Compound Molding

This invention relates to moldings in general, and more particularly to automobile moldings.

It is conventional to use moldings in the form of elongated members in the construction of automobiles and the like. Moldings are normally used at the interfaces of adjacent body elements for the purposes of sealing joints against intrusion by the elements and for improving the appearance of the automobile.

A form of molding which is conventionally used includes a glassy resin, such as CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate) resin, hard vinyl chloride, polycarbonate resin or the like adhered to the surface of a metallic molding strip. The resin coating adds strength to the molding, and improves the external appearance thereof.

While in operation, an automobile may generate substantial vibrations which may be transmitted to the moldings attached to the automobile body. As a result, the moldings will be caused to vibrate against the surfaces with which they are in contact. Since the resins used in conventional moldings are rather hard materials, molding in contact with windows of the vehicle will generate unpleasant noises as they vibrate against the glass. Moldings in contact with metallic body portions of the vehicle, in addition to generating undesirable noises, will damage the paint on the metal, allowing rust to develop.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a molding which eliminates the disadvantages associated with previous known moldings.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a compound molding which eliminates the disadvantages associated with compound moldings known in the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved compound molding, utilizing comparatively simple mechanical components, which is economical to manufacture.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved compound molding which eliminates unnecessary vibrational noises as well as damage to painted surfaces of an automobile.

Other objects and their attendant advantages will be understood more clearly and fully from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention comprises a compound molding strip for a motor vehicle. The molding of the present invention may be advantageously used as a window molding or a roof molding. The present molding strip comprises a surface layer made of a hard resin, an intermediate layer made of a resin, a central metal portion, and a protective portion made of a soft vinyl chloride resin located at least at one edge portion of the molding strip. The various layers are advantageously formed as an integral unit by an extrusion process. When used as a window molding, one edge of the molding of the present invention is affixed to a car body, while the other edge thereof contacts a window glass of the car. When used as a roof molding, one edge portion of the molding may be mounted, for example, on a roof channel of the car, while the other edge portion thereof contacts the roof.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an automobile, illustrating certain positions at which the molding of the present invention may be used.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows an overall external view of an automobile, indicating certain positions at which the molding of the present invention may be used. FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, illustrates an embodiment of the invention used as a window molding. Although FIG. 1 indicates that the molding is used in conjunction with the windshield of the vehicle, it is to be understood that it may also be used in conjunction with window portions at the rear or side portion of the automobile or automobiles.

FIG. 2 illustrates a compound molding in accordance with the present invention, designated generally by reference numeral 11. The molding strip 11 is fixed on the car body 10 at one edge by means of a clip 12 and a T-shaped stud 13. The other edge of the molding 11 is in contact with window glass 14 of the automobile. The molding comprises elastically resilient materials and is held against the glass 14 by means of its own elastic holding force reacting against the clip 12.

The window molding strip 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 has a generally C-shaped cross section. A first edge portion 11a of the molding is bent to form substantially a right angle with central portion 11b thereof. At the extreme edge of the first edge portion 11a there is provided an anchor portion 11c for engaging the clip 12. At the second edge portion 11d of the molding 11 there is provided edge 11e extending from the mid-portion 11b. Edge 11e extends generally toward the inside of the C-shaped cross section.

Molding 11 comprises a surface layer 15 made from a weather resistent rigid plastic such as CAB resin, PC (Polycarbonate) resin, PVC resin or the like, and an intermediate layer 16 made of a resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, AAS (Acrylate Styrene Acrylonitrile) resin or the like, a central metal portion 17 made of a material such as cold rolled stainless steel or cold rolled carbon steel, and protective portions 18 and 19. The protective portions are made of a soft vinyl chloride resin and are arranged on portions of the molding strip where the periphery of the first edge portion 11a contacts the car body 10 and where the periphery of the second edge portion 11d, 11e contacts the window glass 14. Protective portion 18 is interposed between the first edge portion 11a of the molding and the car body 10, thereby preventing damage to the car body. Protective portion 19 is interposed between the second edge portion 11d and the window glass 14, thereby preventing the generation of vibration noises at the interface between the molding and the glass.

The molding of the present invention may be integrally formed by, for example, a plastic extrusion molding process known in the art. As a result, the molding is a cohesive, compound structure of integrally formed components.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally by reference numeral 20, used as a roof molding. One edge portion of the roof molding strip 20 is for fixing onto a roof channel 22 formed on or adjacent to the vehicle roof 21. The other edge portion of the molding 20 contacts the car roof. The first edge portion 20a of the roof molding 20 is bent with respect to middle portion 20b, giving the edge portion 20a a generally C-shaped cross section. The second edge portion 20c extends from middle portion 20b and comprises a peripheral portion which contacts the roof 21. Extending from edge portion 20c is a portion of the molding which is approximately parallel to part of middle portion 20b and comprises a bend 20d at the edge thereof.

Roof molding 20 comprises a surface layer 23 made of a weather resistent rigid plastic such as CAB resin, PC resin, PVC (polyvinylchloride) resin, or the like, an intermediate layer 24 made of a resin such as ABS resin, AAS resin, or the like, a central metal portion 25 made of a material such as SUS (stainless steel) foil, or SPC (cold rolled carbon steel) material, and a protective portion 26. The protective portion is made of a soft vinyl chloride resin which is arranged on a portion of the molding where the periphery of the second end portion 20c contacts the car roof 21. The roof molding 20 is fixed on the roof channel 22 by means of the first end portion 20a and the bend 20d. The molding is maintained in contact with the car roof by means of the elastic holding force of the molding, which comprises elastically resilient material, acting on the roof channel 22. The protective portion 26, interposed between the second end portion 20c and the car roof, prevents damage to the car roof and the painted surface thereon.

The roof molding of the present invention may also be integrally formed by, for example, a plastic extrusion molding process known in the art. As a result, the molding becomes a compound molding of integrally formed components.

Thus, the compound molding in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that the part or parts thereof which contact the car body or the window glass are provided with a protective portion made of a soft vinyl chloride resin, thereby preventing damage to the painted surface of the car body and preventing rusting of the underlying metal. The molding of the present invention also prevents generation of vibration induced noises between the molding and the window glass or body surface with which the molding is in contact.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating specific embodiments thereof, such are not to be considered as limiting the invention. The present invention is limited only by the appended claims, and includes modifications which would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.