Kit and method for covering a door track of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a kit and method for covering a door track of a vehicle, the kit for covering a door track of a vehicle comprising two similar components adapted to be mounted on the track of the same door, only one of these components being mounted on the track according to the desired aesthetic appearance in a first appearance referred to as "flush" and a second appearance referred to as "non-flush".

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kit and method for covering a door track of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles include doors, each of which typically includes at least one window. Figure 1 As shown, the door 10 includes a lower portion 10a and an upper portion 10b, the upper portion 10b forming a frame 12 for surrounding a window 14. When the window 14 is movable, it can be moved from the upper portion 10b to the lower portion 10a. The frame 12 has a generally inverted U-shape and includes two side rails 12a connected by a transverse rail 12b. The side rails 12a are generally referred to as uprights due to their substantially vertical orientation.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown schematically, the upper part 10b and the lower part 10a of the vehicle door can be composed of a single part, or as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, it is composed of two or more parts fixed together. The present invention is applicable to vehicle doors of this type having an upper part and thus a frame, but not to vehicle doors without a frame.

[0004] Vehicle doors are usually made of one or more panels that may be stamped, welded, riveted, etc. Vehicle doors are increasingly being clad to improve their aesthetics. This is particularly the case with one of their center bottom pillars, where a facing member such as a trim piece can be attached and secured to the center bottom pillar.

[0005] To this end, a covering assembly is provided, which includes: a sealing joint and a decorative piece; the sealing joint is used to cooperate with the door and window along the pillar; the decorative piece is used to improve the aesthetics of the door along the pillar.

[0006] In the current technology, the car manufacturer requires the supplier to provide the covering component according to the desired aesthetic appearance and for a clear door reference. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the door (especially its pillar), the supplier will design a specific component suitable for it.

[0007] An aesthetic appearance that may be desired by the manufacturer is a "flush" appearance, which consists in aligning the outer surface of the trim with the outer surface of the window of the vehicle door. Customers currently particularly like this "smooth" appearance. Compared to this "flush" appearance, there is a more classic aesthetic appearance that can be called "non-flush", which consists in having a gap between the above-mentioned outer surfaces.

[0008] Therefore, in the current art, it is understood that a supplier would have to design a cladding component for a given aesthetic appearance and specific door references.

[0009] The present invention proposes an improvement on this situation. Summary of the invention

[0010] To this end, the present invention provides a kit for covering a door track of a vehicle, comprising a first covering component, the first covering component comprising a first sealing member and a first facing member, the first sealing member being used to cooperate with a window of the door along the track, the first facing member being used to improve the aesthetics of the door along the track, the first component comprising a first element for attachment to the track,

[0011] The kit comprises a second covering component, the second covering component comprises a second sealing member and a second facing member, the second sealing member is used to cooperate with the window of the vehicle door along the track, the second facing member is used to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle door along the track, and the second component comprises a second element for attachment to the track.

[0012] a first assembly and a second assembly are both adapted to be mounted on said track of the same vehicle door, only one of these assemblies being mounted on said track depending on the desired aesthetic appearance in a first appearance referred to as "flush" and a second appearance referred to as "non-flush",

[0013] If a first "flush" appearance is desired, the first component is mounted on the track, the first component being configured so that when the first component is secured to the track of the door, the facing member has an outer surface that is aligned with an outer surface of a window of the door, and

[0014] If a second "non-flush" appearance is desired, a second component is mounted on the track, the second component being different from the first component and configured so that when the second component is secured to the track of the door, the facing member has an outer surface spaced apart from an outer surface of the window of the door.

[0015] Therefore, a kit is proposed, which includes two covering components designed to cover the same door reference or model, in particular the same door track. Of course, the car manufacturer will only use one of the components, but the manufacturer will choose to use one of the components depending on the desired aesthetic appearance and for example for the series of the car. For the standard series, a "non-flush" appearance can be used, while for the luxury series, a "flush" appearance can be used.

