GB2566302A

GB2566302A - A finisher assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2566302A
Application number: GB1714475.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kizierowski Wojciech; Pope Matthew
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2017-09-08
Filing date: 2017-09-08
Publication date: 2019-03-13
Also published as: GB201714475D0; DE102018215147A1

Abstract

A finisher assembly 10 for a vehicle (100,fig.1) comprising a single-piece finisher garnish component 11 having an A-pillar section 12 and a cant rail section 14,16 configured to extend continuously along an A-pillar (110) and a cant rail or roof rail section (above windows 106,108) of the vehicle. The finisher assembly additionally comprises one or more seals 26,28,30 for sealing to a frameless front window (106) of a front door (104) of the vehicle, and one or more brackets 18,20,22,24 connecting the one or more seals to the single-piece finisher component. The finisher may define a drainage channel (48,fig.4) by means of its bracket(s) that may be open at its first, front end or its second, rear end to allow flow of rain water. The channel may have a width between 1-3 millimeters, and depth between 5-7 millimeters. The finisher may extend over a top edge of the first window 106 (see figs 3&4) to reduce water ingress and secure the window top edge. The bracket(s) may be extruded from aluminium and the finisher may comprise a metal or plastics material. Also claimed is a vehicle comprising first and/or second finisher assemblies.

Description

A FINISHER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a finisher assembly for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a finisher assembly for a vehicle, and to a vehicle comprising a finisher assembly.

BACKGROUND

Finisher components are used on vehicles for a variety of reasons including improving the aesthetics or visually obscuring certain components, and/or providing a covering for protecting one or more components.

Certain vehicles include one or more finishers that are provided around the perimeter of the daylight openings (e.g. windows) of the vehicle.

In vehicles having frameless windows, the doors of the vehicle do not include seals for providing a seal between the daylight openings and the body of the vehicle, and such seals are necessarily provided on the body of the vehicle. As such, the design and assembly of any finisher components around such daylight openings must consider the presence and assembly of such seals onto the vehicle. In prior art arrangements, this typically results in complex multi-component arrangements and/or complex assembly processes.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a finisher assembly for a vehicle, and a vehicle comprising a finisher assembly as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a finisher assembly for a vehicle, the finisher assembly being attachable to the vehicle and comprising:

a single-piece finisher component having an A-pillar section configured to extend along an A-pillar of the vehicle and a cantrail section configured to extend along a cantrail of the vehicle such that the single-piece finisher component may extend continuously along the A-pillar and the cantrail of the vehicle; and one or more brackets for connecting one or more seals to the single-piece finisher component, the one or more seals being configured to seal to a frameless front window of a front door of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a finisher assembly for a vehicle, the finisher assembly being attachable to the vehicle and comprising:

a single-piece finisher component having an A-pillar section configured to extend along an A-pillar of the vehicle and a cantrail section configured to extend along a cantrail of the vehicle such that the single-piece finisher component may extend continuously along the A-pillar and the cantrail of the vehicle;

one or more seals for sealing to a frameless front window of a front door of the vehicle; and one or more brackets connecting the one or more seals to the single-piece finisher component.

Finisher assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may advantageously comprise fewer parts compared with prior art arrangements. Consequently, the finisher assembly may be simpler and more cost effective to produce, assemble and fit to a vehicle. Additionally, finisher assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may have improved aesthetics compared with prior art arrangements.

In certain embodiments, the one or more seals may be arranged relative to the single-piece finisher component such that a portion of the frameless front window is receivable against the one or more seals when the respective front door is in a closed configuration so that at least a part of the single-piece finisher component is external to and overlaps an edge of the frameless front window.

Such an arrangement may provide such seals in a manner in which the seals are substantially not visible to a person that is external of the vehicle. In such a configuration, the seals may be less exposed to environmental conditions (thereby improving the longevity of such components) and the aesthetics of the vehicle may be improved.

The finisher assembly may comprise a channel along a length of the finisher assembly such that when the finisher assembly is connected to the vehicle a liquid flowing from a roof and/or windscreen and/or A-pillar of the vehicle may flow into and along the channel. Thus, the finisher assembly may additionally provide fluidic channelling (e.g. for channelling rainwater along the vehicle). Furthermore, providing a channel as part of the finisher assembly negates the requirement that the vehicle body includes features that provide such a function.

