Window surround

Abstract

A fixed window assembly is adapted to be fixedly secured to a door of a motor vehicle having a retractable window pane. The fixed window assembly includes a fixed window pane having an outer periphery. A division post extends along a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed window pane. A glass run is fixedly secured to the division post opposite of the fixed window pane for receiving the retractable window pane. The glass run is formed from a first moldable material. An encapsulation is molded to the fixed window pane to secure the division post thereto. The encapsulation is formed from a second moldable material that is different from the first moldable material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a fixed window assembly for a motor vehicle rear door. More particularly, this invention relates to a fixed window assembly including an encapsulation molded to a fixed window pane for securing window components thereto prior to installation along a motor vehicle rear door. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0002] A rear door of a motor vehicle often includes both retractable and fixed window panes disposed within a window opening. The retractable window pane is located forward of the fixed window pane, and is movable between open and closed positions either manually or by power operation. The fixed window pane is typically smaller than the retractable window pane, and is separated therefrom by a rigid division post. Typically, the rear door also includes a header trim for contacting the retractable window pane as the retractable window pane moves between its open and closed positions. [0003] The individual installation of each of the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] According to one aspect of the invention, a fixed window assembly is adapted to be fixedly secured to a door of a motor vehicle having a retractable window pane. The fixed window assembly includes a fixed window pane having an outer periphery. A division post extends along a portion of the outer periphery of the fixed window pane. A glass run is fixedly secured to the division post opposite the fixed window pane for receiving the retractable window pane. The glass run is formed from a first moldable material. An encapsulation is molded along the outer periphery of the fixed window pane for securing the division post to the fixed window pane. The encapsulation is formed from a second moldable material that is different from the first moldable material.

[0006] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a fixed window assembly, having a fixed window pane, a division post, an upper reveal having a fixed window segment, an outer belt having a fixed window segment, and an encapsulation, for a door of a motor vehicle utilizes a mold assembly including an upper mold and a lower mold having a plurality of receiving areas. The method includes the steps of: placing the fixed window pane in one of the plurality of receiving areas in the lower mold; placing a portion of the division post in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the fixed window pane; placing the fixed window segment of the upper reveal in one of the plurality of receiving areas of the lower mold adjacent to a portion of the fixed window pane; placing the

Problems solved by technology

The individual installation of each of the above-mentioned components to the rear door at an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a labor-intensive and, therefore, costly operation.

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