The invention relates to moldings for motor vehicle doors. More particularly, the invention relates to a molding including a film disposed along a support member.
According to one aspect of the invention, a molding for attachment to a flange portion includes a retention portion having first and second legs defining a channel for receiving the flange portion, and a support member coupled to the retention portion and movable relative thereto. The support member includes an outboard surface and an inboard surface. A film is disposed along the outboard surface of the support member. A clip is formed along and extends out from the first leg of the retention portion. The clip is engageable with the support member to lock the support member in place relative to the retention portion to position the film along the flange portion.
The invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to
The molding 10 includes a retention portion, generally indicated at 14, having first 16 and second 18 legs defining a channel 20 therebetween. A connecting wall portion 22 couples the first leg 16 to the second leg 18. A shoulder portion 23 abuts the connecting wall portion 22 and extends out therefrom. The retention portion 14 is formed from a generally soft thermoplastic material. In one embodiment, the retention portion 14 is formed from a generally soft plastic material having a durometer of approximately 67A. A pair of holding fingers 24, 26 extends out from the first leg 16, and first 28 and second 30 protrusions extend out from the second leg 18. The pair of holding fingers 24, 26 and the first 28 and second 30 protrusions retain the flange portion 12 on both sides thereof to securely maintain the molding 10 along the flange portion 12.
The molding 10 includes a carrier 32 embedded within the retention portion 14 of the molding 10 to provide a rigid support therefor. In one embodiment, the carrier 32 is formed from a flexible metal material, A pair of sealing lips 34, 36 extends out from the second leg 18 for sealing engagement with a window glass 38. A concealing lip 40 extends out from the shoulder portion 23 to hide the retention portion 14 of the molding 10 from view when the retention portion 14 is secured along the flange portion 12 of the motor vehicle door.
The molding 10 further includes a support member 42 extending between a first end 44 abutting the shoulder portion 23 and a second end 46. The support member 42 includes an inboard surface 48 and an outboard surface 50. The support. member 42 is formed from a hard plastic material, In one embodiment, the support member 42 has a durometer of approximately 401.
A film 52 is co-extruded with the molding 10 along the outboard surface 50 of the support member 42. The hard support member 42 allows for the smooth application of the film 52 along the outboard surface 50 during the extrusion process. The film 52 may be a chrome film, a high-gloss black film, or the like in order to provide the molding 10 with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The support member 42 also includes a locking member 54 formed along and extending out from the inboard surface 48. The locking member 54 defines an aperture 56. A clip 58 is formed along the first leg 16 of the retention portion 14 of the molding 10. The clip 58 includes a base portion 60, a neck 62, and an arrowhead 64. The clip 58 is received within the aperture 56 to adjust the molding 10 from an open configuration, shown in
When the retention portion 14, the support member 42, and the film 52 are co-extruded to form the molding 10, the molding 10 is initially in the open configuration. When the molding 10 is ready to be applied to a motor vehicle component, such as the flange portion 12 of the motor vehicle door, an operator will guide the clip 58 into alignment with the aperture 56 and then push the clip 58 into the locking member 54 until the arrowhead 64 has moved completely through the aperture 56, as shown in
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to he understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
This application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/338,234 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 and entitled “Decorative Molding With Film.”
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US2011/024964 | 2/16/2011 | WO | 00 | 8/2/2012 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61338234 | Feb 2010 | US |