In certain embodiments, the channel may be at least partly defined by the one or more brackets. The one or more brackets, may therefore be multi-functional, thereby negating the requirement of an additional component of the finisher assembly being provided for fluidic channelling.

The channel may extend adjacent to the cantrail section between a front first end of the channel and a rear second end of the channel. The front first end of the channel may be open such that a liquid is able to flow horizontally in to the channel. Such an arrangement may improve the effectiveness of the channel in receiving liquid and channelling it rearwardly on the vehicle.

The rear second end of the channel may be open such that a liquid is able to flow horizontally out of the channel. Such an arrangement may improve the effectiveness of the channel in releasing liquid once channelled to a desired point on the vehicle surface.

In certain embodiments, the channel may have a width between 1 mm and 3mm, and optionally about 2 mm. Such a width is particularly advantageous in that it is sufficiently large to effectively receive and permit the flow of liquid during use of the vehicle, whilst being sufficiently small so as to not be overtly visible or significantly degrade the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the vehicle.

The channel may have a depth between 5 and 7 mm, and optionally about 6 mm. Such a depth D may provide a sufficient space to receive and channel liquid within the limited space provided by the finisher assembly as a whole.

In certain embodiments, the one or more brackets may be attachable to the vehicle to attach the finisher assembly to the vehicle. This negates the requirement of additional fixing components (which may be present in some embodiments) for attaching the finisher assembly to the vehicle.

The one or more brackets may include a first bracket connected to the single-piece finisher component, the first bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to the A-pillar of the vehicle. The one or more seals may include an A-pillar seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, and the first bracket may connect the A-pillar seal to the single-piece finisher component. In certain embodiments, the first bracket may comprise an extruded component. The first bracket may comprise a metal, where the metal is optionally aluminium.

The one or more brackets may include a second bracket connected to the singlepiece finisher component, the second bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to the cantrail of the vehicle. The one or more seals may include a cantrail seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, wherein the second bracket may connect the cantrail seal to the single-piece finisher component.

In certain embodiments, the second bracket may comprise an extruded component. The second bracket may comprise a metal, where the metal is optionally aluminium.

The finisher assembly may comprise a connector bracket that connects the first bracket to the second bracket. The one or more seals may include a corner seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, and the connector bracket may connect the corner seal to the single-piece finisher component.

The one or more brackets may include a third bracket connected to the single-piece finisher component, the third bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to a rear portion of the cantrail of the vehicle, wherein the rear portion of the cantrail is disposed above a rear window of the vehicle.

The single-piece finisher component may comprise a metal or a plastics material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising an A-pillar, a cantrail, and the finisher assembly according to any embodiment described herein, wherein the A-pillar section extends along the A-pillar and the cantrail section extends along the cantrail such that the single-piece finisher component extends continuously along the A-pillar and the cantrail.

The vehicle may comprise a second A-pillar, a second cantrail, and a second finisher assembly according to any embodiment described herein, wherein the second Apillar section extends along the second A-pillar and the second cantrail section extends along the second cantrail such that the second single-piece finisher component extends continuously along the second A-pillar and the second cantrail.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a portion of a vehicle with a finisher assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention attached thereto;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a finisher assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section A-A of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section B-B of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along section C-C of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a portion of a vehicle and a finisher assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a portion of a vehicle 100 with a finisher assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the vehicle 100. The finisher assembly 10, which is shown in an exploded configuration in Figure 2, includes a single-piece finisher component 11 having an A-pillar section 12 that extends along an A-pillar 110 of the vehicle 100, and a cantrail section 13 that extends along a cantrail 112 of the vehicle 100. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the Figures, the cantrail section 13 includes a front cantrail section 14 that extends above a front window 106 of a front door 104 of the vehicle 100, and a rear cantrail section 16 that is rearward of the front cantrail section 14 and extends above a rear window 108 of the vehicle 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 100 does not have rear doors to provide access to a second row of seats in the vehicle (or a storage area). For example, the vehicle may be a so-called three-door vehicle, having two front doors and an openable tailgate. Therefore, the rear window 108 does not form part of a door of the vehicle 100.