[0016] The kit according to the invention may include one or more of the following features, either independently or in combination with each other:

[0017] - the sealing member and the facing member of each assembly are formed of two separate parts, the facing member being configured to cooperate with the fixing element and to retain the sealing member of the same assembly;

[0018] the sealing member of each assembly is a sliding joint and has an elongated portion with a U-shaped section in which the window or a guide element carried by the window is intended to be housed and slide;

[0019] - the facing member is configured to hold a sealing member of the same assembly in close proximity to a portion of the track;

[0020] -The facing member of each assembly is a decorative piece;

[0021] - the facing member of each assembly comprises a pin supported on said track;

[0022] - the facing member of each assembly comprises a tab suspended from said track;

[0023] - The facing member of each component is composed of one or more elements and materials (for example: a single piece of a single material injection, or a double injection of a single piece, or a part composed of an additional appearance part (glued or adhered or snapped, etc.) on a second fixed part, the appearance part can be adapted according to the desired effect (color, texture, gloss));

[0024] - the facing member of each assembly comprises a wall, the wall being adapted to extend along the track and cover the track, the first facing member being configured such that when fixed to the track, its wall is located at a distance d1 from the track, and the second facing member being configured such that when fixed to the track, its wall is located at a distance d2 from the track, the distance d2 being greater than the distance d1;

[0025] The fixing element of each assembly comprises a screw, a pin or a rivet configured to pass through a hole in the track and to engage in a hole in the facing member.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a method for covering a door track of a vehicle, the vehicle having a kit according to any of the above schemes, comprising the following steps:

[0027] - Choose an aesthetic appearance from "flush" and "non-flush" appearances; and

[0028] - Fasten the components corresponding to the selected aesthetic to the door track. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will be better understood and other details, features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle door, the upper and lower parts of which are formed as one part,

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic view of another vehicle door, the upper and lower parts of which are composed of different parts assembled together.

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a covering assembly of an upper door track of a vehicle,

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cover assembly of a side door track of a vehicle,

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a covering assembly of an upper door track of a vehicle,

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a covering assembly of a middle bottom side rail of a vehicle,

[0036] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheath component of a first embodiment of a kit according to the present invention,

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cover assembly according to the first embodiment of the kit of parts of the present invention,

[0038] Fig. 9 is similar to Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the kit is shown with two overlapping cladding components to assess the positional differences between the sealing member and the facing member thereof,

[0039] Fig.10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheath component of a second embodiment of a kit according to the present invention,

[0040] Fig.11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another covering component of a second embodiment of a kit according to the present invention,

[0041] Fig.12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to a third embodiment of the kit of parts of the present invention,

[0042] Fig.13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another cover assembly according to a third embodiment of the kit of parts of the present invention,

[0043] Fig.14a It is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the facing component. Fig.14b yes Fig.14a A magnified view of the details,

[0044] Fig.15is a schematic exploded perspective view of the components of the upper door portion of the vehicle door,

[0045] Fig.16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cover assembly according to a variation of the embodiment, and

[0046] Fig.17 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a covering component in another variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] As described above Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0048] Figures 3 to 6 Different motor vehicle tracks 16 are shown. It shows that the track 16 of a vehicle can vary greatly in shape, size and composition. It can include one or more skins or sheets 16a, 16b, 16c formed, for example, by pressing, bending, rolling. The skins or sheets 16a, 16b, 16c are assembled together one after another, for example by welding, riveting, screwing, etc.

[0049] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing the upper rail 12b, Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the side rail 12a is shown. Figure 5 A cross-sectional view showing the upper rail 12b, Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the intermediate bottom side rail 12a is shown.

[0050] In the following description, the upper or side rails will be denoted by the same reference numeral 16 .

[0051] The rail 16 is covered with an assembly 18, which includes at least a sealing member 22 and a facing member 20. The members 20, 22 can be made of a single part ( Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 ) or two separate parts ( Figure 5 )composition.

[0052] The members 20 , 22 extend along and over the track 16 and are designed to conceal the window 14 , the track 16 , or another element of the vehicle body while sealing therefrom.

[0053] Figures 3 to 6 The cladding assembly shown is of the “non-flush” type, ie, its facing member 20 includes an outer surface 20 a visible to a user of the exterior of the vehicle that is not aligned with the outer surface 14 a of the vehicle window 14 .

[0054] Figures 7 to 9The principle of the invention is illustrated, which consists in proposing two covering components 24 , 26 in the form of a kit, intended to provide different aesthetic appearances, respectively “flush” and “non-flush”, and adapted to be mounted on the same door reference and therefore on the track 16 .

[0055] Each cladding assembly 24, 26 includes a sealing member 24b, 26b and a facing member 24a, 26a, wherein the sealing member 24b, 26b is used to cooperate with the window 14 of the vehicle door along the track 16, and the facing member 24a, 26a is used to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle door along the track. Each assembly 24, 26 also includes an element 28 for attachment to the track 16.

[0056] Both components 24, 26 are adapted to be mounted on the track 16. Depending on the aesthetic appearance sought between "flush" and "non-flush", only one of these components is mounted.

