GB2396881A - Vehicle glazing divider bar with integral base support - Google Patents

Abstract

A divider bar 24 between a quarter glass 26 and main glazing 28, preferably at a vehicle A pillar, has an integral base support 16. The support may be attached to the main door frame 11 and may have a door mirror support 12 having support arms 18, preferably in a triangular formation and of aerofoil section, to support the mirror assembly (13, figure 1).

Description

239688 1 - 1 Vehicle Doors The invention relates to vehicle doors,

particularly but not exclusively the front side doors of motor vehicles such as cars or light vans.

Most modern vehicles have a so-called cheater panel, i.e. the panel which is at the foremost lower corner of the glazed area of the door, immediately adjacent the lower end of the "A" post (the foremost body pillar which supports the front of the roof and the sides of the windscreen). On the other hand, some vehicles dispense with the cheater panel so that the door glazing can extend the full length of the door for appearance and visibility. In such cases a so-called quarter glass or quarter light may be used at the foremost end.

It is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle door with an improved mounting for a quarter glass.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle door comprising a main glazed panel, a quarter glass and a window frame which includes a divider bar which in use extends substantially vertically between the quarter glass and the main glazed panel and a base member which in use extends substantially horizontally below the quarter glass and formed integrally with the divider bar, the quarter glass being fixed to the integral divider bar and base member.

The invention also provides, according to another aspect thereof, a method of assembling a vehicle door which comprises a main glazed panel, a quarter glass and a window frame which includes a divider bar which in use extends substantially vertically between the quarter glass and the main glazed panel and a base member which in use extends substantially horizontally below the quarter glass, the method including supplying the divider bar formed integrally with the base member and with the quarter glass fixed to the integral divider bar and base member. - 2

The quarter glass may have a front diagonal leading edge which in use directly abuts a seal on an adjacent A-pillar of the vehicle.

The base member may include a mounting surface for securing the integral divider bar and base member to a main door frame.

Conveniently, the base member forms a support for a door mirror, in which case the integral divider bar and base member may be supplied complete with the door mirror. The integral divider bar and base member may include an arm which in use extends laterally from the door to support a mirror head. There may be two such arms which are arranged in a triangle or delta formation with the base member. The arms are preferably of aerofoil section to reduce drag and wind noise.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a perspective view from the front and side of the vehicle showing a support for a door mirror according to one aspect of the present invention and including a door mirror and a quarter glass; Fig.2 is a perspective view based on Fig.1 with the quarter glass and door mirror omitted; Fig.3 is a perspective view on arrow "B" in Fig.2 but with a vertical divider bar truncated; Fig. 4 is a perspective view based on Fig.1 but to a larger scale; Fig.5 is a perspective view from the front and inside of the vehicle showing the support shown in Fig.1 as fixed to the door.

Fig.6 is a plan view based on Fig.1; Fig.7 is a side view on arrow "B" of Fig.6; Fig.8 is a rear view on arrow "C" of Fig.6; and Fig.9 is a front three-quarter perspective view of a motor vehicle which includes the door mirror and support as shown in Figs.1 to 8 A vehicle 1 has a door 2 including a structural door frame 11 (shown diagrammatically in Fig.5), the door frame 11 being normally hidden by external and internal panels. A support 12 for a door mirror 13 is attached to the door frame 11 by fasteners (not shown) extending through fixing holes 14 in a base member 16. The base member 16 forms the base of a triangle or delta with a pair of support arms 18 of aerofoil section which in use extend laterally from the door 20 to support a mirror head 22 The support 12 is integral with a divider bar 24 which in use extends substantially vertically between a quarter glass 26 and a main glazed panel 28. The main glazed panel 28 is a conventional drop-down glass panel whereas the quarter glass 26 is fixed to the window frame along the front edge of the divider bar 24 and the top edge of the base member 16 which in use extends substantially horizontally and includes a mounting surface for abutment to the main door frame 11. There is no frame member along the front diagonal leading edge of the quarter glass, this abutting direct on the usual sealing strip on the "A" post. However, such a frame member may be included if desired.

In the assembly of the vehicle door 2, the door mirror support 12 is supplied integral with the window frame of the quarter glass 26, i.e. with the divider bar 24 and the base member 16. The mirror support may be formed by die casting, e.g. from aluminium or magnesium alloy. The quarter glass 26 is fixed to the window frame prior to installation on the door, e.g. by bonding.

By using two support arms 18 arranged in a triangle with the base member 16 the mirror head is supported extremely rigidly in the fore and aft direction (relative to vehicle travel) and by having two arms with a structural aerofoil section there is sufficient rigidity in the vertical direction. As seen from the driver's seat, the arms are a minimal visual 4 intrusion and the aerofoil section reduces drag and prevents wind noise by minimising the disturbance to air flow between the mirror head and the door. - 5

Claims (18)

1. Claims 1. A vehicle door comprising a main glazed panel, a quarter glass

   and a window frame which includes a divider bar which in use extends substantially vertically between the quarter glass and the main glazed panel and a base member which in use extends substantially horizontally below the quarter glass and formed integrally with the divider bar, the quarter glass being fixed to the integral divider bar and base member.
2. 2. A door according to claim 1 wherein the quarter glass has a front diagonal leading edge which in use directly abuts a seal on an adjacent Apillar of the vehicle.
3. 3. A door according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the base member includes a mounting surface for securing the integral divider bar and base member to a main door frame.
4. 4. A door according to any preceding claim wherein the base member forms a support for a door mirror.
5. 5. A door according to claim 4 wherein the integral divider bar and base member is supplied complete with the door mirror.
6. 6. A door according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the integral divider bar and base member includes an arm which in use extends laterally from the door to support a mirror head.
7. 7. A door according to claim 6 wherein there are two such arms which are arranged in a triangle or delta formation with the base member.
8. 8. A door according to claim 7 wherein the arms are of aerofoil section.
9. 9. A method of assembling a vehicle door which comprises a main glazed panel, a quarter glass and a window frame which includes a divider bar which in use extends - 6 substantially vertically between the quarter glass and the main glazed panel and a base member which in use extends substantially horizontally below the quarter glass, the method including supplying the divider bar formed integrally with the base member and with the quarter glass fixed to the integral divider bar and base member.
10. 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the quarter glass has a front diagonal leading edge which in use directly abuts a seal on an adjacent Apillar of the vehicle.
11. 11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the base member includes a mounting surface, the integral divider bar and base member being secured to a main door frame at the mounting surface.
12. 12. A method according to any of claims 9 to 12 wherein the base member forms a support for a door mirror.
13. 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the integral divider bar and base member is supplied complete with the door mirror.
14. 14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the integral divider bar and base member includes an arm which in use extends laterally from the door to support a mirror head.
15. 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein there are two such arms which are arranged in a triangle or delta formation with the base member.
16. 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the arms are of aerofoil section.
17. 17. A vehicle door substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. - 7
18. 18. A method of assembling a vehicle door substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.