Whilst only one side of the vehicle 100 is shown in Figure 1, the skilled person will appreciate that in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, an additional finisher assembly 10 may be provided on the opposite side of the vehicle 100, where the opposite side of the vehicle 100 is substantially identical to the side that is visible in Figure 1.

The front window 106 is a frameless window. That is, the front window 106 comprises a daylight opening (e.g. a piece of glass) that extends from the front door 104 and has at least one edge that that terminates in the absence of any frame. For example, a top edge and two side edges of the front window 106 may terminate in the absence of any frame. The front window 106 may be moveable (either automatically or manually) along a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the front window 106 into and out of the front door 104.

As is described in greater detail below, the finisher assembly provides a finisher for at least one daylight opening and, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, provides one or more seals that the frameless front window 106 may seal against when the front door 104 is in a closed configuration. Advantageously, the finisher assembly according to embodiments of the present invention may provide such seals in a manner in which the seals are substantially not visible to a person that is external of the vehicle. In such a configuration, the seals may be less exposed to environmental conditions (thereby improving the longevity of such components) and the aesthetics of the vehicle 100 may be improved.

As shown in Figure 2, the finisher component 11 is generally formed in a V-shape. That is, the A-pillar section 12 extends along a first longitudinal axis and the cantrail section 13 extends along a second longitudinal axis, where the first and second longitudinal axes are inclined with respect to one another, but intersect one another (to form a corner).

As noted above, in the embodiments shown in the Figures, the cantrail section 13 includes the front cantrail section 14 and the rear cantrail section 16. In alternative embodiments, the cantrail section 13 may only include the front cantrail section 14. That is, the cantrail section 13 may not extend above the rear window 108 in certain embodiments.

In any embodiment, the finisher component 11 is a single-piece component. That is, the finisher component 11 is monolithic. In certain embodiments, the finisher component 11 may be formed as single-piece. In alternative embodiments, the finisher component 11 may be otherwise formed, initially, but subsequently fused or otherwise manipulated to form an integrated, jointless final structure. In any embodiment, the finisher component 11 includes no joints on its external surface. In certain embodiments, the finisher component 11 may be injection moulded. In certain embodiments, the finisher component 11 may be formed of or include a metal that is suitable for sheet metal forming (e.g. an aluminium alloy) or a plastics material that may be injection moulded (e.g. PMMA or ABS, PC-ABS, or a fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) such asCFRP).

The finisher assembly 10 includes one or more seals for sealing to the frameless front window 106 of the vehicle 100. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2, the finisher assembly 10 includes an A-pillar seal 26, a corner seal 28 and a cantrail seal 30. The finisher assembly 10 includes one or more brackets that connect the one or more seals to the finisher component 11. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2, the finisher assembly 10 includes a first bracket 18 for connecting the A-pillar seal 26 to the finisher component 11, and a second bracket 22 for connecting the cantrail seal 30 to the finisher component 11. As illustrated in Figure 2, the finisher assembly 10 may additionally include a corner bracket 20 for connecting the first bracket 18 to the second bracket 22. The corner bracket 20 may additionally connect the corner seal 28 to the finisher component 11.

A first seal patch 29a (which may be foam, for example) is provided between the Apillar seal 26 and the corner seal 28. Additionally, a second seal patch 29b (which may be foam, for example) is provided between the corner seal 28 and the cantrail seal 30. The first seal patch 29a and second seal patch 29b serve to provide continuous sealing along the length of the finisher assembly 10 when attached to a vehicle.

In certain embodiments, any or all of the first bracket 18, second bracket 22, and corner bracket 20 may be formed by extrusion. In certain embodiments, any or all of the first bracket 18, second bracket 22, and corner bracket 20 may be formed from a metal, such as aluminium. In particular, in certain embodiments, any or all of the first bracket 18, second bracket 22, and corner bracket 20 may comprise extruded aluminium. In alternative embodiments, any or all of the first bracket 18, second bracket 22, and corner bracket 20 may comprise injection moulded or extruded plastics material (e.g. POM or PBT) that preferably provides high stiffness and dimensional stability.

