in a window frame comprising an elongated bowshaped body having one edge shaped to lie in contiguous relation to a window frame flange extending into the window opening from the periphery of the window frame, each end of the bow-shaped body terminating in an inclined support ramp extending downwardly in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the frame flange for supporting the glass at its peripheral edge in spaced relation to the frame wall, a base portion at the longitudinal centre of the body that extends laterally of the body and is shaped to lie between the body and frame wall in contact with the latter, an extension member integral with and extending from the base portion away from the other edge of the bow-shaped body, and a cantilevered platform integral with the other edge of the bow-shaped body overlying the extension member in spaced relationship, the platform having a retention means on its side toward the extension member, and terminating at its unsupported end in a flap for extending toward and overlapping a marginal edge of the glass.

Preferably, each clip device has an elongated bow-shaped body portion having one edge lying in contiguous relation to the frame flange. Each end of the bow-shaped body terminates in an inclined support ramp extending downwardly in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the frame flange and supports the glass at its peripheral edge in spaced relation to the frame wall. Each clip device has a base portion at the longitudinal centre of the body that extends laterally of the latter and is interposed between the body and the frame wall in contact with the wall. An extension member is integral with and extends from the base portion away from the other edge of the bow-shaped body. A cantilevered platform is integral with the other edge of the bow-shaped body and overlies the extension member in spaced relationship.The platform has a retention means on its side toward the extension member adapted to be engaged by a reveal moulding. The platform terminates at its unsupported end in a flap extending toward and overlapping a marginal edge of the glass. The reveal moulding has one edge isolated from the glass surface by the flap and another edge trapped between the platform retention means and the base extension member. The base extension member isolates the reveal moulding from the frame wall surface.

The resilient clip devices embodying the present invention have the advantage that they may be positioned around the window frame prior to the glass being positioned in the window opening. If the panel receiving the window glass is placed in a substantially horizontal position before the glass is dropped down into the window opening, the clip devices may be freely positioned around the frame as desired. If the panel receiving the glass is at an angle to the horizontal when the glass is positioned in the window opening, it may be necessary to place the clip devices on the frame flange and wall portion with a coating of adhesive to hold the clip devices in place as the glass is dropped into the window opening.In any event, the inclined support ramps on the clip device arms assist in positioning the glass within the window opening and to support it there until the adhesive bonding the glass to the frame has had an opportunity to cure or set. The reveal moulding may then be engaged with the clip devices for retention at the marginal edge portion of the glass.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of a vehicle body embodying the window assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a clip according to the present invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the clip; and Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a portion of an automobile body 10 having a roof structure 11 with a rear window assembly 12 in its back panel 13. The window assembly 12 comprises a window glass 14, a frame 1 5 and a reveal moulding 16. The frame 15 is an integral part of the roof structure back panel 1 3 and consists of a peripheral wall portion 1 7 and a pinch weld flange 1 8 that extends into the window opening from the interior edge 1 9 of the wall portion 17, see Figure 2. The glass 13 is bonded to the outer or exterior surface 21 of the flange 1 8 by means of a vulcanizing bead 22, such as a polysulfide rubber compound.

A plurality of one-piece, resilient plastic clip devices, generally designated 23, are conveniently spaced around the window opening.

If the back panel 13 is held in a substantially horizontal position prior to the installation of the glass 13, the clip device may be loosely positioned on the frame 1 5. Otherwise, it may be necessary to adhesively tack the clip devices 23 in position to receive the glass panel 1 3. These clip devices 23 (only one of which is shown) are interposed between the peripheral edge 24 of the glass 14 and the frame 1 5 and are intended to serve two functions: first, to locate the glass during the setting and curing of the bonding material 22; and second, to hold the reveal moulding 1 6 in place at final assembly.

Each clip device 23 comprises an elongated bow-shaped body 25 of substantially rectangular cross-section, the width of the body being substantially greater than its thickness. At the longitudinal centre of the body, a base portion 26 extends laterally of the longitudinal axis of the body 25. The base portion 26 has a width and thickness substantially equal to the width and thickness of the body 25 and extends from one side 27 to the other side 28 of the latter. The base portion 26 has an integral extension 29 that extends beyond the side 28. The bottom surface 31 of the extension 29 and of the base portion 26 is substantially planar, while the upper surface 32 of the extension 29 is stepped down from the bottom surface 33 of the bow-shaped body 25 and tapers downwardly toward the extremity of the latter to a thin edge 34.

