Simple mirror sail seal for fixed sail construction

Abstract

A one-piece composite mirror sail is disclosed for an associated vehicle that eliminates use of metal brackets. The sail includes a glass run that extends from beneath a belt line of a vehicle door window opening and extends above the associated belt line. A first portion of the glass run is an extruded EPDM first portion that extends from beneath the associated belt line. A second portion of the glass run is located above the belt line and is molded thermoplastic only. The first and second portions of the glass run are integrally joined, preferably along a fusion bonding interface. A coating is preferably provided on a base and seal lips of the extruded portion. An angled leg extends from the glass run second portion. The angled leg includes a retaining portion. The angled leg and retaining portion are molded thermoplastic only.

1 . A composite mirror sail for an associated vehicle, the sail comprising: 
 a glass run extending from beneath an associated belt line of a vehicle door window opening and extending above the associated belt line, the glass run having an extruded first portion that extends from beneath the associated belt line to a location above the associated belt line, and a second portion that is molded thermoplastic only; and    an angled leg extending from the glass run second portion that is molded thermoplastic only.    
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first and second portions of the glass run are integrally joined to one another.  
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein the first and second portions are fusion bonded together.  
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1  further comprising an attachment portion extending from the angled leg at an end of the leg opposite from the glass run, the attachment portion also formed of a molded thermoplastic.  
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the first portion of the glass run includes selected portions of abrasion resistant plastic.  
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 5  wherein the glass run has a base and first and second sidewalls extending outwardly therefrom to form a channel-shape in cross section including a cavity dimensioned to receive an edge of the associated door window, the base of the channel and portions of the sidewalls including an abrasion resistant plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein the sidewall portions include a first set of seal lips that extend inwardly into the cavity for engagement with the associated window.  
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein the sidewalls include first and second sets of seal lips dimensioned to engage the associated window.  
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the glass run has a base and first and second sidewalls extending outwardly therefrom to form a channel-shape in cross section including a cavity dimensioned to receive an edge of the associated door window, an entire internal surface of the glass run being coated in an abrasion resistant plastic.  
   
   
       10 . A one-piece composite mirror sail for an associated vehicle that eliminates use of metal brackets, the sail comprising: 
 a glass run extending from beneath an associated belt line of a vehicle door window opening and extending above the associated belt line, the glass run having an extruded EPDM first portion that extends from beneath the associated belt line to a location above the associated belt line, and a second portion above the associated belt line that is molded thermoplastic only, the first and second portions integrally joined along a fusion bonding interface; and    an angled leg extending from the glass run second portion that is molded thermoplastic only.    
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein the first and second portions of the glass run are integrally joined.  
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein the first and second portions of the glass run are fusion bonded.  
   
   
       13 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein the first portion of the glass run includes a base and sidewalls extending therefrom, selected portions of which are coated with an abrasion resistant plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The invention of  claim 10  wherein the first portion of the glass run includes a base and sidewalls extending therefrom to define a cavity that receives an edge of an associated door glass, portions of the base and sidewalls facing the cavity including an abrasion resistant plastic coextruded thereon.  
   
   
       15 . The invention of  claim 14  wherein the sidewalls include a first set of seal lips extending inwardly into the cavity.  
   
   
       16 . The invention of  claim 15  further comprising a second set of seal lips extending inwardly into the cavity.