In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2, the finisher assembly 10 additionally includes a locator 32 that has one or more protrusions 32a or other formations that may mate, align with or otherwise interface with components or features on the vehicle 100 to facilitate accurate positioning and alignment of the finisher assembly 10 on the vehicle 100 during connection to the vehicle 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the locator 32 is connectable to the A-pillar section 12 of the finisher component 11. Locator seals 31 (which may be foam, for example) provide sealing around the locator 32.

In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 2, the finisher assembly 10 additionally includes a baffle plate 34 that is connectable to a front end of the A-pillar section of the finisher component 11. The baffle plate 34 may advantageously reduce the propagation of vibrations from the engine of the vehicle (or other components) into the finisher assembly 10.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 1. That is, Figure 3 shows a cross section through the A-pillar 110 of the vehicle 100 with the finisher assembly 10 connected thereto. As can be seen in Figure 3, the finisher assembly 10 is connected to the vehicle 100 by a series of first rivets 36. In particular, in the specific embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first rivets 36 connect the first bracket 18 to the A-pillar 110 of the vehicle 100. The first rivets 36 may connect the first bracket 18 to the A-pillar 110 at spaced intervals along a length of the first bracket 18. In alternative embodiments, other fixing means may be provided for connecting the finisher assembly 10 to the A-pillar 110.

The first bracket 18 retains the A-pillar seal 26. The first bracket 18 may retain the Apillar seal 26 by an interference fit (as shown) or via additional fixing means such as one or more connectors or an adhesive. An interference fit advantageously negates the need for additional fixing components or assembly steps. The finisher component 11 fits to the first bracket 18 (e.g. by an adhesive or adhesive tape) to cover the first bracket 18 and the A-pillar seal 26. In particular, the finisher component 11 may cover the A-pillar seal 26 such that the A-pillar seal 26 is substantially not visible to a person external of the vehicle 100. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 3, the A-pillar seal 26 is arranged on the finisher assembly 10 relative to the finisher component 11 such that a portion of the front window 106 is received against the Apillar seal 26 (when the front door 104 is in a closed configuration) and so that a part of the finisher component 11 is external to and overlaps an edge of the front window 106. This overlap between an edge of the finisher component 11 and a side edge of the front window 106 is identified as OL in Figure 3.

An A-pillar secondary seal 38 may be provided on the body of the vehicle 100 to provide additional sealing between the body of the vehicle 100 and the front window 106. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 3, the A-pillar secondary seal 38 seals to an internal surface of the front window 106 when the front door 104 is in the closed configuration.

When the front door 104 is opened, a window regulator mechanism (not shown) may initially move the frameless front window 106 downwards to permit the upper edge of the front window 106 to move clear of the finisher assembly 10 and permit movement of the front window 106 (and front door 104) in a direction approximately perpendicular to its plane. Similarly, when closing the front door 104, the front window 106 will be in a slightly lowered position to enable the top edge of the front window 106 to pass the finisher assembly 10. Once the front door 104 is in a closed configuration, the window regulator mechanism may move the front window 106 upwards to compress the A-pillar seal 26 and form the overlap OL.

As shown in Figure 3, the A-pillar 110 is disposed between the windscreen 102 and the front window 106 of the vehicle 100. The finisher component 11 provides an external cover to the A-pillar 110 and the various components provided between the finisher component 11 and the A-pillar 110 described herein. The finisher component 11 terminates relative to the windscreen 102 so as to define a gap G therebetween. The gap G may advantageously permit the windscreen 102 to be removed, replaced and/or serviced using conventional techniques. That is, the presence of the finisher assembly 10 does not consequently prevent the use of conventional techniques and tools for removing, replacing and/or servicing the windscreen 102. The windscreen 102 may be sealed to the body of the vehicle 100 by conventional techniques, independent of the presence of the finisher assembly 10.

An A-pillar clip 33 connected to the A-pillar receives a part of the locator 32 and serves to provide positive fixing of the finisher assembly 10 to the vehicle. The Apillar clip 33 also provides a hard stop that determines the minimum size of the gap G between the finisher component 11 and the windscreen 102.

