Outer Belt Molding

Abstract

An outer belt molding is provided for a motor vehicle door having a door panel defining a window opening. The outer belt molding includes an elongated main body adapted to be attached to the door panel along a lower edge of the window opening. The elongated main body includes a mounting portion including a vertical segment abutting a portion of the door panel and an outer segment extending out from the vertical segment abutting another portion of the door panel. The outer belt molding also includes fastening means extending between at least one of the outer and vertical segments and the door panel to fixedly secure the outer belt molding to the door panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art outer belt molding;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of another prior art outer belt molding;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of yet another prior art outer belt molding;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a motor vehicle including a door defining a window opening and an outer belt molding according to the invention disposed along a lower edge of the window opening;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the outer belt molding including an elongated main body;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the outer belt molding including double sided tape for securing the outer belt molding to a door panel;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an outer belt molding according to another embodiment including a clip heat-staked to an outer segment of the elongated main body for securing the outer belt molding to the door panel;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an outer belt molding according to still another embodiment including a clip co-extruded with an outer segment of the elongated main body;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an outer belt molding according to yet another embodiment including a clip extending through a vertical segment of the elongated main body to secure the outer belt molding to the door panel;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an outer belt molding according to another embodiment including a clip extending through a web portion formed in the elongated main body; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one more embodiment wherein the outer belt molding includes retention members for engagement with a retention tab welded to the door panel.

Claims

1. An outer belt molding for a motor vehicle door having a door panel defining a window opening, said outer belt molding comprising an elongated main body adapted to be attached to the door panel along the lower edge of the window opening, said elongated main body having a mounting portion including a vertical segment abutting a portion of the door panel and an outer segment extending out from said vertical segment abutting another portion of the door panel, said outer belt molding further including fastening means extending between at least one of said outer and vertical segments and the door panel to fixedly secure said outer belt molding to the door panel.

2. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 1 including a decorative trim fixedly secured to said outer segment to complement the appearance of the motor vehicle door.

3. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 2 including a sealing portion for sealingly engaging a window pane positioned within the window opening.

4. An outer belt molding for a door panel of a motor vehicle door, said outer belt molding comprising: an elongated main body adapted to be attached to the door panel along a lower edge of a window opening, said elongated main body having a mounting portion; anda fastener coupled to said mounting portion and extending through a corresponding aperture in the door panel to fixedly secure said outer belt molding to the door panel.

5. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 4 wherein said main body defines an opening aligned with the aperture in the door panel for receiving said fastener therethrough.

6. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 4 wherein said mounting portion includes a generally vertical segment having opposing door panel and window pane facing surfaces.

7. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fastener is a clip extending out from said mounting portion and extending through the corresponding aperture in the door panel.

8. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 4 including a sealing portion for sealingly engaging a window pane selectively closing the window opening.

9. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 6 wherein said vertical segment defines an opening extending through said door panel and window facing surfaces for receiving said fastener to fixedly mount said mounting portion along the door panel.

10. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 6 wherein said mounting portion includes an outer segment extending out from said vertical segment and abutting the door panel surface.

11. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 10 including a decorative trim fixedly secured to an outboard surface of said outer segment.

12. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 8 wherein said mounting portion includes a web portion extending between said vertical segment and said outer segment.

13. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastener extends through the web portion and the aperture in the door panel.

14. An outer belt molding for a door panel of a motor vehicle door, said outer belt molding comprising: an elongated main body having a mounting portion adapted to extend along the door panel; anda tape disposed along said mounting portion, said tape having adhesive on opposing sides to fixedly secure said outer belt molding to the door panel.

15. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 14 wherein said mounting portion includes a generally vertical segment and an outer segment extending out therefrom.

16. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 15 wherein said segment of tape is affixed to at least one of said vertical and outer segments for fixedly securing said outer belt molding to the door panel.

17. An outer belt molding as set forth in claim 16 including a decorative trim fixedly secured to said outer segment to complement the appearance of the motor vehicle door.

18. An outer belt molding for a motor vehicle door including a door panel having a retention flange, said outer belt molding comprising: a carrier adapted to extend along a lower edge of a window opening, said carrier including a plurality of retention members lockingly engaging the retention flange; anda plurality of closeout lips molded to said carrier for sealingly engaging a window pane within the window opening.