[0057] Figure 7 The cladding assembly 24 in FIG. 1 is used to provide the desired “non-flush” appearance. A facing member 24 a in the form of a trim piece is configured to have an outer surface 30 a that is spaced apart from the outer surface 14 a of the window 14 when the assembly 24 is secured to the track 16 .

[0058] In the example shown, the member 24a comprises a substantially flat wall 30 for extending along the track 16 and at least partially covering the track 16. An outer surface 30a is supported by the wall 30, which comprises an inner surface 30b facing the track and on which a protruding stud 32 is formed to be supported on the track.

[0059] Support and / or suspension tabs may also extend from the wall 30 to the track 16 and cooperate with the track to ensure positioning and retention of the member 24a on the track 16.

[0060] The fixing element 28 is here formed by a screw or a pin which is designed to pass through a hole 36 provided in the rail and engages, for example by screwing, in a hole 38 of a facing component, for example a hole formed in the support bolt 32 .

[0061] In the example shown, the member 24a comprises a longitudinal edge on which there is a hanging tab 34 and an opposite longitudinal edge extending at a distance from a portion of the track to define together with it a longitudinal groove 38' for receiving the sealing member 24b.

[0062] exist Fig.14a and Fig.14b Component 24a is better shown in FIG.

[0063] In the example shown, the sealing member 24 b is a sliding joint having an elongated portion with a U-shaped cross section in which the vehicle window 14 is to be received and slide.

[0064] Fig.15 Some parts of the upper part of the door are shown, in particular a sliding joint J, which is a sealing member well known to those skilled in the art who specialize in sealing of motor vehicles.

[0065] exist Figure 7 In the mounted position shown, the wall 30 is located at a distance d2 from the track 16. The window 14 is engaged in the sealing member 24b received in the groove 38', and the surfaces 30a, 14a are spaced apart from each other.

[0066] Figure 8 The cladding assembly 24 in FIG. 2 is used to provide the desired "flush" appearance. The facing member 26 a, here in the form of a trim piece, is configured to have an outer surface 30 a that is aligned with the outer surface 14 a of the vehicle window 14 when the assembly 26 is fixed to the track 16 .

[0067] In the example shown, the member 26a comprises a substantially flat wall 30 for extending along the track 16 and at least partially covering the track 16. An outer surface 30a is supported by the wall 30, which comprises an inner surface 30b facing the track and on which a protruding stud 32 is formed to be supported on the track.

[0068] Support and / or suspension tabs 34 may also extend from the wall 30 to the track 16 and cooperate with the track to ensure positioning and retention of the member 24a on the track 16 .

[0069] The fixing element 28 is here formed by a screw or a pin which is designed to pass through a hole 36 provided in the rail and engages, for example by screwing, in a hole 38 of a facing component, for example a hole formed in the support bolt 32 .

[0070] In the example shown, the member 26a comprises a longitudinal edge on which there is a hanging tab 34 and an opposite longitudinal edge extending at a distance from a portion of the track to define together with it a longitudinal groove 38' for receiving the sealing member 26b.

[0071] exist Fig.14a and Fig.14b Component 24a is better shown in FIG.

[0072] In the example shown, the sealing member 26 b is a sliding joint having an elongated portion with a U-shaped cross section, in which the guide element 40 carried by the window 14 is to be housed and slides.

[0073] Fig.15 The components of the upper part of the door are shown, in particular the sliding joint J, which is a sealing member well known to those skilled in the art who specialize in sealing of motor vehicles.

[0074] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated mounted position, the wall 30 is located at a distance d1 from the track 16, which distance d1 is less than the distance d2 mentioned above. The window 14 is aligned with the wall 30, and the surfaces 30a, 14a thereof are aligned.

[0075] Fig. 9 The difference in positioning of the assemblies 24 , 26 and in particular the components 24 a , 24 b , 26 a , 26 b thereof is shown due to the specific difference between the distances d1 , d2 .

[0076] On one hand Fig.10 and Fig.11 , and on the other hand Fig.12 and Fig.13 A variant embodiment of the kit according to the invention is shown.

[0077] Fig.10 A cover assembly 26 is shown for providing a "flush" appearance to the cover assembly. Fig.11 A cover assembly 24 is shown for providing a "non-flush" appearance to the same cover assembly.

[0078] Fig.12 A cover assembly 26 is shown for providing a "flush" appearance to the cover assembly. Fig.13 A cover assembly 24 is shown for providing a "non-flush" appearance to the same cover assembly.

[0079] Figures 10 to 13 The fixing elements 28 in the embodiment are here formed by screws or pins which are configured to pass through the holes 36 of the tabs 34 of the facing members 24a, 26a and engage, for example by screwing, in the holes 38 of the rail 16. These screws or pins include heads intended to be hidden by the sealing members 24b, 26b. Therefore, the latter must be removed to access the fixing elements 28.