In cross-section, the size, shape and configuration of the finisher assembly 10 varies along the length of the finisher assembly 10. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 1. That is, Figure 4 shows a cross section through the cantrail 112 of the vehicle 100 with the finisher assembly 10 connected thereto. As can be seen in Figure 4, the finisher assembly 10 is also connected to the vehicle 100 by a series of second rivets 40. In particular, in the specific embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second rivets 40 connect the second bracket 22 to the cantrail 112 of the vehicle 100. The second rivets 40 may connect the second bracket 22 to the cantrail 112 at spaced intervals (e.g. every 100 mm) along a length of the second bracket 22. In alternative embodiments, other fixing means may be provided for connecting the finisher assembly 10 to the cantrail 112.

The second bracket 22 retains the cantrail seal 30. The second bracket 22 may retain the cantrail seal 30 by an interference fit (as shown) or via additional fixing means such as one or more connectors or an adhesive. An interference fit advantageously negates the need for additional fixing components or assembly steps. The finisher component 11 fits to the second bracket 22 (e.g. by an adhesive or adhesive tape) to cover the second bracket 22 and the cantrail seal 30. In particular, the finisher component 11 may cover the cantrail seal 30 such that it is substantially not visible to a person external of the vehicle 100. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 4, the cantrail seal 30 is arranged on the finisher assembly 10 relative to the finisher component 11 such that a portion of the front window 106 is received against the cantrail seal 30 (when the front door 104 is in a closed configuration) so that a part of the finisher component 11 is external to and overlaps an edge of the front window 106. This overlap between an edge of the finisher component 11 and a top edge of the front window 106 is identified as OL in Figure 4.

A cantrail secondary seal 42 may be provided on the body of the vehicle 100 to provide additional sealing between the body of the vehicle 100 and the front window 106. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 4, the cantrail secondary seal 42 seals to an internal surface of the front window 106 when the front door 104 is in the closed configuration.

The cantrail 112 of the vehicle extends along an edge of the roof of the vehicle 100 and defines the interface between the roof of the vehicle 100 and a side of the vehicle 100. A front portion of the cantrail 112 defines an interface between the roof of the vehicle 100 and the front window 106 of the vehicle 100. The finisher component 11 provides an external cover to at least a portion of the cantrail 112 and the various components provided between the finisher component 11 and the cantrail 112 described herein.

In certain embodiments, the finisher assembly 10 comprises a channel 48 along a length of the finisher assembly 10. The channel 48 may receive a liquid (e.g. rain water) flowing from the roof, windscreen 102 and/or A-pillar 110 of the vehicle 100 such that the liquid may flow into and along the channel 48. A particular advantage associated with the channel 48 is that it serves to divert rain water that is otherwise flowing from an external surface of the vehicle 100 into the interior of the vehicle 100 when the front door 104 is opened. Thus, the risk of water inadvertently entering the interior of the vehicle 100 is reduced by the presence of the channel 48.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the channel 48 is defined by the second bracket 22 and the finisher component 11 such that when the finisher assembly 10 is attached to the vehicle 100, the channel 48 has a width W defined between a body 111 of the vehicle 100 and the finisher component 11. The channel 48 has a depth D that is defined by the second bracket 48. In alternative embodiments, other components of the finisher assembly 10 may define the channel 48, its width W, and/or its depth D.

In certain embodiments, the channel 48 may have a width W that is between 1 mm and 3 mm (inclusive). In certain embodiments, the channel 48 may have a width W that is about 2 mm. It is advantageously found that a channel 48 having a width of about 2 mm is sufficiently large to effectively receive and permit the flow of liquid during use of the vehicle 100, whilst being sufficiently small so as to not be overtly visible or significantly degrade the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics of the vehicle 100.

In certain embodiments, the channel 48 may have a depth D that is between 5 and 7 mm (inclusive), or about 6 mm. It is found that a channel 48 having such a depth D provides a sufficient space to receive and channel liquid within the limited space provided by the finisher assembly 10 as a whole. In certain embodiments, the depth D of the channel 48 may reduce along a longitudinal direction towards a rear of the finisher assembly 10. This reduction may be continuously gradual (i.e. tapered).

