GB2258185A

GB2258185A - Glass fibre reinforced plastics vehicle window frame with integral rubber window seal and extended door attachment sides

Info

Publication number: GB2258185A
Application number: GB9116565A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gunther Josef Wilmes
Original assignee: Draftex Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Laird Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-01
Filing date: 1991-08-01
Publication date: 1993-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-01
Also published as: GB2258185B; GB9116565D0

Abstract

A window frame (6) for the window opening (8) in the upper part of a vehicle door is moulded from glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material, and includes door attachment sides extending downwardly from the window opening (8). Thereafter, the moulded frame is transferred to a vulcanising press and rubber pans (28) defining glass sealing and guiding lips and channels are vulcanised directly into position on the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material. A waist band (26) can also be formed from the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material, integrally with the remainder of that material. The resultant frame is coloured if required, no bending or joining or finishing operations being necessary. <IMAGE>

Description

FRAMES FOR WINDOWS The invention relates to frames for windows. Embodiments of the invention to be described by way of example comprise window frames for motor vehicle bodies.

According to the invention, there is provided a window frame defining at least part of a window opening, made of moulded glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material with one or more rubber sealing parts vulcanised onto the moulded material.

According to the invention, there is further provided a window frame for the window opening in the upper part of a vehicle door having a slidable window glass, comprising a one-piece member defining the sides and top of the window opening and with the sides integrally extended for attachment in the lower part of the door, the member being made of mouldable glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material in a moulding operation, and rubber vulcanised onto the moulded member to define glass sealing and guiding means extending therealong around the window opening.

A window frame embodying the invention, and for a motor vehicle body, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the window frame; and Figures 3,4 and 5 are enlarged cross-sections on the lines II-II, III-III and IV-IV respectively of Figure 1.

The frame 6 shown in Figure 1 is part of one of the side doors of a motor vehicle body. The frame 6 comprises an upper part defining a window opening 8 and a lower part 10 which extends into the interior of the closed-off lower part of the door. The frame 6 comprises sides 12 and 14 and a top 16. The frame is manufactured by a moulding operation using a mouldable plastics material reinforced with glass fibre. Using known glass-fibre material moulding techniques, a suitable amount of the material, together with a suitable resin, is placed into a mould which has the required shape and cross-section to produce the sides and top of the frame in a single piece (including integral fixing brackets as shown by way of example at 18,20,22 and 24). An example of suitable mouldable plastics material is the material sold under the trade mark FORTRON by Hoechst A.G.

As shown in Figure 1, the frame also incorporates a waist band 26 defining the lower part of the window opening 8. The waist band 26 can also be formed from the mouldable glass-fibre material, being formed integrally with the remainder of the frame as part of the moulding operation already described. Instead, however, it could be produced separately and secured afterwards to the rest of the frame as by adhesive.

The moulded frame, produced as just described, is then removed from the mould and transferred to a vulcanising press in which rubber sealing and glass-guiding parts are formed in situ, directly onto the glass-fibre frame, and vulcanised in position. Such a vulcanising operation is possible because the moulded glass-fibre reinforced plastics material is capable of withstanding a temperature of 200 C, whereas the temperature required for vulcanising the rubber parts onto it is less than this, being about 180 C.

Figures 2,3 and 4 show the rubber parts 28 which are produced by the vulcanising operation. These Figures also show how the cross-section of the frame varies along its length, this variable cross-section being easily produced by appropriately designing the mould.

As shown in these Figures, the rubber parts 28 provide lips and a guide channel for receiving, guiding and sealing against the window glass 30 for the opening.

Appropriate rubber parts would be provided around at least that part of the frame 6 defining the window opening 8 and would extend part way along the frame portion in the lower part of the door 10. In addition, the vulcanising operation can be used to form one or more sealing lips extending along the waist band 26 so as to provide a waist seal for the window opening.

The fixtures 18 to 24 are used for fixing the frame in the door.

The finished product is very light, being between 1.5 and 1.8 grams per cubic centimetre for example, yet as strong as aluminium. It can be easily provided with a variable profile and coloured if required. The frame is produced in one piece around the window opening without any need for forming bends or joints. The absence of joints improves the sealing performed by the rubber parts.

Substantially no further work is necessary after the moulding operations and there is little or no waste.

Claims

1. A window frame defining at least part of a window opening, made of moulded glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material with one or more rubber sealing parts vulcanised onto the moulded material.

2. A frame according to claim 1, in which the moulded glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material is integrally provided with fixing brackets or the like during the moulding operation.

3. A window frame for the window opening in the upper part of a vehicle door having a slidable window glass, comprising a one-piece member defining the sides and top of the window opening and with the sides integrally extended for attachment in the lower part of the door, the member being made of mouldable glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material in a moulding operation, and rubber vulcanised onto the moulded member to define glass sealing and guiding means extending therealong around the window opening.

4. A frame according to claim 3, including a waist band defining the lower part of the window opening and moulded from glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material integrally with the member.

5. A frame according to claim 4, including rubber vulcanised onto the waist band to define a waist seal for the window glass.

6. A frame according to any one of claims 3 to 5, including fixing means integrally formed in and by the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material for fixing the frame in the door.

7. A frame according to any one of claims 3 to 6, having a varying cross-section.

8. A frame according to any one of claims 3 to 7, in which the glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material is integrally coloured.

9. A method of making a window frame for the window opening in the upper part of a vehicle door having a slidable glass panel, comprising the steps of producing in a single moulding operation from mouldable glass-fibre-reinforced plastics material a frame member defining the sides and top of the window opening and with the sides extended for attachment in the lower part of the vehicle door, transferring the moulded frame into a vulcanising press, and vulcanising onto the frame member rubber material for forming glass sealing and guiding means extending at least along those parts of the frame defining the window opening.

10. A window frame for the window opening of a vehicle door, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11. A method of making a window frame for the window opening in a vehicle door, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.