[0080] Fig.16 and Fig.17 is with Figures 7 to 13 Similar views and illustrating other variant embodiments of the present invention.

[0081] For example, these figures show that the facing components 24a, 26a can be formed from two different materials. Fig.16 and Fig.17 The sealing members 24b, 26b are not shown.

[0082] in addition, Fig.17 An example of a fixing element 28 is shown which passes through the aperture 36 and the hole 38 and is retained in the hole by means of at least one snap lock or a strong insertion washer 40 ′ located in the hole 38 .

Claims

1. A kit for covering a door track of a vehicle, comprising a first covering component, the first covering component comprising a first sealing member and a first facing member, the first sealing member being used to cooperate with a window of the vehicle door along the track, the first facing member being used to provide a first aesthetic appearance of the vehicle door along the track, the first covering component being suitable for being mounted on the track of the vehicle door and comprising a first element for being attached to the track, The first aesthetic appearance is a "flush" appearance, according to which the first cover component is configured such that when the first cover component is secured to the track of the vehicle door, the first facing member has a first outer surface that is aligned with an outer surface of a window of the vehicle door, in, The kit further includes a second covering component, the second covering component includes a second sealing member and a second facing member, the second sealing member is used to cooperate with the vehicle window of the vehicle door along the track, the second facing member is used to provide a second aesthetic appearance of the vehicle door along the track, the second covering component is suitable for being installed on the track of the vehicle door instead of the first covering component, and the second covering component includes a second element for being attached to the track, The second aesthetic appearance is a "non-flush" appearance, according to which the second cover assembly is configured such that when the second cover assembly is secured to the track of the vehicle door, the second facing member has a second outer surface that is spaced apart from the outer surface of the window of the vehicle door, Wherein, depending on a desired aesthetic appearance among the first aesthetic appearance and the second aesthetic appearance, only one of the first covering component and the second covering component is installed on the track.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein: The first sealing member and the first facing member of the first covering component are formed by two separate parts, the first facing member is configured to cooperate with the first element and retain the first sealing member of the first covering component, and wherein the second sealing member and the second facing member of the second covering component are formed by two separate parts, the second facing member is configured to cooperate with the second element and retain the second sealing member of the second covering component.

3. The kit according to claim 2, wherein: The first sealing member of the first covering component is a sliding joint and has a slender portion with a U-shaped cross-section, and the vehicle window or a guiding element carried by the vehicle window is used to be accommodated in and slide in the slender portion, and wherein the second sealing member of the second covering component is a sliding joint and has a slender portion with a U-shaped cross-section, and the vehicle window or a guiding element carried by the vehicle window is used to be accommodated in and slide in the slender portion.

4. The kit according to claim 3, wherein: The first facing member is configured to retain the first sealing member of the first covering assembly against a portion of the track, and wherein the second facing member is configured to retain the second sealing member of the second covering assembly against a portion of the track.

5. The kit according to claim 1, wherein: The first facing component of the first covering assembly is a decorative component, and wherein the second facing component of the second covering assembly is a decorative component.

6. The kit according to claim 1, wherein: The first facing member of the first cladding assembly includes a peg supported on the track, and wherein the second facing member of the second cladding assembly includes a peg supported on the track.

7. The kit according to claim 1, wherein: The first facing member of the first cladding assembly includes a tab depending from the track, and wherein the second facing member of the second cladding assembly includes a tab depending from the track.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein: The first facing member of the first covering assembly includes a first wall, the first wall is used to extend along the track and cover the track, and wherein the second facing member of the second covering assembly includes a second wall, the second wall is used to extend along the track and cover the track, wherein the first facing member is configured such that when fixed to the track, the first wall is located at a distance d1 from the track, and wherein when fixed to the track, the second facing member is configured such that when fixed to the track, the second wall is located at a distance d2 from the track, the distance d2 being greater than the distance d1.

9. The kit of claim 1, wherein: The first element of the first covering assembly includes a screw or a pin, which is configured to pass through a hole in the track and engage in a hole in the first facing member, and wherein the second element of the second covering assembly includes a screw or a pin, which is configured to pass through a hole in the track and engage in a hole in the second facing member.

10. A method for covering a door track of a vehicle having a kit according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: - selecting a desired aesthetic appearance from said first aesthetic appearance and said second aesthetic appearance; as well as - fixing the first covering component to the door track when the first aesthetic appearance is desired, or fixing the second covering component to the door track when the second aesthetic appearance is desired.

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