In certain embodiments, the channel 48 may only extend along the cantrail 112 of the vehicle 100 (i.e. in certain embodiments, the channel 48 may not extend along any part of the A-pillar 110). That is, channel 48 may extend along the cantrail section 13 of the finisher component 11 between a first end of the channel 48 and a second end of the channel 48. Either or both of the first end of the channel 48 or the second end of the channel 48 may be open. For example, if the first end of the channel 48 is located forward of the second end of the channel 48 when the finisher assembly 10 is attached to the vehicle 100, the open first end may facilitate the receipt of liquid (e.g. rain water) into the channel 48 (e.g. flowing up from the windscreen 102). Similarly, if the second end of the channel 48 is located rearward of the first end of the channel 48 when the finisher assembly 10 is attached to the vehicle 100, the open second end may facilitate the discharge of liquid (e.g. rain water) from the channel 48. In certain embodiments, there may be an axial gap between the second (rear) end of the channel 48 and any adjacent feature (e.g. the D-pillar of the vehicle 100) so as to permit sufficient evacuation of liquid from the channel 48. In certain embodiments, the axial gap may be at least 1 mm.

As noted above, in certain embodiments (such as the non-limiting embodiment shown in Figure 1), the finisher assembly 10 may extend along the cantrail 112 of the vehicle so as to extend over the rear window 108 of the vehicle 100. Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 1. That is, Figure 5 shows a cross section through a rear portion of the cantrail 112 of the vehicle 100 with the finisher assembly 10 connected thereto. As described above, the vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1 does not have rear doors. Therefore, the rear window 108 is not a window that forms part of a rear door of the vehicle 100. Rather, the rear window 108 may be a so-called rear quarter window. As shown in Figure 5, at least one edge of the rear window 108 is embedded in an elastomeric rear window seal 46 that is affixed to the vehicle 100. A rear clip 44 is retained in the rear window seal 46. The rear clip 44 may be retained in the rear window seal 46 by an interference fit (as shown in Figure 5) or via one or more connectors or adhesive. Retaining the rear clip 44 in the rear window seal 46 by an interference fit advantageously negates the requirement of additional components or assembly steps. The third bracket 24 of the finisher assembly 10 forms a snap fit connection to the rear clip 44 to attach the finisher assembly 10 to the vehicle 100. There may be several rear clips 44 provided in a spaced arrangement on the vehicle 100 facilitating multiple connection points for the third bracket 24 to connect to.

The rear cantrail section 16 of the finisher component 11 is provided externally of the third bracket 24, rear clips 44 and the rear window seal 46 (e.g. by an adhesive or adhesive tape). The rear cantrail section 16 therefore provides an external cover to the third bracket 24, rear clips 44 and the rear window seal 46 so as to reduce exposure of those components to environmental conditions and to also substantially obscure such components from view from a position external of the vehicle 100.

Figure 6 shows the vehicle 100 of Figure 1 with the finisher assembly 10 in a spaced relationship thereto to illustrate a process of assembling the finisher assembly 10 to the vehicle 100. In particular, Figure 6 shows the vehicle 100 with a series of first rivets 36 on the A-pillar 110, a series of second rivets 40 on the cantrail 112, and a series of rear clips 44 on the cantrail 112 rearward of the series of second rivets 40. This arrangement permits the finisher assembly 10 to be assembled together and then attached to the vehicle 100 as a single assembled unit by fastening to the first rivets 36, second rivets 40 and rear clips 44. In particular, the finisher assembly 10 may be pressed against the vehicle 100 in a horizontal direction (known as the “ydirection” in the technical field) to form the connection with the vehicle 100. As discussed above, the locator 32 may facilitate alignment of the finisher assembly 10 on the vehicle 100 during assembly onto the vehicle 100.

The above-described embodiment may permit the finisher assembly 10 to be fitted to any vehicle having an A-pillar and a cantrail without any modifications of the A-pillar or the cantrail being required. Thus, embodiments of the finisher assembly 10 may be retro-fittable to any vehicle having an A-pillar and a cantrail.