Overlying the extension 29 in vertically spaced relation to the same is a cantilever platform 35 that is substantially equal in width to the extension 29 and has on its underside a reveal moulding retention step 36. At its extremity 37 the platform terminates in an upwardly extending, inwardly inclined tapered flap 38 that is long enough to overlie a marginal portion of the window 14.

The extremities 39 and 41 of the bow-shaped body are substantially normal to the plane of the bottom 31 of the base portion 26. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the extremities 39 and 41 are diagonally cut away to provide downwardly inclined ramp surfaces 42 that in assembled relation to the window glass 14 support the peripheral edge 24 of the glass at the corner edge 43 of the latter.

The reveal moulding 16 has at its upper longitudinal edge a button-hook shaped lip 44 and at its lower longitudinal edge 45 a right angle flange 46 terminating in a partially reversible coiled lip 47.

At assembly of the window 14 and reveal moulding 16 to the vehicle body back panel 13, the clip devices 23 may be pre-positioned around the window frame 15 of the panel 13. If the panel 1 3 is presented to the glass installation station of an assembly line in a substantially horizontal position, the clip devices 23 may be loosely seated on the frame wall 17 and flange 18. If the panel 1 3 is presented at an angie, it may be necessary to coat the clip device 23 or the spot where the clip device 23 is to be positioned with enough adhesive to temporarily tack the clip device 23 in place to receive the glass 14.As the glass 14 is set down in the frame in contact with the adhesive head 22, the inclined support ramps 42 on the extremities 39 and 41 of the clip device bodies 25 assist in the proper alignment of the glass within the window frame and support it there until the adhesive bonding the glass to the flange 1 8 has had an opportunity to cure to set.

The reveal moulding 1 6 may then be positioned by pressing its lower flange 46 into the space between the base extension surface 32 and the retention step 36 on the underside of the platform 35 overlying the base extension 29.

The base extension 29 of the clip device 23 isolates the lower edge of the reveal moulding from the frame wall 17 and the flap 38 extending upwardly from the platform 35 of the clip device 23 isolates the upper edge of the reveal moulding from the surface of the glass 14,thus eliminating any glass squeak or frame squeak.

It is believed readily apparent that the use of the clip devices 23 is not limited to a vehicle body rear window assembly, but that the clip devices also may be used for a front or wind-shield assembly, or any assembly of a fixed window glass in an equivalent frame structure.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A clip for securing a vehicle window in a window frame comprising an elongated bowshaped body having one edge shaped to lie in contiguous relation to a window frame flange extending into the window opening from the periphery of the window frame, each end of the bow-shaped body terminating in an inclined support ramp extending downwardly in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the frame flange for supporting the glass at its peripheral edge in spaced relation to the frame wall, a base portion at the longitudinal centre of the body that extends laterally of the body and is shaped to lie between the body and frame wall in contact with the latter, an extension member integral with and extending from the base portion away from the other edge of the bow-shaped body, and a cantilevered platform integral with the other edge of the bow-shaped body overlying the extension member in spaced relationship, the platform having a retention means on its side toward the extension member, and terminating at its unsupported end in a flap for extending toward and overlapping a marginal edge of the glass.

2. A clip according to Claim 1, in which the width of the bow-shaped body is substantially greater than its thickness, and the base portion has width and thickness substantially equal to the width and thickness of the body.

3. A clip according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the bottom surface of the base portion and its extension member are substantially planar, and the upper surface of the extension is stepped down from the bottom surface of the bow-shaped body and tapers downwardly toward the extremity of the extension to a thin edge.

4. A clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the cantilevered portion is substantially the same width as the base portion.

5. A clip according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the platform flap is inwardly inclined and of decreasing width and thickness toward its extremity.

6. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the drawings.

7. A vehicle window assembly comprising a window frame having a peripheral wall and a flange extending into the window opening from one edge of the wall, a window glass adhesively bonded to the flange with its peripheral edge in spaced relationship to the frame wall and one or more clips according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 interposed between the glass peripheral edge and the frame wall.

8. An assembly according to Claim 7 further including a reveal moulding having one edge isolated from the glass surface by the flap and the other edge trapped between the platform retention means and the base extension member to hold the reveal moulding in abutting relation to the glass, the extension member of the or each clip isolating the reveal moulding from the frame wall surface.

9. A vehicle window assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the drawings.