Any or all of the seals described herein may comprise an elastomeric seal. The skilled person will understand that the seals shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 are illustrated in an uncompressed configuration, notwithstanding the presence of other components shown in those Figures. Indeed, the skilled person will understand that the seals shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 may be arranged in configurations different to those shown in those Figures (e.g. in compressed configurations) due to the presence of surrounding features.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A finisher assembly for a vehicle, the finisher assembly being attachable to the vehicle and comprising:

one or more seals for sealing to a frameless front window of a front door of the vehicle; and one or more brackets connecting the one or more seals to the singlepiece finisher component.

2. The finisher assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more seals are arranged relative to the single-piece finisher component such that a portion of the frameless front window is receivable against the one or more seals when the respective front door is in a closed configuration so that at least a part of the single-piece finisher component is external to and overlaps an edge of the frameless front window.

3. The finisher assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the finisher assembly comprises a channel along a length of the finisher assembly such that when the finisher assembly is connected to the vehicle a liquid flowing from a roof and/or windscreen and/or A-pillar of the vehicle may flow into and along the channel.

4. The finisher assembly of claim 3, wherein the channel is at least partly defined by the one or more brackets.

5. The finisher assembly of claim 3 or 4, wherein the channel extends adjacent to the cantrail section between a front first end of the channel and a rear second end of the channel.

6. The finisher assembly of claim 5, wherein the front first end of the channel is open such that a liquid is able to flow horizontally in to the channel.

7. The finisher assembly of claim 5 or 6, wherein the rear second end of the channel is open such that a liquid is able to flow horizontally out of the channel.

8. The finisher assembly of any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the channel has a width between 1 mm and 3mm, and optionally about 2 mm.

9. The finisher assembly of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the channel has a depth between 5 and 7 mm, and optionally about 6 mm.

10. The finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more brackets are attachable to the vehicle to attach the finisher assembly to the vehicle.

11. The finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more brackets include a first bracket connected to the single-piece finisher component, the first bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to the A-pillar of the vehicle.

12. The finisher assembly of claim 11, wherein the one or more seals includes an A-pillar seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, and wherein the first bracket connects the A-pillar seal to the singlepiece finisher component.

13. The finisher assembly of claim 11 or 12, wherein the first bracket comprises an extruded component.

14. The finisher assembly of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the first bracket comprises a metal, where the metal is optionally aluminium.

15. The finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more brackets include a second bracket connected to the single-piece finisher component, the second bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to the cantrail of the vehicle.

16. The finisher assembly of claim 15, wherein the one or more seals includes a cantrail seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, and wherein the second bracket connects the cantrail seal to the single-piece finisher component.

17. The finisher assembly of claim 15 or 16, wherein the second bracket comprises an extruded component.

18. The finisher assembly of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the second bracket comprises a metal, where the metal is optionally aluminium.

19. The finisher assembly of any of claims 15 to 18 when dependent on any of claims 11 to 14, comprising a connector bracket that connects the first bracket to the second bracket.

20. The finisher assembly of claim 19, wherein the one or more seals includes a corner seal for sealing to the frameless front window of the front door of the vehicle, and wherein the connector bracket connects the corner seal to the single-piece finisher component.

21. The finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more brackets include a third bracket connected to the single-piece finisher component, the third bracket being configured to connect the finisher assembly to a rear portion of the cantrail of the vehicle, wherein the rear portion of the cantrail is disposed above a rear window of the vehicle.

22. The finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the single-piece finisher component comprises a metal or a plastics material.

23. A vehicle comprising an A-pillar, a cantrail, and the finisher assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the A-pillar section extends along the A-pillar and the cantrail section extends along the cantrail such that the single-piece finisher component extends continuously along the A-pillar and the cantrail.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, comprising a second A-pillar, a second cantrail, and a second finisher assembly according to any of claims 1 to 22, wherein the second A-pillar section extends along the second A-pillar and the second cantrail section extends along the second cantrail such that the second single-piece finisher component extends continuously along the second Apillar and the second cantrail.